"What's going on? Why is his highness here?"
"I thought Sir. Gabril was going to conduct the first training session. I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Listen up!" he spoke in a loud voice, silencing the commotion among the squires.
I've only seen portraits of him being paraded all over the country during his time on the front lines, and even then, his intimidating aura was as clear as day. Now that I'm actually in his presence, he looks a lot scarier than in the photographs and flyers. He's huge! He's even bigger than Micksen and Eleison combined, and that's not an exaggeration.
"We will now begin with the preliminary exercises, which entail one hundred laps around the field, followed by a set of one hundred walking lunges. Next you will complete fifty planks, three sets of one hundred pull-ups, the same goes for the sit-ups, and last but not least, one set of one hundred rope jumping."
Looks like he's set on testing our endurance right off the bat. I expected as much. Eleison's morning exercise drills were far more strenuous than these, so I should be fine. However, the same cannot be said of everyone else. They all look mortified.
"I will divide you into groups of ten. When you hear your name, step forward." Announced Sir Leonardo with an opened notebook in his grasp.
"Yes, sir!" we bellowed in response.
"Group one…"
++++++
"It's quite noisy out there today, princess."
"I've been meaning to ask what all the commotion was about."
"It's the new squires' first day of training. From what I heard; his highness is overseeing the entire process."
As expected, nothing escapes Celia's resourceful ears. She has been treating me with nothing but kindness ever since I arrived here. Though I'm sure Nathan had a huge hand in that.
"All done, your highness. Goodness! I still can't get enough of how easy it is to style your hair, princess!" she squealed excitedly.
Celia has been obsessed with my appearance since day one. Though I'm happy to indulge her by letting her do as she wishes, I'm curious about how she will react once she finds out I'm just a slave. Come to think of it, I haven't run into any palace slaves yet. Are they to hide from the nobility as well?
"Celia."
"Yes, your highness?"
Those expectant eyes of hers are full of life.
"Are there any slaves in the imperial palace?"
Her gaze, which was brimming with excitement, instantly turned glum as she lowered her head and averted my eyes. That's not the reaction I was expecting.
"T-there aren't many, b-but…but…uh…"
The cheerful Celia, who smiles and laughs at everything, was now trembling in fear before me. Her breath kept rising as she was on the verge of tears. Is slavery in the palace a sensitive subject?
"Celia? Is something the matter?" I asked as I approached her.
She jolted and immediately retreated as her panic worsened. What's the matter with her? Why is she suddenly so nervous?
"I-I'm sorry, your highness. The truth is…I…" she paused and clenched her uniform.
"I'm…I'm a…I'm actually an ex-slave." She blurted with her eyes squeezed shut.
I see now. Wait-Does she think I'm the same as those lofty nobles who treat slaves as if they are less than animals? Then again, she must have gone through a lot.
"Celia, raise you head and open your eyes. I like you regardless of your status. I asked out of mere curiosity, not to make you feel bad. My apologies for prying into something I shouldn't."
"Your highness!" she wept as she embraced me.
The difference between us is rather stark. So much so that it pains me to even think about it. She was lucky enough to get out of slavery. Meanwhile, I'm just a slave posing as a princess. I haven't been able to bring it up with Nathan because of the celebration, but now that things have calmed down a bit, I should try to ask him.
~Moments Later
"Are you feeling better now? You cried a lot." I extended a handkerchief to her.
"I apologize, princess. I was just so happy to meet someone as pure-hearted as yourself, so I couldn't contain my joy." She sniffled as she wiped the tears off her face.
"When I used to stay at the Kartier duchy a few years ago, I…"
"Wait a moment, Celia." I interrupted.
"You were…a Kartier slave?"
~Lithiar Capital City, Teritia Prison.
"Prince Sion Erwin De Hughes. As per the order of His Majesty King Adolph, you are to be released and escorted to the royal palace. Please step out of your cell with your hands in the air."
The day has finally arrived for my plans to come to fruition. I hope you're ready to meet your doom, prince Kazein.
+++++
I've not had food like this in five whole years. My stomach feels like an abyss. The more I eat, the hungrier I get. More! More!
"Urgh! Disgusting! He's gobbling everything up like a filthy pig." scowled my younger brother with disgust.
"What did you say, you bastard?!" I roared as I angrily banged my fist on the table.
That arrogant bastard is clearly mocking me. He must think he's something now that he's bearing my title. I'll deal with him accordingly once father settles things.
"Prince Sion…" father sighed as he rose from his seat.
"Your past actions have deemed you unfit to rule our country. Therefore, I have permanently stripped you of your title as crown prince and yielded it to your younger brother, Monte. I will let you remain in the palace for two years, treating you as a prince until the preparations for your duchy are complete."
"Wait! Father! Please! Please grant me another chance! Father! Please wait! Father!"
This is all his fault! If that jerk of a prince hadn't meddled in my affairs, this wouldn't have happened. You wait and see crown prince Kazein Nathaniel Von Alkaraz. I will have my revenge!
++++++
Celia, an ex-slave of the Kartier Duchy, witnessed duchess Gwendolynn drowning Melissa Daugherty in the lake behind the estate. Realizing there was an eyewitness to her crime, she sought to have Celia killed. However, she failed to catch her, and Celia escaped to the capital where she later met a man who saved her from the duchess' henchmen. He later bought off her slave contract and set her free. Then the two got married and had three children. Celia had to change her name along with her appearance to avoid any further persecutions from duchess Gwendolynn. This coincidence is just…*sigh* My head is throbbing.
"I should take a bath and try to sleep." I mumbled to myself as I rose from the lounge chair.
I can't believe she actually died. So many things had been happening all at once, so the thought of investigating Melissa's disappearance barely crossed my mind. Now that I've connected all the pieces, how can I tell them that their only child is gone? I should pay them a visit soon.
~The Next day, Nathan's Study
"Pardon the interruption, your highness. Princess Charlotte seeks an audience with…"
"Let her in."
Ha! After avoiding me for so long, she finally shows me some mercy. I was planning to visit her chamber tonight, so this works out for the best.
"Tell Leo to bring us some refreshments." I nodded to the guards.
Yes, your highness."
"For a rabbit who is striding into a lion's den, she sure looks carefree.
"Have a seat, princess." I guided her to the sitting area.
She's awfully quiet today. What's going on?
"To what do I owe the honor of your impromptu visit, Princess Charlotte?"
Her silence is making me feel self-conscious, though I know I have done nothing wrong…yet. She's not here to pick up a fight with me, is she?
"N-Nathan…"
She called my name with a tenderness that my heart instantly reacted to as I stared at her in a daze. The tea I had already gulped came trickling right out of my mouth and back into the cup. I could always read her like a book, but now I'm totally lost when it comes to understanding her. Have I been away for too long?
"You spilled the tea all over your clothes, your highness. Goodness!" she fretted while wiping the tea off my clothes.
"Princess…are you perhaps trying to seduce me?" I asked as I gently grasped her wrists and pulled her close to me.
"And if I was?"
Now that's the Fati I know.
"I came to ask for a big favor, but I didn't have the confidence to do so brazenly. My apologies, you highness." She sighed as she slowly pulled away.
She was just teasing me. And here I was getting my hopes up.
"What is this big favor that you wish to ask from me?"
I intended to pull her back gently, however she tumbled and landed right in my lap, which startled us both, yet she did not move away. Instead…
"C-can you please buy off my slave contract from the Kartier duchy?"
…her face turned completely red as she stammered those words.