Chapter 39

"Make the preparations in haste. We leave first thing in the morning."

"As you command, your highness."

"Your highness, I have brought the paperwork you requested earlier. And these are the ledgers from the delegation. I have already  reviewed everything. All that's left is to sign and stamp them."

"You can place them on my desk, Gabril. I shall get to them shortly."

"Your highness?" I called as I peeked in from behind the door.

I was wondering what all the commotion was about. The traffic in his office was rather boisterous, to say the least. But from the way he was handling things, it seems he's done this before. I should probably leave him be.

"My apologies, the door was open, and…"

"You may come in, princess." he interrupted.

"How are you feeling, your highness?" asked Sir Gabril with a warm smile on his face.

"I am feeling much better than…"

"Gabril, I believe you were leaving?"

He sounds annoyed. Is it because of me? Should I leave too?

"Ah, yes, sire. Please excuse me." He said with a quick bow as he hastily exits the room.

"It seems I imposed on your work, your highness. My sincerest apologies."

As he strode towards me with a soft grin on his face, I started noticing things I hadn't paid attention to before. He has such a unique gait that he appears to be encompassed by a halo of sunlight. He walks so confidently, as though the entire world revolves within his light. Or perhaps I'm merely hallucinating in broad daylight.

"You're allowed to impose on everything related to me, Fati."

What is he saying? Did he drink something weird? Or was he bitten by some sort of malevolent bug? His words are making my head spin.

"Your face is as red as a tomato. You aren't sick, are you?"

Is he serious? 

"I'm all flustered because of you!" I blurted.

Oops! That was supposed to be my inner thought.

"What I said was not wrong. You said we were friends, so I thought we were close enough to disturb each other without feeling apologetic."

Oh, that's what he meant. How embarrassing.

"Come, let us sit. We have something to discuss." He said as he guided me to his sofa.

"I must leave Chilsela tomorrow morning."

"What?"

++++

"You must clean every corner of this palace spotless. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Chamberlain Leo, look! Rosie ate her entire meal!"

She's been starving herself ever since that day. Good for her. I don't think I've ever seen her this chipper before. She's even grooming her feathers. Sir Vederre, the prince's black panther, was on his highness' bed yet again, snoozing listlessly. He's been sleeping on it ever since the prince left, and the maids are too afraid to shoo him off.

"Return to your chores. I shall take care of his highness' bedroom on my own."

"Yes, sir."

Then there is also the matter of grooming them. *sigh* These cumbersome tasks never end.

"Chamberlain Leo!" called a familiar lively voice.

"May the glory of Alkaraz be with you, princess Yurivera. What brings you to these parts, your highness?"

She must have caught wind of the prince's return.

"Is it true that the crown prince is finally coming back to the palace?" she asked excitedly.

Her eyes were brimming with elation when I gave her the answer she was expecting to hear. Her loud squealing interrupted Sir Vederre's sleep, and he started growling in her direction.

"I can finally propose to him directly! Oh! How wonderful! My heart is pounding so fast it might burst." 

Here she goes again with her antics. Things are soon to become interesting again in the palace.

++++++

-Day of Departure-

"I do not know how long I will be gone for, but you can stay here as much as you like."

I wanted to scream 'Don't go!' or 'Can't you take me with you?' but I held the urge since I am well aware of my position now more than ever. Despite that, my heart feels quite heavy as I fought the tears that were gathering in my eyes.

"Be strong and wait for me. I will come back to you before you can say bread."

Bread. If I say it aloud, would he stay? Would he waver even for a moment? Why am I feeling this way? I don't want him to leave. Nathaniel, please don't leave me behind.

I waited until their carriage was completely out of sight before I finally let the tears flow. Miss Bettie and the other maids who were concerned about me came to comfort me as I wept in their embrace.

"Y-your highness?" exclaimed miss Bettie.

I quickly raised my head, and there he was, dismounting a black horse as he rushed towards me. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it would stop at some point. If Miss Bettie had not called out to him first, I would have thought this was a hallucination. A mere figment of my imagination.

"It suddenly dawned on me we did not properly part ways, princess. Please forgive my ill manners. May I…hug you, princess?" he asked as he opened his arms.

"Yes! Yes, you may!"

+++++

~A few days later

~Imperial Palace of Alkaraz

It's been nearly two years since we've seen each other. I wonder if he's just as nervous as I am right now.

"Enter, his highness crown prince Kazein Nathaniel Von Alkaraz! All hail the small sun of our great empire!" bellowed the guard.

"Welcome home, your highness!" shouted the nobles.

This rascal hasn't lost even a single drop of his radiance. His presence alone had everyone on their guards. He's grown taller and bulkier than before. There is also a distinct air about him. How magnificent.

"Welcome home, son." I said as I rose from my seat.

+++++

"Allow me to apologize, son. Back then I…"

"That is already water under the bridge, your majesty."

"Then does that mean you forgave your old man?"

"Yes, I forgive you."

Back when I was Sir Nate, she taught me a valuable lesson without even realizing it. After each of our quarrels, she would make me apologize first, then she would follow along.

"Holding a grudge for too long will shorten your lifespan. That being said, you must always try your best to rid your heart of any burdening resentment as quickly as you can."

She must have learned that from the Ecchelon temple. 

"I was in the wrong too, father. I should have explained things to you back then, yet I kept my mouth shut. Please forgive me for acting so childishly."

"A child is supposed to act, think, and behave immaturely, and you are no different. I am sorry for everything, son. I hope that in the future, you will find it in your heart to truly forgive your old father."

It seems he has picked up on my scheme. I meant what I said when I told him I forgave him. However, my intention was to coax him into telling me the truth about the princess.

"Now then, son. Shall we get to the important part of this private audience?"

+++++

"Clover, can you bring me another bucket of water? I believe I've used too much soap on the horse's hair. The foam is making such a mess."

"Okay!"

"Ivy!" called a familiar voice.

"Hello Amie. Is it lunchtime already?"

"Lunch time was over an hour ago. I got delayed because miss Edith conducted a last minute inspection in the maids'quarters."

"Amie!" shouted Clover.

"Clover don't just leave the water there! Bring it closer!"

"Oops! Sorry Ivy! Hehe!" 

"Ivy! Clover!" yelled another familiar voice from the distance.

She was holding her luggage in one hand while waving at us with the other. Her long silver hair was floating in the wind, and her face was beaming in the sunlight. Upon realizing who she was, I dropped everything and ran towards her. Amie seems to have caught on as well.

"Ivy! Wait for me!" shouted Clover, as she followed me.

+++++

Fati's uncle was the one who devised the plan, after all. If that's true, then someone must have framed him after the events of that night. But why would they have him detained without solid proof? Ah! That's right! Princess Loraine. 

"Welcome home, your highness." announced the palace staff.