"I drafted two lists as your highness requested. Those who have barely passed the exam, and those who earned outstanding marks on every test."
"Both lists are quite long, Gabril."
He looks rather pleased with himself. A few years ago, it was captain Beckford who used to send me his stragglers, which irked me because it sometimes felt as though I was being pitied. But now, the shoe is surprisingly on the other foot.
*Captain Beckford, younger brother of the empress and leader of the Expedian knights. He treats Nathan as if he was his biological nephew. *
"How fares captain Beckford in this year's recruitment process?"
Gabril's expression turned fretful as he pondered his reply. He was fidgeting nervously while avoiding my gaze as streams of sweat were rolling down his face.
"W-well…his numbers have flunked…considerably this year, so he's not exactly in the best mood these days."
"I see…"
Not a shred of compassion for the sulking captain, huh.
"Who is this Pervess fellow? He ranked first on the special squire's list." He questioned firmly as his gaze scanned the papers in his grasp.
"Ah! Pervess Flinn Porche, your highness. He showed exceptional talent in all subjects. He moved to the capital from a small village in the outer city of Ipera. What was the name again… Gane…Gani? Ga-"
"Ganoa village."
"That's it! Ganoa! Wait- Is your highness familiar with such a place? Even I don't know where it's located."
"The night I rescued the princess, I passed through that place. It's relatively closed to the Ecchelon border, as they share the same coastline."
"How did your highness work that out in such circumstances? It would've been difficult enough to mind your bearings in the dark." He mumbled pensively.
"As expected from our future emperor. You are amazing, your highness!" He cheered with his thumbs up.
"Ah! Before I forget, Pervess also mentioned that his friends will follow suit in the coming weeks. I guess they'll be partaking in the second round. Can your highness believe how many…"
He has been carrying the same expression ever since my return. It can't be because he's merely happy to see me. There's a distinctive aura about him now, one I'm not quite familiar with. Gabril has become a complete chatterbox, though he's always been friendly to a certain extent.
"Gabril, is there something you aren't telling me?"
"…and then-Oh! Has your highness noticed it?" he exclaimed cheerfully as he scurried closer to my desk. His eyes were blazing with enthusiasm.
"Noticed what?" I stared blankly.
Is he waiting for me to guess?
"Well, since you're so curious, I shall impart my happiness to you. My beautiful wife Rita and I are expecting baby number two!" he gloated delightfully.
"W-wow! Congrats!" I clapped in response.
I was in great shock because I could not believe my ears. Their first born is only three years of age and yet…
"You may not know this yet, your highness but the more in love you are with your wife, the more little ones you will produce."
One could see the honey dripping from his eyes and mouth as he prattled on about his happy marriage.
"Is that how it is?"
I wonder how the princess would look in a maternity gown. Who would our children take after? It would be better if they inherited her giddy personality and gentle features. How many would we even have? Would she bear twins like my mother?
"Y-your highness? Are you alright sire? Your entire face is red. Are you feeling ill? Shall I summon the physician?"
"At this rate, I don't think I can be cured." I muttered with a loud sigh.
What am I even thinking about in broad daylight?
"What was that, your highness?"
"Go to the training ground and rally the new recruits. Training starts in one hour."
I need to cool off.
"Leonardo and I will take charge of the rudimentary exercises and anyone who doesn't pan out will go to Captain Beckford."
"Sir! Yes sir!"
"That is all for now. Send me Leo on your way out."
"As you wish, sire." He bobbed and quietly left my study.
As I leisurely reclined in my seat, I couldn't take my mind off Fatima. What possessed me to conjure all those thoughts about her when I haven't even been able to make a move yet? She has been avoiding me at every turn lately, so there go my chances to woo her. I don't even know what type of man she likes…*sigh* At this rate, things will never progress between us. I need to create an opportunity somehow, but my mind is drawing a blank.
"Pardon the intrusion, your highness. Were you looking for me, sire?"
++++++
I originally thought that this routine would end after the victory celebration, which lasted three whole days. Yet here we are again. Her eyes haven't wavered from me ever since I entered the dining hall. If she wants to berate me for what happened on the first day of the celebration, she should just come out with it already. Her intense gaze is making me nervous. And why am I the only one eating this time around?
"You eat well, as always." She chuckled softly.
The empress says the same thing every time we eat together, except this time she actually laughed. Should I take this as a sign to let my guard down? No, I can't let myself be swayed so easily. This woman…is evil. She is one of duchess Gwendolynn's faithful pawns. Therefore, I must always remain vigilant lest I fall into whatever plans they are scheming to hurt Nathan.
"Oh my! You have a peculiar way of receiving compliments, my dear. You look like an angry kitten who's ready to claw me at a moment's notice. And here I thought you were merely a decorative plush toy for his bedchamber. I must say, I quite like your true colors."
It was as though a silent fight had ensued between us as our glares clashed with one another. I remained silent because I didn't want to show just how ticked I was at her condescending remarks. The tension in the room keeps rising, and if I linger here any later, something might truly happen that would put my very life at risk.
"As I have finished my meals, I shall excuse myself, your majesty. As always, I thank you for having me."
I rose from my seat, bowed to her, and hastily strode towards the door. Woohoo! I'm free!
"Where do you think you're running off to, young princess? Our little chat is just beginning to get interesting, so I suggest you return to your seat before I get bored."
She spoke in a soft tone, her voice sounding like a whisper, and yet my entire body tremored in fear at the sound of her voice. I could barely lift my foot to take another step in either direction. I clenched my dress and took a deep breath to calm my troubled nerves, but my body refused to cooperate. This fear feels familiar with what I experienced five years ago at the Ecchelon palace. A spine-chilling sensation that numbs the entire body, and even the will to retaliate.
"That dance of yours…"
Her footsteps and the pace at which she walked sounded extremely graceful, almost like a musical rhythm. Slow and steady, as though she rehearsed those decisive strides of hers. When I finally built up the courage to turn around, she had already encroached on me far too closely, which startled me.
"…teach it to me!" she exclaimed cheerfully, clasping her fingers together like a young maiden in her prime.
"P-pardon?"
She did all that just to ask for a favor?!
~Outskirts of Ipera, Ganoa Village
"The villagers are mourning our departure yet are still bringing us supplies for the road."
"As expected, you have a strange way of expressing your gratitude, Sir Micksen."
That day…I thought I died for sure until I woke up to him dressing my wounds that were already treated by Sir Carlo, the herbalist. In this tiny village brimming with life and joy, I learned many things and made connections I never thought possible, given that I was just a stranger to them. They welcomed me with open arms, treated me like family, fed me, clothed me and…
"Where should I put the dried salted fish?" he stared blankly as he awkwardly held it in his palm.
"In that bag over in the corner. Put it last for we must eat it before it goes bad." I instructed in response, pointing at the already packed bag leaning against the wall."
He's a lot chattier today. I wonder if that has to do with him leaving the village for the first time in his life. Though I still don't know his reason for suddenly deciding to tag along. Why would he leave the comfort of his own home to travel so far? Everyone in the village treasures him.
"My daughter Elicia is of marriageable age this year. How about…"
"No, thank you."
"My sister-in-law is looking for a reliable husband such as your-"
"I am in a hurry, Mrs. Parkins. See you later!"
He declined them so sternly that one would think they'd stop offering, but they keep persisting and hoping that one day he'll give in.
"Sir Micksen, why did you decide to follow me to Alkaraz? Won't you miss everyone here? You've lived your entire life in this place."
"I'm going…" he paused as he sunk his teeth into the apple he was holding.
The slow and incessant crunching sounds of him munching the fruit permeated the air as he pondered quietly.
"I'm going to Alkaraz to find a wife and sire children. Lots of them."
I stared in bewilderment as the words wife and children echoed in my mind. This was not the answer I was expecting.
"What about you, Eleison?" he asked with his head tilted to the side.
"Me? Well…I'm going to sign up to become an imperial knight."