Chapter 13:
Zachary was taken by surprise by the sudden impact he had felt. When the door had started opening, his war instinct had taken over and he was ready to pierce his sword in the chest of the person that was going to come out, but as soon as he caught sight of her silky hair, an instinct to suddenly catch her suddenly overcame him.
"You're here," her soft panting voice resounded in his ears before she had fallen limp in his arms.
Picking her up bridal style he turned to Allen slightly, with no emotion present on his face.
"Request the imperial physician, immediately," his voice cold, as Allen nodded with a shiver.
Walking into the house, the Marquis of Monroe stood shocked at the sudden sight before him. The dirty blood of the family was in the arms of the prince of war. Unmoved he watched the Crown prince walk in unannounced and uninvited, only to stop before them. Zachary looked at Susan whom he had recognized accompanying Winter.
"Where is her room?"
"This way, Your Highness," she directed with Zachary hot on her heels.
What was she running from? He had no idea whatsoever he hadn't seen anything, just the shocked faces of the Marquis and his wife, along with scurrying maids. He could not pinpoint exactly what was going on, but something told him, she was running from someone. Who? He had an idea. But was she so unfit that she had passed out suddenly? He couldn't understand.
It wasn't long till the physician had made an appearance in a huff and puff and was lead to Zachary to check up on winter. Zachary simply observed him as he had done the check-up. The doctor's face furrowed and twisted as every result he had accumulated came as a surprise.
"Your highness, when was the last time she had eaten proper food and taken in any fluids?" the doctor questioned carefully.
Zachary though surprised by the question did not show it on his face. Not eating well in the house of the marquis who was known for his happy family and wealth came as a surprise. He knew winter was an illegitimate child, but for her to be treated to this extent had him taken aback. Yes, it was not uncommon for many of the aristocrat families to mistreat, but no one would think the marquis family as such.
'Interesting…' Zachary thought to himself.
"I'm unsure, but please do what you must to ensure her continuing health." He spoke.
They sounded calm but the meaning behind the words had the Physician gulping and unconsciously moving his hand towards his neck.
"Make sure to take down notes on what to do, as well as the prescription. Be sure to show the physician out once he is done." Zachary said as he made his way out of the room and down the stairs towards the marquis couple.
The house was in a frenzy as Anna tried to get things ready for their surprise visitor. It was unbeknownst to her that the prince would suddenly visit and having her home unprepared to welcome him had her in a panic. The imperfection had her almost ripping her hair off of her head.
The servants had managed to get things slightly in place before the prince had come back down, after putting that wench to bed. Allen took the initiative and held the prince's coat as the marquis guided them towards the tea-room, where his wife sat quite happily with the other daughter of the family next to her.
Zachary took a seat as the servants poured tea. The tension was quite thick and felt as though one could almost cut through it. Beads of sweat fell down the marquis face as he cleared his throat with a nervous smile.
"What brings your highness here to our humble abode?" he questioned.
"I am here to put down my proposal and collect my bride," Zachary said as he sipped the tea in the cup.
Anna froze as the cup in Anita's hand fell. The servants rushed to clean up the now spilt tea on the ground. The marquis was shocked as he blinked quite rapidly at what the prince had said.
"P-pardon?"
"Sir Monroe, I did not know you to be deaf," Zachary said, his words sharp.
The marquis, trembled slightly, carefully thinking of his next words. The prince was not someone anyone could simply say anything to if they wanted to keep their heads on the shoulders.
"It's just I am unaware of what his highness means," the marquis said with a nervous chuckle.
"Did my bride not tell you id come with a proposal? But a few nights ago, I do not remember sending her back in such a state, did you receive her so?" he had asked in a way that had the marquis gulping as he continued drinking the tea.
Winter's words popped up in the marquis's head as he wanted to dig a hole and crawl under it. He was too furious to even listen to her words that they had simply locked her away. And with this sudden appearance of the prince, they were unable to cover any mistreatments that they had been handing out to the child.
"No, your highness," The marquis answered hurriedly, trying to salvage what he could.
"Well then, why am I receiving her in such a state? I was not aware the marquis was that poor to not look after her only to return her to me, quite…damaged," Zachary said as his eyes pierced through the marquis.
"Your highness, may I speak?" Anita's voice rang in Zachary's ears. "Winter is already engaged to the duke of Dominic, so I do not quite understand how your highness is going to marry her,"
Anita had been in complete disarray but kept a calm demeanour. Her entire plan was going to be played. Having them ruined was something she did not and could not accept, even if it was simply because of the crown prince.
"That I am aware, but his imperial highness the emperor had given me permission to marry her and has annulled the marriage with The duke," Zachary said curtly as he felt no need to explain himself.
"But she is of dirty blood. She is an illegitimate child, does the emperor know this? The aristocrats and nobles would never agree to this your highness," Anita spoke trying to derive a crack.
"Are you done speaking?" Zachary questioned in a deadly tone.
She had forgotten who she had been up again and had gotten riled up all because of that measly girl.
"I-I apologize, your highness," she said as she let her head down slightly.
"The opinions of the aristocrats or nobles are of no concern to me. Whether they agree or not has nothing to do with anything. Her being an illegitimate child changes nothing. She is the one I will marry and that is it." He said in a final tone with no room to argue.
Anita clenched her hands under the table. This couldn't be happening. Winter was getting out of her grasp and this she could not accept. Had the duke, who was in the palm of her hand, known of all this beforehand? Why had he not told her anything? She couldn't understand.
Susan made her way to the prince, announcing that winter had begun to wake up. Zachary put down his cup and turned towards the marquis.
"Well, I hope we have received your blessing,"
"H-H-how could I not? It is such an honour to receive such a high order," the Marquis spoke as the young prince had stood up.
"Well then, please excuse me," Zachary said as he walked out of the room, heading towards her.
'The eldest daughter of the Monroe family…. There was definitely something off about her.'