-50-
They returned to the palace moments before the sun's eventual fall.
As they neared the entrance, Miriel saw Elle speaking to her maids, then turning behind as her maids left.
"Miriel, Miriel, did you hear?" Elle said.
Miriel stopped before Elle, and Mark stood beside Miriel, a bit behind her even.
"Hear what Elle?" Miriel asked.
"Some miscreants opened the fountain pipeline restarting the fountain! And it made the mound collapse!" Elle said, gnashing her teeth as she told Miriel.
"We were there, your highness. Thankfully no one was hurt." Miriel replied.
"Of course no one would be hurt, I prepared it especially so they would not be," Elle continued," But I was saving it for the last day of the festival, and for people to sit atop the blocks. It was supposed to be full of fun, not some odd festival trick."
"You were planning to do the same?" Miriel said, eyes widening for a moment.
"No, not the same thing. People would be atop the blocks as they glided on the water."
"And you planned to include yourself among these people?" Miriel asked, knowing Elle would never miss out on the fun.
"Certainly." Elle said.
Miriel kept herself from sighing and stared at Elle.
"You may do it after they form the mound again." Miriel said.
⁶It will not be the same, the surprise will be lost on the people now." Elle replied.
"Perhaps I may still do it, but I shall think of another for next year." She added.
"Now," Elle said, and clapped her hands.
"I bring matters concerning you two, both good and bad. Shall we make for the drawing room?" Elle asked
"Okay, Elle." Mitiel said, and Mark nodded.
They made for the drawing room, where Elle sat across Miriel while Mark sat beside her.
"Have you found the culprits, Elle?" Miriel asked.
"Not yet," Elle shook her head, "But I shall certainly make the guards scour the Capitol for the perpetrator." Elle replied.
"I have a suspect to name, who may be related to the vandals." Miriel said
"And who might that be?" Elle said.
"Heirell Lerkester."
"Your Aunt?" Elle asked,"Why do you suppose she might be involved?"
"I saw her at the plaza today, when the mound collapsed. An odd sight, when she detests mingling among people, and especially in her lonesome." Miriel replied.
"Very well, we shall tighten our eyes on her." Ell replied.
"You mean she is already being watched?" Miriel blinked.
"Among a number of other aristocrats, who we are eyeing for many reasons." Elle said.
"It is quite exciting I might say, I have not felt such thrill for years." Elle added.
Whatever it was, Miriel wanted nothing to do with it.
"Now, for the good news." Elle clapped her hands.
"My healers have finished debating, and they have settled on a treatment plan for Mark. They are confident that they will either cure him or assuage enough that he shall gradually heal in time."
"As for the bad part," She continued,"He will have to stay in the Capitol with them for a few months, but no more than six months to a year. They must monitor him during the treatment and it must be a secret as well."
Miriel clenched her palms as she listened, which she rested on her lap.
"They can start the treatment after the festival. Though you must consider; too late and it will stall your marriage further or encroach upon your life after." Elle said.
She stared at Miriel, and then at Mark.
"I shall leave you two to discuss. Though you need not decide today."
Miriel watched Elle leave, then turned to Mark as the doors closed. He was staring at the ground with his head drooped.
"What do you think, Mark?" Miriel asked.
"I think…we should do it." Mark replied.
He raised his head and stared at Miriel. His eyes steady as they met hers.
Miriel's eyes widened as she stared at Mark.
"We should think more about this Mark, Elle said we don't have to decide today." She said.
"What more do we think about?" Mark continued, "Getting it resolved before the marriage is ideal for us. And the treatment won't be for long, it's even way shorter than I thought it would take."
"Shouldn't we ask her if it is possible to do it at Lerkester?" Miriel asked, "We can move everything the healers need there and bring them all back once it's done."
"There might be things they can't move, Miriel. And people will know if we do that. We won't be able to hide it." Mark replied.
"Don't dismiss it before we've thought it through." Miriel said, hands clenching even tighter.
"Miriel," Mark said, his voice gentle and soothing, "You trust her, don't you?"
Miriel silently stared at the ground for a moment.
"Mm," She muttered, lightly nodding her head.
"Then we should agree and take her hand. For all we know, she thought of all this before bringing it up and Sun knows she doesn't like me at all." Mark replied.
He shifted closer and parted her clenched hands, holding her hands with his.
"At least it won't be more dangerous than the barricade, probably. It will be way shorter and you'll be able to visit when you're free as well."
"So let's agree, okay? I know it may be too early but, like her highness said, the sooner the better. And I want to do the most I can to get better before the marriage." Mark said.
He stared at Miriel, who was turning her head down.
For a moment, silence permeated the room.
"Okay. If you say so Mark." Miriel replied, raising her head and staring at Mark, her eyes teary.
"And there's still other days in the festival. We can enjoy those together first." Mark said.
"Okay." Miriel replied, wiping her tears with her sleeves.
*thump*thump*
"I shall enter if you are done." Elle said, after knocking on the door.
Miriel stared at Mark, who nodded at her.
"We are." Miriel said, turning to the door.
Elle opened the doors and walked into the room.
"Have you decided, or will be deciding later?" She asked.
Miriel stood, holding Mark's hand, who followed and stood beside her.
"Mark has agreed to undergo the treatment." Miriel said, as Mark nodded beside her.
Elle looked at the two for a moment, then shrugged and replied.
"Very well, I shall send word to the healers that they may prepare."
"Now," She continued, "Follow me to the dining room for supper. There, we may discuss more in length, and I shall answer what queries I can."
"Okay, Elle." Miriel said.
So, they followed Elle out of the drawing room, holding hands as they walked.
-
Miriel and Mark spent the next few days touring the city and enjoying the festival
To Mark's dismay, he was directed to continue staying at the palace until his lodging with the healers was arranged.
Elle was preoccupied as a slew of vandalism acts popped up one after another. So the two spent the festival unperturbed by others.
And thus came the day of their parting.
"Return soon, okay?" Miriel said, as she parted her hands from Mark and took a step back.
"I'll try," Mark said, "And I'll definitely send letters this time."
"If you don't, I'll tell Elle." Miriel replied.
"I will, I will, I promise," Mark nodded fervently, "Sun knows what that princess will do if you tell her."
He shivered as he thought about it.
"It will be pretty lonely again." Miriel said.
"Not for long this time," Mark replied, "You can visit if you want to, just don't bring Anne."
"I believe she would be quite interested in the Capitol." Miriel replied.
"Maybe on a normal trip but definitely not when you're visiting me. No." Mark shook his head as he crossed his arms in front of him.
Miriel giggled as she watched him.
They stared at each other for a moment, as the sun slowly climbed higher.
"Goodbye, Mark." Miriel said.
"See you later, Miriel. " Mark replied, raising his hand.
Miriel turned and walked to the carriage behind her. She entered and the carriage drove off.
Mark watched them until they were faint blots, then returned to the palace.