A day earlier, Cathain's Pov~
"How is she now?"
As soon as Duke Dalton got down from his carriage, I impatiently asked with a concerned face.
But the duke just stared at me with a confused face for a few seconds as I appeared all of a sudden.
He was wearing his usual silver colored knight uniform with a blue cape draped over his shoulder.
It's been four days since her powers suddenly exploded and she is still unconscious.
A frown appeared on his face and I can tell that he is cursing me in his mind.
He is a typical jealous father who doesn't even want a male fly around his daughter.
Not that I complain about it, but it would be better if he could exclude me from that block list.
I let out a deep exhale as he finally came out from whatever he was thinking and then politely nod his head a little as per the imperial greeting posture.
"I, Alexander De Xavier Dalton, Greet the little sun of our empire; Your highness the crown prince."
I politely nod towards him too as a gesture of acknowledging his greeting.
"You don't have to be so polite duke;"
I genuinely meant what I said and he looked a little surprised before his expression turned cold as usual again.
Sigh
If I hadn't imprisoned him in fear that he might take her away, maybe she would have at least survive… along with our child.
"How is she now?"
I asked again and this time, there was no change in his expression and he politely replied.
"Thank you for the concern, Your highness. My daughter is still unconscious as her body is recovering. She should be waking up soon."
This man…
There is nothing wrong with his sentence, a polite reply you would give to your next emperor.
But the way he emphasized the word 'My daughter', it was clearly a warning to stay away from her.
He must be confused about my sudden interest on his daughter as she has seldom met me directly at this age.
But right then, another carriage stops behind Duke Dalton's silver carriage with a dark purple flag.
Duke Kieran De George Hertz
There were two silver colored snakes in the middle of their flag, which represented their duchy.
Just like their family emblem, they are snake like people who always stays silent and observes the situation before making a move.
They never puts themselves in danger and likes to spent peaceful time, thus they never gets too much involved in politics and perform their duties quietly.
Duke Hertz got down from his carriage as he wore his official knight suit, dark purple colored suit with a black cape over his shoulder.
"Take my hands; it's too high for you-"
He spoke as he extended his towards someone but even before he could finish his words, a little boy jumped down from the carriage.
That blackberry is also here today.
I shook my head as I watched the interaction between those two.
It seems like the relationship between Duke Hertz and his son is worse than my relationship with my father.
"I, Kieran De George Hertz greet the little sun of our empire, your highness the crown prince."
Duke Hertz greeted me and I also nod a little in response, before I noticed him glaring at his son.
As the crown prince, my status is the highest here so everyone has to greet me first and not doing so means disrespect.
Maybe this was why he glared at his son who didn't greet me.
That blackberry rolled his gray eyes with frustration before his eyes landed on me and he eventually decided to greet me.
He was wearing his official robe as the master of the magic tower, but the robe was the same in color with his father's knight suit.
"I, Noah De Kieran Hertz greet the warm sun of our great empire, your highness the crown prince."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Each of us became silent as we didn't knew how to response to his warmest greeting ever.
Duke Hertz pressed his lips together into a thin line before he awkwardly smiled.
"Please forgive his rudeness, your highness. I will excuse myself now."
He didn't wait for another second as he picked up his on his lap before heading inside of the palace.
Duke Dalton shook his head after watching his friend struggle to control his son as both father and son pair eventually ended up going opposite ways.
"I would like to excuse myself too, the meeting should be starting soon; your highness."
He spoke as he was ready to head in for the meeting, which was arranged to discuss about her holy powers.
That incident happened before everyone in public, thus it became hard to suppress this news and then my father arranged this meeting.
Thing were quiet simple in the second timeline because of the prophecy by the goddess and Jennifer's appearance as the priestess to explain things.
Thinking of that, Brayden should have saved that blueberry and caramel by now.
I have to get them before him; otherwise things might get more complicated.
"Let's get inside together than."
I replied as I also moved on my feet and Duke Dalton followed me from behind.
The red cape over my white suit swayed in the wind as I walked and people greeted me on the way as usual.
Every single breath I take here feels so peaceful, like I have finally become complete.
But then I paused on my steps as a man with light blonde hair came in my view and Duke Dalton stopped too, there was still no expression on his face.
"I, Evan De Arthur Raven greet the little sun of our empire, your highness the crown prince."
"I, Cedrick De Evan Raven greet the little sun of our empire, your highness the crown prince."
Both father and son pair greets me together and I nod back at them while gritting my teeth.
Only if this man didn't exist!
All the pain she went through, everything was because of this man.
My parents, Duchess Dalton, Eleanora and my child's life…
Everyone suffered because of him!
But I controlled myself as this isn't the time for me to lose my temper now.
He was wearing a light green colored suit with a dark green cape over his shoulder; his son was wearing the same as his heir.
"Oh, Duke Dalton is also here! How is the princess now?"
That Blonde bastard went closer to Duke Dalton as he continued to spoke with a usual grin on his face.
Where Cedrick Raven, this blonde dog just stood still with a timid expression like he will get punished if he takes a single step.
"You are really lucky Duke Dalton."
Huh?
A tilted my head a little with furrowed brows as I heard this blonde bastards words.
Something doesn't feel right with the way of his words.
But then his next words not only shocked me and Duke Dalton's jewel blue eyes widened too as his expression darkened.
"After all, your daughter almost sacrificed herself to protect you… just like her mother!"
.
.
.
[A/N: Sorry for the late update, as I was busy with my assignments. A girl nearly got the highest mark last time and thus I had to do better this time in case she crossed over me -_-]