Chapter 73

"Quietly move them to somewhere remote and await my orders."

Her confession resulted in her immediate transfer to the imperial infirmary for medical care, pending the Crown Prince's decree. Meanwhile, another crisis emerged as the princess seems to have come into the knowledge of his highness' confrontation with Madam Marietta.

"What shall I do with their home and flower shop, your highness?"

A significant disagreement between them has persisted from that point forward, resulting in a steadily worsening and worrisome atmosphere of tension at the palace. The constant evasion and avoidance tactics employed by them have resulted in a distinctly awkward situation for those who are forced to witness their interactions, or lack thereof.

"Once they're gone, sell it all and forward the proceeds to them."

"Understood, sire."

"On another note, Leo…" he pondered briefly.

"I'd like you to invite Florette Kartier to my palace. A delightful afternoon tea with her is something I very much look forward to." He spoke in a calm tone as he rested a piece of paper in front of him.

"P-pardon?"

How very unexpected and…unsettling.

"Oh, r-right. I will do so right away, your highness."

Things are likely to get even more chaotic at the palace soon. I must notify the staff to steer clear of the crown prince until further notice.

++++

"The woman disappeared into thin air after her confrontation with my little pawn that day."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, if I had to guess. I think they might have sent her back to where she came from. This shows that our chosen strategy achieved optimal results. It's a shame we never saw her face, but the knights' descriptions painted a picture of a stunning woman with an unforgettable smile and radiant complexion. They described her beauty as the type one would only see in a dream."

"Shut your useless trap, Dietrich. Now that we've ridden ourselves of the pest, we must set the stage for Florette to enter the scene as a supportive friend who wishes for nothing more than to console her distressed prince."

"Hm…" he pondered deeply before plopping his buttocks on the chair.

"What…What is with that look on your face? If you have something to say, do so!"

That frown on his face is rather worrisome.

"I'm afraid we are not in the clear just yet dear sister." He snickered as he folded one leg upon the other.

"Let's not forget, the crown prince still holds our pawn. I've taken steps to keep her quiet, but the temptation of revealing secrets, especially when facing death, is a powerful force in human nature that we can't ignore. She is bound to break her silence soon enough."

*sigh* This is becoming quite a headache. A single word from her, and we'll be immediately subject to intense scrutiny and interrogation. That is something I simply cannot allow. Over the past five years, the prince's consistent displays of compassion and effective leadership have not only garnered the people's favor but also cemented his power within the empire. He's been poking his nose into all kinds of matters ever since his return and even witnessed what happened with that slave. His complete reversal of attitude left everyone who knew him wondering what could have possibly caused such a drastic change in the prince. Could it have something to do with that mysterious woman he brought back from Lithiar?

"Under no circumstances should we engage in a confrontation with the crown prince, Dietrich." I yelled angrily as I gripped his collar.

"You need to threaten her; make her understand the severe consequences of speaking, to ensure her silence. Find out where her family lives and-"

"Easy! Easy now, my sweet sister. I have taken some preemptive measures to cover our tracks in case she was caught. That incident will never be traced to us; thus you may lay your worries to rest for now." He snickered.

A smile accompanied his gentle grasp of my shoulders as he provided reassurance. He may be useless in other areas, but he's very meticulous in matters related to me. Securing his allegiance is indeed proving to be a clever investment; I suppose the gold gouds I am spending on him are well worth it.

"Keep your hands to yourself, you scoundrel. Who knows what you've been touching before coming here?" I scorned in disgust while wriggling my shoulders out of his hands.

"Well, if you must know... I had quite the itch down there while I was riding the carriage and…well…you know…Desperate times-" he cackled with a shrug.

"Get out of my sight this instant, you filthy rogue! I have had just about enough of your insolence!"

"Oh, come now, Gwen. Lighten up! *sigh* Fine, fine, I'll get out of your hair now. Tah-tah! My sweet sister!" he waved before exiting the room as he continued with his annoying cackle.

*sigh* How frustrating!

++++

"Your Highness, I have retrieved the documents from the imperial archives as requested. Where should I place them?"

*sigh* I guess he's giving me the silent treatment again. Leaning back in his chair, Nathan's gaze was engrossed in the papers he held, casually turning the pages as he reviewed them. As the day faded, a blush of dusk peeked in from behind him, filtering through the glass window and emphasizing his immaculate and pristine figure. Despite the weight of the documents making my arms ache, I remained utterly awestruck, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

"Your highness?" I called once again in a low tone.

Ever since he found out I went to the infirmary, the air between us has grown frigid. His silence is heavy with unspoken anger, and my apologies are met with a deliberate, icy avoidance. While I acknowledge the oversight of not seeking prior counsel, I just couldn't turn a blind eye to Madam Marietta's injuries and acted without thinking. Thanks to my disguise, she did not recognize me, which led her to believe that the crown prince, in his benevolence, had sent her a healer.

"Hello? Your highness?"

His eyes, though clearly fixed on me, flickered away as if my presence was an unwelcome distraction. If I raise my voice any higher, the sharp, cutting tone will undoubtedly ignite another argument. My arms can't hold out much longer. I'll just rest them on his desk and quietly leave.

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave now as my work period ended an hour ago, your highness." I bowed before veering away from his desk.

*Sigh*. It's like talking to a brick wall; my words just bounce off, unheard. How long will this silent treatment stretch out before he decides to talk?

"Take them back. I no longer have any use for them." He instructed tersely.

A sudden tension filled the quiet room, the air growing thick as I turned to face him. A wave of fear washed over me as Nathan's distant, furious gaze burned into me, his eyes narrowed into slits of menacing intent. However, having bickered with him countless times in the past, the initial fright I felt quickly dissipated. In this situation, the typical response would have been to flee, but I am no such coward.

"My apologies, your highness. I'm afraid that will not be possible because the archives room is closed for the day. I shall remember to return them first thing tomorrow-"

"No. I want you to return them now rather than tomorrow."

He completely dismissed what I just said as though it went into one ear and out the other. Rather than these childish ploys, I wish he would just shout his anger at me. Given the current circumstances, I feel it is prudent to seize this opportunity to correct the situation before it deteriorates further and becomes more difficult to manage.

"Your highness, could you please find it in your heart to forgive my mistake just this once? I promise this won't happen again in the future, as I have learned my lesson."

This time, perhaps a gentler, more respectful approach will be more effective. Nathan's volatile emotions often cause him to overreact and draw things out longer than necessary. He used to just say 'I forgive you' in response to my apologies in the past, yet his grudge, however, would remain steadfast; only the natural passage of time would eventually diminish the intensity of his anger. Five years ago, just before he left for the capital, he showed signs of improvement thanks to my constant attempts to teach him how to familiarize himself with his emotions. But now it seems he has completely regressed to his former self. What to do?

"Your highness?"

Oh dear. It appears we've hit a standstill yet again with another wordless interaction. Is it best to leave him alone for a bit? Or maybe…

"I've just discovered that Madam Marietta and your mother were close acquaintances. Thus, I found myself unable to watch such a strong bond crumble because of my involvement." I rambled.

"The madam was relieved to hear you hadn't meant to hurt her and forgave you immediately when I explained you sent me to her aid. Madam Marietta's eyes gleamed with adoration as she detailed your childhood adventures and-"

"Are you quite through?" he interrupted in a sinister tone as he slowly rose from his seat.

Oops! I got carried away.

"Y-yes, your highness. My apologies."

I should make my escape now if I want to avoid a confrontation with him. I can sense the hostility in his heavy, deliberate stride from all the way here; each footfall seems to pound with menace.

"W-well, if there is nothing else, I bid your highness goodnight." I bowed before scurrying to reach the door.

"Where do you think you're running off to without my permission, Secretary Lottie?"

Ignoring his question, I walked even faster, the golden doorknob growing closer, until my legs, leaden and unresponsive, stubbornly refused to take another step. It felt as if an invisible force had bound my feet and shoes to the floor, rendering them immovable regardless of how hard I tried to move. It was a feeling of familiarity, a faint echo of a past experience, yet the memory remained frustratingly inaccessible. However, one thing is certain, this is definitely Nathan's doing.

"Your highness, could you…could you please…"

With each desperate flail, I lost more control of my balance until I tumbled backward. Just as I was bracing myself for the inevitable fall, anticipating the impact of hitting the wooden floor, a strong yet surprisingly gentle arm encircled my waist, preventing my descent and steadying me. My heart pounded in my chest with a rapid rhythm, and as I struggled to regain my composure, I breathed a long sigh of relief.

"How reckless you are, princess."