"It appears that your suspicions were correct, your highness. You were indeed drugged last night."
"Enough with the useless prattle, Leo. Elaborate." I asked sternly as I folded my arms across my chest.
"With pleasure, my prince. What you consumed last night was a high-quality substance called LP, otherwise known as a 'Love Potion'. It is a very potent drug commonly used by those who frequent brothels. Its key ingredients are 'Angel's Trumpet flowers, and aphrodisiac'. Though it is only a rumor for now, it is said that once it takes full effect, the person under its influence will hallucinate the face of the person they desire most. A rather dangerous substance, if you ask me."
"Now then…" he said as he loudly shut his notebook.
"Are you curious as to whom the culprit might be, my prince?"
The answer to that question was plainly obvious. The only person besides Leo who followed me to the garden last night was lady Florette. She even plotted to keep him busy just so she could make it there on time.
"It seems your highness is already aware of the truth. Very well then. Your orders, my prince?"
I could release this to the press and permanently damage her reputation. However, I'm afraid of the repercussions this might bring later on. In that case, I'll use this in a much more effective way. I didn't think I'd find it so soon, but I must make the most of the opportunity.
"Judging by the smirk on your face, it's safe to assume you are plotting something dangerous, your highness. Ah! I almost forgot. You received a letter from Miss Bettie this morning." He informed while extending a small envelope to me.
The moment I heard Bettie's name, I instantly thought of Fati. Hence, I snatched the letter from Leo's hands and hastily ripped the envelope open. He was staring at me with a blank stare, and so were Rosie and Vederre.
"Leave, all of you." I said as I shooed them off.
+++++
~Day of Departure.
In the end, she went back to being a slave in the Kartier duchy. It seems she still has feelings for him. Does it not matter to her that he is now a married man? On a side note, what is this feeling that keeps burning in my chest? Could it be that the effects of the drug have yet to wear off?
"You could give him a proper farewell, your highness. His expectant eyes have yet to waver from the moment you mounted your horse."
Despite my incessant warnings, Leonardo insisted on coming along. I was hoping to hold him back by using Bettie's absence as an excuse, but she returned a day before our departure.
"Leading a troop of a thousand soldiers can be rather tasking, your highness. Which is why his majesty has allowed me to assist you on your journey. I promise I will not get in your way, sire."
Half of the troops were sent ahead by sea, while the rest will travel with me on land. They should be halfway there by now.
"He's still waiting, your highness." Whispered Leo.
*Sigh* I suppose I have no choice then. He does look rather glum. As I dismounted the horse and strode towards him, his facial expression quickly shifted. His face was now beaming with contentment.
"I hope you stay healthy your majesty." I said rigidly, as I awkwardly patted his shoulder.
He took hold of my head and pulled me forward as he tapped his forehead against mine. The surrounding crowd gasped in awe as they whispered among themselves. Bettie, Leonardo, and the council members were dramatically wailing while making a scene. Meanwhile, the empress' expression could be compared to that of a porcelain doll.
"While I want you to succeed in this mission, your safety matters more. Therefore, if…"
He's worried. No-more than that, I think he's afraid. His hands were shaking while fighting the urge to weep. All this time, I thought the great emperor of Alkaraz was a tough and fearsome man. However, right now, he looks more like a father than a monarch.
"There is no need to fret, father. I shall complete this mission and return unscathed. You can count on it."
The word 'father' tasted bittersweet in my mouth since I stopped calling him that years ago. However, now that things are less tense between us, I should like to put in my share of the efforts to improve our relationship.
"Very well, son. You must return safe and sound for the tournament to take place." He said with a smile as he released my head.
"A tournament? Father, what are you…"
"Leo will fill you in with the details on the way. I'm surprised he did not mention it to you by now." He laughed while smacking my shoulder.
Leo, and everyone else were averting my gaze as if the entire palace was aware except for me. I heaved a heavy sigh as I shook my head and proceeded to mount my horse yet again. Bettie slowly approached me and handed me a grey handkerchief.
"I have enough of these, Bettie. Take it back." I said curtly.
"Miss Fatima entrusted me to deliver this to you as a gesture of gratitu…"
"On second thought, I'll take it." I interrupted, as I extended my hand over to her.
A light grey handkerchief with the Alkaraz imperial insignia embroidered in the middle. She also took care to stitch my initials on it. Her needle work looked far more advanced than even Emilia's, who is hailed a professional. Hang on a second.
"Bettie, those aren't my initials. Did you perhaps hand me the wrong one?"
"Not at all, my prince. K&F as in Kazein and Fatima. She predicted that your highness would misunderstand, therefore,entrusted me to relay the- Are you alright, your highness?"
Kazein and Fatima with a tiny red heart stitched right next to it. This trinket alone is making a mess of my heart. I nearly lost my balance on top of the horse. I could not stop blushing, no matter how many deep breaths I took to calm my nerves.
"I'm alright, Bettie. Please tell her I appreciate the gesture." I stuttered as I cleared my throat.
"Move out!" I yelled at the soldiers.
The journey ahead will certainly be an impetuous one, filled with tears of blood and agony as we face the impending dangers of the battlefield. However, I am confident that we will pull through just fine. And when it's all over, once I have settled what I set out to do, I shall return and claim the owner of this handkerchief. Wait for me princess, for I will come back to you and find out how it is that the very thought of you can make me feel as if I'm walking on clouds.
++++++
~One Week Later. Kartier Manor.
"Oh, my! What a beautiful puppy you have, Lady Florette!"
"Its deep-brown curly fur makes it all the more adorable."
"What it is its breed, if I may ask, my lady?"
"It's a male labradoodle. He's very cute and friendly."
So far, so good. It seems the physician's suggestion turned out to be working after all. Surrounding her with people seems to be a better option than having her go through the ordeal of emotional therapy.
"May I stroke its fur, lady Florette?"
"No! He's all mine! You cannot touch him." She yelled as she scooped up the puppy in her arms.
I should intervene before they notice.
"O-okay."
"She looks scary."
"Is she alright?"
"She's crying."
"I merely wanted to pet it because it's so cute. Please forgive my impudence, lady Florette. I did not intend to overstep."
"My daughter must be feeling tired already. How about we end the party here for today? The guards will escort everyone to their respective coach in a moment. Come, my sweet princess."
Yes. If I keep things at this pace, everything will be fine. I just need to watch her constantly. My daughter is fine. She will pull through this no matter what.
"Your grace, my lady. A letter has arrived for her ladyship. It is from the empress."
She grabbed the letter from the maid's hands and quickly opened it. She was breathing heavily while her eyes did not waver from the small yet elegant piece of paper in her grasp. Tears were rolling down her face as she wheezed in panic.
"What's the matter, princess?" I asked as I struggled to remove the piece of paper from her firm grip.
'It is with great distress that I must inform you that your pending engagement with Prince Kazein has been permanently annulled. In a recent investigation of the prince's night of misfortune, it was revealed that you, lady Florette, attempted to use underhanded tactics to take advantage of his imperial highness. Though his highness forgave you, he decided to dissolve the engagement due to his lack of trust in you. However, I your empress will take on the task of finding you the perfect bachelor in the near future.
Sincerely,
Empress Marnouse.'
Ungrateful wench! You will pay for this.
"My lady! My lady!"
"Florette! Open your eyes! Florette!"