Chapter 74

The rapid beat of my heart was matched, if not surpassed, by the even more forceful drumming of Nathan's heart within his chest. I could feel it pulsing at the back of my shoulder as I was being held against his chest. The intense heat radiating from us created an almost unbearable atmosphere, making it exceedingly difficult to maintain composure. Nathan's grip on my waist remained tight, and the strange sensation that had earlier bound my feet to the floor had completely vanished.

"T-thank you for breaking my fall, your highness. You can let go of me now." I stuttered nervously.

"If I do, you'll fall."

Did he notice my legs shaking?

"How long are we to stay in this position, your highness?" I asked with a heavy sigh.

"However long I so desire."

He answered curtly, each word precise, but his voice possessed a soothing warmth that softened the abruptness of his replies. Our proximity was such that every time he spoke, his warm breath on the back of my neck sent jolts of panic through me.

"Y-your highness… If someone were to walk in and find us in this position, they would get the wrong idea and spread malicious gossip about you. Wouldn't that be burdensome for you?"

*Silence*

"Your highness, if you continue to be like this, I'll have no choice but to report you to his majesty for abuse of authority."

This should be enough to knock some sense into him. Naturally, this was intended as a deterrent to his teasing behavior. However, I am now uncertain how to proceed. The absurdity of my threat was so clear that Nathan's laughter erupted, a loud, joyous sound that filled the air. This was not the reaction I was expecting.

"Abuse of authority, you say?" he chuckled playfully.

"You would do well to heed my words, your highness, lest you forget I am princess Charlotte-Rose Fatima Vicksburg D'Ecchelon. Which implies that you must treat me with the utmost respect." I said with a smug smile, knowing full well this was also a bluff.

I hadn't planned to resort to this, but with my options dwindling, I'm left with no choice.

"I see… You are a princess only when the circumstances call for it. How interesting…" He said with a chortle.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips when his head fell, his chin finding a resting place on my left shoulder. In this moment, several strands of his striking red hair slipped forward, landing on the front of my dress.

"I can't stand another day of this conflict, so I'll withdraw this time. However, should you continue to test my patience, you will face the punishment befitting a princess of Ecchelon. Keep that in mind for now."

It's peculiar how gentle and sweet his tone is, especially given that he's threatening me; one would expect a more menacing demeanor.

"Pardon the untru…sion-Ahem! Please forgive me for interrupting your…intimate time together! I shall wait outside."

"W-wait! Sir Leonardo, it's not…"

"That will not be necessary, as Secretary Lottie was on her way out."

He says that, however, his body language contradicts his statement, his arms are still tightly encircling her waist. I suppose I should be happy about their reconciliation as they now look like a pair of lovebirds in spring compared to before. It is clear to me, and likely to others, that their relationship is more than just the platonic friendship they claim it to be.

"W-well then, I bid you a pleasant night, your highness. You as well, Sir Leonardo."

"What is with your expression, Leo?"

"May I inquire whether tranquility has been reestablished within the palace, your Highness?"

"For now…"

"The great news will be music to the maids' ears, particularly Miss Bettie's, whose hopeful anticipation will finally be rewarded."

"Enough with your useless prattle. What brings you here at this hour?"

"The Perceval sisters will reach the capital by mid-day tomorrow. I have meticulously prepared the proposals as requested, and his majesty has already stamped his royal seal of approval upon them. Regarding their abode-All that remains to be done is to redecorate the interior, a task that will be finished in the morning before they arrive."

"Very well done, Leo. I must say, I am truly impressed by the meticulous attention to detail you have exhibited in handling this matter."

A compliment? He must truly be in a good mood.

"Now then, on to the next topic." He chuckled while striding towards his seat.

"In light of the princess' planned residence with them, I'll be assigning several guards and escorts to provide protection and help as needed. Do you have any suggestions?"

"How about…that Pervess fellow, and a few others? The rumors I've heard lately speak of a promising knight. Sir Gabril won't stop singing his praises whenever he's not around."

"Very well. Since both you and Gabril vouch for him so strongly, I'll have him assigned there under Uwol's supervision."

"Your highness, I predict the princess will be profoundly surprised."

"What can I say? I'm a man full of mysteries." He said jokingly, releasing a playful chuckle which instantly brightened the atmosphere in his study.

My concern lies with the recently re-established peace within the palace. What if the princess is not fond of surprises?

"Ah, before I forget, your highness."

Leo's brow furrowed, his face darkening as he extracted a small, slightly crumpled envelope from the pile of papers, holding it out with a grim expression.

"A messenger bird delivered this a while ago. It appears that Ronaco will also grace this year's grand tournament with their presence, and the leader of their delegation is someone you would never expect."

"Paolo…"

~The Next Day

"If I may ask, where are we headed to, Miss Bettie?"

"Goodness me! I haven't told you, have I?" she responded with a fretted expression while halting her steps.

"His majesty summoned you, princess."

"P-pardon? T-the emperor? Whatever for?"

"There is no cause for concern, your highness. His majesty merely wishes to have a quick private chat with you."

"Miss Bettie… with all due respect, I'm afraid I am far too ill-dressed for the occasion. What would his majesty think if I suddenly show up in this state?"

"I assure you; his majesty will understand." She responded calmly, bearing a soft smile in her expression.

"Oh, my! What do we have here? It's been a good while, Betteline Porche."

With the captivating allure of a seductress, a young woman emerged from the pillared shadows, her extravagant beauty drawing the eye. The tight-fit laced dress she was wearing pushed together her plump bosoms, while her glossy red lips added to her overall glamour that exuded nothing but lust. Her wavy blonde hair, light as a feather, fluttered about her slender face, tickling her cheeks as she used her hand fan to push it out of the way. With an air of confidence, elegance, and pride, she made her way across the hall with a purposeful stride. It was as if the entire world, in all its vastness and complexity, would prostrate itself at her very feet.

"You've grown rather old since we saw each other last." She sniggered while flapping her fan open in front of her face.

Who exactly is this woman, and why is she blatantly harassing Miss Bettie?

"Indeed, it has been quite a while, countess Yvonie. Although I can't find it in myself to delight in our impromptu reunion. I hope you understand."

It seems the hostility is mutual…

"Goodness me!" she scoffed in a derisive tone.

"Are you still bothered by that slight disagreement we had all those years ago? It isn't as if it was my fault that you failed to ensnare your own husband, dear. The count's taste in women simply became more… refined and extravagant."

As she speaks, her hips move with a captivating swiftness, and her fingers lightly tracing the curve of her waist. Her beauty is striking and captivating; the likes of which can enchant any man she meets with her enticing presence and charm. However, her crude and unrefined words unfortunately marred the fleeting loveliness that was otherwise so fascinating about her.

"You've no one to blame but yourself for being a barren old hag who tried to deceive the naïve count with your mendacious loyalty."

"The madam speaks of deception as though it is a foreign term to her. Has time dulled your senses to such a degree that you'd forget your place, countess Yvonie?"

While Bettie projected an image of serenity, she, in fact, held the powerful bearing of a ferocious tigress; meanwhile, her opponent, was like a fox caught in a trap. As Bettie crept closer, the woman's fear became more apparent. Her face pale, her breath catching in her throat, and her hands clenching into fists.

"Ha! My place, you say?" she retorted haughtily.

"That is correct, Madam Yvonie."

"You have some nerve speaking to me like that!" she shouted angrily while swinging her hand towards miss Bettie's face.

"How dare you raise your hand against my mother?" roared a familiar voice from behind her, tightly grasping her wrist.

"What is the meaning of this commotion in the middle of the imperial palace?" yelled another familiar voice in the distance.