Chapter 22

When I dealt that last blow to that strange man, the realm cracked open, and that was how I escaped. I opened my eyes to an excruciating pain in my chest, while blood was gushing out of me like water from a leaking dam. It felt like I was on the verge of death. I could not breathe properly. I had no strength in my limbs, and the room was spinning, which was not helping my pounding headache. Thankfully, I had already finished the duke's treatment. 

"How are you feeling, Fati? Are you in pain anywhere?" asked the young master while grabbing my hands.

"Keep your hands to yourself, young duke." responded Sir Nate scornfully as he yanked my hands from his grasp.

He then grabbed my shoulder and gently pulled me towards him, all the while glaring at the young master. Though his attitude with young master Dimitriu has never been the best, he's never been this disrespectful before. I had better step in before he gets himself into more trouble.

"I am feeling much better thanks to your care, young master." I replied with a smile.

When I turned around to face Sir Nate, he was glowering at the young master. His grip around my shoulder had tightened slightly, which meant he was angry. Despite how close we've grown over the past few months, there are still times when he would seem like a complete stranger to me. I'm getting better at discerning his mannerisms, which can be rather confusing. Especially in these situations.

"You look very elegant in this dress, Fati. It suits you quite well." He suddenly complimented.

How odd. It's the first time I am hearing a compliment from him, yet my heart remained undisturbed. Until a few days ago, his mere presence would make my heart thump so fast that it would ache. My face would turn beet red when his fingertips grazed my hands while we were working together. I used to yearn for his attention whenever he wasn't around. However, now, it's as if my feelings for him had completely vanished. Everything I felt for him was fading right before my eyes, and there was not a thing I could do about it.

"I believe it's time that his grace returns to his duchy. I'm sure the young duke has a lot of work to tend to." he said sarcastically.

Hold on a second…

"Pardon me for asking…" I said as I hesitantly raised my hand.

"What is it, Fati?" responded Sir Nate.

His gaze towards me is so pleasant. One would think he was staring at a love interest. What a complex fellow he is.

"Doesn't this villa belong to the young master? Why are you kicking him out of his own home?" I whispered in his ear.

He chuckled, then suddenly burst into laughter. Everyone, including the guards who were present gaped in bewilderment. I could not understand why they were so shocked, as if they had never seen him laugh before. Although I must admit that it is a refreshing sight compared to his usual expression.

"This villa and the whole of Chilsela belong to my parents. In other words, this is my home."

 I received this small city as a birthday present from my father when I turned twelve. Ever since mother passed away, father's gifts have become more and more extravagant, to say the least. After all, it was his fault she died.

It all started on the day when a concubine was presented to my father. Count Hertzman was an unscrupulous old geezer with a severe thirst for power. 

"With all due respect, your majesty, I suggest that you think this through. Although I am not entirely against the idea of you taking concubines, I cannot allow lady Mertrude Buchanan to enter the palace."

"I understand your reasoning, my dear, but we are left with no choice but to accept count Hertzman's offer. He managed to get the entire council on his side in such a short time."

With his eldest daughter being married to duke Kartier, and his illegitimate one was nowhere to be found, he was out of options. That was until his niece suddenly appeared on his doorstep. Lady Mertrude Buchanan, the sole daughter of his brother, whose family faced ruin when authorities found them guilty of tax fraud.

"There is no need to worry dear. Although she will reside in the palace, I am under no obligations to visit her bedroom."

Though my father had other concubines in the palace, he would always inquire for my mother's permission to visit their bedroom. It was his way of showing respect for his empress. Hence, an entire year had passed after lady Buchanan moved to the palace, and not once did my father visit her bedroom. Upon realizing her position, concubine Mertrude's attitude towards my mother gradually changed. Her animosity towards the empress had suddenly vanished.

"Your majesty, please accept this cosmetic set as a token of my gratitude. Happy Birthday to the most beautiful moon in Alkaraz! Thank you for taking care of me, your majesty."

Her noble gesture and honeyed words deeply moved the crowd, including my naïve parents. Thence, no one could have predicted what would transpire next.

"Your majesty! Your majesty!"

Mother suddenly collapsed in the middle of the festivities. She was coughing up blood while her breathing became unstable.Three days later, she was pronounced dead. Much like duke Kartier, she was almost completely unrecognizable. 

During her autopsy, it came to light that her cause of death was aracnocrobe poisoning. Based on that conclusion, an investigation was immediately put forth to find and punish the culprit. The maid who served her the cup of poisoned champagne committed suicide during her questioning. The results from interrogating the guests showed nothing out of the ordinary. 

The longer the case dragged out, the more it felt like my mother's death was in vain. The entire empire fell into a state of unrest, and the people began to question the authorities' efficiency in cracking the case.

"Apprehend count Hertzman and concubine Mertrude immediately!"

Count Hertzman's eldest son, Victor Hertzman suddenly came forth with concrete evidence of his father's involvement in my mother's death. Apparently, he had been keeping tabs on his father ever since his cousin became one of the imperial concubines. His reason for not reporting such crucial information before was because he thought his father would change his ways. Thanks to him, the perpetrators had no choice but to confess to their crime and receive their due punishment. Death by lapidation. 

His noble act deemed him righteous in my father's eyes. Therefore, the emperor rewarded him with the title of 'Marquis'. However, he was not allowed to be a member of the council. Ever since then, my resentment towards their family grew exceedingly deep. 

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The rapid gallops of the horses and the rattling of the carriages made for a rather boisterous atmosphere. The constant bouncing due to the roughness of the road made it difficult to sleep.

I was utterly surprised when he suddenly announced that we were joining a delegation on a trip with the crown prince. While I was grateful for the much-needed break and freedom, I can't help but feel ill at ease. What if the crown prince found me out and decided to execute me? No Fati, do not entertain such horrendous thoughts. 

"Why are you shaking your head so vigorously?"

He finally spoke!

"Sir Nate…"

"Nathan…" He interrupted curtly.

Ever since I found myself at his mansion that day, his attitude towards me had changed drastically. He is now more or less cordial in our conversation and has asked me to remove the 'Sir' when I address him. I have no problem doing so; however, I wish he would be a tad bit nicer when correcting me.

"Ahem! Right…Nathan. Is it truly alright for a slave to ride in such a fancy carriage?"

"No one here knows that you're a slave. Besides, so long as you're with me, no one would dare to question your identity."

Is he that powerful?

"Wouldn't the prince find it distasteful to be in the same vicinity as a slave?"

"The prince does not worry about such trivial things, so do not fret. Not to mention that his carriage is at the very front of the line."

That's true. Phew! I guess I have nothing to worry about since our carriage is at the very tail. Thank goodness.

"Do you…despise the crown prince that much?" he asked.