Kael didn't expect to have a guest during the day, but he did. His brother Asher had come to pay him a visit, so he couldn't disagree even after a tiring journey coming from Prince Erian's mansion.
Kael pushed his brother Asher's wheelchair into the Maison Mirage garden, a breathtaking, beautiful oasis that nestled within the Maison Mirage manor. As they stepped into the garden, they were enveloped by a kaleidoscope of colors and scents. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, while the soft chirping of birds and gentle rustling of leaves create a soothing melody.
A majestic willow tree stands sentinel at the garden edge; it's dropping branches dripping into the lake's water like a delicate brushstroke. A picturesque wooden bridge arcs over a tranquil stream, leading to a secluded gazebo where one can sit and lose themselves in the beauty of nature. It was where Kael stopped the wheel as they both stared at nature.
"Like always, your garden gives the best relaxation. Kael," said Asher with satisfaction in his words.
Kael smirked. "You're always welcome anytime," he said, patting his brother's shoulder.
"Careful with what you say, I might as well come and live here forever." Asher joked, then continued. "I heard you were at Erian's mansion for a hunting ceremony."
"I was. Apparently something happened and it was stopped. When I heard you have come to see me, I rushed straight here," Kael explained.
The bond between Asher and Kael has been extraordinary since childhood; they have grown close and bonded their relationship deeper.
"I have always been weak, so I don't understand the disappointment he has right now." Asher voiced.
"I'm sure he will manage, like he always does," Kael muttered.
There was a moment of silence between them as the sun began to set, and the garden was bathed in a warm, golden light, casting along shadows across the lawn. The sound of gentle lapping of the lake's water against the shore creates a sense of peace and tranquility, making the Maison Mirage garden a true haven of serenity.
"Actually, I have come to inform you something," Asher stated, looking up to Kael, who listened attentively.
"What is it about?" Kael asked.
Asher's reaction was a bit off, as he hesitated for a bit before speaking. "I have decided to drop the hopes of having the throne; I will not be the crown prince."
"That's not up to you to decide; it's Father's decision to make." Kael voiced and looked at his brother with a look of uncertainty.
"I have spoken to him too; I told him of my opinion. Not just me, but the whole nation finds me not worthy of throne because of my disability," Asher stated. He smiled. "If only I was healthy."
"As long as you live, there's still hope for the treatment, and you can be healed."
Asher had no hope for his life; since childhood he had been sick and poor in health. His immune system was weak; if he gets a disease, it hardly heals; as a result, he had been struggling for a while battling his illness. Moreover, he had to fight for highly as the sore heir of throne against the ministers; after years of fighting, he was losing hope.
"In two months, the envoy of Calonia will be becoming with princess Giovanna for a marriage proposal. A prince has to marry the princess. But I can't. So, you are suitable to marry her," Asher said. "And since I am stepping from the crown prince position, that position will be yours soon."
Kael listened to his brother attentively; he could comment anything to his brother. But he wasn't pleased to hear those news stories at all.
*
*
After Kael met his brother, when he went inside his mansion, Abel was waiting there for him. When Abel saw Kael, he bowed in respect and muttered.
"I have done what you have asked me to do," he said. Kael nodded to his in an appreciative way.
"Where is she?" Kael asked him.
"She is in one of the rooms in the mansion, sleeping," Abel answered, bowed his head in shame.
Kael sighed. "What did you do to her?"
"She was talking nonstop and asking me to kill her. I had to shut her down."
When Kael heard that, he was utterly surprised; she was asking to be killed instead of asking for help. "Did she really ask you to kill her instead of helping her?"
"That's right, she is a strange woman. Your highness," Abel claimed.
Kael asked Abel to take him to the woman. Abel led the way up to the stairs, across the hallway, and inside the room where the lady was sleeping. Inside the room, the lady was really sleeping peacefully; her hands were still bound, but her eyes were not blindfolded. But the blindfolded clothe hanged on her neck.
Her skin was pale white and smooth and shone under the light; her brown, rich hair was scattered on the bed. She was beautiful.
After Checking her out, Kael sat on the chair inside the room and ordered. "Abel, wake her up," he ordered.
Abel reached to the bed and tried to wake her multiple times, but she didn't wake. He then carried her from the bed and placed her in front of Kael, where he sat majestically.
"I tried everything; she isn't waking up," Abel spoke.
Kael was calm. He took the jug of water from the wodden table beside him and raised it upon the maid, and water in the jug poured on her face.
Miranda woke up from the cold water that was poured on her face. She gasped for air as she rose from the floor. Unaware of what was happening, and with the shock of the scene that was happening before she was knocked off, she panicked.
"Now you are awake." Miranda looked up to the person who spoke those words.
It was Kael; she remembered him from the birthday hall the day she found herself in her novel. Beside, it was hardly to forget a face like that. But what was she doing here?
It only meant one thing: Kael saved her!