When he suddenly used my real identity to introduce me, I felt my heart stop for a moment. I panicked out of sheer fear and failed to greet them properly. Standing in front of such powerful figures was a painful reminder of how small and worthless I've become. The empress has been staring at me for quite some time now. What should I do? I can't think of anything to say! Nathan, please stop talking to your father, and help me!
"Quite the eccentric beauty she is. I have never met anyone with such graceful mannerisms before. You must have been taught from a very young age."
"P-pardon? O-oh! Your majesty flatters me."
Did the shrewd empress just pay me a compliment?
"However, I'm afraid you are far too thin for my liking. We'll have to fatten you up expeditiously." expressed the empress as she closely examined my physique.
"The victory ball is but a few days away. Therefore, I doubt she'll be ready by then, but we must do what we can now rather than later. Regarding the matter of her attire…"
What is happening right now? I was told by the maids that the empress was a reticent shrew who covertly despises the crown prince, and everyone associated with him. With that in mind, I came here fully prepared to be humiliated. Could it be that she can't show her true colors in front of them? That must be it. The sooner I leave here, the better I'll feel. Although, it doesn't seem like their conversation will end any time soon.
"It's decided then. Princess Charlotte is to join me for lunch every day from now on until I am satisfied with her countenance."
Huh?! What!?
++++++
After our meeting with the monarchs, we returned to Nathan's palace, where I could finally lie down and rest. I've not walked in heels for such a long time that it took quite a toll on my feet and hips. My heels are throbbing, and I'm too tired to do anything right now. I'll just sleep and heal these bruises when I wake up.
+++++
When I opened my eyes, the lights in my room were already turned on. I must have slept through dinner. Should I just go back to sleep? This plush pillow is so soft and warm.
"Hm…so soft." I groaned as I buried my face in it.
Hm? I thought I heard a purr just now. Where is it coming from?
When I finally realized that the soft pillow was actually not a pillow at all, I screamed in panic, staggered and flew off the bed, only to collapse on the hard floor. Nathan and a trail of maids and guards immediately rushed into my room. Thankfully, no one seemed bothered by my overdramatic reaction. They were all concerned about the bruises I got from the fall. I could have simply healed them on my own; however, I didn't want to expose my ability without Nathan's permission.
"Vederre." called the crown prince with a menacing glare.
"How many times must I warn you not to sneak into others' room?"
His name is Vederre. I wonder if I can hear its voice like I do Marcie. Now that I take a good look at it, it's not scary at all. It's actually quite adorable.
"Leo…"
"Yes, your highness."
Leo? Who's he? He looks so mysterious wearing that black mask over half of his face.
"Take him out."
"Master! I'm sorry, I won't do it again! Please!"
Is that…its voice?
"Come along, now Sir Vederre. Let us do as his highness commands." Said the man called Leo while struggling to move Vederre.
"Unhand me, you fiend!"
"W-wait a moment." I blurted nervously.
"Don't tell me…" said Nathan with a blank stare.
I nodded my head vigorously as I begged him to let me approach it, to which he reluctantly agreed.
"Please be careful, your highness." warned Celia frightfully.
It does have an intimidating aura, but it's not so scary as to warrant my caution. As I slowly approached, it lowered its head to the floor, as if to let its guard down just for me. I crouched in front of it and started stroking its head, which it seems to like.
"What soothing hands you have. More, more! Pet me more please, my lady!"
It sounds like a young boy.
"Haha! That tickles, Sir Vederre! No licking! Haha!"
"It seems we're in the clear for now. You may all return to your posts."
"Yes, your highness."
"Leo."
Why is he not responding?
"Leo, are you there?"
What's wrong with him? He's completely zoned out. Is his migraine spiking again?
"Roll over."
It seems Vederre took quite a liking to Fati right away.
"My sincerest apologies, your highness. It seems I was caught in a daze for a moment."
I should send him to rest for the night. The introductions can wait until tomorrow. He may look fine on the surface, but this man's nights are mostly shrouded with nightmares he tells no one about, not even me. He's been suffering all alone for nearly a decade.
"You must be the esteemed guest that everyone's been talking about. My name is Leonardo Harpen, and I am the Chamberlain of his highness' palace. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, princess."
He sounds so graceful, and his mannerisms are comparable to that of a noble. Leonardo Harpen. I wonder what he looks like behind that mask. I can't even see the color of his eyes since his blonde hair is covering the other side of his face.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Leonardo. I am princess Charlotte-Rose Fatima Vicks-S-sir Leo? Are you alright?"
Is this ringing sound coming from me or him? From the way he's wincing, I think it's him, but why is it also resonating in my head? It's so loud I can barely focus. Nathan doesn't seem to be affected at all.
"Leo! What's wrong?"
I can hear his heart accelerating, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong, so where exactly is his ailment? Focus, Fati! Focus and search his body.
"*gasp* His…mind?"
Ever since my power awakened, I've been able to detect people's ailments with my eyes alone. While I can see and heal the physical ones, I am powerless when faced with matters of the mind. Which means all I can do for him right now is soothe his migraine-huh? What…what is this?
+++++
Is it dawn already? When did I return to my room? My body surprisingly feels lighter today, and I didn't wake up with a migraine like I do every morning. Even the rash around the burn scars seems to have ceased itching. I've not had a day like this in forever.
"Vederre? What are you doing in my room?"
Did he sneak in while I was asleep? This imperial panther truly has no concept of privacy.
"Are you awake, chamberlain Leonardo? May I come in?" spoke a familiar voice from behind the door.
"Yes, you may come in."
"Please excuse me." she strode in, carrying a small tray with medicine and a glass of water resting on it. It was obvious that such chore was foreign to her, yet she did it with such confidence that one would think she's done this multiple times before.
"Miss Ulissa? What are you doing? Why are you circling around me so?"
"Hm… You seem fine. What a relief." She sighed heavily.
"Did something happen?"
"You mean, you don't remember, Sir Leonardo?" she puzzled with a blank stare.
I remember introducing myself to his highness' guest, but everything after that is a blur. Judging from her expression, something must have transpired afterwards.
"You gave us quite the fright when you suddenly collapsed in the middle of a conversation with his highness' guest. You were unconscious, so you had to be carried to your room. His highness was concerned for your health, thus, he assigned Vederre to watch over you all night."
Oh, that explains why he was on my bed. He didn't sneak in like he usually does.
"…then the doctor came, and said you were fine, but I was so worried and…"
"I'm sorry. You must have been so scared, Miss Ulissa."
"I was. I felt so useless because there wasn't anything I could do to help you. You were on the floor, squirming in pain, but no one seemed to know what to do. I thought something bad was going to happen to you."
"Please don't cry, Miss Ulissa."
She wouldn't stop crying even when I embraced her. Oddly enough, she seems to be much more sensitive than she shows. I've been pretending to be oblivious to her feelings towards me this entire time, but what am I to do when she's showing such genuine concern for me? I know all there is to know about her, but I keep hesitating because of the gap in our position. She's technically a princess, as is any daughter of the Uluka tribe's chief. Which means her standards are bound to be high. I am a mere ailing commoner who can't even remember his past. We are clearly on different levels, and yet…
++++++
He has been staring at me with such strange eyes ever since I walked in. Is the dress too much? Or is it the makeup? His immaculate countenance is hurting my eyes. Well, at least one of us had a pleasant night. Meanwhile, the vision I saw while helping his aide kept me awake until dawn.
"Are you feeling unwell, princess?" he asked as he gracefully dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
"I spent all night tossing and turning, your highness." I sighed as I picked up the teacup from the saucer.
"I was so concerned about chamberlain Leonardo that I kept thinking of-"
"Fati…" he interrupted in a somber tone.
"I'd appreciate it if you refrain from uttering another man's name in my presence."
"P-pardon?"
I nearly choked on the tea.
"I should also like to request that you focus solely on me when we're in each other's company."