"Your highness, it seems like Miss Hersha had been recovering in her sleep. However, it is still impossible for her to wake up for now. I may recommend you to let her drink this tea once she woke up"
"Darius, I'm aware the Hersha was still asleep after you've check on her many times. However, I want to know when she will wake up. I'm starting to be concerned that she's not waking up at all"
'As I thought, the crown prince had been in love with this lady after all. Yet, I can't do something for him right now than to advise him. It's not like I hold her life --- I'm just guiding and checking on Miss Hersha'
"Please calm down, your highness. It will do no good to always worry about something. I think Miss Hersha will never like to see you like that"
"I know Darius but how can I ever calm down when it's been like weeks that she's not waking up!"
Charles exclaimed. He couldn't rule out the possibilities about what might happen to him once Hersha had left this world. that's the most terrifying thing he'll ever experience and thought about that he never wanted to happen.
"…"
Instead of immediately responding back, Darius however only heaved a sigh and shook his head. Then afterward, he looked at the crown prince who's doing the same thing that he's always been doing. He had those eyebrows creased for worrying about the lady, his hands holding Hersha's gently caressing them and kissing the back of it afterward
'He's obsessively in love with Miss Hersha and I can't even change his opinion. However, I feel pity for Lady Victoria. The rumors say she's changed but I can't possibly know for sure unless I see her with my own eyes. Yet, right now all I can feel was sympathy for both sides. I know they have their own feelings to tell each other. One may feel hurt. However, one may feel free from such shackles of political marriage. I've come to know that such thing never bonded love in the first place. One will always feel the shackles of the past to the present'
"Your highness, I assure you that once she took this herbal medicine then she'll be as healthy as ever"
"I'll have your advice Darius. I'm just grateful that you're always making a time for checking on Hersha"
'I think it's because it's already my duty now, your highness and it's because of you that I'm here to check on Miss Hersha'
Darius --- the imperial family's physician, wanted to say such words. He wanted to blurt them out of his throat however, he can't because he respected the crown prince so much. That's why he stayed silent for a while until he decided to speak the right words for him
"I'm always grateful to you and the imperial family your highness. I'll make sure that I'll be accompanying you and Miss Hersha to the best that I can"
"You know what Darius? I can never be grateful for it that you're our family's physician. I always admire and respect you"
"It's always my honor, your highness"
'It's mutual for me, crown prince Charles. It's mutual that I also admire and respected you more than anything else'
***
"Greetings Duke William, Duchess Olivia and Lady Victoria"
A man with those black hair and blue eyes greeted the Chutlier's family in the entrance hall of the Chutlier's household. He was smiling to them as Duke William, Duchess Olivia and Victoria returned the same expressions. William then immediately hugged the duke and gently patted his back as he chuckled
"Silly, Duke Felium greetings however, you can always talk informally with me. that's what friends are for"
"I know Duke William but as a duke I must show my formality not only for you but to your family"
"Oh! The oh-so righteous duke you are Felium"
"Just expect it more from me, William"
"However, I'm glad that you've come here with your son. I'm grateful that you gave time for us and our partnership a chance"
"How couldn't I if your proposal was a great help toward our nation, William"
"That's more the attitude that I like Felium. Yet, didn't you know that my proposal only comes a second reason why I invited you?"
Then both of them started chuckling
"I know the very reason, William"
The two talked with their hugs as Olivia only chuckled with the two dukes hugging each other. Meanwhile, Victoria also chuckled however, when he looked at the young man besides the duke --- she immediately know that it was Xyle Maximus and she didn't even know but her expressions towards him seems like she had seen a ghost. More like a monster that she had seen with those wide eyes that Vcitoria was portraying with the young man that was silently looking towards her and her mother --- seriously.
"Oh and this is the son of Duke William, right?"
"Yes, this is Xyle Maximus. I apologize for you all but it seems like he's a quiet guy after all. That's why he seems shy always"
"That's not a problem to us Duke Felium. It's always a pleasure to meet noble families like you two"
"I guess I'm honored to be one of those noble families Duke William"
"It's because what friends are for, Duke Felium"
Then the two laughed. However, Olivia only smiled at the two genuinely while averting her gaze to them towards the young man named Xyle
"Welcome to our household, Xyle! Please feel free to ask me or us anything that you like"
"…"
However, instead of answering, Xyle only nodded towards Olivia that she immediately smiled towards the duchess. There, the two dukes had talked to each other while Olivia joined the two. Now, Victoria and Xyle was left alone to talk to each other. Yet, Victoria couldn't seem to want to for the time being because the look of Xyle was creepy enough to paralyze her in her current position
'Seems like I'll be getting a hard time --- and not just like it will seem. I'm already I guess having a hard time now. Just by looking at him one can't deny the reality that he's a handsome guy. However, his looks are kind of creepy. He may seemed respectful on the outside if no one knew what he's truly thinking. I've read in the original novel that he likes to pretend that's why right now he's already pretending while having contrasting thoughts in his mind'
Victoria wanted to run away from the scenario because she felt like she wasn't prepared yet. All she does was plan for the other male leads but not this one. It's because Xyle was a difficult character in the original novel. He's a psychopath who is only revealed at the near ending of the story that Victoria hasn't completely read the ending
'Hmmm, most girls when they see me, they'll eventually bug me or even formed a flock on my behind. However, this lady in front of me felt like she had seen a ghost rather than a young man like I am. Interesting, however, just by thinking of those ladies already made me vomit to my core. They're a disgusting human being'
Xyle thought as he continues to observed the lady. However, the moment that eh blinked was the moment that the lady's expressions changed
'No, Anne --- you're already Victoria right now and in order to run away from the plot then all you have to do is be good to the male leads. In that way, you'll eventually be in their good side while they pursue Hersha. Alright? So righ now, it's no used on settling what could be the result. Right now it's a point of changing the results in the original plot. That's what I'll do for now'
Victoria took a deep breathe then immediately changed her shocked and horrified expressions to a genuine smile
"Hi, Xyle! My name's Victoria. Nice meeting you"
Victoria's smiled grew wider as she gently bowed in front of him that made Xyle surprised for a second
'I thought she'll eventually ask me anything about myself that those birds always do when they're around me. However, this young lady didn't even bother so. Moreover her expressions were first to me first from being horrified to smiling like that. Huh?'
Xyle was confused now just by looking at the lady. However, after introducing herself --- she immediately smiled again to Xyle who had already raising one of his eyebrows --- unconsciously.
"I hope that we'll be able to be good friends in the future"
After saying those words, William and Olivia smiled genuinely at the two where they're looking now. However, Felium, on the other hand, was shocked knowing that Xyle wasn't the type to expressed his expressions to someone easily. However, the lady in front of the young man had already captured Xyle's interest --- unconsciously
"Look at them, William --- it seems like Victoria had finally gained a noble friend"
"Yes and I'm thankful for Duke Felium on accepting my invitation"
"Oh! No worries Duke William --- besides, I also wanted Xyle to meet someone as his friend too"
Then the three again laughed and talked more about their children.
Xyle, on the other hand, only smirked inwardly after knowing what the lady in front of him was expressing
"Nice to meet you Lady Victoria"
Then immediately like a lightning, Xyle knelt in front of the lady and kissed her hands
That's the first time that Felium saw his son do something like that to ladies and he knew that he hated ladies but right now --- he's in complete utter shock that he can't be obvious about
'Let's see who'll win in your game Milady'
Xyle thought but the mere reality that he took the initiative to kiss the back of the lady's hand never bothered him like in the past. He's still unconscious about it but he's already being drawn towards the lady. He's just denying such captivity in his thoughts