"Rosie, will you quit pecking my head already?" I grumbled.
"She has been through quite a lot since your departure, your highness. It's her way of scolding you." Said chamberlain Leonardo.
"I've got better things to do than to sit here and be scolded by a falcon. And you, Vederre. Get down from my bed this instant!" I shouted scornfully.
He leapt down ever so majestically and came to place his head over my lap. He has always been a stubborn one ever since the day we first met, which oddly reminds me of Fati. I wonder what she's up to right now.
+++++
"You've lost so much weight, Fati." Whined Clover.
"Well, I fell sick a few times during the trip. But thanks to everyone's attentive care, I came back in one piece."
"Are you sure nothing else happened? I can't shake the feeling that something horrible has happened to you."
Ivy is as perceptive as ever. However, I can't tell them about what transpired during the trip without telling them the whole story. The wounds are still fresh, so I'll need more time before I can open up.
"Everything is fine. Besides, I'm here now, aren't I?"
"Yes, you're right. That is certainly all that matters." responded Ivy with a smile.
Oddly enough, this feels more like home than even the Ecchelon palace. The only thing missing is him. Come to think of it, I still can't believe what I did the other day. I was so excited when he asked to embrace me, I bade him farewell the Ecchelon way.
"Fati, your entire face is red. Are you alright? You're not breaking into a fever, are you?" asked Amie as she placed her hand on my forehead.
"I'm fine, haha!"
"Amie here has been bringing us delicious food every day. Isn't she amazing?" said Clover cheerfully.
"I don't know how to thank you, Amie."
"It was my pleasure. I will continue to do the same in the future whenever I can."
"I'm so happy you're back, Fati. I missed you so much!" said Clover as she pounced on me.
"You're just happy that your teasing target is back, aren't you?"
As we sat on the grass giggling together, I knew I was right to have come back here. Chilsela was a peaceful place where I could have had as much privacy as I wanted by being an honored guest of the prince. However, that would have provided me with too many opportunities to be depressed. Right now, I need to keep my mind busy.
+++++
"Tonight's ball is to celebrate your return and your reconciliation with your father. Will you be alright, your highness?"
"Why wouldn't I be when I have you by my side, Leo?"
"That sounds like a love confession, your highness." He said with a chuckle.
Where have I heard this before…Ah yes, that day. *Sigh* Why does everything remind me of her as of late? My heart beats faster whenever she crosses my mind, as I yearn to be near her almost instantaneously.
"Leo…what does it mean when a man's heart beats fast at the thought of a particular woman?"
"P-pardon?" he asked with a blank stare.
He was in the middle of attaching my cufflinks, which he dropped as he gaped at me in utter shock.
"Y-your highness, c-could the rumors be true? Are you and princess…"
"What are you hallucinating about right now, Leo? The rumors involving princess Loraine are nothing more than mere baseless gossip. Don't tell me you believe in those articles more than you do me. That would be rather disappointing."
"My sincere apologies, your highness. I have committed a grave sin. Wait a moment, your highness. Then…has a young maiden finally caught my prince's eye?"
"I was merely asking because I was curious. That is all."
His entire face became red in an instant. It seems I've hit the nail right in the head. Come to think of it, he's been rather expressive ever since he returned. It's like he became a different person than the prince I once knew. Could it really have been because he fell in love with a maiden? I hope that's true. Anyone but that princess will do.
"Let us be on our way now, Leo."
+++++
Loud music filled the air as the guests chattered among themselves, all the while stealing glances at the crown prince. The young ladies, who were eager to strike up a conversation with him, kept their eyes on his every move. Meanwhile, noblemen who kept asking him questions related to his world trip crowded around him. Surprisingly, he seems to be engrossed in their conversation, which was a rare occurrence.
"Where has the antisocial tyrant run off to, brother?"
Though her tone was low, the eavesdroppers picked up on her snide remark right away. The chattery noblemen became silent as they awkwardly made way for the couple.
"May the glory of Alkaraz be with you, your highness. How do you do, Chamberlain Leonardo?" Greeted duke Dimitriu as he shook the prince's hand.
I quietly bowed in reverence both to him and princess Emilia.
"We've much to talk about, duke Kartier." He replied calmly.
"And to answer your question, princess. The antisocial tyrant is standing right before you. I have not changed one bit, therefore, I'd advise not to keep your hopes up." He replied curtly.
He's been showing his emotions rather vividly ever since he stepped foot in the capital. Whoever that young maiden is, we must find and keep her close to him so she can continue to positively influence him.
"Is that so?" replied the princess cheekily.
"I hope you returned my employee in good condition, your highness." Said duke Dimitriu with a soft grin.
"Ah! That's right! Fati went with you, didn't she? I hope you didn't pester her all throughout the-"
He quickly covered the princess mouth, which muffled the rest of her sentence. His face, however, had turned red at the mention of the name Fati. So that's her name.
"What do you think you're doing in the middle of a ballroom, your highness?" asked the flustered princess.
These two are as chaotic as they've always been. That much has not changed. I'm glad.
"May the glory of Alkaraz be with you. Greetings, your highness."
Lady Florette Isabel Kartier. I was wondering when she would approach. She has been stealing glances at him for quite a while now.
+++++
Where did she run off to at this hour? She was sleeping right in the between us a moment ago. Did she go for a stroll like she used to? It's too dangerous outside at night, I should go look for her. Good heavens! It's gotten chilly outside tonight. I should bring another shawl, in case she left without one.
The moon was shining so brightly from the clear sky that not a single star was visible. The night owls' hooting was echoing in the air as a fresh breeze blew by. She was crouched atop an old tree stump, quietly weeping and shivering all by herself. So, I wasn't wrong after all. Something definitely happened to her during the trip. Seeing as she's trying so hard to hide it from us, I don't think it wise to pry yet.
"Beautiful moon, isn't it?"
She jolted then tumbled, and eventually fell to the ground. I couldn't help but laugh as I helped her up. Luckily, it was a low tree stump that we often use as a chair.
"Are you alright?"
"I was really startled, but yes, I'm fine." She replied with a giggle.
I wrapped the shawl around her shoulders as we sat down on the grass and quietly gazed upon the bright night sky together. The cheerful chirping of the crickets and the soft howl of the cool breeze made for a rather serene atmosphere. She had her head buried in her knees, but she was not audibly crying. She occasionally released a few heavy sighs and sniffles yet remained still as a log.
"Ivy?" she called in a somber tone.
"What is it, Fati?"
"Do you…"
She paused and let out another sigh, then slumped her head back down on her knees.
"It's nothing." She mumbled.
After nearly two years of working together, I came to realize that she wasn't like the rest of us. She says whatever comes to mind without holding back. She displays an innocent and naïve personality all the while wearing her emotions in her sleeves which sometimes worries me. She finds joy in everything around her and diligently embraces each moment as if it's her last. I'm not used to seeing this somber side of her, and it's making feel uneasy.
"Ivy, do you have a sister?"
This must be what she's been meaning to ask this whole time. She sounded even more sorrowful than before.
"I do, actually. She's in the stables, sleeping like a log." I replied humorously.
"No, I mean a real sister. One related to you by blood."
"Yes, and her name is Clover. The little troublemaker who's been making my life a living nightmare ever since she was born."
"Wait…What?!"