"A rather magnificent couple they make, don't you agree, your highness?"
The duchess and I were admiring the view of the flower garden from the pavilion, while the crown prince and Lady Florette enjoyed their afternoon promenade. I'm not sure what the duchess' eyes are beholding, for I know my brother best. Right now, he looks like a beast prowling at a prey ready to pounce.
"Seeing them like this makes me realize there is no one other than my Florette, who is better suited for his highness." She relished in delight.
He loathes her just as much as he does her mother. If their talks of marriage ever come to a decisive point, Lady Florette might soon lose a limb, or her very life, at worst. I would tread lightly with him if I were in her shoes.
~Meanwhile…
"I heard my lady has gone through quite an interesting ordeal as of late."
"Indeed, your highness. A filthy slave dared to covet my diamond necklace. Therefore, I taught her a lesson she will never forget. Had it not been for my brother's intervention, she would have already been buried by now."
"Was that your first time punishing the innocent?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Yes, it was. I must say, it felt exhilaratingly good to put that hussy in her place." She giggled cheerfully.
Lady Florette obliviously admitted to abusing her power to punish the blameless Fatima. All it took me was a simple interrogation around the mansion upon my return to find out the truth. The people who were directly involved in the incident were none other than her and her personal maids. Apparently, she planned the entire thing on her own. Now then, how should I deal with her?
At my command, a large swarm of insects came upon her and started to sting and bite her skin. She screamed and flailed in absolute terror as she stumbled and fell over. Her mother and my sister stared aghast, as they witnessed the events that were unfolding before their eyes.
"Zen! Zen! Stop!" shouted Emilia while scurrying across the flower field.
Trailing behind her was the duchess screaming her daughter's name, with streams of tears rolling down her cheeks. Truthfully, it matters not what anyone says or does, as I'm the only one who can call the bugs off. My blood is boiling with so much rage right now that I couldn't afford to feel any pity for her.
"Your highness please, stop this! I beg of you! Please spare my princess." whined the duchess as she knelt in front of me.
"Your daughter trampled on an innocent person without an ounce of remorse, yet you dare ask me to stop? Now that you know how it feels to watch one's daughter getting helplessly bullied, I suggest you teach her how to behave properly from now on. Otherwise, this will keep happening until she learns her lesson."
"That's enough Kazein! You are going too far!" scorned Emilia while clutching my arm.
"Stop meddling and back away if you do not wish to get hurt, Emilia. I'm not in the mood to be ordered around right now." I warned in a serious tone.
"I said stop it, you stubborn fool!" she yelled once more while smacking my back with her hand fan.
How annoying…
+++++++
Lady Florette has been bedridden for five whole days, with many physicians and healers storming in and out of her bedroom every day. They informed me that her skin was starting to look better and anticipated her to be out and about in the next few weeks. Flower baskets and get-well presents from her close friends filled her lavish room, as her mother remained glued to her bedside. She grieved for her daughter's ailment as if she was actually dead. How overdramatic. Meanwhile, my brother remains stubborn and refuses to apologize to her.
"…ti. Fati…hm…"
He's been whining in his sleep often these days. Why is he still stressed out even after I took upon some of his work?
~Meanwhile…
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
As I unveiled the said bride, the crowd let out a loud gasp as they murmured among themselves.
"Fati? What are you…why is it you?"
"My goodness, the young duke is marrying a slave?"
"This is even worse than his father's promiscuous relationship with that woman."
"I suppose the apple didn't fall far from the tree after all."
Enough everyone! How dare you smear the Kartier name so blatantly?
"How vulgar! Utterly vulgar, I say!"
"I am disappointed in you, son."
"F-father?"
"What are you waiting for, husband? Kiss me!"
"N-no! Get away from me, Fati!"
"You're finally awake, my darling!"
"Emilia?" he stuttered as he grabbed my wrist and sat up.
Thank goodness it was just a dream.
"You dozed off on my lap in the middle of our conversation."
"I apologize. I must have been tired."
"Understandable. On another note, darling, who is Fati? You kept mumbling her name in your sleep." I asked calmly.
His eyes widened and his face turned pale as he stared at me, speechlessly. I asked out of pure curiosity, however that reaction was definitely a sign he was hiding something from me. Shall I look into it? Or should I wait until he's ready to tell me?
"How about a quick stroll, my love?" I perkily suggested.
++++++
"Ah! It's finally time to enjoy a good bath!" sighed Clover as we walked through the forest.
"Today was especially humid which doesn't happen often." I added.
"Summer is just around the corner. It will only get worst from here on out." Chimed in Ivy with a sigh.
I've not seen the young master for five whole days. He must be busy taking care of his sister. I heard the crown prince did quite a number on her. What I wouldn't give to witness such a sight.
"We've arrived! Yay!" cheered Clover as she flung off her garments and plunged into the water.
"Last one in is a spring chicken!" shouted Ivy as she followed suit.
"That's not fair Ivy!"
As I fumbled into the basket that contained our change of clothes, I noticed one very important piece of garment was missing. My underwear.
"What's the matter Fati?"
"M-my underwear…is missing."
I remember picking one up right before we left the storage room. It must have fallen off the basket while we were walking to the waterfall. I must go and retrieve it before someone else picks it up.
"I'll be back." I shouted, darting back into the forest.
"Be careful!"
"What is it now, Clover?"
"I remember!"
"What! Spit it out already."
"Fati's underwear fell on the paved road while we were rushing to cross over. I thought it was just a piece of paper that the wind carried on, so I ignored it."
"What?!"
++++++
"Where could it be?" I whined as I frantically scoured every bush I encountered along my path.
Suddenly, the sound of a girl giggling was echoing in the direction of the paved road. My curiosity was piqued, hence, I decided to approach quietly. I peered from behind a tree, only to witness a young couple sharing a passionate kiss in each other's embrace. Her face was unfamiliar to me; however, one could tell at first glance that she was a noble. I couldn't see the young man's face, but based on his frame and hair color, I knew he was no stranger to me. At that thought, my heart quickly sank, and tears instantly came rolling down my face.
"Fati, have you-"
"Shh!" I whispered as I promptly covered Clover's mouth.
She gasped quietly when she too beheld the sight of them.
"Th-that's the princess and the young master." She murmured softly.
+++++
"We're very sorry for not telling you in advance, Fati. Please forgive us." whined Clover as she clung to my arm.
"I heard they have been apart for quite a long time, so everyone thought their engagement was annulled." frantically explained Ivy.
My feelings for the young master are no secret to anyone who's close to me, which made me even more upset they hid such an important piece of information from me. I know they kept it from me out of consideration, but still…a small clue could have sufficed. Right now, I feel betrayed in so many ways that I cannot bear to be in the same space as them.
"Go to bed without me. I'm going on a stroll."
"At this hour? What if someone sees you-"
"Let her go, Clover."
"She's angry, isn't she?"
"Let's leave her alone for now."
+++++
"Where are you going with such a big blanket in the middle of the night, your highness?"
"I am sleeping outside tonight."
"What? That's preposterous! You have a comfortable bed right in here."
"Move out of the way, Dimitriu! I'm in a hurry."
His eyes were hostile, as if he would obliterate me if I insisted on blocking his way. Once he's bent on doing something, no one can stop him. That's how stubborn he is.
"Dimitriu? What's with all the commotion?"
"Ah, Princess Emilia, did we wake you?"
"Where is Zen off to in such a hurry?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, princess. He suddenly decided to go outside in the middle of our conversation."
+++++
"There you are."