Napoleon Part 2

Time stopped for Benedict. You could hear the ticking of the clock.

It felt like eternity.

Napoleon laughed, a rich, rolling sound. "Relax, Marquis. I am not a tyrant. You make me out to be a villain! Laugh with me."

Benedict forced a strained smile, clearly unamused.

"Your Highness, please refrain from joking with someone who doesn't know your humor." Neil tried to stop him from laughing too much. 

"Indeed." Napoleon replied. 

"Your Highness, my heart almost leaped out of my chest." Benedict replied. 

"Apologies, Marquis. I will respect your wish. Let me stay for a few days. I am weary from the journey. I will not accept rejection this time. This is the limit of my mercy."

"I understand, Your Highness. Thank you very much." he bowed. He nodded at Sebastian and they were led to the best room to offer. The Sapphire room. 

The Sapphire room is the room of the deceased twin of Amanda, Maris. This room is always cleaned hoping that the owner would return. Lady Maris is fond of dark colors that is why the room is navy with gold linings. 

The pictures of them together are in this room. Napoleon felt uneasy staying in this room. The twins are identical to each other except for their eyes. Upon closer look at the paintings, one has vivid eyes like a lush forest and the other one has a lighter shade of green. 

He wonders who is who. The clothes they are wearing don't give a clue. 

Neil helped him undo his attire so he could rest. Not long after, he was left alone as the door closed. 

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Napoleon's stay became weeks. Weeks become months. Not long after, he charm his way with the Lovardis with his wit, including Amanda. He was always invited to their family dinner which displeases Balmir. 

Of course Balmir knows that Marquis rejected the proposal of the prince and he was smiling from ear to ear for days. However his smile didn't last long as the prince is staying longer and getting closer with Amanda. He was always away to assist the crown prince of Periya with duties and inspections of the lands with the Marquis. His time with Amanda was limited and scarce. He knows that she is loyal to him as they swore to each other but only a fool who would not notice what the prince is up to. The prince was staying for a whole season and letters piled up to their estate asking him to come back because of his neglected duties. 

The longer he stays, the more Balmir's patience is wearing thin. He wished he could poison the prince with no consequences or drive him out of the estate. Damn aristocrats and their hierarchy and rules. 

Amanda loves Napoleon's stories. She told him that she could still imagine a picture on her head since she was not blind from birth.

Mountain of sands, clouds that you could almost touch, endless sea, hundred islands, underwater caves, hanging gardens, scorpions as big as a hunting dog, fishes that can swallow a young boy whole, snakes that could crush a house. 

Her days of darkness weren't so bad recently. Balmir doesn't spend time with her much since he is busy with everything. She feels bad about Balmir since he is doing what she is supposed to be doing and she was carefree and lazy all day long. 

She excitedly reiterates the stories to Balmir while they are having afternoon tea. He was clearly unamused. His voice sounds enthusiastic to learn more to please his fiancée but his face failed him. He is frowning while sipping his tea. 

"I brought you a gift, Amanda. I hunted with the crown prince. His Highness Arthur asked me to accompany him to one of his hunting grounds in the north. I got you a pelt of a snow fox and white bison. I asked Sebastian to make it into a scarf and coat."

"The air is chilly." he drapes the coat to her shoulders.

"Thank you, Balmir. How was the north?" Amanda asked. 

"Everything is white. All of us are wearing vibrant colors in case we got lost in the woods. We would be easily found. It was very cold. I felt like my fingers would fall off."

"That sounds dangerous!" Amanda exclaimed. 

"Indeed." Balmir agreed.

"Didn't you and Prince Arthur got into an accident a few weeks ago?", she asked.

"A minor one." he said.

"A minor one? To the point you can't send me letters yourself?! Oh dear. I know your handwriting." she replied, raising her voice a bit.

"I'm fine now."

He continued ---"The sightings of wild animals near the villages and towns are increasing because of the lack of prey because of the cold weather."

"Why would the crown prince go there, then?" Amanda paused; "if it is such a dangerous place, why would he ask you to go with him?" her voice full of concern. 

He whispered, "this is a secret ---- he gestured the nearby servants to leave them alone. --- there was a report that a skinwalker is roaming the area." 

Amanda gasped. "A skinwalker?!!! Don't they exist in lores and stories only? To scare children not to go outside at night."

Balmir is looking at Amanda's expression and checking if something is amiss. She looked genuine. 

"I will not tell you anymore. I am afraid that you will be afraid to sleep alone." Balmir replied. 

"I brought you unique desserts from that famous pastry shop that you mention to me." Balmir change the topic and talked about superficial things. 

Balmir couldn't tell at all. If the Amanda in Lovardi estate is the real Amanda. 

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He went to visit the Marquis at his study. He asked Sebastian to leave them.

A few minutes have passed and he is still not speaking. It is unusual of him to hesitate, Benedict thought.

"What's the matter, child?" He looked up to him since he was signing papers when Balmir arrived.

"Father... I went to the north with Prince Arthur. We found Lady Maris."

Benedict's eyes widened and a smile plastered on his face.

"Why is your face sour? Let's go where she is." He exclaimed.

Balmir closed his eyes and said, "We found not one Lady Maris but two of them. They claimed that the other one is Amanda. I asked them the basics like their birthday. Their names and the family tree. They answered correctly. I interrogated them separately." He paused for a minute to let that sink in.

"The ladies did not age. They looked like the pictures you keep that you showed me. They claimed that they were abducted by fairies. They were together all along."

Lady Maria was called to the study. Sebastian closed the door. There was tension in the air between the two men.

"What's the matter, dear?" she asked.

Balmir recounted what happened.

"Good Lord." she fainted and Benedict caught her and lay her on the couch.

One question hangs in the air. If the two young ladies are speaking the truth, then who is with them this whole time?

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