Dinner went by roughly as expected, and Arthur kept on insisting to give a severe punishment to our aunt because of what she did to me. I didn't really expected anything, but Hendrix also agreed with him. It hasn't been long since I got here, but it seemed like we are all starting to get along. Luckily, uncle duke agreed that Lady Clarence will be stripped off of her title along with her family and banish them from the Clareain Kingdom and the Nation of Annaritas.
It hasn't been five hours since we ate dinner, but I could already sense myself getting hungry again. Maybe because I didn't get the chance to properly earlier with all the talk we did at the dining table. Though, it feels good knowing that the people surrounding me are slowly changing as well.
I placed a hand against my stomach, my lips pouting as I felt my own stomach rumbling. "I think I should go down to eat," I mumbled to myself.
I grabbed my nightdress coat and wore it, covering my blue chemise. It would be extremely inappropriate to go out with just my chemise.
I slipped on my slippers and carefully stepped out of my room. It feels quieter outside, maybe everyone's already taking their rest. I held onto the handle of my candle holder as I walked on the hallway. It's been a while since I last took a night walk.
I still remembered that time when I was young, I usually go on a walk around at night. Then there was this one time when the rain was heavily pouring, and my mother was still alive that time. I snuck out of bed in the middle of the night, it was raining too hard that I wanted to watch outside.
I got out of the house and sat quietly on the porch. It was dark outside, so I thought that no one will see me there. I really didn't realize back then that my fascination of the night and the rain would give me a traumatic experience. Father had accidentally woke up and locked the door from inside. During that time, the sky was already roaring. It was horrifying, watching how the lightning struck the sky and the most horrifying thing was when I witnessed someone being struck by lightning.
It was awfully funny when they found me outside the next day. I was shaking helplessly on the ground. Ah. Those pathetic days of mine.
My mind was too occupied with that sudden flashback that I didn't noticed that I had finally reached the kitchen. I looked around and checked if there were any servant round before checking for any leftover food. Unfortunately, there were none.
A sigh escaped my lips, and I was just planning on going back to my room when I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. It was getting louder that it's starting to make me feel nervous. I'm a princess, right? It might be alright if they'll know that I'm here and searching for food. I mean, they might be able to help me.
"Who's there in the kitchen?" Ah, Eliza!
I was about to answer when I felt someone grabbing me by the waist and covering my mouth. The person blew off the light of the candle I was holding as well as he dragged me to the corner of the kitchen. He seemed like a man because of his built and strength.
My heart was beating faster in panic. I suddenly felt scared as negative thoughts flooded my mind. What if he's a killer? I'm trying to survive inside the palace these past few days, and I'll only be killed by a killer I found in the kitchen? I don't want to die yet!
I closed my eyes tightly, my hands gripped on my coat and the candle holder. I was already planning on using the candle holder as a weapon when he loosened his grip around me. He must've felt how scared I was.
"I'm sorry. But don't worry, I won't hurt you. Let's just hide until the servants scurry away," he whispered behind my ear as he moved back a little.
More importantly, he sounded younger than me. Somehow, a sense of relief washes over me and I slowly managed to calm myself down. We stayed hidden for a couple of minutes, waiting for Eliza and the other male servant to leave. Once we were sure that they already left, I quickly moved away from him.
"I'm sorry, again. I must've startled you there. I'm Keita, by the way."
He didn't seem to know who I am based on how he talks to me. There's still the light coming from the moonlight outside, and he should be able to recognize me. But well, it doesn't really matter.
"Call me Amy. I was going to get some snacks, but I found nothing."
He tilted his head before glancing at the basket behind him. Oh, I didn't notice that, Is that food, though? From the palace kitchen? How did he get that?
"I can read what you're thing, Amy. I didn't take them. I was given to me by the palace cook. Do you want some?" So he can see my face.
"Oh. What food is that? Why did he give you food?"
"Those are today's leftovers. He always save some for us and he'll place it on a basket and leave it in the kitchen for me to pick up."
"What are you? I mean, how can you come inside the palace? You're not a thief, aren't you?"
This guy's starting to look suspicious. Well, unless if he's a servant or someone working on the other palace.
"I'm actually a knight-in-training. The other knights from the senior level had been treating us, from the junior level, with so much hostility that they even take the portions of our food. I just wanted to become a knight of the empire, but I didn't expect that I would have to endure the hostility thrown to us by our superiors. I shouldn't be telling you this since you might feel burdened about this sudden information."
Is he sorry because he thought that it would be a burden for me knowing how awful he feels? Maybe he doesn't really know me.
Anyway, senior level and junior level knights? Aren't those from the imperial knights' omega unit? To what I remembered, the imperial knights are divided into two units: the alpha unit and the omega unit.
The alpha unit are the knights leading the battlefield, while the omega units are the knights guarding the imperial palace and the whole Clareian Kingdom. Additionally, knights from the omega units can be promoted as a personal guard of a member of the imperial family. They can also be promoted to join the alpha unit.
So some knights in the omega unit are slacking off and resorting to bullying, huh? How insolent. They should be taught a lesson or two.
"You should take that now. Your name is Keita, right? Let's see each other tomorrow, Keita."
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[ THE NEXT DAY ]
"Uncle, can I visit the omega unit's training ground today?" I asked after taking a sip from my teacup. Today's tea smells like nature, it feels refreshing. The day feels nice as well that I've asked uncle to share a cup of tea with me.
"Why would you like to do that? Do you want to appoint a knight for yourself already?" As expected, he's always cautious with whatever I have in mind.
"Of course not. I only want to see how our knights are doing. It's only natural for me to do that, right, uncle?" I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
"Is there any problem, Henrietta?" He only calls my name like that when he notices something about my behavior. You can lower your guard with me a little, uncle. Phew.
Anyway, I should just be honest with him. There's no other way for a shortcut. "Actually uncle…" So I told him what happened last night and what I found out from that young knight trainee I met in the kitchen without leaving out any information.
"Is that so? So you want to change their environment so they can train properly?"
What? Uncle? You sound like you're already aware of their situation. I squinted my eyes at him, and he seemed to notice that that he quickly continued his words. Suspicious!
"Very well then. Ask your brother Hendrix to accompany you. I'll inform Sir Lucas since he's the head knight as well, so you won't have any other problems once you get there." How convenient, Mr. Duke. Hmp.
I nodded my head and agreed without saying any other thing. Uncle was already dismissing me that I decided to stand up from my seat and walked towards his seat. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek and smiled at him. A small reward for being the best. Yes, accept this affection, duke.
"Thank you, uncle."
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"Amy! What brings you here?" Wow. Keita recognizes me right away. That's awesome skill, bruh (mind the sarcasm, hah).
The other knights seemed to notice our presence that they quickly stopped what they were doing and greeted us. "Blessings to the undying glory of Amaranthia. We are honored for your presence, your highness and young master."
Shouldn't they call Hendrix prince now since he's my first cousin? Well, anyhow, Keita looked cute with that puzzled expression of his.
"I apologize for my rudeness, your highness, young master." I couldn't help but chuckle with the way he stuttered as he greeted us.
"No worried. Brother Hendrix." I glanced over my shoulder and smiled as I look at Hendrix. Now this is what you call 'wordless communication.'
Hendrix nodded his head and did his job. He called the attention of the knights and made them line up in front of us. Everyone quickly followed his commands. They looked so obedient in front of the future head of the knights. Yes, my brother.
I waited until everyone was here then did my task. "The senior unit will be separated from the junior's barracks from now on. Anyone who will act against the law and will bully their fellow knight will be kicked off of their unit and will be banish from this kingdom. That is all. I wish for everyone to do well as a future knight."
'The announcement was done so smoothly that I didn't have to argue with anyone. I mean, they all agreed as if they can't do anything about it.
"Did you do that because of what I told you last night, Amy?"
"Why are you talking so rudely to the princess?"
"Ah! I apologize, your highness!"
They've been like that since after the announcement. They look cute, but please get along well. Hendrix's been acting too protective these days. It must be related to that incident with Lady Clarence.
"I asked someone to investigate this as well and came up with a simple solution. Besides, it wouldn't be good if we let our trainees be treated badly by their co-knights. Just think that I did this to protect the knights' reputation." I winked at him.
I lied. I didn't have the time to ask anyone to do this. Plus I'm only close to a few people in this palace. Maybe I should start gathering people on my side. This is to ensure my safety!
"Keita. Promise me that you'll train well. I'd like it if you'll become a real knight and become my personal knight."
That day, I knew that I made a hasty decision to make a pact with a young trainee. Though, surely, he won't disappointment me in the future.
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[ LATER THAT NIGHT ]
"Your excellency… We should approve this hunting day request. It's still three months before the official start of the hunting season and we still have some time to prepare for it." That's Sir Reynolds, uncle's trusted butler and aide.
"I told you already that I won't approve it. I wouldn't want to show Henrietta to the nobles yet since she hasn't reached her coming-of-age ceremony." Yeah, let's pretend that my coming-of-age ceremony won't happen in three months-time. Haha.
Why are they even discussing this over dinner? Tsk.
"Of course, your excellency. Her highness hasn't reached the appropriate age yet. However, this one is different. Doesn't his grace think that the nobles might think oddly of this? Besides, his grace, the young masters, and her highness can only watch for the first day then his excellency can go alone until the end of the hunting season."
Uncle doesn't look like he's convinced. Not even one bit.
"Doesn't his grace think that it will be a great honor to receive a handkerchief that her highness embroided?"
What? What's he going on about? Who's giving a handkerchief who? Do you think that cheap trick will work, huh?!
I blinked and looked at them weirdly when I heard Hendrix and Arthur faking coughs. The heck…
"Not that I'm interested with the handkerchief, but father should reconsider this great event."
"Hendrix is right, dad. You should approve, not for the handkerchief."
I couldn't help but pout as I watch the sudden change of expression on the duke's face.
"Alright. I approve."
Reynolds looked pleased with this result. What the hell's wrong with these weird men?!