In retrospect, I wish I had shown more composure when confronting the Viscountess, as I hadn't foreseen the present unfortunate circumstances. Now I'm being escorted through the hushed halls to Nathan's study, the silence amplifying the nervousness in my chest, to tell my side of the story. It is highly probable that she made a beeline for him immediately after leaving the scene.
"Princess Charlotte has arrived, your Highness," announced the guard in a loud voice.
"Let her in."
The doors creaked open, their hinges protesting with a rusty groan that seemed to announce my arrival in the room. A heavy tension hung in the air between Nathan and the Viscountess as they sat opposite each other. The distance between us felt like an impenetrable wall, their faces shrouded in shadows, their expressions hidden from my fearful gaze. The air crackled with an unspoken dread, its weight pressing down on me, making my breath catch in my throat.
"Greetings, your highness." I curtsied, my voice echoing throughout the noiseless room.
"Right this way, princess." Instructed chamberlain Leonardo.
The air grew thicker with every passing second, each creak of the floorboards sending a shiver down my spine as I tread deeper into the study. Could this incident potentially result in Nathan declining my request to join his court? What then should I do? Perhaps this presents an opportunity for me to offer the Viscountess an apology and rectify the blunder I committed.
"Please have a seat here, your highness."
Sir Leonardo is being exceptionally polite today. What's with him? More importantly, how did I end up being seated next to Nathan? This awkward situation has reached a new level of discomfort.
"Now that everyone's here, let us begin."
The Viscountess' countenance exhibited such disarray that one might surmise she had been engaged in a physical altercation. Did she trip on the way here?
"I have learned that my esteemed guest struck my dearest employee, Viscountess Marietta. However, before I pronounce any judgments or decide on any necessary punishments, I will listen attentively to the narratives presented by all parties involved in this matter. Let me mention this beforehand. Each individual is required to provide a completely accurate account of what occurred, leaving out nothing and adding none."
The barely controlled fury in his voice made it clear he was upset. The stacks of paperwork on his desk speak volumes about how busy he is, and yet, here we are, taking up his valuable time. It seems the Viscountess is determined to pin all the blame on me, even though she was the one who started it. Even if I protest my innocence, I might still face consequences. She is, after all, his employee, whereas I am merely a stranger masquerading as a noblewoman.
"... then she publicly shamed me in front of my subordinates, your highness. She threw dirt all over me!"
I desperately wished for a voice, a way to expose the lies pouring from Viscountess Marietta's mouth, but my words choked in my throat, trapped by fear and helplessness. Is it better to acknowledge her baseless accusations and apologize? The thought of being punished unjustly weighs heavily on my mind as the memories of the past played vividly in my head. My parents' constant neglect, my sister's abuse and betrayal, lady Florette's lies, Edith's incessant bullying, duchess Gwendolynn's spiteful thrashes, and now this. I am so tired…of everything. I can't do this anymore.
"It's not true!"
My head hung low, the desperate cry held captive in my throat, seeking release but constricted by despair. I must keep it together until the end.
"The Viscountess is lying! Not a single thing she said is true. Why are you doing this, Madam Marietta? Why are you blaming me when you're the one who…?"
An icy wave of dread washed over me as my voice caught in my throat, and the tears I desperately tried to suppress welled up, threatening to drown me. Nathan kept his head turned away, refusing to speak, while Sir Leonardo's expression was one of deep pity as he let out a heavy sigh.
"Leo…" Nathan called in an angry tone.
"Yes, your highness."
"Escort the princess out immediately."
With a respectful nod, Sir Leonardo responded, "As you wish, sire." before escorting me out of the room.
+++++
Why did the sight of her weeping evoke such profound sadness in me? When her trembling hand clung to my arm, a wave of déjà vu washed over me, the feeling of an ancient memory, as if I'd felt that presence countless times before, in a lifetime long past. His highness claims she's a princess from the Ecchelon kingdom, Queen Loraine's younger sister, someone I have a strong dislike for. However, I don't feel the same way about her. Why? Could this be a sign of something?
"Chamberlain Leonardo sir! It's an emergency! His highness, the crown prince, is…"
The look on his face can only mean one thing…
+++++
Ever since the others left the room, he has been subjecting me to relentless torment. With each new stab, the risk of bleeding to death becomes more imminent. I've lost so much blood that I can barely see straight. Everything is blurry. My heart sank as I realized the terrible mistake I had made. Had I known it would come to this, I never would have approached her so carelessly.
"Your highness!" Chamberlain Leonardo shouted as he suddenly burst the doors open.
We were only gone for less than fifteen minutes- it's astonishing how many injuries he'd inflicted on her in such a short time.
"Please lay down your sword, my prince. This is neither the time nor the place to do this."
His eyes, blazing with fury, sent a shiver down my spine as he shifted his head to face me. I mustn't let him intimidate me because leaving him to his own devices could turn this into a much bigger problem.
"Where is she?" He growled as he flung his sword aside.
The clang of the blade hitting the floor, a sharp metallic sound, echoed in the air as he strode past me. His murderous intent filled the room, heavy and suffocating, a chilling presence radiating absolute power and dominance. My trembling limbs propelled me forward, a desperate rush to the unconscious Viscountess who lay limp on the floor.
"What a disaster." I said with a heavy sigh as I cradled her in my arms.
"Send the maids to clean this up. I'll take the madam to the imperial infirmary."
"Yes, sir!"
+++++
"She fell asleep a little while ago, your highness."
The blood splatters on his clothes startled me earlier, nearly making me faint. His expression, as he gazes upon her, radiates a gentle and loving affection. The unexpected sight of him, appearing dejected and leaning over her while gently caressing her face, was a revelation that caught me completely off guard.
"Let me know right away when she wakes up, Celia."
"Yes, your highness."
I had been so anxious while he was in the room that I hadn't even realized I was holding my breath, but as soon as he left, I released it with a long, drawn-out sigh. I contemplated the source of the bloodstains on his garment, but I could not form a conclusion.
"It can't possibly be the madam's-*gasp* It can't be…"
A horrifying realization slammed into me, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my body. I stumbled, my legs buckled beneath me and crashed to the floor.
"That's impossible! His highness would never…"
The crown prince appointed Viscountess Marietta to a position working for him because of her close acquaintance with his late mother. Though he never spoke of it, it was common knowledge that he held a soft spot for those his mother had cherished in her lifetime. Aware of this, the viscountess routinely excused her mistreatment of employees, claiming it was discipline. It is unfathomable that he would carry out such a heinous act against her.
"Celia?" she groaned sleepily as she sat up on her bed.
"What's wrong? Why are you on the floor? Are you hurt?"
"N-not at all, your highness." I giggled nervously as I sprung up from the floor.
"I…was merely cleaning the floor. Some dried leaves flew in with the wind."
"It has been quite windy lately." She agreed with a yawn while climbing off the bed.
"Ah yes, the rainy season is fast approaching. We are at the most perilous time of year, your highness, when the likelihood of casualties is unfortunately high."
"Casualties?"
"Year after year, the remote regions of Alkaraz face the wrath of nature, enduring floods, mudslides, and tornados that devastate their homes and leave them in ruin. Despite their best efforts to prepare early in the year, the unpredictable weather always seemed to catch them off guard, causing them to suffer its consequences."
A wave of pallor washed over her face as she became absorbed in thought. Her sighs, soft and frequent, were the only sound she made, a silent language of her own. I should change the focus of the conversation.
"Don't you fret, princess. His Highness will undertake preventive measures to safeguard those cities for the first time this year. He will travel throughout the empire, ensuring that every detail of the preparations is in order. Although, with the upcoming fighting tournament, these discussions are being deferred until after the events. However, with everything in place for their departure, it is only a matter of time."
Oops! I rambled too much. She looks perturbed now.
"Fighting tournament?"
"Yes!" I squealed excitedly.
"And this year-"
A sudden, jarring knock on the door cut through my words, followed by a voice so familiar it sent a shiver of dread through my bones. I was busy babbling on, completely neglecting his highness's explicit instructions to alert him upon her awakening.
"Please come in." the princess responded calmly.