With the perfect excuse to wear a disguise, when I got better, I made sure to wear a cleaning mask wherever I went. To my surprise, no one really questioned my odd behavior. Celine began to follow me around everywhere I went again. I guess it really scared her when I came down with a fever for no apparent reason.
It became a bit overbearing in how caring the woman was. No matter how little the task, she would immediately take over. At one point, she even suggested that she spoon-feed me. 'I know I brought this on myself, but... I can't stand it anymore!'
"Celine! Please leave me! As you can see, I'm perfectly fine. I'm sure you have other things to do, so don't mind me and go do them!"
"No, My Lady. I used to be by your side at all times anyways. My duties have always been to take care of you. Seeing how you became sick, it made me realize that I have become much too negligent about your health."
"Celine! It was my own fault that I got sick. I.. I forced myself to begin exercising!"
The kind woman's eyes look distraught as she questions me. "My Lady. Why would you do that?"
With a firm voice, I assert, "I'm quite tired of being such a weakling! I do not wish to be a glass doll for my entire life! I want to build up my stamina and strength so that I'll be able to do things on my own. If you keep doing everything for me, you are impeding my efforts to becoming healthy! I do not wish to be coddled!"
Her mouth goes agape. After a minute of processing my words, she accepts my wishes. "I understand, my lady.. but even so.. please don't overwork yourself. If you do, then it is your body that will be stopping you."
"I will keep it in mind."
Relieved that she understood, I head to my study. With it being located in the detached area of the mansion, I have to walk outside in order to get to it. As I stroll on the large pathway between the forest of pine trees, I hear an unfamiliar voice heading my way. Quickly, I scurry off the trail and hide behind a large trunk. Though their volume is low, I can still make out what is being said.
"Your Highness, are you sure it is okay to trust Duke Argyris with such details."
"Collins, you should know by now that I don't trust anyone but myself."
"But your highness.."
"As I said. I only trust me and my judgment. And my judgment has concluded that Duke Argyris is not a useless piece of trash like those in the Capital. So stop talking. You're being a pain."
"But to tell him such confidential information... if he acts against us-"
"Collins. If you so much as speak another word, I'll have to cut your tongue off."
"Your Highness, I-"
I hear the sound of metal being partially unsheathed. "Did you not hear me? Do not speak another word."
I hold my breath as the whispering pair pass me by. 'I wonder what they are talking about..' When I can't hear them anymore, I get up from the squatting position, but somehow the hem of my pajamas.. (yes, pajamas. As I convinced Celine that stuffy dresses don't make me feel well, I was allowed to wear pajamas throughout the day when I was in the residence...) I quietly tug and pull myself free, then step out from behind the pine tree only to fall backward in complete shock.
"Oomph!!" Landing on the damp soil, I make a small grunt. But rather than feeling for the dull pain of falling on my butt, I look up to see a dark pair of ruby eyes looking down at me.
"Who are you?" His voice is unsettling. It is one of a child, but it's able to send a chill up my spine.
Though my heartbeat is rapid, I pick myself up. Submitting to his presence, I curtsied with my head down and calmly introduced myself. "It's my honor to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Lucille Argyris. I am the daughter of the Duke." I stay still. I feel my body wanting to back away, but I dig my toes down to plant myself firmly.
With a sharp tone, he questions me. "Lucille Argyris, why are you wearing that?"
I look down to my now dirty pajamas and then explain, "You see.. normal clothing for girls is fairly stuffy... And as I am always in the mansion, this is what I usually wear.."
I'm not sure if it is my imagination, but this time around, his voice becomes a bit less mechanical when he asks, "That seems.. lazy of you... Also, you did not answer my question. Why are you wearing a mask?"
'Ah.' I touch the thick cleaning mask on my face that Luca gave me. "Just a few days ago, I was sick. In order to not contaminate any of the officials that have come to stay at the residence, my brother told me to wear a mask to prevent the possibility of my sickness spreading while I am about."
It seems he did not understand my explanation as after I gave it, he demands, "..Take it off."
I whip my head up at his words. At this moment, I think of two things. The first one is 'Ah, he's serious,' and the other one is 'Oh. I see why Luca was acting so strange.'
I didn't notice it too well earlier, but the boy was beautiful. While Luca was what I confidently describe to be a snow-fairy, pretty in every way, the Prince looked like a.. well prince. His hair that was blacker than night looked soft and silky to touch. It was wavy and a bit long for a boy. If he wanted, he could probably pull it back into a ponytail. But since it frames his face so well, it would be a shame to do so. His eyes looked like the red-candies that Luca gave me contrasted well with his thick, black lashes. Though, rather than describing as something sweet, it would be more fitting to say they looked like beautiful rubies displayed behind glass. His nose was tall and slim. His thick lips were a fitting-pink balanced his slightly tan face. And his frame.. it was much larger than one would expect of a mere 9-year-old boy. He was almost a head taller than the feminine-featured Luca. And while he is wearing similar clothing to the ones Luca wears for training, one can easily tell how much better they suited the tall Prince than the slim-framed boy.
'I understand that he is supposed to be the 'handsome protagonist', but to make him so beautiful will only turn him into a heart-breaker in the future. A natural calamity.'
Forgetting my initial anxiety, I become engrossed in my thoughts. Because so, while I study him, I begin frown in pity for the bleak future of all of Carnath's young ladies. 'I'm sure these looks are enough to create an Ocean of tears.'
"Are you ignoring orders?"
His once again chilling voice brings me back to my senses. "Huh? Oh... No, Your Highness... I was just thinking.. Um... I do not.. recommend taking off my mask."
With narrowed eyes, he questions, "And why is that?"
"I am.. horribly ugly."
His face is blank. I'm not too sure what he is thinking, but I try my best to convince him.
"If your highness were to see me, I'm sure he would want to gouge his own eyes out."
"Is that so?" It seems it was a mistake to say that as his eyes seem to show a gleam of interest. "If you say that I'll want to mutilate myself after seeing you, then it would be a shame to waste such an opportunity." His hand reached for me and I step backward. The scene was shameful display of predator an prey. Why was this child so scary?
"Your Highness!" His hand fell back to his side when the man from earlier called out. "Your Highness, it is not gentlemanly for you to touch a girl so casually."
With a glare, the boy turned back to the man. Using this opportunity, I ran away - well.. walked as quickly as possible.
When I closed the door, my legs gave out and I slid to the floor. "Luca was absolutely right when he said that the Prince was scary." Leaning my head against the wooden door, I closed my eyes as I recalled that cold stare.
'Although he is intimidating.. He doesn't seem as insane like my old fiance was..'
As my heart settled, I picked myself up and walked toward the my little pillow nest. 'Regardless, I don't think associating with him will be good for me.. With the King and Queen technically being in power for the next ten or so years, it would be bad to make any unnecessary connections with the person in the way of solidifying their rule.'
Mindlessly, I fall into the pillows with a soft plop when I remember... "Wait... what was the aide saying about the Duke?"
"...are you sure it is okay to trust Duke Argyris with such details?"
'What details was he talking about?' I began to ponder what it could possibly mean. 'If the Duke becomes involved in that mess later on... I wonder what will happen.'