Je vous aime

"Lindaaaa! Why didn't you tell me if Her Ladyship had regained consciousness?"

"Noooo! Not because I want to, but Her Ladyship herself asked for it!"

Mariette just shook her head, seeing Emmanuele scolding Linda. Since then, the two of them have always had differences of opinion. Mariette thought it was all due to age and experience.

Emmanuele is the Tierney family's butler. He had served the Tierney family before Gardet became a viscount. Meanwhile, Linda is someone who could be considered Mariette's childhood friend. She was eventually appointed lady-in-waiting once Mariette made her debutante.

The two of them were people who were close to her and understood Mariette's secret. They are equally trustworthy and reliable. But somehow, they are so different.

"Calm down, Emmanuele. It was I who told Linda not to say to you just yet. You must be busy at the Palace, right?" Mariette said. "Anyway, I'm fine. It's time for me to wake up."

"You can't do that, My Lady," sighed Emmanuele. "I have been conceded many times. You have been injured many times already…"

"The word many times is too much. Only 3 times, really."

"Still, My Lady!" said Emmanuele breathlessly. "Please understand this old man's worried feelings."

"Rather than that, how is the state of the Palace now?" interrupted Mariette quickly. She couldn't let Emmanuele lecture any longer.

Emmanuele started reporting the basic things that Linda had reported before. Mariette could feel Linda's gaze something like, "I told you, Mr. Emmanuele would say that."

"That's more or less the case now," Emmanuele closed his report.

"Emmanuele, you know I shouldn't just ask that. How is His Majesty the King? Prince Louie and Princess Louisa?" shoot Mariette head-on.

"My Lady, you just woke up. You'd better worry about yourself first…"

"No, Emmanuele. My heart is cold, but that doesn't mean I can just walk away from responsibility."

Emmanuele let out a long breath. "Today, finally His Majesty the King came out of his room. He has opened his audience room, although it is limited to ministers only. The plan is that in three days, he will return to work."

That's a good sign. As a king, King Vallotton cannot walk away from his responsibilities just because he feels bad.

"His Majesty the King is not sick. It's just that he is a little weak. According to Count Lavaud, His Majesty the King had not slept for several days. But today, he slept early," continued Emmanuele.

"It seems that being active again makes His Majesty the King tired. I think that's a good thing," commented Mariette.

"Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess… They looked devastated. The first four days they didn't leave their Palace at all. But lately they've returned to their normal activities. It's just…"

"It is just?"

"They haven't spoken to His Majesty the King since then," said Emmanuele sadly.

"They're avoiding each other, huh?" Mariette guessed.

"It seems so. Neither of them made a move first."

Mariette wasn't part of the royal family, but this couldn't continue. "Did Count Lavaud or Duke Valent not do anything?"

"Count Lavaud has been extremely busy due to work piling up during His Majesty the King's break. And Duke Valent… is also keeping his distance from the Prince and Princess."

Then Anatole had been by Mariette's side for almost a week. Very good.

"Okay. Thanks for the report, Emmanuele. I'll think about it more later," Mariette said.

"I would prefer you to stop thinking about anything, My Lady," Emmanuele pointed out.

"Yes, I know that I should rest." Mariette was silent for a moment. "But I can't leave after making a mess, can I?"

***

Now it could say that Mariette's relationship with the Palace was awkward. This wasn't one of them, but rather the fault of someone who had died long ago. Therefore, as the only person with a clear mind (and no heart), Mariette is the one who can fix it.

"You always have too much sense of responsibility, My Lady. Please remember that I have already processed your resignation," Emmanuele warned.

"Yes, I know that. Resigning is also one of my responsibilities," Mariette replied.

He should have resigned a long time ago.

The first thing Mariette did was write to Louisa. Of all the people, Louisa must be the saddest right now.

[Her Highness The Princess

Prince's Palace

Your Highness,

How are you? I have a hard time trying to find news about you and Prince Louie. At home, Emmanuele couldn't say anything to me. Linda had difficulty finding out.

I apologize profusely for causing a stir in the Palace. I'm also sorry for hiding such a big thing from you and Prince Louie. But know, I'm doing it for your good.

If my condition is good, I want to meet you. Are you willing?

Thank you for your attention. I will look forward to a reply from you.

Your Highness humble and obedient servant,

Mariette Tierney]

Mariette's letter is sure to be read by Louie as well. But that's not what matters. The important thing was to get her letter back, so she would know if they were both okay or not.

And know if they're mad at me or not, thought Mariette.

If it turned out that the twins were also angry with her… Well, things would get even more complicated. Mariette is always principled, even if she doesn't have feelings, she still has to maintain good relations with those around her.

For example, with Anatole. Her relationship with Anatole was now clear, and they were now on good terms–at least, that was his thought and hope. Later let Mariette stop by the Valent family's residence to make sure.

Then his relationship with Elroy…

"Can we now be called lovers?" muttered Mariette while gazing at the small garden of her residence in Capital Masoullac.

Somehow it sounds weird. Emmanuele would have fainted when she heard that.

"My Lady, the mailman says your letter has arrived at the Prince's Palace," Linda reported. "The mailman also confirmed that Emmanuele didn't see him."

"Thanks, Linda. You know I didn't want to hide this from Emmanuele."

"By the way." Linda smiled broadly, then handed a letter to Mariette. "I got this from Sir Elroy. He said he didn't need anything in return.

With hesitation, Mariette accepted the letter.

The content is simple. Just a line of sentences right in the middle of the paper.

[Je vous aime]*

*[I love you]