"Doctor Fern advised that you get plenty of rest as we closely monitor your condition, mother. How are you feeling?" He asked with a heavy sigh.
"As though I fell off a steep hill and miraculously survived."
"You gave us quite the scare, mother. Florette was the most affected out of all of us. She's been lying next to you the entire time and fell asleep right before you awakened. These are the medications you must take regularly. I shall…"
"Dimitriu…"
"Yes, mother. Do you need anything? Is something hurting?"
"Will you hold my hand?"
"Of course."
Without hesitation, he cluelessly clutched my hands in his gentle yet firm grasp. At that moment, it felt though time stood still as the palpitations of my heart grew louder. I have never felt such invigorating emotions before. Dimitriu, what must I do to make you all mine?
++++++
Everything about Nathan is different now. His hair grew so long that it reached his lower back, which makes him even more alluring than before. The design of his earring seems different today, it looks much more extravagant than yesterday's. There is also a distinct air about him. The Nathan from before would be glaring at me by now, but oddly enough this one looks peaceful. He's staring at me with so much warmth in his eyes it's making me feel self-conscious. Although…I can't help but wonder what it would be like to chomp on his arm. Would all my teeth fall off? How would he even react if I suddenly do something like that? Hm…should I try it?
"Why are you making such a strange…lewd face? You're scaring me, princess."
"Oh! S-sorry! Haha!" I giggled nervously.
What kind of indecent expression was I displaying for him to react this way? His entire face was red as he kept chuckling under his breath. For a moment there it felt as though I was peeking at the Nathan of the past. The young man who liked to hide his joy.
"Shall we get started?" he asked with a serious face.
I nodded slightly as I braced myself. This is a conversation we should have had five years ago, so I imagine there will be a lot to unpack. From his expression alone, I can already tell this is going to be a long chat.
"I'm sure you have questions for me, especially after last night's events. I am all ears, princess." He reclined in his seat as he gracefully crossed his legs and folded his arms, bearing a playful smirk in his expression.
Although no one in the dining hall recognized me, I can't help but feel anxious. If news gets out that his love interest is a slave, his reputation will certainly plummet. We must clear the air as soon as possible.
"Your highness." I called as I cleared my throat.
"You weren't serious about what you said last night, were you?"
I may have been a princess in the past, but that is no longer the case. Alkaraz's law strictly forbids marriage between an immediate family of the throne and a commoner, therefore his declaration will soon be invalid. I lost my sacred locket years ago. Thus, I have no way of proving my identity as a princess, which means I won't be of any use to him in my current state.
"What do you think, princess?" he questioned, slightly tilting his head to the side.
Is he…teasing me right now?
"Your highness, this is a serious matter." I sighed in response.
"I meant every word I uttered last night, princess. I'm not sure which part made you think I was being dishonest."
He sounds irritated.
"I'm sorry…"
"Whatever for?"
"It seems I've managed to upset you." I fidgeted nervously.
"No offense taken, princess. We are here to speak our minds, are we not?."
The pleasant grin on his face spells 'honesty', yet his tone sounded cold. Is it because his voice is much deeper than before? Or is he misleading me on purpose? The new Nathan is scarier than before. I can't tell what he's thinking anymore.
"I'm afraid I don't understand why your highness would propose marriage to someone like me. I am no longer a princess. In fact, I'm not even supposed to be alive in this world anymore. I have nothing of value to offer you as I am but an insignificant commoner, and…"
The pungent taste of my words felt nauseating. So much so that I was on the verge of tears. I couldn't believe I was spewing such heartbreaking utterance so carelessly in front of someone I…
"…and if anything, I might bring you more misfortunes than luck."
I wanted to repay him any way I could, so I thought I'd beg him to buy my slave contract from the Kartier household. Then I could become a palace slave and work for him. That was my plan. However, a marriage proposal was not at all what I was expecting. The idea never even crossed my mind. I was so busy crying my eyes out that I hadn't noticed Nathan sitting on the edge of the table until now.
"Return it to me once you're done using it. Someone I cherish gifted it to me a few years ago." he smiled as he extended a handkerchief to me.
Someone he cherished? Nathan already has a woman in his heart. So then, why…Hm? This needlework looks strangely familiar. As I gently unfolded the small yet delicate piece of fabric, a shocking truth was revealed which made me jolt in shock and I tumbled backwards. Thankfully, Nathan caught me and straightened the tilted chair. However, we collapsed on the sofa together, as he cushioned my head with his hand. Bettie and a few maids rushed in and misunderstood the entire situation.
"P-please forgive us for interrupting. We will leave you two to it now."
Wait- Miss Bettie, it's not…we weren't-*ugh* Please come back and let me explain!
My heart won't stop thumping. I embroidered the handkerchief with him in mind during my time in Chilsela, but I never expected him to keep it for so long. In fact, I thought miss Bettie would have discarded it since it was made with such cheap materials.
"Your face is all red. Are you feeling ill? Shall I summon the palace physician?"
He looks genuinely concerned.
"N-no, I'm alright, your highness. I was just surprised. I'll be completely fine once I calm my nerves."
"I see…" he muttered as he circled around the table and sat down on the chair.
"Back to the matter at hand. I've thought about it over and over for five years, and I'm sure it was the same for you as well."
"Fati, I know you want to bring your sister to justice one day. However, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to take on the task alone which is why I'm offering to become your sword and shield. I am willing to invest every ounce of my power in you, if only to see you prevail. So please…let me help you."
What is this warm feeling inside my chest? It feels like a fire is being kindled in the depths of my heart. One that is warm, gentle, and peaceful all at the same time.
"The truth is, I overheard your conversation with your sister that night, and it took everything in me not to slay her and that lap dog of hers at that moment."
Nathan's clenched fists were shaking as he continued to elaborate on the horrid things he overheard that night. The subtle shifts in his expressions portrayed anger, frustration, resentment, and grief. He kept agonizing over his late arrival to my rescue, when in reality I would have died if he hadn't come for me at all. I owe him my life.
"It's alright, I'm fine now. You don't have to apologize for something you didn't do."
He must have been thinking about this for a long time. He's not exactly the type to express himself outwardly, so this is quite surprising.
"It was my sister who stabbed me, not you. Actually, if it wasn't for you, I would not be here right now. Thank you, Nathan, for saving my life that day."
The Ecchelon way of showing gratitude is a kiss on the forehead. From the look on his face, it's safe to assume he wasn't aware of that. His face is so red. I want to laugh, but I don't want to tease him any further.
+++++++
"How brazen of him to bring a complete stranger into the imperial palace. What? His consort? Ha! He must be out of his mind."
"Mother? What are you grumbling about all by yourself?"
She looks troubled. I hope the news of the prince's absurdity did not reach her ears yet.
"Did something happen, my sweet? Why the long face? Come, have a seat and tell mother all about it."
"I have just returned from visiting the crown prince's palace, where I was suddenly denied entry. He must still be upset…about what happened."
"Oh, don't cry, my sweet angel. I'm sure his highness' anger will wane soon enough."
"Mother, let us go and…and apologize to his highness. The sooner we appease him, the higher my chances of conquering his heart will be. Come, mother! Why are you not moving? Let us go, quickly!"
Oh, my sweetheart. What are we going to do now?
++++++
Nathan and I decided to revisit the subject once I've had plenty of time to think it over. To be honest, I am still unsure of what the right decision should be at this point. It's true that I want to take down Loraine, but I never thought of using anyone to achieve that. I can't do that to Nathan, of all people. I wonder where we're going right now. I could hear the distant chatters and the sound of woods clashing behind the walls, which means we must be somewhere near the training ground.
"You have been sighing since we left the drawing room. What troubles you so?"
"I noticed there were no guards trailing behind us. Why is that?"
"This is my personal training ground. As you may have noticed, it's relatively close to my palace, and the only people allowed in are those who are under my direct authority."
He has his own training field? Just how powerful is this man?
"We have arrived."
When he said it was his personal space, I imagined it would be on a much smaller scale than this. The boisterous noise I heard from the other side of the door had long ceased as the knights were all standing in orderly rows in front of us. Among them were four giant, and handsome men whose appearances were starkly different from the rest.
"This is my court, princess. Some faces should be familiar to you as you already met them during the delegation. However, these four men are fairly new. They are warriors who were sent to Lithiar from the Uluka tribe during the war. Uler, Uwol, Ulrick, and Ulyx."
Did he just say 'Uluka?'. The Uluka tribe?
"It is a pleasure to meet you, princess!" they greeted in unison.
That startled me.
"L-likewise." I responded promptly.
"They styled their hair differently to make it easy for others to tell them apart. However- Fati? Are you listening?"
I've always wanted to meet them ever since I read about their tribe as a child. I can't believe my lifelong dream has finally come true. They are exactly as I'd imagined them to be. How magnificent!
"Well, that is all for today. Let us return another time, princess. What are you all standing there for? Resume training at once!"
Wait! I'm not through gawking!
++++++
Next on today's agenda is the audience I've been dreading to attend. The private meeting with the Emperor and Empress.
"Allow me to present to you, Princess Charlotte-Rose Fatima Vicksburg as my intended."