Chapter 22 - Secret Operation

Despite the multiple rounds they did in training this whole morning, we set off back to the palace with him looking like he didn't sweat at all.

For some reason, Anton decided to sit outside on our way home and I was once again left together alone with the Prince.

Right after the first rounds, I started having questions about why he was training.

And with the duration of the ride back to the palace, I decided I should at least create a conversaton. So I knocked on the glass of the same side of the window he was leaning on.

WIth his head still sitting on op of his hand, he turned towards my direction. "Can I ask you a question?" I asked him without hesitation.

"Go on," he answered still looking at me.

"Why were you training?" I asked him.

Is his life still in danger?

Does he plan to come back to the palace for revenge?

"For fun,' he answered blandly and looked away.

For Fun?

I thought maybe he doesn't want to be keeping the conversation going so I decided to stay still until the end of the way home. While he sleeps in the same position a few moments later.

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While the palace hallways is covered in darkness and only guided by the light coming from the moonlight coming in through the windows, the Palace's servants came scrambling down to the deep basement.

The Servant's quarter.

Where none, even the Prince himself doesn't bother coming in.

By the time the clock ticked at 12 am, they were all seated and cramped in an area with no light aside from one lamp in front.

Where the leader of the night's meeting stands with his glasses shining in the dark.

Clearing his throat, he shut the whole place up and remained was complete silence.

So why do the Prince's maids and servants decide to gather in the middle of the night, you may ask?

"Tonight, we will be talking about an important matter regarding the Prince and his marriage."

Everyone stood still as Anton spoke in front. With eyes full of remorse and worries.

'The King has sent another letter a few days ago. Regarding the Prince's marriage and how his Majesty wants to come to his wedding."

Everyone gasped when they heard the news. They all knew what was bound to happen and the situation they were in.

The act of lying to the King can no longer be effective. They may have done lies in the past that worked, but this time, the King isn't bound of falling in it.

And this happened to be the biggest lie that is bound to be discovered.

'And we must do something about it."

Silence swept and Anton continued.

"And our hope is Lady Celeste Alliyah." he cleared his throat once more and continued. "Despite asking Prince Kairus to make the move and ask to marry the lady for real this time,it seems that he hasn't done anything yet,"

He pauses in disappointment.

"I do not want to say this but, our Prince is a coward when it comes to Ladies."

And all of them nod in agreement.

"With the trauma driven to him by his father and the less interaction with women, it all has led to this."

He speaks with full belief and confidence about what he was saying which made everyone think of it as the truth.

"That's why we must help him!" and he suddenly raised his tone in determination. Making everyone's hopes raise with the same goal.

'We, the servants of the Prince's palace are going to make that marriage happen no matter what!"

And the gathering ended with everyone feeling a sense of responsibility and determination.

'Operation: Make the Prince and the Lady Grow Closer'

-----------------

I ate breakfast alone and Anton explained to me that the Prince had something to do in his study so he cannot join me for breakfast.

I finished early and made my way back to my room.

What could the Prince be doing? If he's out of his throne and no longer talks with his father, what else must he be busy with?

Not that I am ad about having to eat alone but it makes me wonder if he still does things as a Prince or if his father still gives him things to do.

Because if he does, then no one knows about it.

Everyone thinks he's entirely gone from being part of the Royal Family. He might as well be considered dead in the public eye. No one cares about him and whatever he's done.

Because no one knows about what he's been doing,

Come to think of it, he had a lot of paperwork in his study.

What are all those for?

Now that I think about it, I realized I've been having a lot of questions that I must not be having. I can't just blurt out the questions I have in my mind because it's definitely out of my business.

I must learn to know my place.

Now I wonder when I can finally get my necklace back. So far, I am not noticing any signs of dying ye---

My mind and my body paused for a moment when I saw a lady sprawled on the floor. I immediately went to check on her.

'Are you alright?'

"Ow Ow Ow Ow!" the Lady let out a dramatic cry pointing to her feet.

'I want to know what happened,'

I don't know how she understood the question but she went on to explain. "My Lady, I think I sprained an Ankle."

That's bad.

"And I have to get this to the Prince." when I looked at what she was pointing, I noticed a tray with food for the Prince. "I can't carry them with my other hand trying to keep my body up,"

I immediately understood what she was trying to say so I let her up, and was about to help her walk back to her quarter so she can tend to herself but she stopped me.

"I can go on my own, My Lady. If you can please bring this to the Prince--"

I stopped her by signing 'I'll do that after I tend to you,' in the easiest way.

"My Lady you are so Kind!" she suddenly teared up and I didn't know what to do. "But you see, the Prince's meal is more impoertant. You see, I can go on my own." then she went on holding her sprained ankle up and using her other leg to hop away.

After a few hops, she made a dramatic stop and looked back at me. "Please make sure you wait for his royal highness to finish and get the dishes out,"

And before I knew it, she was already gone.

That happened so fast.

Then my eyes went to the tray.

Where do I take this then?

I forgot to ask the Lady where I was going to take it. The first room that came in mind is his study room.

It shouldn't be that hard since I've been there a couple of times already. I'm just going to take it there and tell him what happened.

So I took the huge tray of food which somehow reminded me of life with Martha and the other maids in the Manor.

I knocked on the door three times and waited for a response. After a few moments, I hear a distant voice coming from inside saying "Come in,"

When I opened the door to come in, I noticed how he reacted when he realized I was the one bringing his dinner to him. He immediately asked, "Where's the maid?" 

My mute self couldn't answer the question and had to walk and put the tray on his table before answering. 'She was hurt and couldn't come so I offered to bring you your dinner,' I signed.

He put away the paper that he was reading. I still wonder what he was being busy about. What does he do? As far as I know, he was kicked out of his duties.

When I saw that the table is ready for the food to be put out of the tray, I started moving the food on to the table.

But I didn't know he was planning to do the same thing and accidentally touched his hand when we reached out to the same bowl.

I froze for a moment.

And for some reason, the moment stayed still as if we were both put in a picture and couldn't move.

I snapped back into reality when I remembered how the Prince doesn't like to be touched. My heart skipped a beat when he pulled his hand away at the same time as me.

The situation made me extremely nervous.

Is he going to shout at me?

Is he mad?

Did I make him mad?

Should I apologize?

But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to look up to him so I continued looking down.

I gulped and put the dishes out of the tray as fast as I could and took the tray with me.

I walked fast towards my seat in the library and sat quietly. 'I shall wait here to put away the dishes, your highness.' I signed with my heart beating so loud in my ears.