“Father, why did you suddenly make me come home? You even asked Mother to contact me instead of asking one of our knights to pass your word. Is there a problem here in our domain?” Rogue confusedly asked his Father. It's been 2 days since Rogue arrived at their Castle, but he never got a chance to have a serious talk with his Father.
“This is about your sister, Solliana.” Grand Duke said while focusing his eyes on the files piled up on his table.
“Come to think of it, she’s here when she’s supposed to be in the Palace right now. Did something happen in the Palace?” Rogue asked. The Duke released a heavy sigh and looked straight into Rogue’s eyes.
“Your sister’s duty is to stay in the Palace until her Coming-of-Age ceremony, and she’s supposed to get along with the crown prince before their marriage. But, that’s not what’s happening.” Grand Duke said with a problematic face that made Rogue more confused.
“The Crown Prince was not showing his face to Solliana, and he kept avoiding her invitations for audience. Making our Solliana mad and getting bored inside that huge Palace. You know Solliana, she doesn’t like people who will make her wait for too long.” The Grand Duke explained. Rogue couldn’t agree more, knowing her sister’s impatient attitude.
“You’re right. But, that’s not the only reason you called for me to make haste coming back home, is that right, Father?” Rogue said and proceeded to sit more comfortably on the sofa in front of him.
“Because of her curiosity, she ventured far in the Palace. Leading herself inside the abandoned garden at the Moon Palace, the crowned prince' castle.” Duke Alexei said with a disturbed voice.
“Abandoned garden in the Moon Palace? Then, did she saw the cursed mountain?” Rogue asked and Duke Alexei only nodded in return.
“Then, that explains why she’s here right now. But, she’s already safe here because you’re here to protect everyone, why do I need to be present? I still have an unfinished mission, Father.” Rogue knows that his sister’s safety is the Duke's top priority but having him come home despite having an unfinished mission confuses him so much.
"Solliana saw a panther on that mountain. Is there one there? She said it has crimson red eyes" Duke Alexei frowned his eyebrows in frustration.
"There is no such thing as panthers or wild animals in that mountain. I scouted there secretly many times to ensure Solliana's safety. You already know what is living inside of that mountain, Father. There's only one in this empire who has crimson red eyes." Duke Alexei widened his eyes after hearing his son speak such words.
"Is it perhaps ..." The Duke tried to doubt what he's thinking but realizing what his son said he couldn't utter a word. "Yes it is, Father."
"The abandoned son of the Emperor."
*
"Lucille!! Please skip the corset, I think I'm going to die young if I keep wearing that thing!" Solliana cried while running away from Lucille.
"No, young miss. You must wear this." Lucille sternly said and continued to chase Solliana inside her chamber.
"Do you not feel sorry for me, Lucille? I can't breathe properly if I wear that! Also, my desserts! I cannot even eat one." It was an inevitable thing for a lady to wear a corset beginning from a young age as practice. Though Solliana only started wearing it when she turned 14, she's very adamant about it every time it's needed.
"Young Miss, you need to wear this. You're almost late to your tea time with the Duchess!" Lucille finally caught her young miss and forcefully dressed the corset for Solliana.
"Don't tie it tightly, please" one last request from the Princess that made Lucille smile in triumph.
"Understood, Young Miss." Lucille answered.
“Lucille, did my teacher in etiquette come today?” Solliana asked while calmly choosing a ribbon to tie on her waist.
“No, young miss. The Grand Duchess asked them to leave this day free, for you to enjoy your tea time with her and with your sister.
“Oh, so it means I do not need to attend a class today? That’s wonderful!” Solliana felt relieved hearing what Lucille had said.
“Young miss, don’t move too much. I need to fix your hair for a moment.” Lucille said, making Solliana stay still.
“Do it simpler, okay?” Solliana carefully instructed, and Lucille nodded with a smile in return.
*
It was a nice afternoon outside the Ambrose Palace, all the servants were happily doing their chores. Duchess Sophia and Princess Daneyrha are currently enjoying their peaceful tea time while waiting for Solliana to arrive.
"It is a lovely afternoon, right Daneyrha?" Duchess Sophia said then sipped her tea gracefully. "It is indeed lovely, Mother" Princess Daneyrha assented while feeling the warm breeze of the wind on her cheeks.
“Mother! My apologies for arriving at your tea time so late” Solliana bowed while panting heavily after running all the way from her room. She finally arrived at the garden, consuming half an hour to get ready.
“Solliana, as the future Empress, you always need to be more punctual. Is this what you learned in the Palace?” Duchess Sophia, who is strictly keen when it comes to lady etiquette, was very irritated by her daughter’s behavior.
“I’m sorry, Mother. I promise that this mistake will not be repeated.” Solliana looked at her Mother with apologetic eyes.
“Be sure not to do it again. Anyhow, take a seat and enjoy this ambrosial tea.” Following what Duchess Sophia said, Solliana sat on her seat and the three of them enjoyed the nice afternoon talking about Solliana’s life in the Palace.
“Madam! Madam!” Their peaceful afternoon was suddenly interrupted by the call of one of their maids.
“What’s with the haste Mary? Is there something wrong?” the Duchess who’s alarmed by the call of the maid and is currently standing up to see what is wrong.
“It’s an invitation from his majesty, the Emperor!” Mary reached out the letter to the Duchess. Seeing the appearance of the seal on the invitation, it is indeed from his highness even if the Duchess is confused, she hurriedly opened the Emperor’s letter and reviewed carefully what was written inside. Reading the content of the letter, the Duchess’ face grim, making her two daughters intrigued.
“What does it say, Mother?” Solliana asked Duchess Sophia to come back to her senses.
“Please leave us for a moment.” Duchess Sophia commanded all the servants surrounding them. “Solliana” as soon as the servants left, Duchess Sophia matched her height with her daughter and held her hand. Confused as it is, Solliana couldn’t help but frown her eyebrows and tilt her head at the sight of her Mother’s face full of worries in front of her.
“His highness wants you to come to the Palace this instant.” Even though the Duchess uttered those words calmly, it couldn’t hide the fact that her voice was a little bit trembling. Solliana was shocked by hearing what her Mother had said, making her quiver in fear. I’ve been staying in the Palace for a while now, but this is the first time the Emperor is seeking an audience with me! Solliana felt suffocated by hearing anything that’s related to the Imperial family.
“The Princess doesn’t deserve to be with monsters, so if you want to live, don’t go back to the Palace.”
Suddenly, those words, advised by the Panther she encountered on her way home, flashes in her memory like a warning. What should I do? I am certain that Father will make me go right away!! Solliana endlessly thought while being hugged by her Mother.
“We must inform your Father about this, Mary!” Duchess Sophia stood up and signaled the nearest maid around them.
“You must tell this news to the Grand Duke right away.” The Duchess instructed and Mary complied as soon as the invitation was handed to her.
“I hope nothing happens to you there, Solliana” the three of them looked at each other and proceeded to walk back to their castle.
*
“Please be safe on your way!” Duchess Sophia’s restless sending her daughter again to the Imperial Palace after such danger occurred to her precious daughter.
“Don’t worry Mother, I will be fine.” Solliana gave a faint smile, caressing the Duchess’ hands to assure her safety.
“Solliana, I know you’re scared. The Imperial Knights are under my command, so be at ease that you will stand there protected. The Emperor will never touch a single strand of your hair, I promise you.” The Grand Duke, who's been busy with his piled up work, rushed to his daughter’s side as soon as he heard the sudden news.
“Thank you, Father. I trust you. But, where is my brother? Did he leave the castle already?” Seeing that only her Mother and Father were the only ones who’s sending her off, she thought that her brother had left for his mission already.
“No, I sent him somewhere. Don’t worry about your brother, he’ll be back this evening.” Though the Grand Duke answered her question right away, Solliana couldn’t help but suspect something because of her Father avoiding her eyes.
“Alright, Father. We’ll now depart.” Solliana just shook off the uneasy idea and waved goodbye to her overly worried parents.
“Lucille, make sure to always stick by Solliana’s side!” the Duchess commanded “Understood, Madam! I will make sure that my young miss is safe!” Lucille firmly answered that it made the Duchess calm herself a bit.
“HEYAAAAAAHH”
*
It was known that Ambrose Dukedom was prosperous because of its Domain being occupied by mostly talented merchants and suppliers across the continent. Being located in the north made the Domain’s people have a hard time exporting high quality goods to the Capital because of the river that was located in between the mountains that surrounded the north part of the Empire. But, because the Grand Duke wanted the economy of the Empire to grow rapidly, a strong bridge was built on the river in order for the merchants to export goods to the Capital without taking so much time travelling to the mountain.
For the fastest route, the Grand Duke purposely built a tunnel road for the Ambrose Family to travel without obstruction on their front. They can’t travel with the merchants for they will take too long to cross the bridge, because the Imperial Knights need to inspect each carriage and goods that the merchants will sell to the Capital.
“Lucille!” After travelling for 3 hours, Solliana finally arrived at the Capital.
“What is it, young miss?” Lucille asked, “Can we stop by to a café before coming straight to the Palace, I need some sweets to calm myself” Solliana requested but Lucille was instructed by the Grand Duke that Solliana’s not allowed to go outside the carriage, hence, she’s not allowed to stop by.
“Young miss, your Father personally instructed me not to make you go outside of this carriage. I can’t permit you to go even if it’s just for a moment” Lucille said that made Solliana feel dejected for she only wanted to relax herself a bit.
“How about this, I will be the one who’ll buy those sweets so that even if you can’t go outside, you can still eat some sweets on our way?” Lucill couldn’t bear the sight of her young miss being sad so she volunteered herself, making Solliana’s face brighten up.
“Thank you Lucille!” Solliana happily said and hugged Lucille. “Stay here for a while, okay?” Lucille said before going off the carriage, Solliana complied obediently and smiled in return.
After buying some sweets from the nearby café, Lucille couldn’t take another step. The carriage where her young miss is staying is now gone.
“Mr. Edwin! Where is the carriage!?” Lucille nervously asked the coachman of the carriage who’s quivering on the side of the road.
“S-Some knights took the carriage by force! Saying they were instructed by the Emperor to escort the Princess!” the coachman said in agitation, making Lucille fall down to the ground. There is no way that Imperial Knights will personally escort the young miss! Also, Ambrose Knights who’s following us were gone! What do I do? The Princess must be scared right now! Lucille endlessly thought while tears were flowing on her cheeks.
“I must report this incident to the Palace! Get up, Mr. Edwin! Go get another carriage! We must inform the Emperor of the Princess’ sudden disappearance!” Lucille commanded without wasting any seconds.
Please be safe, young miss.
*
“AAAARRRGGGHHHHH” A loud scream was heard from outside the Emperor’s chamber. “I purposely instructed each of you not to let the young princess of Ambrose to lurk around the Moon Palace right!?” the Emperor is raging with anger when the report was given to him after being healed by his leg injury.
“Please, forgive us your Majesty! We must be out of our mind letting the Princess run alone in that cursed place!'' The servants responsible inside the Moon Palace were trying their best to ask for forgiveness because of the negligence towards the Princess.
“Did you know that Alexei wouldn’t sit still if something happens to his daughter inside this Palace!? I cannot believe you let the Princess wander freely! All of you have been leisurely clinging to the Moon Palace, Butler. Make sure to educate those servants under you properly! If this happens again, I will execute all of you!” the Emperor fiercely said that made them cry silently.
“Now get out of my sight!” all of them bowed again and ran hastily outside. “You don’t need to be that harsh because of a small mistake like that.” The lady said calmly, sipping the tea on the side of the Emperor’s chamber.
“Can I please know what is your business here, Mother?” Emperor Louis asked while massaging his stressed head.
“I just wanted to visit my son who just got better after being injured by a horse” Empress Dowager Shineah Axen Vechnost, biological mother of the current emperor, Louis Frederick Vechnost.
“I have a lot of unfinished work right now, Mother. Please, go back to your Palace for now.” Emperor Louis said. He’s been tired from managing all the work he left for days in order to have a fast recovery.
“Alright, I will return to my Palace now.” Empress Dowager said, “But I just wanted to let you know that your son is finally healed after battling with some illness weeks ago.” She continued and left the Emperor’s chamber with a smile.
“Nicholas finally woke up!?” Emperor Louis couldn’t hide his annoyance after hearing what the Empress Dowager said. “Prepare my clothes, and call the prince. Tell him to go to my office, I need to have a word with him.” Emperor Louis furiously instructed his attendant.
“Right away, your majesty.”
*
“You finally arrived!” the audience that his Majesty has been waiting for, for a long time, have arrived.
“Is there something wrong, Father?” the young man asked cluelessly.
“What a disgraceful successor I have! I cannot believe you developed an inevitable weakness with a mere fruit!? You know what’s worse? That fruit can even endanger your life! How funny!” The Emperor laughed like a lunatic after seeing his son who had been inside his chamber for a long time.
“My apologies, Father. I will make sure not to repeat this kind of mistake again.” the young man said. Nicholas Cliffdale Vechnost – The Crown Prince of the Vechnost Empire.
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