Her ridiculous request has left me utterly flabbergasted. I can't believe she even thought to ask such a thing of me. The woman I desire to spend my life with only perceives me as a job prospect rather than a partner. What a blast to my ego.
"Are you alright, your highness? You've been groaning for a while now. I'm rather concerned."
He lifted his head up to meet my gaze, his sigh a gust of wind that ruffled his hair. His sullen expression made me uneasy, and the temperature in his study seemed to drop with each passing second. For four years I've seen him effortlessly carve through the tough skins of demonic beasts as if they were nothing more than cotton, so this side of him shouldn't shock me anymore. However, I find myself unable to avoid feeling anxious when his anger flares up. For when the line between anger and frustration becomes indistinct, humans are prone to exhibiting the most monstrous of actions.
"Leo. What does it mean when your love interest wants to become your employee?" he growled with a death glare.
Huh? Is this who I think this is about? He's giving me the 'you should know this' look, which means dodging the question is not an option.
"Is your highness referring to our esteemed guest, perhaps? I'm afraid I'm not acquainted with her ladyship enough to offer my council-"
"Mind your words, Leo. Do refrain from talking about her in such a careless manner." He cautioned.
Sir Gabril insisted the woman was royalty, but he wouldn't reveal the name of the kingdom she belonged to. Since she's neither from Lithiar nor Ipera, she must be from one of our allied kingdoms. Is it possible they met during his journey six years ago and formed a romantic attachment? If that's true, she must have followed him and patiently waited for him in Chilsela for five whole years. That doesn't sound right either. Hm…*gasp*
"Y-your highness…could it be that you two eloped together because you couldn't get her parents' approval?"
I asked out of pure curiosity, but he's looking at me like I just committed a crime. His eyes narrowed and filled with anger.
"Have I not told you…" he paused and pondered.
"Actually, I suppose I haven't told you anything about her yet, have I?"
"I'm afraid not, my prince."
"I'm sorry, Leo." He spoke with a sigh as the anger in his expression faded away.
"My head has been all over the place on account of all the work that had been accumulating over the years. Have a seat. This will take a while."
++++
With a sigh of contentment, she pulled back from the window, a radiant smile lighting up her face as we disembarked from the carriage. I assumed she was just enjoying the scenery, but I now see that I was wrong. She had been gawking at him this whole time. She's never been like this before, not even when those young men came to work at the duchy. Why is she suddenly acting like this with someone she just met?
"Um…p-pardon me, sir Uwol." She spoke shyly while tugging the tip of his garment.
"Yes, my lady. Do you require my help with something?"
He's unexpectedly shy, unlike his confident self during the announcement. Did he deliberately raise his voice to scare the maids who were picking on us?
"My ribbon suddenly came undone. Would you be so kind as to help me tie it?"
Clover, who always paid meticulous attention to her looks, tied her ribbon so loosely that it came undone. Yeah, I'm not buying it.
"Clover! What do you think you're doing?!" I muttered loud enough for her to hear.
"Of course, my lady. Please turn around. I'm not very good at things like this, so bear with me for a moment."
"Those two are a splendid match," a familiar voice said next to me.
"Master..."
"I'm not your master anymore, remember, my lady?"
Ah, yes. I once again became a Perceval. Though there's nothing particularly exciting about it since our parents eagerly sold us to pay off their debts.
"If my hunch is correct, you won't have to go back to your parents' home once you arrive at the capital. So don't worry too much, lady Eusebia. He won't let anything happen to you two." He said, while gently patting my head.
Duke Dimitriu has always been courteous to us from the very first time we've met. It makes me wonder if he already knew about our situation. On second thought, I don't think he did. Our names, titles, and family histories were all erased the very day of the transaction between our parents and the duchess. They even attempted to remove our tongues to prevent us from disclosing the truth. *sigh* It's no use thinking about this now. The past should stay where it belongs.
"It's perfect, sir Uwol! Thank you so very much!"
Now that Fati is no longer here, I must find the inner resilience to defend what is most dear to me, entirely on my own.
"You think so, my lady? I'm not sure. I think it looks a bit crooked."
"Enough dallying, Clover. Nighttime is upon us." I scorned as I swiftly walked past them.
"Okay!" she replied cheerfully.
She held on to him tightly, her gaze unwavering, as if they were old friends, not strangers meeting for the first time. Though she's nice to everyone she meets, she'd always have her guards up. It was surprising how quickly she grew fond of him. Now…she's suddenly throwing herself at this…strange man. Her friendly and carefree nature is going to land us both in a heap of trouble one of these days. *sigh* I feel as though my worries have doubled in a mere few days.
"Right this way, your grace!" guided the porter.
My neck ached from staring up at the summit, its sheer size and majestic beauty leaving me breathless. I am curious to know who would have erected such a structure in the middle of such a simple town. It's the tallest building in the entire city. How many stories does it have? Clover and her new friend, their faces flushed with excitement, stopped every few steps to point out a unique flower or a fascinating rock, just like a couple experiencing the world together for the first time. Wait-No! I must protect her from this stranger danger at all costs! Focus Ivy! Focus!
"We will rest here for the night and resume our travels tomorrow at dawn. I will have your dinners delivered to your room since I know how draining it is to travel such a long distance. I hope that is alright with the two of you."
"We're very grateful, your grace." I bowed in reverence.
I wasn't expecting anything, so it was a delightful surprise. With a smile as bright as sunshine, Fati would always say, 'Things have a way of working out in the end.'
"Very well then! Let us go to our rooms and refresh ourselves." Exclaimed the duke happily before striding inside the hotel as we trailed behind him.
++++
"What's with all the commotion? They're all scrambling in the same direction. They could fall and hurt themselves if they're not careful."
"You! Pick up those petals at once and…"
She spoke in a sharp, commanding tone, like a teacher trying to control a rambunctious class. Her expression held the same regal composure as Duchess Gwendolyn. Spiteful and angry for no apparent reason.
"Tomorrow is the knighting ceremony, which is why they are in such a rush. The number of applicants was so high this year that his Highness will host the event twice. Given that this is his very first official event, the preparations need to be perfect in every way."
I've only been to such a grand gathering once back in my homeland. Each knight would step forward, their faces serious, and kneel on one knee before their liege, their heavy swords resting on the ground. Then he would tap his bare sword on each side of the knight's shoulders, the sound echoing through the hall, before bestowing upon him his insignia and a certificate of knighthood. I remember dreading those days. All I did was watch people getting hit with swords in a friendly way.
"Hey! You there!" yelled the angry woman in our direction.
"How dare you address a prin-"
I clamped my hand over Celia's mouth, silencing her mid-sentence. The anger in her eyes was clear, even with her mouth covered. The woman's heavy steps thundered toward us, and she stopped in front of me, her eyes burning with a silent, searing rage. A wave of unease washed over me, a tightness in my throat, which I swallowed back with a sigh.
"You think you can just laze around while the rest of us are busting our humps?"
I can only assume that this is the shameless woman who dared to tempt and take Lady Florette's intended husband for her own! The sunlight illuminated her face, highlighting her perfectly balanced features and making her pale skin appear almost luminous. Her eyes were the color of the most precious gem, and the long, silver strands of her hair danced in the breeze. I can clearly see how she seduced his highness. However, it ends here. Whoever she is, she doesn't belong in this palace or this empire.
"Are you mute! Open that mouth of yours and answer me!" I shouted angrily.
That's right. Since no one knows what she looks like or who she really is, I can act any way I want towards her under the guise of ignorance.
"You must be Viscountess Marietta. His highness mentioned you would be here today. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madam. My name is…"
"Your name is irrelevant to me." I interrupted with a loud scoff.
"Now quit wasting time and run along to help the others at once! Do not make me repeat myself, young lady."
"Madam, I find it perplexing that you lack such basic manners, given your standing. It is inconceivable to me that a noblewoman of such renown would misinterpret a guest for one of her servants. Now tell me, lady Marietta…" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement as she leaned forward, "…do I seem like someone who toils for you?"