Hope (FINAL Arc)

For the past two weeks, we continued inspecting the whole kingdom to know the intensity of the damage and to start the reconstruction, the people of Astrae are working with the knights in rebuilding the towns. I left my room earlier than usual today as I still have some matters to overlook today and I must not lay idly even if I already got Astrae back.

"Good morning, your majesty," Dame Therese greeted when she saw me descend the stairs from my room in the tower of the Palace

I decided to preserve the room that my father and the former Queen Katrina had used. A part of me still believes that… that at some point there was love in their partnership, even if, it was the kind of love that is purely platonic. And, I don't see it necessary to transfer rooms when all my life in this palace I've been used to the shelter of my room

"How was your morning, Dame Therese?" I asked her with a smile

"We had an early training to strengthen our skills, your majesty." Dame Therese replied

"Oh, I see," I said and began walking and stopped when I noticed the absence of Dame Maia

"How strange, is Dame Maia out today?" I asked and turned to Dame Therese

"Dame Maia worked until late last night, your majesty, I'm certain she did not mean to be late today." She replied and bowed her head

"I understand, all of you have been putting efforts to do your difficult job of keep the security and stability of Astrae intact." I said and continued walking

We headed to the White Palace, the palace that has been vacant for years now, although some maids still reside in the White Palace, it's basically empty. The palace was supposed to serve as home to the prince and princess, my father and my aunt, Duchess Elizabeth, grew up there, but as I am the sole heir to Astrae's throne, from a young age, I was living in the Main Palace of Astrae with the King and Queen.

"The maids have resumed their work in the White Palace, they're cooperating with us to check for any damage in the White Palace." Dame Therese reported as we walked to our destination

"Have you observed anything of the White Palace?" I asked her

"Nothing out of the ordinary, your majesty, some knights have patrolled the proximity of the White Palace the whole night and they've reported no suspicious observation during their patrol." She responded and I nodded

"Good morning, your majesty," the maids of the White Palace greeted and bowed their heads

"Anything you must report to me?" I asked

I trust the words of Dame Maia, however, there are some observations that can only be seen from inside and can be observed by those living in the specific area.

"Nothing, your majesty, the White Palace's reconstruction has been finished days ago and the palace has regained its original state." The head servant of the White Palace answered

"I see, that's delighting to hear." I replied with a smile

"With that, I will no longer disrupt you from your duties, you may go back." I said

"Yes, your majesty," they replied and bowed their heads

They left to resume their tasks prior to my arrival, while I looked around the halls of the White Palace as I walk. The White Palace lives up to its name, the floor is made of polished marble, the concrete walls is painted with white paint, the pillars are also painted with white but with intricate gold designs at the top and bottom of the column.

"Dame Therese," I called her as we walk

"What is it, your majesty?" she asked

"From your quarters, how much of the White Palace can you see?" I asked

"In the knight's quarters, we can only see the left wing of the Palace, your majesty." She answered and I nodded

"And, how far is the White Palace from the knight's quarters?" I asked her

"It would take at least several minutes of walk from our base to the entrances and garden of the White Palace." She answered

"Is there any reason why her majesty is asking this?" she asked and I shook my head

"Dame, I'd like to see the knight's quarters. Lead the way," I said

"Yes, your majesty." She said and went ahead of me

We went out of the White Palace, I can already see the knight's quarters and when I look behind me, I can see the White Palace as well. We're already halfway to the knight's quarters when heard some weird noise from behind the trees beside the pathway we're walking on.

"What is happening to me?"

I saw how even Dame Therese stopped on her tracks when we heard that from behind the trees. Dame Therese went closer to protect me when we heard hustling from behind the trees.

"Oh, your majesty," Dame Maia's perceptibly startled to see us as she came into view from behind the tree. She bowed her head immediately after seeing me.

"Are you alright, Dame Maia?" I asked her and she looked up before lowering her head again

"I am alright, your majesty, no need to worry." She said politely

"Are you sick? I surely heard sound of someone throwing up." I asked her gently

"I apologize for trashing the garden, I must've eaten something wrong last night that had upset my stomach, your majesty." She apologized

"Are you sure? I can relieve you of your duties if you're not feeling well and call the royal physician to check on you, Dame." I said and she looked up with wide eyes

"I do not wish to bother her majesty like that, your majesty." She lowered her head while speaking and shook her head

I can see how her hands trembled. Something is wrong.

"Alright then, accompany us as we head to the knight's quarters if you really are alright." I said and turned to Dame Therese who nodded before continuing to walk

Seeing that Dame Therese does not seem to feel anything different like Dame Maia, they must've had different meals last night. It is common knowledge that the knights have different meals, and that is so if one dish served were to cause the knights who had consumed it ill, we would still have knights to take over their duties until they have recovered and the safety of the Palace would not be susceptible to intrusion.

"Good morning, your majesty," the knights greeted when they saw me enter their quarters

Most of them are in their uniforms, while some are still wearing their casual clothing.

"How was your night, everyone?" I asked them

"It was alright, your majesty." One of the knights answered

"Have you observed anything out of the usual last night?" I asked

"There was none, your majesty, the knights sent out to patrol did not report anything." The one who seem to be the captain of the group of knights answered

"I am aware of that, what I was asking is if any of you who had spent the night in the quarters had noticed anything." I elucidated and looked at all of them

"There was none, I suppose?" I asked when they did not answer

"Her majesty is asking, Knights, reply." Dame Therese said

"There was none, your majesty," Dame Maia answered on their behalf

"I see, that's all, have a good day, knights. Thank you for your service." I said

"It's our honor, your majesty." They all replied and I turned around

"Dames, let us return to the Main Palace for breakfast." I called their attention and we left

We left the Knight's quarters and headed to the Main Palace, upon arriving, the table had been set and several dishes have been served on the table on a silver platter before me. For some unknown reason, a weird feeling crept into my chest as I look at the blank seats in the table. Only Dame Maia and Dame Therese were left after the maids served the dishes as they left immediately after I shook my head on their question of if I want to request something.

"Is there a problem, your majesty?" Dame Therese must've noticed my change of expression

I was about to answer when we heard knocks coming from the door.

"Come in," Dame Maia walked to open the door for whoever that is that arrived

I am not expecting anyone to come, more or less at this early time of the day, so I have no clue on who arrived.

"Your majesty, I apologize for disrupting your breakfast." Baron Tariq lowered his head upon entering

"No worries, Baron, I haven't started my meal yet." I said and he walked up to me

"I came deliver news for her majesty." He started

"The walls of Astrae, those that had been badly damaged had been reconstructed and some security-raising equipment from Arcadia had been installed as well to ensure the safety of Astrae. The next batch of resources from Arcadia and Holland has arrived as well, our knights have returned home just as you have ordered to be done as soon as the walls are built." He said

"How about the Arcadian knights?" I asked, as that instructed is applicable to both Holland and Arcadian knights

"They are on their way back but half of the knights were instructed by the king Zachary to remain as insurance that Astrae's reconstruction is to progress without disruption." He reported and I nodded my head

"Also, her majesty will be thrilled of this news." That took my attention and I stood up

I have expectations of what could be the other news he has brought me but I also do not want to disappoint myself.

"The young prince is still asleep but he has talked in his sleep." He reported and my eyes widened with glee

"He did? What did the physician say?" I asked him

"The physician said that the young prince may regain consciousness in few days' time." He said and I sighed in relief

"I see, that's a relief, thank you for informing me," I said and sat down then

"Also, take some knights with you to bring the young prince here," I said and he nodded

"As you wish, your majesty, I will see to it that it gets done." He said and I thanked him before he left