Chapter 25

I suggested the idea on a whim, since I was the only one who was quiet throughout the entire meeting. I never expected his majesty to be opened to such mundane methods. Once he finds out I was behind this, he will definitely come after me.

"Your grace! Duke Kartier! Your grace, wait for me!" shouted my aide Efraim as he darted towards me.

I was skeptical about his abilities when I hired him since we were the same age. However, it turns out I underestimated him. He is efficient, detail-oriented, diligent, and punctual. A professional through and through.

"Slow down and catch your breath, Efraim."

"Phew! Ahem! His majesty has just issued the date of your initiation ceremony. Here's the official letter, my lord." he said as he extended a small envelope.

An initiation ceremony is an event where the emperor will officially recognize a vassal as one of his own. Of course, not every member of the nobility gets to experience such an honor. However, since I am going to fill in my father's position as the minister of foreign affairs, it almost becomes a requirement that I go through this process.

"My wedding is in two months, and the ceremony is in two weeks. There is not much time to get everything done. Efraim, I'm afraid we will have to work on a tight schedule starting today."

"Sir! Yes, sir!"

"You sound thrilled for someone who's about to work overtime."

"Haha! Haaa…oh no…"

It seems reality just struck him as his enthusiasm was slowly fading away.

++++++

"Why do you hate me?"

He has been asking the same question for three weeks straight. Goodness! This is so frustrating.

"Like I said before, I do not hate you, Nathan. It's just that sometimes you infuriate me so much that I wish I was tall enough to flick your forehead."

"Hm…" he pondered deeply.

"If I let you flick my forehead, can you swear that you will not be upset with me when we arrive in Ipera?"

Ipera? Why are we heading there, of all places?

"Sure, sure, I promise. Now bring forth thy forehead, sir Nathan." I said playfully as I cracked my knuckles in excitement.

I should take this chance to inquire about the trip since he's now in a good mood.

"Easy with your frail little fingers, Fati. You might break them while trying to hurt me."

This guy…

"Here you go, ready when you are."

He leaned forward as he pulled his hair back. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be completely defenseless. I hesitated and wavered because of the loud thumps coming from my heart.

"What are you waiting for?" He asked as he opened one eye and glanced up at me.

I was so flustered that I ended up head-butting him, and now I have a headache.

"Nathan? May I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Is our destination the kingdom of Ipera?"

Ipera…A kingdom who was on the brink of collapse because ofthe incessant demonic beast attacks that plagued their streets every day. When the emperor of Alkaraz heard of their situation, he quickly offered his help at the price of gaining control over them. It was an offer they could not afford to refuse based on their circumstances. However, that decision caused a strain in their relationship with Ecchelon who was also planning a takeover. Since then, there has been constant animosity between the two countries despite how relatively close their borders are.This happened over a century ago, so why can't they just settle their differences and call it quits? Ugh! This is why I hate politics.

"Since you aren't paying attention, I will stop explaining now."

"Wait! No! I apologize, please continue."

He let out a deep sigh while folding his arms across his chest with the usual scowl on his face.

"C-continue…sir…" I said nervously.

It's a good thing I am sitting across from him. His expression is making me feel rather self-conscious.

"Like I said, we are merely passing through Ipera, as our destination is actually Ecchelon, your homeland."

"E-ecchelon?"

My head was suddenly spinning, while shivers ran down my spine. The events of that fateful night started to play in my head yet again.

"Fati, are you alright? Your face grew pale all of a sudden. Are you feeling ill anywhere?"

I can't move my limbs. I'm losing consciousness.

"Hey! Wait! Can you hear me Fati? Keep your eyes open!"

As I drifted off, the last thing I remembered was Nathan shouting in panic as he held me in his arms.

++++++

"Bring more towels and a change of clothes."

"Her fever has not yet subsided despite the medicines we've been feeding her. What shall we do?"

"Poor thing, she's burning up."

I hear voices. My body felt heavy, and my head was throbbing. I was hot and cold at the same time. Am I sick? More importantly, where are we right now?

"She's awake!"

I recognized their faces. They are the maids from the delegation. They must have been worried.

"Do not move, miss Fati. You are currently burning up with a high fever." said one maid.

"I asked for a bucket of water eons ago. Where is it?" yelled the chief maid.

"It's right next to your feet, Miss Bettie."

"Oh dear, I must be losing my mind."

They were moving about hastily yet very orderly. A sight that was rather familiar to me from my days in Ecchelon.

"Where am I?" I mumbled.

"We are currently at a hotel in Ipera, Miss Fati. You gave us quite the scare when you suddenly fainted like that. His high…I mean, Sir Nate was especially worried about you."

The room was so luxurious that everything looked as though it came out of a fairytale. I suppose this is one of the many advantages of traveling with nobility. I wanted to ask more questions, but I was way too tired and sleepy. With each sentence I uttered, my breathing became shorter. I imagine the crown prince must be furious about the delay I caused. I hear he's quite an impatient individual. I have not seen Nathan since I opened my eyes. I hope he's not somewhere being berated by the prince on my account.

+++++

"I hope the dishes are to your liking, your imperial highness. I took care to instruct the chefs to pay special attention to tonight's dinner." Said the king, while one of his maids dabbed his mouth with a dinner cloth.

It was the most disturbing display I had ever witnessed in my life, which almost caused me to hurl everything I had already consumed. His sons were treated no differently, in exception of the eldest one who was being fed by two of his women. It seems I unintentionally walked straight into a circus. Is this truly their way of showing me hospitality or are they blatantly mocking the very crown they serve?

"Please allow me, your highness." Said one maid as she approached me with a napkin.

"No, thank you. I can manage on my own." I replied as I raised my hand.

She quietly bowed and returned to her post.

"Crown prince Kazein, I heard of an interesting rumor circulating the capital. Is it true that you are deserting the crown, your highness?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"If that truly was the case, then why am I leading a delegation to Ecchelon, Prince Jonathin?"

Jonathin Herbert Wells, the firstborn of King Cornelius and his wife, Queen Jamifra. He was a promising child who excelled in every aspect of his education, which earned him the nickname 'inborn prodigy', just like me. An exemplary prince who won many awards, honorary medals, and titles. There was not a single competition in his kingdom he had not won. The people hailed him as the pride and joy of Ipera. However, that was until his consort passed away on their wedding day. Ever since then, the glorious small sun of Ipera was no more. Nowadays, he spends most of his time in his harem or in one of those illegal underground drug parlors.

"If you leave the throne empty for too long, people like me and my brothers will start getting funny ideas, your highness."

His expression and tone changed as he uttered these words. His blue eyes reflected a glint of hostility as he glowered at me from the other side of the table. He was smirking, as if he had just achieved something extraordinary.

"Prince Jonathin." I said as I drew a deep sigh while I patted the dinner cloth over my mouth.

His father, along with his younger brothers were sweating profusely while they anxiously squirmed in their seats. The atmosphere in the dinner hall quickly became somber as I slowly rose from my seat and strode over to his side. The women who were surrounding him hurriedly scampered, while I leaned over, and whispered in his ears.

"A deposed prince, who couldn't even protect his position, poses no threat to me. And as for your brothers, I'm sure you know by now that I can kill them with my eyes closed."