30. Removing The Stitches

It's Thursday again. After breakfast Ariadne went straight to her room followed by Elie. While Marlyn and Jason were left to work on the royal document at Ariadne's desk.

While Darian was on his way to the diamond mining area to look at the workers' condition and see the mine.

"Princess, it's snowing a lot today. Do you still want to go out alone? Go with one bodyguard only. Please do me a favor." Elie said in a tone that sounded worried.

Ariadne breathed heavily. "Elie, I'm fine. I told you that when the time came, you would know what activities I was doing. At least you got that I was seeing Charlotte. Can you not worry? If you're worried, I feel uncomfortable leaving the palace."

Elie is closing in on Ariadne. The woman took Ariadne's hand and tenderly held it. "Very well I believe you, princess. I'm sure you'll be fine. How late do you get today?"

Ariadne laughed softly. "Of course I'll leave the palace until the afternoon."

"I'll prepare a coat for you."

Hearing Elie's words, Ariadne immediately restrained Elie's hand. Didn't allow her to help him get ready. "No need, Elie. I'll prepare everything myself. I can be. Go to the royal hall and ask Marlyn about a ledger on economic spending. I want you to represent me on the economic expense check. I trust you." Ariadne literally asked Elie for help.

There's nothing Ariadne can count on but Elie. And Elie must be able to trust Ariadne. All this time Ariadne has also involved Elie in all matters of the heart of the realm. And Elie has, of course, been promoted to Ariadne's trust. Elie also joined the council at the kingdom meeting with the ministers, Marlyn, and Jason.

Elie looked at Ariadne with affection. Ariadne was like a daughter to Elie. And Elie doesn't want anything to endanger Ariadne. "All right, I'm gonna fix a snack for Marlyn and Jason. I will also join their discussions. Your lunch is packed in a hanging bag on your horse's stomach. Eat with charlotte," Elie says.

"Yes, I'll eat with charlotte. Thanks Elie."

"Are you sure you want to do this yourself? No need of my help?"

Ariadne chuckles softly. "Yes. I can manage. Make sure no one knows I'm leaving the palace."

Elie nodded politely. Then the woman left Ariadne's room. Elie heads to the royal hall and joins Marlyn and Jason. Discussing the royal affairs whether it's safe or not.

***

While Ariadne is on her way to the falls, the snow falls is not so thick. Makes Ariadne feel much more comfortable as she gazes toward the road.

The footsteps of Ariadne's white horse are not too fast and not too slow. For Ariadne's left arm still feels a bit sore even though her stitches are dry.

It wasn't long before Ariadne arrived at her rendezvous with charlotte. As usual they met in the one field behind the falls. A secret place for both of them.

Two days ago charlotte was able to send a message to Ariadne by pigeon. Charlotte said she was going to the falls on foot.

And sure enough, Ariadne saw Charlotte sitting on the rocks. Charlotte's horse wasn't there.

"Oh, charlotte, did you really walk all the way here?" Ariadne asked in a panic.

Charlotte smiled and jumped down from the rock top. "Just relax. I've been here thirty minutes. I'm not tired, Ariadne. Let's just go straight to my house. The medic who stitched up your arm is in my house."

Ariadne nodded. The girl gave the reins to Charlotte. Their meeting this time is not for martial arts anymore. Ariadne's goal is to release her stitches first and rest until the wound is completely dry.

The two girls head straight for the diamond village. Charlotte is controlling Ariadne's horse fluently. They both took another shortcut where too many of the residents had left the house. To keep Ariadne's face unknown.

Ariadne comfortably sits in the long wooden chair in Charlotte's home. A young medical expert woman went straight for Ariadne's left arm. She took the stitches out on Ariadne's left arm at once slowly and deftly.

Occasionally Ariadne grimaced small for being ill. "Will it scar later?" Asked Ariadne anxiously.

The woman smiled a little. "Of course. These stitches look like they're gonna leave when they're dry."

"Can't the marks completely wear off?"

"I'll give you some skin salve. Wear it every day when you're done bathing. Apply this ointment evenly to the stitching in your skin. Apply it lightly. Not too much."

Ariadne received skin salve in a small container from the medical expert's woman. It is as white as the facial cream that she wears every morning. "All right, thanks."

After removing the stitching on Ariadne's left arm, the woman immediately excused herself from Charlotte's home. Ariadne told Charlotte to deliver some gold coins and two diamonds to the medical expert. It's all a form of gratitude to the medical examiner who helped her with her injuries.

"Charlotte, is it true that the medical examiner didn't know who I was?" Asked Ariadne. The girl was quite concerned that if she became an official princess, the diamond would be exposed.

Charlotte smiled and sat beside Ariadne's right. "You just relax. She's a medical expert from another village. Not from this village. He was very kind and didn't really know the royal people."

"I was so afraid elie would find out I was hurt. I'm afraid these stitches won't go away the way they used to."

"Ariadne, I told you. That I don't want to attack you and train against your war. You're a princess, your body must not be broken. That's my reason. After this please do as I ask that I want you to practice only in gestures. Don't make me your opponent. If you get hurt again because of me, I can't forgive myself."

Ariadne nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry, Charlotte. I didn't think it was that far. All right, I'm going to practice martial arts with movement only and understand the moves theory. I will no longer force you to be my opponent."

Hearing the words of Ariadne, Charlotte smiled happily and hugged Ariadne closely.

After Ariadne's rest a few hours at Charlotte's, the girl will be returning home this afternoon. Ariadne has promised to have lunch with Charlotte and meet Charlotte's mother and sister.

**