I figured from the frame alone; it had to have been a woman. However, I never would have thought it was her, of all people. What is she doing here?
"Um…your highness. Could you please untie my hands?" she whined.
"Oh, right! My apologies, princess. Leo?" I signaled.
The displeasure on his face couldn't be any more telling. He was completely on guard, whereas she started blushing the moment he approached her.
"P-Please call me Ulissa. I no longer hold the title of princess."
"Stand down and withdraw your weapons." I commanded the knights.
"Yes, sir!"
I extended my hand to her as she grabbed it to stand up. Most of my men were blushing at the sight of her when her cloak suddenly slipped off. However, the four brothers were still on high alert, glaring at her in distrust.
"I wanted to apologize to your highness about last night's incident. That is why I followed you all the way here. Please accept my sincere apologies, sire. I did not intend to offend you with my actions last night."
Her family must be worried about her. I'll have Leo escort her back tomorrow morning since it's already late.
"Apology accepted miss Ulissa. Now come, I'm afraid you might catch a cold if we dally out here any longer."
"Um…one moment, your highness. There is something else I would like to say."
She let go of my hand and strode over to them, who retreated apprehensively. At first, she hesitated, then let out a deep sigh and knelt before them. One of Uluka's most famous customs is kneeling. A gesture that is commonly used to convey one's sincerity when trying to make amends.
"I have no words to justify my family's actions towards the four of you all these years. Please forgive me for turning a blind eye and condoning the ill treatment that was inflicted upon you. I will accept any punishment, if only to appease your anger and resentment."
That was quite a heartfelt apology. She groveled before them, displaying her utmost sincerity. I wonder what their reaction will be. Her words even touched the knights who were witnessing the event.
"Who do you take us for?" scowled Uler in discontent.
"Did you think that kneeling before us would soften our hearts? Rejects, cursed bastards, and so on. These are the names you all attached to us from the moment we were born. Our own flesh and blood forsook us, yet you seem to think that a simple apology will make all of that go away. What? You will bear our anger? Our resentment? Who do you think you are?!" roared Uler angrily.
The pain in Uler's loud voice resonated in the air as the men who were gawking at her in admiration came to a painful realization. Uler was being held back by his brothers, who were struggling to keep him stable. Meanwhile, lady Ulissa was weeping incessantly. I should probably put an end to this now before this situation escalates.
"What my brother meant to say is that…" interrupted Ulrick.
He always seems to be the most mature out of all of them. Hopefully, he'll have a better grasp of this ordeal, and I won't have to step in.
"We do not care about your apology. Also, we haven't been living our lives hating and resenting you because we were too busy loving the one person who stood by us all these years. That counts more than any apology you and your family could ever offer us. Yes, it hurts to be abandoned by one's own family, but if you hadn't done that, we probably would've never known what it's like to love and be loved by someone else."
If only miss Ulala were here to witness this. I'm certain she would shed a tear or two. They transformed their pain into shields that allow them to be free and protected from any ill sentiments they may bear towards the Uluka tribe. Is this what it's like to be raised with love? Until now, I thought parental love was only attributed to one's biological parents. How shallow-minded have I been this whole time to regard Bettie's affections as mere duty?
"Are you alright, your highness?" asked Leo.
"Yes!" I replied curtly as I turned around.
"Let us head inside. Have the maids prepare a room for miss Ulissa."
"As you command, sire."
*sigh* I am exhausted. Things have been far too eventful as of late.
~Moments later
"Pardon the interruption, your highness. Dinner is about to be served." announced a maid from behind the door.
"I'll be out in a moment."
Oh well, I can open her letter upon my return. I'm sure it's the same old story of her whining about my prolonged absence.
+++++
"It is an honor to have you with us, princess Ulissa. I hope our humble selections for tonight's dinner suit your fine palate. It was the best we could do on such short notice."
"It's all so delicious, your grace. I am honored to be here. Please call me Ulissa, as I am no longer a princess." She responded cheerfully while chewing on her meal.
She was chomping on the food as if she'd been starving for days while her nervous gaze kept wandering towards Leo, who was clearly oblivious to her. The four brothers chose to dine at the knight's canteen. And as for Jonathin, he was staring at me with a strange expression, all the while wriggling his brows. He kept interchangeably glancing at me and miss Ulissa, who was sitting right next to me. Is he insinuating that there is something between me and her?
"Tell me all about it later, your highness." he quietly mouthed, raising his wineglass to his lips.
"It is not what you think. Read the room, will you?" I calmly mouthed in response.
Seems he's looking for any plausible reason to tease me.
"Tafa waited for you, your highness. However, she fell asleep moments before your return." She said with a smile.
Jasmine Sutlin, the illegitimate daughter of the late count Thomas Hertzman. Though she is the younger sister of that wretched woman, Gwendolynn, I somehow find her company rather enjoyable. Not much is known about her, other than that she butted heads with her elder sister and nearly lost her life as a result.
"By the way, your highness…" she glanced over and nodded at the Duke.
"If it isn't too much trouble, I would like to request a private audience with you tomorrow."
+++++
Loud bangs kept coming from Dimitriu's study, which disturbed my sleep. Everyone, including the maids should be asleep by now. Therefore, who in their right state of mind is making such a commotion at this hour? The door was left ajar as the bright light from inside reflected in the hallway. I highly doubt it's a thief, as the security in this mansion is rather stringent.
"Please wait here, your grace." Whispered one knight as he pulled out his sword and quietly approached the opened door.
Perhaps I should have brought more than two guards.
"It's finally opened!"
"It did?"
When I heard the familiar voices, I ran and pushed the door wide open as I barged into the room. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads while they stared aghast in our direction. A strange necklace was dangling off her fingers while the broken box was in the stableman's grasp. After searching for the key everywhere to no avail, Dimitriu finally inquired about it to my father-in-law as a last resort. He informed us that this jewelry box belonged to my brother, and that it should be returned to him when the time was right.
"I believe my husband was very clear when he ordered that no one ought to enter his study during his absence. That being said, what are you two doing here?"
These two have been glued to each other's side for a long time. I can't help but become curious about the nature of their relationship. The duchess remained speechless as her accomplice kept stammering like a fool yet could not utter a single word.
"Ahem! I do not owe anyone any explanation regarding why I entered my son's personal space, lady Emilia."
Lady?
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get to bed. Come along, Elliot." She beckoned.
"Guards! Retrieve that necklace from the duchess' hands. And you…" I glared at Elliot.
"Leave the box behind." I commanded sternly.
"Yes, your grace!" he responded before scurrying to place the small box on Dimitriu's desk.
"Don't you dare touch me! Here's your cheap little trinket." She scowled as she flung it into the guard's hands.
I was beyond baffled at her blatant boorish behavior. She has not spoken a word to me ever since our scuffle and now this. It seems she is no longer sitting still and is slowly making her move. Well, if it's a war she wants, then I shall entertain her to the best of my ability.
"I will take the necklace with me. Let us go back."
~Meanwhile, Kartier Mansion, Dia City, Lithiar
"What is the meaning of this…Emilia?"