I open the small window of my carriage to take another look at General Dexter, who's sitting on the horse ahead.
Every time I try to start a conversation with him, he ignores me and walks away.
"What does he think of himself? I thought he'll be useful if I'm able to get close to him but it seem like a waste of time now."
The carriage suddenly stops and Edith opens the door.
"The soldiers have something to say, my lady."
I get down from the carriage and walk to the front where General Dexter is.
"We'll be separating from here since we're in Renztead already. It's safe here since it's the capital city, we'll be going our way now."
He bows lightly and I do the same as he walks away. I can hear Leon say;
"How can you be so rude to a pretty and respectful lady like that?"
I know right! I go back into my carriage and we begin to head for the house my father had prepared.
~~~~~
Edith helps me wipe my back as I soak myself in a bath.
"Why are you not letting me put an ointment on it, my lady!"
Edith asks with worry in her voice. Using my hand to rub my other arm I reply-
"I know what I'm doing, you can put ointment on it now. I didn't want it to disappear so soon."
"Remember, every little thing has its importance. What about what I'd requested?"
Edith stops what she's doing and gives me a piece of paper.
"I heard the princess goes to that spa undercover every Saturday evening. Here's a drawing of what she looks like."
I collect the drawing smiling to myself.
"Heaven helps those who help themselves, prepare clothes that's not too flashy or too dull that I'll wear to see her tomorrow."
"Coincidentally of course."
Edith smiles and continues helping Letitia with her bath.
~~~~~
AT THE ROYAL PALACE.
Dexter arrives in the palace and is greeted by the king's butler, Sir Brooks.
"Welcome back your highness. His majesty awaits you."
Dexter nods and follows the old man. The maids stare at Dexter but quickly bow when she makes eye contact with him.
"I just got chills over my body. Now I know why no one ever looks him in the eye."
The maid says hugging herself. The other maid drags her to a corner.
"You're lucky he seems to be in a hurry or you'd have lost your head."
The second maid says but is interrupted by another maid.
"Who cares if he's cold or if his eyes show fire! He's a handsome warrior who's been protecting the country since he was 16. He has conquered a lot of nations and wiped out a whole army by himself."
"Now tell me, what could be cooler and hotter than that?"
The second maid snickers.
"What use is being a warrior, anyone can do that. His mother was cast off the palace for treason."
The third maid hits her back signaling her to keep quiet.
"Be careful what you say or you'll be the one to have your head chopped off!"
~~~~~
I enter my father's chambers to see him lying on his bed, I thought he was asleep at first but he calls out for me when I turn towards the door.
"Dexter... Come sit over here."
Father says opening his eyes slowing and patting on the bed. I walk towards the bed and help him sit up then take a seat myself.
"I heard you wiped out the entire army of Gravago, you did a good job but I think it's time you start focusing on country affairs rather than battlefields."
I roll my eye and reply.
"The battlefield is also the country's affairs.
The king sighs and holds my hand.
"You know what I mean very well. You should start gathering your own people in the palace to support you when the time comes."
"As you already know, I haven't chosen any crown prince because I want you to show you're capable of governing the kingdom."
I stand up from the bed and cover my father with his duvet.
"I don't need to prove myself to people that aren't worth it and as for gathering people of my own..."
"You should know nobody is truly on your side in this palace."
I walk towards the door but stop before opening it.
"You shouldn't die yet, you have to live and witness the consequences of your action."
I leave the room trying not to bang the wall on my way out. I make my way through the long hallways but stop when I see a familiar large painting hanging on the wall.
The people in the painting are smiling so much that I want to rip off their mouths. I hear some footsteps coming from behind me and turn around to see someone I particularly despise walking toward me.
"Hi, brother. You knew you were coming to the palace and dressed like a hobo, aren't you embarrassing the royal family enough."
Allen yapped away talking about things no one cares about.
"Seeing as you have time to boast your armpit hair, you and your mother must be taking a break from scheming things."
I look behind him to see some ministers coming towards us.
"Your dogs are looking for you."
I turn around leaving him to his goons and going to my room.
"Just who does he think he is?"
"Even if your mother is the queen she's still a sinner who tried to sell her country."
Allen says loudly for me to hear but I pretend not to.
After walking away from the main palace, I'm met with a little building that looks quite shabby and abandoned. I'm met with dust flying at me as I open the door to my room.
Everything is covered in dust and the only ray of light is from the door I opened. I close the door and make my way toward the bed in the center of the room. I kneel down and put my hands under the bed moving around until my hand touches a small wooden box.
Opening the box as expected no one has touched it and everything is as I left it. I bring out a necklace with a dove pendant and my initials engraved on it. I put it down and bring out the letter in it.
My heart pounds at the thought of reading it. I'm always hoping to read a different thing but I know the content won't change.
I quickly hide the letter when I hear someone trying to open the door. Leon comes in and bows before talking.
"Someone found the man we're looking for in Gerin City."
I nod while standing up then wear the necklace.
"Prepare to leave for Gerin City."
~~~~~
*Turn*Turn*Sigh
It's been 2 weeks since Letitia left for Renztead City and I'm finally on my way to Gerin City. I look out of the window to find anything interesting and to my luck, we're passing by a large field with flowers and green plants. There's water at the far end with the sun creating a orangish hue.
It is truly a beautiful sight. I ask the carriage to stop and get out slowly trying not to wake up Margaret. Ruby, Mary and Margaret decided to follow me to Gerin city because they don't want me to be lonely there.
"Why are you here, lady Vivian? You shouldn't stress yourself."
Ruby says looking at me with worry.
"If I sit down any longer, I might never be able to feel my butt."
"Mary, you should go sleep. You haven't slept much since we started traveling."
Mary looks hesitant but I push her towards the carriage.
"I'll wake you up when we get to Gerin City."
Mary nods and goes in, then the carriage starts moving again. Ruby and I walk together enjoying the cool breeze and wonderful view of the sunset over the horizon.
"It's really nice to see you like this my lady."
I chuckle lightly and reply;
"You're saying that for the millionth time."
Ruby smiles and says something that nearly made my soul jump out of my body.
"You act like a totally different person sometimes. You even eat watermelon now, you never eat it because you hated how they soiled your clothes once."
I cough awkwardly and scratch my head.
"Well, I like them now. They're just too sweet and juicy to resist."
I walk ahead and try to avoid conversations as much as possible.
~~~~~
TARRIN VILLAGE, GERIN CITY
We finally arrive at the village the next morning. We're dropped in the place we're supposed to work and stay and I'm not kidding this place looks horrible.
"Is this where we're supposed to work? This abandoned house?"
We stare at the run-down house in awe not knowing what to say till I noticed something weird.
"Is it me but we haven't met a single person on our way here?"
"Where's everyone?"