"Oh my gosh! It's already noon!"
I was thrown out of bed when the sunlight from the small hole in the window hit my eyes, which is also why I woke up.
The light coming from the sun is dazzling.
Although still drowsy, I chose to get up. I'll go back to sleep later. There are still jobs waiting for me inside the palace.
I quickly found my slippers and immediately put them on. I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and get dressed. I didn't even bother to open the food left by Kharim Celia on the table. I had to go to the kitchen to help prepare breakfast for the Princes.
I went out of our room. I turned to the far end of the room before walking out, because that's why I'm stupid now. I woke up wondering if my suspicion that Prince Arsh had followed us was correct. If so, who is?
He can't.
Prince Cozen?
I stopped walking and covered my mouth as if surprised at the shouted name of my mind. I could feel my heart beating fast because of the nervousness. This is me again with my correct suspicions. When I was borderline, my suspicions were definitely correct. Our women’s instincts are really different, often coming true.
It is not impossible that it was Prince Cozen because even he had conspired with the Kingdom of Lacandia. But there is also a possibility that he was not because there were still many people in the palace who were hiding loyal to the King. As Kharim Celia said, we cannot know whether the people facing us are opponents or allies. Queen Emily's minions are too deceitful. You can easily believe that he was a faithful servant in the palace. They have no difficulty hiding their horns.
It's hard to trust those I meet every day. I don’t know who the real ones are.
I was about to take a step when I also stopped immediately because I felt my forehead hit something quite hard. When I raised my head, I saw Prince Dern in front of me. He blocked the path, his chest also hit me.
"You seem to be thinking deeply," he teased me.
I can't deny that I am not in focus because even when I walk, my mind is floating. I didn't even feel his presence. Even my appearance is undeniably floating.
"Ah! It's you, Prince Dern," I replied without hesitation.
Is this what I'm saying? My mind doesn’t really work properly when stupid. Add to that the fact that I had no food and not enough sleep because of my instincts that kept bothering me.
"I-I didn't sleep well last night because..." I thought for a moment about what to do. "Because it's so hot!" I excused myself.
He just nodded. He did not hesitate to believe me. The Prince even smiled. "You should have told Arsh. He won't just bring a big fan, if not five servants with a single fan he'll give to make sure the young lady he likes sleeps soundly." His tone was mixed with teasing accompanied by a faint laugh.
He teases me.
I felt my cheek heat up. Maybe it's red again. The cheek is still treacherous when it comes to talking like this. No matter what I refuse to do, I will still be caught because of my blush. "What are you saying, Prince Dern?" I replied lightly that I wasn't looking at him. I don't want our eyes to meet because he can read there how I really feel now.
I heard her weak laugh again. "Why are you blushing, Zariya?"
"Huh?" I also immediately covered my cheek. "No, ah! It's just hot weather so it's blushing. Don't be issued with that, Prince Dern!" I'm telling you, I'm a cheater again.
"I-Issue?" His forehead furrowed.
I just scratched my head. "Don't be issued. I mean, don't be suspicious. Ah, just like that!" Will he even put malice in everyone?
Anyway, it's true. But don’t just repeat it to me because I’m shy.
“Really, huh? you're just nervous. Is that right?" It drew the smile on his lips again. He even poked me in the side. I don't think he'll stop me until he lets me know.
But I'm happy because I can talk and joke with the Prince in front of me again after what happened.
I also smiled as Prince Dern, whom I had known before after Ysabelle's death, was slowly returning. He is able to smile now. His enthusiasm for associating with others had returned.
"Oh, go ahead. I won't tease you anymore with Arsh." He paused before speaking again. "It's really my intention that I come here because I will ask for a favor from you," he added.
"W-What's that favor?" I asked frowning.
"Can you take care of our Father King first? I would have liked to visit Ysabelle at her grave because it's her birthday today." It was so scratchy on his head and he seemed embarrassed.
My mouth fell open a little.
Ysabelle's birthday? I looked at the flowers Prince Dern had brought earlier, they were sunflowers. For Ysablle maybe those are because they are her favorite flower. The Prince continued what he was saying. "Ravi and Arsh are busy finding medicine for our Father and Cozen is also busy finding out who is behind this mess. As for Nesh, he can't afford to be alone on guard because he's still young, so if you'll give it to me, can you join my youngest brother in watching over our Father?"
I no doubt nodded. Even if he doesn’t ask for a favor, I will still volunteer to help guard the Dear King. "Sure. Don't worry, Prince Dern because you can count on me to keep a close eye on King Valor."
"You don't even have to say goodbye to the soldiers on guard because I've already told them." I responded with a frugal smile and nod. "Thank you very much, Zariya."
"It's just a small thing, Prince Dern. Please just let Ysabelle know that I'm congratulating her on her birthday. On my day off from work, I'll also visit her without her sulking at me."
I really miss my friend. It would have been happier if he was still alive and we were celebrating his birthday together. We would have been happy today.
"I will arrive." That was the last thing Prince Dern said before letting me know he was leaving.
The Princes are busy today especially since their Father King is still unconscious. They have their own work to focus on. They shouldn't waste time especially since they still don't know who their opponent is. The opponent may be currently preparing for its next attack.
I can't say what I know because even I will be damned. They would make me doubt how I came to know that information. They might even see me as their opponent.
Prince Ravi was appointed to rule the whole Kingdom first because he was the first Prince. There is no fear of his leadership while King Valor is away because he is a good leader. He was his Father's first training in proper handling of their Kingdom. Now he can apply everything he has learned.
My only concern now is the order assigned to Prince Cozen. How can he catch the people behind the riot if he himself is also one of them? He will probably not mention a name that could involve him. That way, he was safe even with his other accomplices. That is why it is impossible for them to know who is responsible for everything.
I feel sorry for the four Princes who were unaware that they had been betrayed by their brother.
I continued walking. I need to hurry because Prince Nesh is no longer with me. Prince Dern is right, the youngest Prince is too young to think. It is inevitable that he will make the wrong move so I just have to accompany him and guide him.
But no matter how hurried I am, if someone wants to stop me, I can't do anything especially since he is also a Prince.
"Let's talk." Without permission he passed my hand toward the narrow alley between the chapel and the back door of the kitchen. There is not much going on in this area of ​​the palace because the road here is narrow. We will talk safely here, no one will catch us.
I was shocked so I let him pull me over there. Also, I want to talk to him too.
Then he just let go of my hand when he leaned me against the wall. I do not know what to do. His face was so close to mine. There was a look of annoyance on his face but it disappeared when he stared me in the eye.
"Prince C-Cozen?" I stuttered as I spoke his name. "Why? W-What are we going to talk about?"
He still doesn’t take away the stare at ‘kin that gave me so much disdain. I feel like I’m trapped in him.
"I want you to avoid Arsh."
My forehead furrowed. "Why?"
"Because I get annoyed every time you're with him!"
"What? But why?"
His two thick eyebrows met because maybe he was already disgusted because of why I did.
"Isn't it clear to you yet? I love you, Amity. And I feel jealous every time another man is with you, especially if it's Arsh."
Because of jealousy, is he like that?
Also, what was the reason for his jealousy?
Why? Is there someone interceding for us?
"So were you able to conspire with my Queen Mother?" I have wanted to ask him this for a long time. I want to know his reason.
"Yes. That's one of the reasons why I joined the mortal enemy of the Kingdom of Norland, Lacandia. My brothers were unaware that I was betraying them and I was even able to poison my own Father. Because I love you, I've done things I never thought I could do. Amity, I love you so much. I hope that's reason enough for you to believe how I really feel about you."
I can't speak. I don’t know but I feel guilty. I'm the reason why all this is happening but it's still wrong, eh. I don’t want him to do that. He shouldn’t have done that because I would never be able to repay the sacrifices he made. Ignore all the infidelity he committed.
If he loves that way, don't let him love me.
Tata Lucio is right. I understand why he instructed me not to let any of the Princes fall in love because that would be the consequence. They will be able to give up everything just for what their heart cries out for.
But no matter how much I wanted them not to fall in love with me, I could do nothing. Because how can I do that? I could not control their emotions. I couldn’t control the love that sprang from Prince Arsh and now to Prince Cozen.
"But Prince Cozen, your reason is so superficial. You will abandon your family just for me?"
He averted his eyes.
"I was able to because you are the replacement. I have asked for your hand and your Queen Mother has already given her blessing to me. She agreed to marry me to you in exchange for my betrayal of my own Kingdom."
I looked him in the eye and weakly laughed bitterly. "You approached my Mother right away without even talking to me? You didn't even admit how you felt about me. Did you ask me if I wanted to marry you too? No, didn't you? Prince Cozen, not my Mother will marry you. I will decide. I hope you come to me first before you join the Kingdom of Lacandia. "
If we had gotten through it properly, we wouldn’t have reached this point. Because he simply felt for me, a lot of people were touched. When he was betrayed, his Father was on the brink of death. Because of that, the innocent person close to me, Ysabelle, died. Even other civilians were killed and injured in the explosion, which he himself caused.
"Why else would I ask you? I know what you're going to answer. I know I'm not, Amity. It's clear that Arsh is the one you love." His voice weakened at the last words he left but that was enough for me to hear. "So I approached your Queen Mother to make sure."
"That's it." I stopped for a moment and sighed. "It is not my Mother who will dictate who the man I will marry and especially not you, Prince Cozen."
I couldn't wait for him to speak again because I had turned my back on him. I walked away from him. I know I hurt him but this is the right thing to do so that he doesn't feel any deeper. Maybe he will change his mind and withdraw the merger with Lacandia even if it is vague.
I went straight to the third floor of the palace still carrying the weight on my chest that I felt after talking to Prince Cozen.
I was already in front of the door of King Valor's room.
Unlike before, it was difficult for me to enter, now I don't have to speak or knock because it was the soldiers who opened the door so that I could enter completely. They also closed immediately when I was inside.
I rolled my eyes across the room. I only got three soldiers there. No Prince Nesh.
"Where is Prince Nesh?" I asked the soldier next to me to stand up and just look straight at the emptiness.
"The Prince has only been in the bathroom for a moment," he replied.
I just nodded and turned my attention back to the whole room.
Very extensive. It was twice the size of Prince Dern's room that I had once entered. In the middle was the large bed where the King lay who seemed to be sound asleep. It is surrounded by so many colorful flowers.
I have already started to step forward to get closer. I sat in the chair just next to King Valor's bed.
I stared at him and examined every part of his face. Now I just stared at him closely. The innocence of his face, the sensible look.
I could no longer restrain myself from holding his hand. I can’t explain why I felt the same emotion when I saw the Queen of Norland and now the King of Norland is so close to me.
I feel guilty for everything King Hellion did to them in the past. If only I could, I would apologize for my Father King. I will also include the guilt of why King Valor was poisoned. I am one of the reasons why he led to this.
I am deeply sorry.
I am very ashamed of the Kingdom of Norland.
While holding King Valor's hand with my left hand, I placed my other hand on his forehead and gently caressed it while whispering in the air. "May you be healed, King Valor."
I still stared at the face of the Dear King who still did not let go of his hand.
For a moment I was confused because the King's finger moved as I held his hand. To be sure, I didn’t take my eyes off his fingers and I was right, it moved again.
"King Valor?"
His eyes widened slowly.
The Dear King is awake!
I quickly turned around to tell the soldiers that the good news was there but I was surprised when I saw Prince Arsh standing at the door while staring in my direction.
“I saw everything,” he said. "How? How did you heal my Father? By simply caressing his forehead he woke up. Do you have the ability to heal? Like us you have power?"
My mouth fell open. Just now my brain processed what I did. Why the King suddenly woke up and recovered from the poisoning.
Is it because I caressed his forehead? Impossible! I have no power, do I?
"Who are you really, Zariya?" added Prince Arsh.