Her mind was flying elsewhere during their family lunch. Her mind was fully occupied with Gareth. She was worried for him. He was really in a bad shape when she found him last night. It was a good thing that her doctors responded to her distress call quickly, otherwise...
She winced inwardly. She immediately erased those horrid thoughts. It was not helping her paranoia.
She received a call from Dr. Flyheight early this morning. It was good news. His Highness was out of danger already. The bullet on his left shoulder was successfully extracted. He assured her multiple times that he was on the road to recovery. They were just observing him should there be complications.
"How's your study, Steffanie?" her father inquired. This made her come back to reality. She buried all of Gareth's thoughts in the back of her head.
His father gave her a very calculating look.
"I am doing real great, Your Grace. I am completing my art pieces for my final exhibit," she replied.
"Good. Does this mean that you'll graduate this year, right?"
She gave a nod as a response.
"Then, this calls for a celebration! Congratulations sis," it was her brother, Micheal Angelo.
She gave her brother a beaming smile. He always genuinely supported her through and through.
"Thank you," she humbly expressed her gratitude.
From across the large dining table, she could see the sudden shift on the mood of his father's wife. From being nonchalant, her eyes emitted daggering stares directed towards her.
"There is no need to be overjoyed, Michael Angelo. There is nothing new. It's only Natural that that woman will graduate this year. It's her fourth year to the university, correct?" his father's wife said.
That woman. Her voice started to echo in her head. The happiness that she felt was soon replaced by the one staggering fact. She was an outsider in this family. For a slight moment there, she thought she belong, but He Grace put her in her rightful place.
"Mother, please don't call her that woman. Her name is Steffanie," her brother said, but her mother ignored him.
She tried to ignore the brewing tension on their lunch table. She knew that her big brother did not like what Her Grace did. That, she was thankful of. Her brother always took care of her. His genuine affection towards her was the only connection she has for a family.
The room was filled in awkward silence. She knew that this was because of her. She should have just remained silent. She should have just focused on finishing her meal so she could go back to Camelot.
But who was she kidding? Every corner of this place reminded her of who she was, and who she will never be. Like the sumptuous dinner that she all graciously tried to eat. It's a constant reminder of the status of her so-called "family." They were served with grilled turkey lathered in wild honey with specs of edible gold. She knew for a fact how much this had cost her father. The pay for their family chef was already over the roof. They hired no other than the best of what Sutherland has to offer. Even the silverwares she was using was literally made of pure silver. The dining hall itself shouted of grandeur and elegance; the high ceilings embellished with crystal chandeliers, cardinal red draperies, intricately carved dining table. Everything fitted the status of her father. And why wouldn't it? Her father was none other than 'the' Gerard Sutherland, the Duke of Sutherland.
"I want to go to your graduation, Steff. When will that be?" her father broke the silence in the hall.
She was momentarily shocked at what she heard. Was that true? Did he really say that? Hope filled her heart.
But it was short-lived. Her Grace interjected even before she could summon the courage to respond to her father.
"There is no need for that Gerard. Why would the Duke of Sutherland be present there? People will wonder," her father's duchess of a wife said.
"But it will be my daughter's special day. I want to be there," her father affectionately responded.
She was touch at her father's gesture.
"We already talked about this, Your Grace. You knew very well that our arrangement does not include you being over fatherly to that woman. You know that."
Her father looked at her eyes. She could see a shadow of sadness pass through it. She gave him a reassuring smile.
"That is OK, father. Her Grace is right. People might talk. They might speculate. I am good. I can manage."
She knew it was the right thing to do. She did not expect anything more from His and Her Grace. She was an outsider to this family. She had no right to crave for their love and affection. She was just a bastard spawned by her father to her lowly mother.
This was her deepest darkest secret, the stigma of her life. Her mother was just a mere farmer's daughter. Her mother was a commoner, but she has always been a dreamer. She viewed the world as a beautiful spectrum of colors. Kaya nang makilala nito ang ama, she immediately fell for him. She never knew that her father's a Duke. All she knew was that this handsome adventurer who suddenly appeared in their small village took fancy on her. She was very happy. Her father would promise her the moon and stars. He promised that they would travel the whole kingdom, visiting one Duchy after the other. Then everything came down after three months of blissful moments. Her father left their village. He promised that he will return. He said that he just needed to return to his home town to sort something out. Her mother waited and waited but he never came back.
When her mother knew of her pregnancy, she became happy. She thought her father would come back to her knowing that he had sired her a child.. She kept writing her father, telling him random things in the hope that he will soon return to their small village. She sent it through the address he gave her in the Duchy of Sutherland. But she did not received any response from him.
Everything came crawling down when she saw her father inside the pages of a newspaper. Her father was featured there as one of the youngest philanthropist in the Kingdom. She saw the picture of his happy family, a stunning wife with their four year old child. It broke her to pieces, but she remained strong. She continued her pregnancy. Her grandparents supported her mother all throughout. Everything went back to its proper place when she was born.
Her grandparents took care of her as she grew up while her mom was busy earning for a living. She always knew of her parent's story. Her grandmother told her everything. But even if her father was the monster in all of those stories she heard from her grandma, she still couldn't find it in her heart to hate her father. Her mother moved on as well. She did not bore any ill-feelings towards him. For her, it was her own Cinderella fantasy, blissful and magical. Then the clock struck at 12 midnight. Cinderella was back in her pauper self. Rather than mulling about the dreadful thing that happened to her, her mother chose to move on.
Everything in their lives was perfect until that dreadful day. She was happily walking towards their small home. She was eleven years old that time. She knew it was her mother's day off so she immediately packed her school bags after her last class. She was excited to be with her. She was expecting that she'll be there, welcoming her in a tight embrace. But she was wrong, terribly wrong.
An eerie feeling crept to her insides as she entered their humble home. She immediately felt that something was wrong. Something was off. Then she saw the lifeless body of her grandparents covered in blood, she went nuts. She was scared to death. She did not know what to do. She immediately ran towards her mother's room. She found her mother there, lying lifeless on the floor, bathing on her own blood. She went to her, immediately checking in on her. She could feel her hoarse breathing. She called her many times in between her cries and screams but she did not answer. She just looked at her. Then in her last moments, she said the words, "Go to your father."
The murder of her family became well-known in their village. Some said it was psychopath who was bound to be sent to Tartarus but escape as the police transport him. Some said it was her mother's lover. Some said it was some soulless thieves who thought they could steal something from that small home. But the worst rumor was, it was her who had gone amok and killed every single family member that she got.
She was too emotionally tired to be even bothered. She had no idea
Many expressed their sympathy and condolences but nothing consoled her. It was the last day of the wake when a man came looking for her. He introduced himself as the butler of her father. He said that he was ordered to bring her to her father. And with her mother's final wishes, she went with the man.
After their awkward family lunch, the Duchess summoned Steffanie in her office. In her years of stay in this household, there was only one thing that she needed to do to stay out of trouble -- never cross paths with the duchess.
She avoided her like a plague. There were only few times that they talked and all those times, she never failed to humiliate her and put her in her proper place.
Her heart was raising in fear as she stood in front of the door. It's now or never. She took in a large mouthful of air. She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then came knocking on the door.
"I am here seeking for your audience, your Grace," she politely said.
"Come in," the Duchess said.
She twisted the knob and carefully entered the room. She was there at the center of the room at the back of a beautifully embellished wooden executive table.
"Have a seat," she instructed.
"How may I offer my assistance to Her Grace?" she politely said as she sat on the chair.
She gave her a sharp look. The Duchess of Sutherland, Mary Charlotte Sutherland was regal as always. But beautiful as she always was, this woman's indifference towards her was very obvious. She wore it like its her second skin, and she very well knew why. Her existence was a mockery to her, an evidence of her father's infidelity.
"You know very well the status of your father to the House of the Lords."
She nodded in agreement. She could feel the butterflies running amok in her stomach. Never had she been alone in a room with Her Grace. Ever since she was brought in to her father's manor, both she and Her Grace tried their hardest to avoid each other. That's how they co-exist.
She was never used to talking with her Grace. She felt uncomfortable. She was more accustomed to her apathy towards her. She always ignored her existence and she was fine with that.
"You very well know that your existense is a threat to the family's reputation. Imagine the ridicule that we have to endure should your existence be revealed. You know how nobility is, image is the most important. You are a walking scandal."
Every word she uttered was like a dagger piercing through her heart. She wanted to retaliate, but how could she? Not when Her Grace was telling the cold hard truth.
"Here's what I want, I want you to leave Sutherland and Camelot. Go to a place away from this family."
She trembled at what she heard. Tears were now threatening to fall down. She could not imagine permanently leaving this household. In its own little way, this became her home. Even if her existance was a walking scandal, she still consider them as her only family. She loved her father in spite and despite of everything that happened. He supported her through and through. He provided for her education. When she decided to major in Fine Arts, her father was all nothing support. He gave her the money she used to rent her own studio, to buy her painting tools, and to pay for her flat. Most importantly, he financed her medical treatment. And even if Her Grace sees her as a nuisance, she loved this woman in her own little way. She was very thankful that she welcomed her in this household. She was grateful that she was not kicked out of their house to live in the streets.
And her big brother, her ever loving big brother. It was only him who showered her with genuine love and care ever since her family died. He was affectionate towards her. Never had she felt his distaste towards her. In fact, he was jumping with joy when he knew he has a little sister. He was her first hero. He was the one who encouraged her to dream, to be the best that she can be.
And now, her Grace wanted for her to leave all of that? Her family was her only treasure.
"Do not take this personally, I am only thinking on the welfare of the family. And besides, your father had provided for you for the last decade or so. What do you need more?"
The tears she was holding finally fell. What she was asking is impossible. How can she be this cruel? She just wanted a place to call home. She just wanted a family. She just wanted to be loved. She just wanted to be accepted. Her chest constricted in pain as grief consumed her.
How can her life be this unfair?
The expression of the Duchess softened.
"Please understand our situation. The Duke of Denimburgh is on the look-out for your father. He is digging dirt and looking for skeletons in the closet. I am afraid of what he might uncover. That duke has been the adversary of your father since then," she said in a as-matter-of-fact tone.
"I also heard from Dr. Flyheight the gravity of your medical condition. She recommended to have your treatment transferred in Asphodel. It would be the best for you. I know that we have not seen things eye-to-eye, but I still want you to have the best possible treatment for your ailment."
She was now sobbing, unable to comprehend the inevitability of things.
Her Grace held her hand, "I know that I have not been much of a mother to you. But I am the matriarch of this family. Minsan lang ako makikiusap sa iyo. Please heed to my request. I'll arrange everything for you. Build your life there, we will still support you financially. I just need you to be as far away as possible."
She was rendered without a choice. She wanted to refuse but was she even given a choice to do so? Once Her Grace decided on this, there was no stopping her.
With a heavy heart, she responded, "Ok, I accept my fate. I'll leave once I've settled everything from the University."
The Duchess was back again to her usual cold façade, "Let this just be to the both of us."
"I understand, Your Grace."
A few days had already passed since that unfortunate event happened to Gareth. Calerence was successful in stashing away all the evidence that might involve him in that incident. But it did not escape the palace's intel. His Majesty, the King, was already aware of what happened.
He was glad that he was still confined in the recovery room inside the Royal Hospital. This way, he still had an excuse to ignore the summons of the King.
After that dreadful incident, a royal decree was issued by the King to increase the Imperial Guards of each member of the royal family. Before, it was only their respective Chavaliers who were required to be with them constantly but now, a whole convoy was following them twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. That pissed him off badly. He hated this manipulation from the King. He felt watched and confined. Even his little trip in the men's room was chaperoned! This was ridiculous!
Of course his brothers were also pissed. They did not like the move of the King to put a reign on them. Those guards felt as if they were an extension of the King's line of vision. But retaliate as they may, none of them can break the King's Decree. No one was above the King. He was the supreme ruler of the Kingdom.
His thoughts was put to halt when someone knock on his door.
"Come in," he said.
It was Prince Ares Pendragon. The third prince of the kingdom and the third-in-line to the throne of Pendragon.
"Are you okay?" he sat beside him.
"Nothing I can't handle," he replied.
"You sure?"
"Positive. Give me a few days more and I'll be good as new."
"Good to hear that from you."
He studied the expression on his brother's face. It was full of worries. "So what brought you here?"
"I came here to check on you. At the same time, I wanted to ask you some questions regarding the incident." Ares showed him his badge. Right then and there he knew that he'll be interrogated by no less than the Director General of Pendragon's police force.
He heard from his rogue days that Ares decided to enter the police force. That news hit the headlines immediately. After quite a while, his brother immediately rose up to the ranks. He was now the Director General of the Interpol, a branch in the Imperial Armed Forces that was tasked to keep the internal peace within the kingdom.
"OK, so what do you have for me, bro?" he obliged.
"Do you know any of these men?" he showed him a picture of the men who attacked him.
"Nope. I have no Idea," he returned the pictures to Ares.
"Then why would they assault you? What happened to you was no accident, it was an ambush."
"I very well know that, bro. Look what I got? They nearly put me out of commission. They were all well prepared."
He grimaced in frustration. "Something just didn't add up. How the hell did they come to know that you are to leave the palace that night? And how the hell did they know of the route that you will be driving?"
He looked him in the eye. "I think, brother. You already know the answer. It doesn't take a genius to solve this simple logic."
Ares nod his head in agreement, they were both thinking the same thing, "There's a mole inside the palace."
"It was a clear inside job. Everything was executed in the perfect timing."
"But who? What do they need? You have any idea?" he inquired.
"I don't know also but it is your job to find out."
"By the way, the men that you gunned down were all now in the custody of the Interpol. They are now under my jurisdiction. They are all in a hospital arrest."
"Good thing then. What's important is that my name should not be dragged down to this mess." That incident itself made a big commotion. The press reported of a gang war, but he knew better. The palace had successfully covered up everything. Only the Interpol and the Executive Militia knew the truth.
He could not let himself be entangled into this mess. The less people who knew, the better. He did not want to cause a public uproar. The public and the press would somehow develop a way to put all the blame on him. The people will definitely publicly convict him. Should that happen, not even the Royal Family could help him.
Ares finally stood up. "I'll come check on you later. Focus on getting better. You need to get out, bro. You look like a hell. You need to get laid."
Ares's laughter echoed all throughout the room. He was teasing him.
"Ciao!" Ares said as he went out of his room.
Damn it! Ares didn't need to remind him. It was already five days since he got admitted. Five fucking days of nothing but boredom. He needed to be laid! He needed a gorgeous woman to quench his intense lust.
And he had just one person in his mind. Steffanie. He wanted to see her right away. One, because he wanted to thank her. If it was not for her, he would have gone six feet under. And two, he wanted to taste those succulent and delectable lips of hers. He wanted her like hell. He could still remember their first meeting. The kiss they shared was absofuckinglutely amazing. It drove him insane and it gave him a lot of sleepless nights.
The mere memory of that night made his body react. He was sporting a massive hard-on inside his hospital robe. Damn! He felt like a teen-age horn dog. Soon he will have her. He will sate himself with her beautiful body. She will be his.
But the thought of Steffanie came also with a backlash. He suddenly remembered what Dr. Flyheight said before he left their clinic. Steffanie was suffering in a rare eye ailment. Her beautiful eyes became both a blessing and curse. She was blessed with gorgeous eyes that became the window of her soul. It was like an intricately polished sapphire. One look and your will be enticed to enter the endless abyss of her soul. But the irony was those same eyes were the ones causing her sufferings. She was legally blind. She only had a limited vision span. She was also night blind. According to Dr Flyheight, if those were not cured ASAP, she has the tendency to be totally blind.
He swore to himself that he will help her just as she had helped him.