Chapter 11

"A rather magnificent couple they make, don't you agree, your highness?"

From the pavilion, the duchess and I were admiring the view of the flower garden, as the crown prince and Lady Florette enjoyed their afternoon promenade. I'm not sure what her eyes are seeing, for I know my brother best. Right now, he looks like a beast prowling at a prey, ready to devour her.

"Seeing them like this makes me realize that there is no one other than my Florette, who is better suited for his highness."

He loathes her just as much as he does her mother. If their talks of marriage ever come to a decisive point, Lady Florette might soon lose a limb, or her very life, at worst. I would tread lightly with him if I were in her shoes.

~Meanwhile…

"I heard my lady has gone through quite an interesting ordeal as of late."

"Indeed, your highness. A filthy slave dared to covet my diamond necklace. Hence, I taught her a lesson she will never forget. Had it not been for my brother's intervention, she would have already been buried by now."

"Was that your first time punishing the innocent?"

"Yes, it was. I must say, it felt rather exhilarating to put that hussy in her place."

Without realizing it, Lady Florette proudly admitted to abusing her power to punish the blameless Fatima. All it took me was a simple interrogation to find out the truth. The people who were directly involved in the incident were none other than her personal maids. Apparently, she planned the entire thing. Now then, how should I punish her?

At my behest, a large swarm of insects came upon her and started to sting and bite her skin. She screamed and flailed in absolute terror as she stumbled and fell over. Her mother and my sister stared aghast, as they witnessed the horrendous events that were unfolding before their eyes.

"Zen! Zen! Stop!" yelled my sister as she ran across the flower field.

Following her was the duchess screaming her daughter's name,with streams of tears rolling down her cheeks. Truthfully, it matters not what anyone says or does, as I am the only one who can call them off. My blood is boiling with so much rage that I do not feel any pity for her.

"Your highness please, stop this! I beg of you! Please spare my princess." whined the duchess as she knelt in front of me.

"Your daughter trampled on an innocent person without an ounce of remorse, yet you dare ask me to stop? Now that you know how it feels to watch one's daughter getting helplessly bullied, I suggest you teach her how to behave properly from now on. Otherwise, this will keep happening until she learns her lesson."

"That's enough Kazein! You are going too far!" yelled my sister as she grabbed my arm.

"Stop meddling and back away if you do not wish to get hurt, Emilia." I warned in an indifferent tone.

"I said stop it, you stubborn fool!" she yelled once more while smacking the back of my head.

How annoying, I thought, right before I finally called off the command I had placed on the bugs.

+++++++

Lady Florette has been bedridden for five whole days, with countless physicians and healers storming in and out of the estate every day. They informed me that her skin was starting to look better, and they anticipated her being out and about in the next few weeks. Flower baskets and get-well presents from her close friends filled her lavish room, as her mother remained glued to her bedside. She grieved for her daughter's ailment as if she was actually dead. How overdramatic.

Meanwhile, Kazein keeps refusing to apologize for his rash actions.

"…ti. Fati…hm…"

He's been whining in his sleep often these days. Why is he still stressed even after I took upon some of his work?

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husbandand wife. You may now kiss your bride."

As I slowly unveiled the bride, the crowd let out a loud gasp.

"Fati? What are you…why is it you?"

"My goodness, the young duke is marrying a slave?"

"This is even worse than his father's promiscuous relationship with that woman."

"I suppose the apple did not fall far from the tree."

Enough everyone! Do not smear the Kartier name.

"How vulgar! Utterly vulgar, I say!"

"I am disappointed in you, son."

"F-father?"

"What are you waiting for, husband? Kiss me!"

"N-no! Get away from me!"

"You are finally awake, my darling!"

"Emilia?" he stuttered as he grabbed my wrist and sat up.

Thank goodness it was just a dream.

"You dozed off on my lap in the middle of our conversation." I responded calmly.

"I apologize. I must have been tired."

"Understandable. On another note, darling, who is Fati? You kept mumbling her name in your sleep."

His eyes widened and his face turned pale while he stared at me,speechlessly. I asked out of pure curiosity, however that reaction was definitely a sign that he was hiding something from me. Shall I look into it?

"How about a quick stroll, darling?" I perkily suggested.

++++++

"Ah! It is finally time to enjoy a good bath!" exclaimed Clover.

"Today was especially humid."

"Summer is just around the corner. It will only get worst from here on out." replied Ivy with a sigh.

I have not seen the young master for five whole days. He must be busy taking care of his sister. I heard the crown prince did quite a number on her. What I wouldn't give to witness such a sight.

"We have arrived! Yay!" cheered Clover while darting towards the waterfall.

"Last one in is a spring chicken!" shouted Ivy as she jumped into the water.

"That's not fair Ivy!"

As I fumbled into the basket that contained our change of clothes, I noticed one very important piece of garment was missing. My underwear.

"What's the matter Fati?"

"M-my underwear…is missing."

I remember picking one up right before we left the storage room. It must have fallen off the basket while we were walking to the waterfall. I must go and retrieve it before someone else picks it up.

"I'll be back."

"Be careful!"

"What, why are you gasping so loudly, Clover?"

"I remember now!"

"What! Spit it out already."

"Fati's underwear fell on the paved road while we were rushing to cross over. I thought it was just a piece of paper that the wind carried on."

"What?!"

++++++

"Where could it be?" I whined as I frantically searched every bush I encountered along my path.

Suddenly, the sound of a girl giggling was coming from the paved road. My curiosity was piqued, hence, I decided to approach quietly. I peered from behind a tree, only to witness a young couple sharing a passionate kiss in each other's embrace. Her face was unfamiliar to me; however, one could tell at first glance that she was a noble.

I could not see the young man's face, but based on his frame and hair color, I knew he was no stranger to me. At that thought, my heart quickly sank, and tears instantly came rolling down my face.

"Fati, have you-"

"Shh!" I whispered as I quickly covered Clover's mouth.

She gasped quietly when she too beheld the sight of them.

"Th-that's the princess and the young master." She whispered.

+++++

"We are very sorry for not telling you in advance, Fati. Please forgive us." whined Clover.

"I heard they have been apart for quite a long time, so everyone thought their engagement was annulled." frantically explained Ivy.

My feelings for the young master were no secret to them, which made me even more upset that they hid such an important piece of information from me. I know they did not tell me out of consideration, but still…a small clue could have sufficed. Right now, I feel betrayed in so many ways that I cannot bear to be in the same space as them.

"Go to bed without me. I'm going on a stroll."

"At this hour? What if someone sees you?"

"She's angry, isn't she?"

"Clover, let's leave her alone for now."

+++++

"Where are you going with a blanket in the middle of the night,your highness?"

"I am sleeping outside tonight."

"What? That's preposterous! You have a comfortable bed right here."

"Move out of the way, Dimitriu! I am in a hurry."

His eyes were hostile, as if he would obliterate me if I insisted on blocking his way. Once he's bent on doing something, no one can stop him. That is how stubborn he is.

"Dimitriu? What's with all the commotion?"

"Ah, Princess Emilia, did we wake you?"

"Where is Zen off to in such a hurry?"

"I do not know, princess. He suddenly decided to go outside in the middle of our conversation."

+++++

"There you are."