Although he said he misspoke, I could have sworn I felt some semblance of sincerity coming from his blunt response. Some time has passed since then, yet my face turns red whenever I recall the memory. I hope the boisterous noise of the carriage and the horses' loud footsteps can mask the thumping of my heart.
"We are nearing the first gate of the palace. Keep your cloak on until I say otherwise."
I could feel his warm breath blowing on my hair as he fixed my cloak. He was so gentle and careful that I almost impulsively lifted my head to meet his gaze. I wonder what sort of face he would make if I suddenly grabbed his hand?
"F-Fati…what are you…"
His hands have grown twice as big and strong as they were before. So, this is the palm of a man who fought countless demons on the battlefield. It's sturdy and callused, yet gentle and warm at the same time. In this moment, I have neither the need nor the will to feel upset with Nathan, at least not when he's making such an adorably flustered face.
"Welcome home, your highness. You've done well in your endeavors." I smiled as I held his hand to my face while patting his head.
The boisterous cheers of the people outside the carriage drew my attention to the glass window. Children and adults alike were singing merry hymns as they danced to the rhythm of the drums. Others strew flower petals and colorful confetti on the carriage while cheering his name. It was truly a sight to behold. Yet Nathan did not budge from his seat, nor was there any kind of reaction coming from him. If anything, he seemed kind of down,which made me feel guilty for being the only one reveling in the moment. Alkaraz is truly a wonder to behold. The pictures I've seen in the books can't hold a candle to the real thing. How fascinating!
++++++
"What do you reckon he had to retrieve from Chilsela in such a hurry, chamberlain Leonardo?"
"His highness merely relayed that he had to go fetch something precious to him. However, he did not disclose the specifications of the said item. My apologies, your majesty."
His majesty seems to have completely regained his health. I'm glad. As he sat in the throne hall, he kept frantically glancing at the opened entrance door while anticipating the prince's arrival. He even went to the trouble of dispatching the entire palace staff to greet his highness, despite knowing how much his son dislikes such excessive formalities. I hope his highness takes his efforts into consideration this time.
~Meanwhile, at the main entrance
"Watch your steps." I cautioned as I held her hand.
Fati's face beamed with excitement as her gaze scoured all over the place. She tumbled on a step and nearly fell as I caught and held her up in the air. She was making a strange face as she quivered from my grasp.
"Caught you!"
She's as light as a feather.
Meanwhile, a clamor arose among our surroundings. They were whispering to one another as they blushed and awkwardly cleared their throats.
"P-please put me down, your highness." She murmured bashfully.
"What's the matter?" I whispered as I gently placed her down.
"My sides…are very sensitive, your highness." She chortled quietly.
Ah! She's trying not to laugh out loud. Yet she looks like a pouting toddler.
"Try taking a deep breath, princess." I chuckled.
"Will you quit calling me that? And stop laughing at me." she hissed scornfully.
"Once a princess, always a princess, they say. Deny it all you want, but the truth is the truth, after all."
"We salute our glorious hero, crown prince Kazein Nathaniel Von Alkaraz! Welcome home, your imperial highness!"
Good heavens! I nearly jumped into Nathan's arms. Did they all rehearse this together? Their voices were so harmonious, it sounded like they were singing a song. The crown prince cradled my hand as we approached a row of what looked like important individuals. The unfamiliar gazes pierced through me like sharp daggers. Suddenly, I felt small and scared until his firm grip jolted my senses. Come to think of it, I never asked him why he insisted on bringing me along. Oh well, I suppose a palace job will certainly be more rewarding than being a nanny. Sorry duchess Emilia.
"The woman in the sky-blue dress is the empress." He suddenly whispered.
That scared me!
"On the left of her are my sisters, and behind her are the high-ranking palace workers, and on the right is the Kartier family's witch whom you are quite familiar with. You don't need to greet anyone audibly; a simple curtsy will do. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, just give me a signal."
Such a kind soul you've become. It seems the war has done marvelous work on his character.
Alright! I can do this!
Throughout his brief exchange with the empress, I remained quiet with my head down as he instructed. To my surprise, no one spoke out of turns. His entrance into the throne hall was ushered in with the same subtle, loud, and melodious greeting as before only this time, it was accompanied by the loud bellows of the trumpets. Nathan did not let go of my hand until we arrived in front of his majesty. We knelt to greet the Emperor, and then were escorted to the dining hall. The entire time, I was bewildered at the sight of the palace's imposing grandeur.
"If I may ask, your highness."
Duchess Gwendolynn's voice invoked such an extreme fear in me that made my body quivered involuntarily. This has happened multiple times before where I froze whenever we would randomly cross paths inside the mansion. Oddly enough, I find her murderous glare similar to that of my sister.
"Who might our esteemed guest be?"
A question that even the emperor and empress did not bother to ask, yet there she was blatantly undermining their position. Is she allowed to do that because of her standing?
"Duchess Gwendolynn, I ask that you please refrain from…"
"It's alright, your majesty. I'll answer the duchess." Interrupted Nathan in a calm voice.
Was that the empress just now? I heard she and the Duchess were solid allies. Yet her sharp tone was like one who was admonishing a stranger. What's going on here?
"This beautiful woman here is my bride to be." He declared while cradling my hand for all to see.
I felt my soul instantly leave my body as I trembled in fear. The wine I had previously sipped trickled down my cloak as I stared in a daze.
"However, for reasons I'd rather not discuss, her identity must be kept a secret for now until the right moment. I hope you all understand."
P-please stop talking.
"That's wonderful news, son! This is another reason to celebrate! Cheers!" exclaimed the emperor.
Why are they just taking his word for it?!
++++++
*sigh* What a chaotic day that was. Nathan's declaration had somehow quelled most of their curiosities, so no other questions related to me were raised. He was unusually chatty, especially when he started talking about the war, which captivated everyone's attention, especially the emperor's. I was half conscious, so I can hardly remember anything else after that.
"His palace is different from all the other places I've seen so far. Not too grandiose, yet all the more magnificent."
"May I come in, princess?" asked an unfamiliar voice from behind the door.
"We are here to assist your bath. Please excuse us."
Although these things aren't foreign to me, I'm still having a hard time getting used to them. I've been doing everything on my own for so long that this is making me feel smothered. The gentle strokes of the comb running through my wet hair as another maid massaged my shoulders is making me feel sleepy. I've not been pampered like this in what feels like forever.
"Her highness' hair is so beautiful; I can't stop combing it. Have you ever seen anything this naturally shiny before?"
"You can't sleep yet, your highness. We haven't gotten to the best part." She fretted.
What could be better than-
"This is called a charcoal facial cleanser. It's said to contain ingredients that will make your face as clean and smooth as a baby's behind." she boasted confidently while holding up the bottle.
"Celia, you must wash her face separately, or else you'll sully the bathwater."
Celia is her name. She reminds me so much of Clover.
"Oops! I forgot."
They're both awkwardly cute and chaotic. I wonder what those three are up to right now.
~The Next Day
"Emilia!" he yelled as he barged into Abrielle's nursery.
He was in complete disarray, with a distraught expression on his face as he handed me the papers in his grasp.
"Were you aware of this, Emilia? Did mother truly suggest them to such harsh treatments?"
"I should be asking you that, darling. You've been with these ladies much longer than me."
He only just got back, and he's already stirring trouble. I know he's in a hurry, but it may be too soon to hop on this issue.