CHAPTER 6
“Isn’t it impolite to leave the carriage halfway?”
He just shrugged his shoulders while looking at me smirking. Oh! This handsome man, I think every woman out there would be willing to put down their skirt just for this man. Just look how the author sculptured his perfectly body as well as his face. Isn’t it unfair? This world of novel really produces a beautiful and handsome character and I too, experience this on hand.
“Why are you here, this time?”
“I don’t know”
He looks at my stomach who now, a month old. Maybe, he won’t recognize that I’m pregnant. As much as possible, I want it to limit the people who knows about it as a noble and as a person.
“You should lessen the food you intake, your grace”
“Is that an insult?”
“Well, in order to survive in the society, you must have a perfect body I presume but, if that’s what makes you happy then go for it”
“Is that an advice?”
“Sort of”
“Look, I don’t want to tell you this but, I’m pregnant”
I am surprised that he seems not shocked to what did I say. Does he know? Is it the rumors circulating outside? I thought the people here is tight lipped due, to the rules that has been imposed by my grandfather that whatever happened here, it must stay here. If it’s gone outside, they will be punished.
“Do you know about it?”
“Who’s the father?”
“I.. I don’t know” He seems to changed the topic. Does he really know? Or it’s just my hunch?
“Why?”
I really don’t want to talk what happened to me. I’m not ready to tell this to anyone because, I don’t have the courage to do so. They might think that I’m okay that I’m impregnated by some stranger, which is the crown prince of course. But, I don’t know how to act as if I’m on that position where I experienced what Chantria felt on that day. Because, the time that I got here. I’m already at the manor and, the truth is, I’m happy about this. It just means that my son has a strong grip that we haven’t been apart.
“I probably should go, thank you for giving me some time to talk with you Sir Fox and this will be the last time”
He grabbed my arm but I let go of his grip. After that I walked away towards my room, he didn’t stopped me which I’m thankful for. As soon as I arrived in my room, I run off to the bed and lay down. I stared at the ceiling thinking if I have the rights to be in love again when I’m afraid that they will betray me and destroy my trust. No one will accept that I’m pregnant, and I need to focus on what will happened to the story. There’s a lot to do before experiencing love again. I don't want to be disappointed again.
In three years, the crown prince will discover that he has a son with me. That’s where the time I will moved to the palace to live there and to be wed by the prince or should I say the emperor. The coronation will take place in a month now, where my belly is two months old. I too, is present at that time. That’s my last scene where I appear in the story and it will be continued when my child is two years old.
I sighed at that thought. I should braced myself for the upcoming events. It might be stressful that’s why I need to have my peaceful life before facing the struggles that I need to surpass. In this life, I will not let people torment me and my son, never again.
Meanwhile, in the receiving room. All of the people there were very tense. It’s the crown prince that visited the manor. He seems not in the mood based on his facial expression. Nobody dared to make a noise.
“Is the Lady still sick?” said by the knight that were seated beside the, crown prince.
“Yes. It’s probably the best to cancel the engagement”
“Why is that?” asked by the crown prince. He looked at the Duchess who now, had chills down to her spine because the tone of his voice is very cold and scary as if anytime, he will execute them all.
“I… I don’t want to let the crown prince infect her disease”
“tell me the truth” he demanded.
“We already know, duchess”
“I’m very sorry, your highness. Please forgive, this naïve duchess. I just want to protect my daughter, that’s all”
“Speak”
“Two months ago, my daughter was kidnapped. It was supposed the day where you’ll going to meet my daughter but, I didn’t think she would be kidnapped” the duchess do her best not to cry in front of them. She maintained her posture and gulp in every sentences that came out to her mouth, by doing that she suppressed her tears.
“Luckily, someone saved her but, it’s too late. She fell off the cliff that made her lost her memories. She’s injured in the head as well as down there”
Silence was takeover in the room. The crown prince clenched his fist.
“Where is she?”
“She’s resting in her room, your highness. She doesn't want to go out"
“I will not cancel the engagement”
He stood up and walked away. The Duchess was stunned. After, what she said to him, he didn’t want to cancel the engagement? Why?
Is it because he needs our support to be an emperor, but that’s okay, after all our loyalty had been pledge to the first prince. Does he empathize my daughter.? The Duchess was staring into the distance, she can't believe what she heard.
“Your grace, it’s best to send off his highness. We should go outside” Sir Oliver tap the shoulder of the Duchess. She just nodded and walked outside.
They passed Walker outside who’s gritting his teeth in anger. Because, he didn’t allowed to have an audience with the crown prince. The Duchess didn’t allow him to join the meetings when it’s all about the important ones. Only Sir Oliver is present at all time, which made him furious. A mere physician has the nerve to be part of the royal discussion.
********
There was a knock on my door. I let them enter and it was Scarlet who brought me some documents.
“These are all the servants that you requested, milady”
“Have you checked this, yet?”
“Yes”
“Do you have any recommendations?”
She grabbed a two piece of paper and handed it to me.
“These two should be good. You already know them”
It’s Rina and Amelia. They’re the ones who cater my needs and helped me at all times. They were my personal attendant.
“Then, I don’t need the others”
“Are you sure you will bring the two of them?”
“No, I need to picked one. Please, call them here”
I need to be careful. Even they are my personal attendant. I still want the most trustworthy to accompany me. I don’t want to experience again, stabbing me in the back.
“Is there something you want, milady?” the bright maid, Rina.
She hurriedly walked towards me in excitement. I don’t know why but, sometimes I’m uncomfortable of the way she treated me. I don’t know if it’s genuine or not, or it’s just her nature. The other one, Amelia. She just bowed to me and greeted.
“Take a seat”
The two of them were seated in front of me. Scarlet was standing behind them. I only have three of a one seater sofa and in the center is the coffee table.
“You probably know that I’m pregnant”
“So, it’s true, milady?” asked by Rina
“Yes, a week by now. I will live to my father’s villa in the southeast and I want one of you to accompany me”
“I can go” Rina volunteered herself right away.
“How about you?” I gazed Amelia for her response.
“I can go if it’s milady choice”
“Well then, I shall announce next week who’s coming with me”
Rina clapped her hands, it’s as if she’s sure that she will be the one who’s coming with me. While, Amelia was just seated there without worries.
I dismissed the two of them. I know they have some worked to do. Scarlet will be escorting me there because she’s the one who knows the way. Also, she can see her mother who have separate their ways.
I decided to go out for once in a while. I want to sightsee since, I’m here. I’m tired locking myself in this room. I walked my way to the office room to asked permission of my mother.
I entered it without knocking but, what I’ve seen is my mother and a man, they were arguing.
“I’m sorry for my intrusion"
“Yes, you are!” the man glared at her like I have done something big while I did is to enter this room.
“You can go out, we don’t have any to discuss”
“But”
“No more spouting nonsense. You know that anytime I can erased you in your position. Just bear with it”
The man sighed in exasperation. He glared at me before going out. After a moment of silence. My mother took a deep sighed before gesturing me to sit.
The Head maid was there at the corner all this time but, I didn’t noticed her. She’s really good in hiding her presence. She goes out to get our tea. Now, I remember who’s that guy earlier. He’s my stepfather. But, what are they arguing?
“Mother, Am I disturbing you?”
“No, you’re not. So, what brings you here?”
“Well, I’m wondering if I can go outside to sightsee?”
“I need to make preparations first, before you can go out. Is that okay with you?"
“Yes, it’s fine”
“Then, promise me you’re not going to complain if I put some guards to your walk and two maids. Is that okay?"
“T.. that’s a bit too much”
“Yes, I know that but, it’s for your own safety”
“Tomorrow, you’re not going to the local market. You’re only going where mostly the aristocrats shop”
“B…but”
“I told you, I need more time to make some preparations when you’re going to the local market or other places”
“Does it take time?”
“Yes. I want to let you go out in a safety environment. I need to discuss first to Sir Oliver that you’re planning to go outside especially in the local market. In the aristocrats shops or other places that’s a noble related. I’m sure the security is very tight that I can be rest assured that you are safe. Is that very clear to you?”
“Y..yes”
“Good. All I want is for your safety, I don’t want you to suffer again”
“Promised, mom?”
“Yes”
I excused myself knowing that my mother have things to do, there are documents that keeps piling on her table. The Head Maid keeps delivering those documents maybe for some approval or examining the faults of the said situation. Our domain is very large, we are located at the east of the Empire. There are lots of provinces that we need to look out for.
I walked happily like I’m almost happy. I can’t wait to go outside.
Chantria didn’t know that the servants are looking at her in confusion. They didn’t know that the Lady could smile like that or act unladylike. They started to think that maybe, gossips are not true.
I bumped into a maid who carried a vase. Luckily, the maid had a quick reflex that she grabbed the vase on time. I saw the maid and it was, Amelia. I didn’t noticed that my dress got wet.
All eyes were on her and the maid, they waited that the Lady will get mad, fire her or reprimand her but, they didn’t expect what the Lady did. All of them hold their breath for that moment.
“I’m sorry milady, I didn’t watched my step” the maid, Amelia put the vase on the floor while wiping my dress of her handkerchief.
I stopped her immediately since, it’s not her fault.
“Its okay, you don’t have to wipe my dress. It’s my fault for not looking. By the way, are you okay?” I grabbed her hands that made all of them shocked.
“I’m okay, milady”
I looked at her hands if there are no injuries. I sighed in relief.
“Where are you going holding that vase?”
“In your room, milady”
I furrowed my forehead. “Why?”
“There’s a wither rose in your room, milady so I think it’s best to changed it. I’m sorry for not noticing it earlier and doing it my way without consulting you, first”
“It’s okay. Let’s go together”
Amelia just nodded. As we walked, we never utter a single word.
“The flower"
“Uhm… what is it?”
“The flower will die faster if its not taken care properly”
“Yes, you’re right. That flower was only given to me so I didn’t think ahead what would happened”
“Milady”
“Yes?”
“Is it okay, if I’ll be the one who will arranged flowers in your room?”
“Yes sure, it’s my pleasure”
For the first time, I saw Amelia smile but only for a second. She clears her throat then opened the door for me.
“I can help you changed your clothes, milady”
“Its okay, I can do it myself. Just focus on arranging those flowers”
“But, it’s my fault that your dressed is wet”
“No, it’s okay. I tasked you to be my florist right?”
“Well then, if you insist, milady”
She put the vase on my coffee table. Grabbed the old vase that has the wither white rose. It’s only one but it’s the very first time I have received a flower even when in the past, I didn’t get one. I smiled bitterly as I remember Fox, it’s a brief moments. It’s good that someone made my heart flutter but I guess it’s only temporary. Luckily, I saw him and had the chance to say goodbye. If the story will take place I don’t have the time to fall in love .