Chapter 77

"Pardon the intrusion, your highness. Miss Lottie is here to see you." Celia announced before opening the doors.

"Greetings, your highness…" she bowed gracefully.

"I was told you were-"

She halted mid-sentence. A slight pause occurred as she lifted her head, and her eyes briefly met mine before her gaze shifted to her friends. Tears silently traced paths down her cheeks as she stood stunned, unable to speak. A mixture of emotions, clearly visible on her face, caused her to hesitate before stepping forward.

"I-Ivy? Clover? What are you… What are you two doing here?" she asked before faltering backwards.

So focused was I on winning her heart that I neglected to consider her present state of health. A regrettable oversight on my part.

"Come... Let us have a seat first, then I'll explain everything."

Her trembling hands are ice cold. This can wait; I'm worried she'll faint again. *sigh* I should really have thought this through.

"Actually...It might be best if you return to your room for a bit more rest. What do you say?"

"No." she replied promptly while taking hold of my hand.

"Very well. I'll indulge your stubbornness just this once."

What's happening? Why is his highness displaying such fondness towards this woman? Who might she be?

"Rise, all of you."

Rise?

"You are standing in the presence of Princess Charlotte-Rose Fatima Vicksburg D'Ecchelon, a personage with whom you are all acquainted."

"Y-your highness…w-what are you…"

As Fati subtly removed her wig, Dimitriu's eyes widened dramatically, and with a sudden movement, he landed with a flop on the seat behind him. Had the sofa not been present, I believe he would have collapsed on the floor. Meanwhile, a look of pure astonishment spread across Clover's face as Fati abruptly released my hand and rushed towards them, her embrace a whirlwind of comforting emotions. Unfortunately, before Clover could utter a single word, she lost consciousness.

*sigh* What a disaster. This isn't how this was supposed to progress. Why has everything changed from the initial plan?

+++

"Your highness…why did you keep this from me, your closest ally? You should have said something when you discovered her true identity. Then we could've…"

"What I should and shouldn't do is entirely up to me, Duke Dimitriu. For the sake of our alliance, I will disregard this matter today. However, I expect you to remember your place in the future."

"I humbly beg your forgiveness for my impertinence, your Highness. I lost my composure for a moment."

He seems more irritated than usual. I believe it's best to postpone this discussion until later, as proceeding now risks further angering him and worsening his current mood.

"In any case, what would telling you sooner have changed? Would your mother have treated her any differently? Do you think she'd tolerate you pampering Fati? She would have, at the very least, informed queen Loraine of her sister's whereabouts right away, resulting in a probable catastrophe."

In all honesty, the fact that my father demanded I keep a close watch on the household staff every time he left home has always seemed rather odd and unreasonable to me. An unusual request that I've never fully understood. Having encountered no irregularities, I disregarded his orders, neglecting a simple yet vital task. Only recently did the truth, which had been hidden in plain sight, has started to dawn on me.

Over the last several years, some of our maids and slaves have mysteriously vanished without leaving a single clue as to their whereabouts. The casual cruelty was evident in my mother's flippant, almost cheerful response to inquiries about their disappearance: "Oh, they've been dealt with," she'd say with an icy glint in her eye. As she oversaw the household staff, I always hesitated, mindful of overstepping my boundaries when it comes to addressing such matters. Trusting her implicitly, I accepted her explanation without further inquiry. But what if…

"The sudden clarity in your expression tells me you're finally starting to grasp the situation. You've given her your unquestioning trust for years, believing every tale she spun, no matter how unbelievable."

What does his highness mean by that?

"Haaa…Unfortunately for you, Dimitriu, I won't be the one to open your eyes to the truth. You must witness firsthand the true nature of the individual with whom you have cohabitated for many years. Only then will you understand why I despise that woman with every fiber of my being."

++++

Upon hearing the narrative of my enslavement and the unfortunate events of my trip to Ecchelon, a profound silence ensued between us. The fear of their rejection, of being treated differently, kept me from revealing the truth about myself, even though my royal title no longer held any weight. I am now overcome with guilt and remorse at their visible distress. It is impossible for me to ignore the feeling that my actions have caused them a great deal of pain. Although requesting forgiveness now would be presumptuous of me, I am pleased to have had the chance to see them again, despite the present circumstances.

"I understand everything, your highness." Ivy spoke, her trembling hands clenching her dress.

"If I had been in your position, I would have made the same choices and taken the same actions as you did. Given the situation, it was impossible for you to trust and confide in just anyone, and the many ordeals you've faced are beyond my comprehension, so I'm…"

I've never seen Ivy so distraught before. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her shoulders trembled as she quietly sobbed in front of me. The visible tears trickling down her cheeks are making me feel worst. She's not the type to show such undisguised emotions so blatantly.

"I apologize for failing to gain your trust. I…I am truly sorry, your highness."

"That's not true, Ivy I-" 

"I will never forgive you." Clover interrupted loudly, her anger vibrating in her voice, a palpable tension filling the space between us.

"W-what?"

"Clover?"

I wasn't expecting such a ferocious outburst from her.

"I don't care whether you are a princess or a slave. Any who makes my sister cry is my sworn enemy."

What's happening? Is this…really the Clover I met at the Kartier duchy?

"Clover, what do you think you're doing? Apologize to the princess this instant!"

"Stop calling me Clover! That is not my name!" she hurled angrily as the streams of tears traced their paths down her flustered cheeks.

"Clover-Uh…Genie, what's gotten into you suddenly?"

"Let's get out of here, Sebia. A minute longer and I might really lose my mind."

With a sharp movement, she seized Ivy's wrist and pulled her out of the room so swiftly that I could only watch, stunned into silence. My chest ached with a stinging guilt that exploded in a torrent of tears. These two, who had given me so much love and support, were now hurting because of me. The pain in Ivy's eyes as she struggled to express herself, and the resentment in Clover's voice, all made me feel utterly hopeless. What have I done?

"You're better off alone, Rosie."

"Why, Loraine?"

"Until we understand the limits of your powers, the risk of you unintentionally harming someone is too great."

It turns out that my abilities are not the only things that have the potential to cause harm to the people around me. Hm? There is a sound of something heavy hitting the door; what on earth could it be? Did Ivy and Clover come back?

"Ivy!" I yelled while springing the door open.

"Oh…S-sir Vederre? What brings you here?"

"Good day, princess Charlotte." He greeted me while leisurely striding into the room.

"Shhh! You can't call me that out loud, Sir Vederre."

"What does it matter? It's not like anyone else can hear me, anyway." He retorted nonchalantly.

How on earth did he get to the bed so quickly? He was right in front of me a moment ago.

"I suppose you're right. Who else in this palace understands animals?"

"Exactly! Now that we've got that out of the way…come lie down, princess." He beckoned while flopping his paw on the bed.

"I'll let you vent on me. You're welcome to cry if you feel like it."

"W-what?"

How did he-? Ah! Why am I crying again? Sir Vederre is just an animal; he wouldn't possibly understand how I truly feel.

~Moments Later

"It's all my fault for not telling them the truth when I had the chance."

"There, there, princess. Let it all out."

*She climbed onto the bed, anyway. *

"…and then she called me her sworn enemy. You should have seen her expression when she uttered those hurtful words. I've never seen her so angry before, so I was surprised."

My master is standing right outside the door. I wonder why he's not coming in.

+++

"How dare you show your face around me again…"

"Ow! Ow! Easy mother!"

"…after running away from home for seven years?!"

"Madam Porche, your iron palm is as fierce as ever. My poor back is burning."

*sigh* My hand is throbbing from hitting him. When did he grow up to be so brawny?

"Where in God's name have you been, Pervess?! Did you think your letters would spare you from my spanks? Get over here, you little—"

Phew! My breath is gone after only a few steps. I am completely winded.

"I'll allow you to catch me if you promise not to hit me again, madam Porche."

This child…He's the same as he's always been. He approaches life with a carefree attitude, always ready with a joke and a smile, never seeming to take anything too seriously. His personality was a source of strength and support that helped me navigate the difficult and challenging times I faced as a newly divorced single mother. The experience of raising Pervess on my own has been the most joyful and rewarding time of my life. Although I was frequently away from home, he remained unexpectedly attached to me.

"Why are you so quiet? Do we have a deal, mother?" he shouted while peering from behind a distant bush.

"Get over here this instant! Do not make me repeat myself, Pervess!"

"Yes, madam!" he answered promptly as he scurried towards me.

"I'm still upset that you left home without giving me any prior notice. Why are you smiling so brightly?"

The constant upward gaze is making my neck muscles tense. His height is almost equivalent to that of the crown prince.

"For the first time in seven years, I'm seeing my mother's face. How can I not be happy right now?" he giggled as he wrapped his sturdy arms around my shoulders.

"Let go of me, you little rascal!"

"I missed you so terribly much, mother."

"Get away from me! I have yet to forgive you!"

"Long time no see…Bettie." an unfamiliar voice interrupted our playful banter.