"Leo, begin preparations to leave Lithiar. We will be returning home in a week's time."
I must confirm it myself if what Emilia wrote to me is indeed true.
"Y-your highness? Is everything alright?"
"I am simply exhausted. You may leave for the night." I sighed.
"Understood, sire."
He seems shaken up. Should I pry?
"Oh, and…" he pondered.
"I want you to escort lady Ulissa back to her family tomorrow morning post breakfast. They must be worried."
"I shall do as your highness commands. If nothing else, I bid you a pleasant night, my prince."
*sigh* I doubt I'll get any sleep tonight.
++++++
"The gall of that woman. *sigh* Our exchange left me so upset I can hardly fall asleep."
She called it a cheap trinket but, this locket looks very expensive. One could tell that no ordinary artisan crafted this. The magnificent carvings on the circular silver frame surrounding the Rubi, and the strange metallic hollow sound emitting from it-what's this?
"It can open?"
"What is…Fati's portrait…doing inside this pendant?"
The sense of familiarity I felt when I held it earlier…I remember now.
A few years ago, when talks of the alliance between Ecchelon and Alkaraz were at its peak. I was to become their crown prince's bride, despite my transparent interest in Dimitriu for the longest time. Then one day father ordered me to go and assist his coronation to which I declined, and as a result my half-sister Yurivera, who was much younger than me, was selected in my stead. I felt bad for her, so I rescinded my previous answer.
"Hello? Is anyone around?"
I accidentally strayed on the wrong path and got separated from the tour guide. The palace was like a giant maze full of dead ends, and I was starting to panic. That was until I met her.
"Princess Charlotte-Rose Fatima Vicksburg D'Ecchelon. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
Her manner of speaking, her poised gestures, and her appearance were out of this world. She shone like a tiny angel under the reflection of the summer sun. She invited me to practice making flower wreaths as we chatted the day away.
"Would you like to hold my necklace? Since we're friends now, I think it is safe for you to touch it."
The infamous locket. A royal family heirloom that was crafted by a mysterious and powerful mage for each member of the family. It is said that their portrait, which is placed inside, ages with its owner. However, when they pass away, it will vanish into thin air. The mystery behind such a valuable item enthralled me, so I inquired about the mage, but…
"I'm afraid I do not have the information you are seeking, princess Emilia. I apologize."
She was just a child, of course she would not have known.
"However, what I can tell you is that anyone who touches this necklace with ill intent will become afflicted with a malicious curse for the rest of their lives. Or so I was told."
And you're telling me that now?
"Okaaay! Please keep this necklace around your neck at all times princess, and do not let anyone touch it so carelessly." I responded nervously as I hastily wrapped it around her neck.
My life flashed before my eyes that day.
"Okay! I will do as my big sister says." She responded cheerfully.
"Wait, I am not your big sister, Princess."
"Hooray! I have another big sister! Yay me! Yay me!" she continued to cheer loudly as she frolicked and danced around the field.
She was brimming with so much joy and life that I felt envious watching her express herself without caring about the rest of the world.
~Present time. The Following Day.
"Is everything alright, your highness? Y-your face is rather…"
"Yes, I am aware, lady Sutlin." He sighed.
Dark circles under the eyes are often attributed to lack of sleep. What could be troubling him this much?
"There is no cause for concerns, lady Jasmine for I assure you that there is nothing wrong with me."
He says that, but his expression portrayed something different.
"Now then, back to the matter at hand. As you both may be aware, Emilia would never do something that doesn't benefit either herself, me, or both of us. That being said, I suggest you maul this over a bit more before making a final decision."
"Truthfully, I was thinking the same thing, but his grace here was so overjoyed that he wanted to jump to the idea."
"Delayed as it may be, this should have been done the moment she was born." Pouted the duke.
"Well excuse me for wanting to protect my only child from the incessant assassination attacks I suffered ever since my pregnancy became public. I can't even imagine the horrid things she would do to Tafa upon setting even a single toe into your home."
Her concerns are certainly well rooted, however…
"There is a way to protect Tafa from her, and that would be…publicity."
As a public figure herself, she would never risk doing anything that would infringe her precious image. Therefore, if Tafaelle Sutlin publicly became Tafaelle Kartier, she'll have no choice but to play the role of a virtuous stepmother as her every move will be placed under a microscope by the same people she tries so hard to appeal to. This is probably the perfect way to drive her into a corner. Emilia, my dear sister, is finally retaliating and is trying to pick up quite the useful weapon, however…
"Um…y-your highness? That smirk on your face is rather concerning."
…this is a child's life we're talking about. We can't approach this carelessly.
"Actually, I think you're right, dear. It would be best if she remained a Sutlin for a little while longer."
"Actually, my love, I think his highness is on to something here…"
"Ahem! I have a proposition."
"I have decided to return home within the next few days. That said, I would-"
Huh? What's with the devastated expression on their faces? Are they that shocked about my decision?
"B-b-b-b-but…your highness. Why so soon? Tafa…Tafa will be so sad."
It'd be a lie if I said I didn't see that coming. She has been so kind to me ever since we met. At first, I thought she was just buttering me up for her own benefit, but as time went on, I realized it wasn't the case at all. She was kind to everyone, no matter who they were. That's probably why he fell for her and refused to let go. I can't help but wonder…
"No need to fret, lady Jasmine. As I was saying, I would like to investigate the situation a bit further. With your permission, of course."
"You have our full permission, your highness. Relay my regards to my family, especially my grandchildren." He smiled brightly.
As much as I wanted to suggest that he pay them a visit, I know that he's better off here, where he's safe.
"We will miss you so much, your highness. Tafa will cry a lot, but she will be alright. Please write to us whenever time permits."
"Yes, you can count on it, my lady."
"Why do I feel like the odd man out in this conversation?"
"Being jealous of a child half your age is just…pitiful, my dearest darling."
"Wha-are you calling me pathetic?!"
"Your words, not mine."
*sigh* Here we go again.
"Who's pathetic? Hm?"
"I-I don't know."
"Tell me, who's pathetic now, darling?"
"Oh my! You are being unreasonable, your grace. His highness is right there."
They were all over each other and didn't even notice when I left the drawing room. To be this much in love at that age must feel like a blessing.
++++++
"Fatima, you are hereby released from your duties as a nanny starting today."