"However, in the recent year I could not help," Andrew trailed off and suddenly turned quiet.
Pupillam observed his expression understood right away, "Your wife," Pupillam murmured, "I suppose it's natural for her to feel jealous with the amount of attention you pay Queen Lyn."
Rather if she didn't get to know him before, then Pupillam would assume he had some sort of sister complex or something. Almost as though Andrew read her mind, he reached over and flicked her forehead with his hands. The sudden contact surprised her, which is stupid. This whole time he's been treating her injured legs. It's difficult to remain indifferent when he is so close. She wonders how the Queen can act so normal around Rhys. It was only brief, but Pupillam could tell that the two interacted in the same manner they did before.
"It's natural for me to worry about her the most due to the circumstances behind her birth. Unlike Lethia or Shaarya, she was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth."
"..."
Pupillam said nothing to that, she recalls arguing with him back then regarding Queen Lyn. When Pupillam found out the reason why the girl was living such an isolated lifestyle was mainly the doing of the First Prince. All the walls she put up, since arriving at the castle shattered immediately. Even though he did not specifically instruct her to do so. When Pupillam learned of his identity, she decided to pretend that she did not know who he was. For the longest time, she put a wall between herself and him. But when she heard from Rhys the reason for the isolation, she snapped. Pupillam remembers marching up to his quarters without giving it much thought and scolded him. Now she thought about it, the whole time he listened to her silently and
Her thoughts broke off when she saw him pluck a flower nearby and placed it in her hair, "Indeed, such common things do suit you."
Pupillam stares at him speechless. What is he doing?
Andrews' lips curve to an amused smile, "It seems like being by my sister's side for so long has lead to this. You lack the desire to spend any time with men."
"Not everybody has a fiance candidate picked out from the moment they are born," Pupillam replied drily. She didn't bother removing the flower. He already plucked it out with no means for her to return it to normal. That's right; from the very start, nothing would happen between them. It was destined to be a mere crush because this person has had a fiancé since the moment they were born. Even long before she entered this world, someone decided his fate.
"And you, have no intention of getting attached to anyone?"
He's straightforward with his questions today. Is it because he knows that she will answer everything now? Either way, it can't be helped, huh.
"If you get too involved with someone, you end up losing any sense of rationality. Even the calmest person becomes careless in front of the person they've become attached to," Pupillam trailed off as she thought of herself. The Queen and King especially, when it came to each other. They do not make rational decisions. Growing attached to someone, a person ends up losing something in the process. They may gain something, but there's also a loss. So it's risky, she continued, "In short, once upon a time there was a time where I became attached to another person. That person was on a completely different level than me, and while I acted indifferently, it did little good," she paused noticing his expression change.
Pupillam knew he figured it out, but that was no concern of hers.
"In short, I personally had to learn it."
Nobody spoke for a while; the silence around them was quite frightening. Pupillam wondered if it was such a good idea to talk openly the way she did. But the words quickly left her mouth the moment he asked that question. She regretted it a second too late, and a quiet sigh passed her lips. All her rationality just disappeared.
"Simply put something happened in the past that made you have a bad experience. That's why you insist on chasing up on the matter regarding those two around correct?"
By those two, Prince Andrew referred to King Allen and Queen Lyn. The Queen married King Kazuya when she was seventeen, around five-six years have passed. During that time Pupillam has been by their sides, so she understands full well. Nothing can happen between King Allen and Queen Lyn anymore. But at the very least, she wants them to mend their broken friendship.
Her thoughts broke off when one of Prince Andrews guards approached him, "Prince."
"What?"
The guard whispered something causing a frown to appear on Prince Andrews face, "Pupillam, it seems like you won't be able to get that message across."
Pupillam's eyes widened in understanding, and she immediately stood up.
......
The sight was beyond brutal; the 'enemy' hung the person in the middle of town. His head severed from his body and his other body parts decorated in the symbol of a cross. Anybody not use to seeing such a brutal scene would be sick. Pupillam has seen countless of battles by now, but even then, she felt bile rush to her throat but kept it in.
Prince Andrew immediately took charge of the situation and instructed his men to keep the townsfolk away. Pupillam examined the body; indeed, the owner of the body was the person the Queen asked for her to meet. How did they know? She only arrived here last night.
Pupillam clenched her fist, had she gone to the theater and took up Prince Andrews request. Perhaps this situation could have been avoided. But it's too late to have regrets now. Pupillam prayed quietly before she stood up.
"This man was the last one who saw him; he's an assistant."
A young lad about Miley's age stepped forward, his ginger hair was messy, and the green hat on his hair seemed to be out of place.
"Can you tell us the details?"
"Prince Andrew, Miss Pupillam... I thought nothing would happen. That woman said she was an old friend of his and the other members of security and the crew recognized her. So I thought they were acquaintances. I confirmed with other people too, and they said she was nobody suspicious and well known in this town," the man was still visibly shaken about what happened to his mentor.
Usually, Pupillam would provide some words of comfort, but this was hardly the time for that.
"Do you know the name?" Pupillam asked.
"They say her name is Somina."
Pupillam froze, "What did you just say?"
"Pupillam? What's the matter."
That name, that person existence is not known to people due to her status as a spy. So it's only natural that nobody noticed. But even so, to think that woman was in this town and from the looks of it - did such an excellent job at tricking people.
That woman most likely heard of her rival and killed this poor man as a result of her not going to the theater. The sudden theater performance was a setup, Somina wanted to trap her and yet due to her personal feelings she didn't go. This was the punishment for that.
"You have to lead me to that woman. She's after me, she— the Snow Kingdom's secret agent."
Her words didn't go unnoticed, "The Snow Kingdom?" A woman nearby murmured. Due to the woman's loud voice though, the rest of the townsfolk heard.
"It's true, they're out to destroy everybody because we sided with the Mist."
"Is it too late to change?"
"Don't be stupid; Queen Lyn has done so much for us. Why would we betray her?" somebody argued back...
The town's folks' words were lost in her head though, as she quickly turned away. 'A great deal of power comes with a great amount of burden,' it was something the Queen told her once before, and now Pupillam understood why. Somebody of her position cannot afford to let herself get affected by external factors. This is the second time she's facing a situation where she let her emotions affect her decision lead to something negative happening. A life was lost today, because of her.