CHAPTER 8 - I Want it, I Have It (3)
“Please don’t be burdened, Your Majesty. I feel so much better now. It’s enough for me as His Majesty has accepted my father’s demands back then.” Althea said considerately.
“Is it? How considerate. Hah…you must be proud of your daughter, Arlo.” The emperor said.
“I am.” The duke replied with no hesitation.
“Hahaha…indeed. I am here to inform you that I am planning to bring the second prince back to the capital.”
“Are you crazy?! Have you lost…” The duke’s urge stopped when he realized Althea was still in the room. “Ehem, daughter. Can you go back to your room first? I have something serious to talk about with the emperor.” He said.
Althea was still wondering about who the second prince was when the duke asked to go back. She gets more curious to that matter. But when she looked at the emperor who smiled warmly, she thought that the emperor agreed with the duke. It may be something important between the two and she should not be involved.
“Yes, father. Excuse me, Your Majesty.” She replied and left the room.
CLACK
“I think you’ve lost your mind. Bringing the second prince here? Haha…how hilarious.” Said the duke sarcastically.
“I know. But he’s no more child, and I am not that crazy to let the throne ruined.” The emperor responded.
"Do you think your throne will be safe just because he is here?" There was a quite long silence. The emperor glanced outside to the garden with such a burdened sight. The duke sighed, “Listen, I declare myself neutral for now. I won’t choose any side either the Crown or the second prince.” He said as he crossed his legs.
“I know. I don’t ask you to side any of them right this instant. But I want you to consider which one of them who is much worthy for the throne when the time comes.” The emperor said seriously.
"Is it you or me the emperor of this empire?" The duke asked with his indifferent expression.
"You know it well that you are like a brother to me. With whom should I share this burden if it is not you, Arlo." The emperor said earnestly.
The duke sighed, “When will he come?”
“In a month.” The emperor replied as he took his cup of tea.
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Althea was lazily laid in her bed. She rolled here and there wondering about the matter between the duke, the emperor and, the mysterious second prince.
‘Who is the second prince that father concerned? This is the first time I heard his whereabouts since I came to this world.’ Althea wondered.
“Zoey.” She called.
“Yes, My Lady?” Zoey responded as she stopped arranging the curtain.
“Do you know anything about the second prince?”
“The second prince? Uhm…let me think.” Zoey tapped her cheek, “Ah, the last time my mother said that the second prince was sent far away to the North to study since he was a child.” She said.
“He never came back since then?” Althea asked.
“Yes, My Lady. No one knew the reason, but many say he was sent away on the day when the Queen died. The second prince was the emperor’s son with the Queen.” Zoey replied.
“Hmm…isn’t it sounds suspicious?” Althea rubbed her chin.
“It is. But it was imperial family’s matter, My Lady.” Zoey continued arranging the curtains, “Seems like the emperor is about to head back to the palace. Do you want to see him off?” She asked when she saw the emperor bid a farewell to the duke through the window.
“No, I want to take a nap,” Althea said laying down on her fluffy bed.
“Yes, My Lady. Rest well.”
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“My Ladyyy!” Zoey called in a rush as she opened the door.
Althea yawned and stretched her arms, “Uhmm…what is it, Zoey? Hoam…it’s still early in the morning you know.”
“Captain Vector has been waiting for you in the training ground!” Zoey said while she opened the big curtain.
Althea immediately threw away her blanket, “Huh? Why?”
Zoey sighed, “He said today is your first day of swordsmanship training!”
“What?! For real?!” Athea jumped to sit. Her eyes focused on Zoey who was busy arranging the books.
Zoey stopped her hands, “Now, are you planning to go or not?” She asked.
“Prepare the bath now! I’ll go!” Althea said and jumped from the bed. Zoey chuckled watching Althea's excitement.
Althea wore a long-sleeved white tunic laced around the neck. She matched the tunic with dark brown horse-riding pants. To feel more comfortable, she tied her blonde hair up which made her beauty look more vivid.
"Kyaaaa, My Lady. You look so stunning!" Said one of the maids.
"You're right. I fell in love with My Lady!" Responded another maid with her sparkling eyes.
"Urghh, come on. You said those words all the time." Althea said in embarrassment.
"We're just being honest, My Lady. Other ladies are nothing compared to you!" The maid exclaimed.
Zoey nodded, "Agreed. Beauty, elegance, intelligence, and power, who else has that if it is not our Lady." She said.
Althea looked at her reflection in the mirror. A perfect-shaped body with a small beautiful face. Shiny long blonde hair perfectly matched with the white skin. 'Indeed, indeed. Young and rich? It is sooo me! Hohoho.' She praised herself proudly.
"Alright, alright. Say it as much as you pleased. I need to go to the training ground now. Goodbye!" Althea said as she winked at the maids.
"Kyaaaaa, My Lady!" The maids screamed in tears.
Althea headed to the training ground with a bright smile on her face. She greeted servants and lighted up their mood. Everyone in the mansion was so pleased with Althea's presence.
"Hello, everyone!" She greeted the knights.
Knowing Althea's presence, all the knights kneeled in one knee in unison, "We greet the flower of Harrigan."
"No need for the courtesy, we'll be training together in the same ground from today onwards!" Althea waved her hands and gave the knights a bright smile.
"My Lady's smile warmed my heart." Said one of the knights with his blushing cheeks.
"My heart beats so fast!" Said another knight rubbing his chest.
"I am about to melt." Said another knight rubbing his reddened face.
Watching the knights make a fuss of Althea's presence, Captain Vector stepped between them, "Ehem...seems like you have so much free time. Should I give you more materials to train, no?" He said firmly.
"Ca...captain! We'll continue." Said the knights ran in hurry.
"You've come, My Lady." Captain Vector greeted Althea.
"Yes, Captain! I don't know if father allows me to train swordsmanship." Althea said excitedly.
"His Grace is a generous person, My Lady. And nothing is impossible for you to do as the future of Harrigan." Captain Vector said.
"Your words make me feel like a bad person, Captain." Althea said sadly.
"P...pardon me, My Lady. This subordinate didn't mean to offend you." Captain Vector kneeled in bewilderment.
"No, Captain. It's just that I feel bad for the thing I had done yesterday. I will go meet him later." Althea said earnestly, "Right. Let's start the training now, Captain. Can I choose the sword myself?" Althea said excitedly.
"Uhum, no swords needed yet. You need to warm up first before you start training." Captain Vector said.
"Yes?"
"Yes. You must run around this training ground 10 times every day this week.”
"Wait, running around this training ground 5 times? every day in a week? Can I just do some exercises?" Althea’s excitement dropped.
"Or do you prefer to run around the whole mansion?"
"I'll run around this ground!" Althea shouted.
"Great spirit! You can start now.”