"You really did watch the whole training, Princess." I chuckle as I shrug. Why not? I mean, I'm free for this whole day.
"As a princess, I have to make sure that you're not just playing around. As the day will come where you have to fight on the real battlefield." She covers her mouth partly as a cunning expression came into her eyes.
"Really? But in my peripheral vision, you keep staring at me, Your Majesty. Perhaps, the time we spent in the garden wasn't enough for you?" I heard her little chuckle as the knights keep looking at each other. The AUDACITY of this woman, I'm telling you!
"You seem to be confident that I enjoy my talk with you, General Vien." And for some reason, our conversation started to caught everyone's attention.
"You smile a lot, so I guess I'm a good entertainer, Lady Lithia." I coughed slightly as I heard her response. "Your straight expression is funny, that's why." How dare you make fun of me as you please!
"I believe my expression is just appropriate for a General. However, if Your Majesty wished to see me smile everyday, then I'll make an exception." DESPICABLE— UGH!
Keep it calm and stay composed, Lithia. "The General and the Knights' must be tired of their training. And I have to rest as well, please excuse me and have a nice night." I said while standing up.
"Shall I escort you then, Your Majesty?" Now I see why my sister used to despise her.
IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR! She keeps on provoking me!
"Do as you wish." I can't refuse as the talk will last long and in the end, I'm afraid that I might lose to her. It's better to stay quiet.
SILENCE. Where our shoes are the only thing that we could hear while we're passing through the corridor. Look at her, getting quiet all of a sudden. Her brain must've heard my mind and decided to break off the silence.
"My face isn't stiff, Your Majesty." I return my gaze to her. Her expression began to shift as I could see her little smile. "It's because I was raised in that way. Just like I told you, we're just humans having different personalities. And I hope Your Majesty will perceive her softness as a strength rather than a weakness."
Each and every word, I can't argue with that.
"I will make sure to keep that in mind, General Vien. Thank you for this day." She made a few steps, but pauses for a moment as she return her gaze towards me.
"I forgot—" She drew a character similar to 'U' on the air while looking at me, directly in my eyes. "I like your smile, Your Highness. It's like a starry night sky. Filled with shining hope and clear intentions. Well then, Goodnight Lady Lithia. Have a nice dream." She bows as she completely walks away.
"You seem to be fond of the General, Your Majesty—"
"We're not that close to start with. It's just a relationship between a knight and a royalty. Don't get it mixed up." It's impossible!
"Your smile doesn't lie, Lady Lithia." I look at her once again as I cover her mouth. "Don't make such erroneous assumptions or I'll bury you to the ground next time. Are we clear?" She chuckles as I retreat my hand. I softly tap my cheeks, attempting to regain my composure for a little period.
"Lithia," Mother called as soon as I enter the dining room. "Can we talk?" I take a peek around as it's only just the three of us. "Where's Hel?" I asked.
"That's—" My brows furrowed as mother pointed out my father. "I don't think I can handle your sister anymore." He said while his food wasn't even touched.
"She's attached to her fiancé and she's making such ridiculous excuse." I took a seat as father looks so problematic.
"What happened?"
"They won't be joining us because they will wait for Ethereal's hospitality." Mother said while she chuckle. "None of this will happen if your father just speaks nicely—"
"You can't blame me, Heather. Helvetica was built differently. In fact, I don't even know why she didn't go with the Grand Duke's daughter. I gave her what she wants. She wants power, I gave it to her. She wants a big room, I gave it to her. She wants freedom, I gave it to her. She likes woman, I allowed her."
The fact that Helvetica thinks that I'm the favored daughter, makes me want to laugh so badly.
I suppose it's all a misconception because we're all treated the same.
"Helvetica is too much, don't you think?" Father said as he leans on his chair. "But you tried to kill her, father. What did you expect? Her name is not Lithia, but Helvetica." He looks at me, while I continue to eat.
"It's not me, Lithia." I return my gaze while wearing my puzzled expression. "What do you mean? You're the one who nearly kills her maid." But, father, simply look at me with a solemn expression on his face.
"I may be lacking as a father, but I won't do things such as to kill your sister or her maid. Why would I?" What? I thought—
"Isn't that because you're scared to be killed by her?" It doesn't makes sense. Who would want to attempt and kill Helvetica's maid?
"What are you even saying? You're starting to sound like her—"
"Then why you haven't told her? You didn't even try to explain your side! She's going to despise you, father." Knowing Helvetica? She might plan to kill father.
"She will not believe in me unless I have some proofs to show her. That's why, on that day, I decided to ask the knights on what really happened. But Helvetica was suspicious of my movements when I just wanted to know the truth. That kid even drew her sword and pointed it at me. THE KING." If father wasn't the one to blame—
"But father, why didn't I hear the knights' footsteps?" I'm also confused when Helvetica brought up that topic.
"All knights are different, Lithia. I entrust your sister's safety to the general and his troops." I felt some unusual chills as the wind passes on my skin all of a sudden.
"You mean—" Father nods as mother pats his back, trying to comfort him. "Your sister killed those innocent knights, Lithia. My eyes can't bear to see them suffer."
"It was weak of me. But your sister is a devil and I can't do anything. I have too many words to say back then, but I spout some rubbished words and refers to your sister as a monster instead." I could see how much he despised himself.
"Perhaps, that's just how we were built, Lithia." As I wanted to speak more, I decided to close my mouth instead and my eyes for a second.
"Why did you tighten the security, father?" He looks at my mother as Empress Heather clears her throat before speaking. "We need to make preparations. Your sister needs to ascend your father's throne as soon as possible." Can't feel anything, but just confused for the whole time.
"I'm old, Lithia. I can't handle another war. I hope you will assist your sister and bring victory to the Empire. This Empire's getting weaker due to the citizen's rally and crimes. You should help your sister and earn her trust."
"I will continue to look at this matter. Please don't tell your sister about this for the time being." He takes a peek around to see if the maids are still present.
"Anyone who dares disseminate this information will be executed." He gets up as he seems to be concerned about me.
"Forgive your sister, Lithia. I respect Helvetica's decision, but now is not the time to appoint someone with little power in this Empire."
"I already discussed this matter to the Grand Duke. He's also investigating about the issue regarding to the maid. You must use your own power, Lithia. Create your own fate and walk on your chosen path." Those were the exact words I needed to hear.
All this time, all I wanted was to exceed my father's expectations. But right now, I will build my own confidence. Enough for me to stand up and help my sister. "Your Majesty?" I came to my senses as I heard my maid speaking.
"Don't worry as we are here with you. The Empire's not alone. Lady Helvetica, even though she has a personality that doesn't listen to others, she'll be a great ruler of this kingdom." It's not that I'm afraid of what I heard.
It's just, isn't the knights' training is just starting? How can we win if they didn't have any experience in the battlefield? Only few knights remains since the execution happens.
It includes Vien..
Does it mean.. she's one of the knights who guarded me and my mother's room? Was she aware of the incident?
Helvetica's room is far away from mine. Perhaps, she doesn't know why are they even guarding. Or perhaps, she's unaware that there's also some knights who's guarding my sister and her maid's room...