Chereads / Princess Vivianne & Juniper the Guard / Chapter 10 - Staining Fog (1)

Chapter 10 - Staining Fog (1)

Vivianne was dragging herself quickly across the courtyard toward the garden on unsteady feet. The headache worsened with every step she took, her vision spotty and unconcentrated.

"Princess, please", The knights at her door pleaded; they had rushed after her, but she ignored them. Soon, a familiar head of gold came into her view, surrounded by women in puffy dresses beneath a giant parasol. It was Iris who had noticed her first, eyes widening in surprise.

"Vivianne, what a pleasure to have you here! We were getting to know your little fill-in here." Luna remarked, fanning herself leisurely with her lips stretched into a crude smile.

Ophelia was batting her eyes at Mio, who was looking at her with an unreadable expression. She yanked him up and dragged him away, only releasing him when they were back in the main castle.

There in the rugged corridors, only Mio saw how exhausted she was.

"What did you do?" she huffed. Her back was drenched with cold sweat, leaving a big patch on her pale blue tunic.

"Nothing, her majesty", he drawled. His eyes looked everywhere except at her, suspicion flared up in her, but the dizziness overpowered it. The guards caught up with them just as Vivianne collapsed into a pile of exhaustion right beneath Mio, who caught her before she collided with the hard floor.

They raised their swords at him, but he stepped back before they charged at him.

"She's sick!" He exclaimed, hoping that they wouldn't act impulsively. Instead, one of the guards stepped closer, sword pointing at Mio's heart.

"We are supposed to believe you?" He scoffed, but Mio was quick to reply. "Yes, call the physician and ask him yourselves. Here is his sick note," Mio fished up the crumpled paper.

The guards backed away, seemingly convinced upon reviewing the paper.

"Besides, why would I harm the princess? I'm her advisor and secretary; that'd just get me killed!" Mio argued, but no one replied to him. Instead, the guards retreated to their positions, never letting the pair out of sight.

Suddenly, Peony turned the corner, almost tripping over her own feet. She had a flabbergasted expression when she spotted the past princess with Mio hovering over her. Mio couldn't help but cringe at how bad he looked in that instance.

Together with Peony, they managed to get the princess inside her room again. Mio's thoughts returned to the gathering he had attended in her name, feeling anxiety brew in his stomach. If his secret were already known after only one day in the court, soon, it would be common knowledge.

He looked back at Peony, who was cleaning the desk near the balcony, and wondered—would she be disgusted by him?