“Your Grace, your total donation of 3,755,900 Mereous has been distributed all over the orphanage and hospitals in Herzoyona Eskal. It wasn’t named after you, but people are aware that you're the only one who can donate such an amount in the entire dukedom,” Viscount Philippe reported, for he is my attendant.
“Anything else?” I asked as I rose to my seat, ready to leave my study.
“I heard that the new empress invited 10 ladies from Herzoyona Eskal to a tea party, and some people find that unusual. She invited the daughters of different Counts. We don’t know what her motives are, but the ladies safely returned from Marrossi.”
I threw a daggered glare at the viscount, and he only bowed his head in intimidation, knowing what it meant.
“Didn’t I strictly order everyone to tell me everything that will involve Eskal and the Izavenes? I already made it clear that I want my people to refrain from getting involved with the empress without my knowledge. It’s ‘just’ a tea party, but the empress wouldn’t do any of this without ulterior motives. Summon all the Counts who sent off their daughters. As long as they’re living in my land, they should follow me, not the empress. I will not allow anyone to defy me twice.”
I slammed the heavy doors shut out of anger as I stepped out of the study.
I can’t believe this. He only told me this when the ladies returned? The empress could’ve done something that will cause headache.
“Raleigh!”
“My lady, please don’t run around the hallway! It's improper to do such a thing in His Grace's castle!” a servant almost yelled as he runs after the lady to stop her.
I halted my steps to observe the unfolding scene, and to my surprise, the approaching figure turned out to be Louvienne, rushing towards me with urgency.
She grabbed and embraced me with tears, like a child who wants to complain to her father about a playmate who did something that hurt her. Her grip on my clothing was strong, yet her hands were trembling. She continued crying without words, and I froze in place, clueless about how to comfort her, especially with servants watching us.
They’re not just watching, but they’re having their interpretations of the matter.
I gently removed her arms around me and I held her hand as I wordlessly lead her into my study, and everyone knows that when Louvienne is around, nobody is supposed to pry.
I made her sit on the couch and gave her a handkerchief.
“People are supposed to inform my servants first if they wanted to speak to me, but I gave you an exception for that. But why would you run around in tears? Rumors will start spreading if you’ll keep this up. Now tell me. What happened?”
“I-I was only holding back to express my stress and fear all my way here since I went here first before the Halvekia manor. I just got home from the capital, and I know you're the one who should know firsthand," she began, and I waited for her to speak further as she gathers herself together.
“The empress tried to use her powers to control my mind, but I felt something inside me that deflected her power. I did pretend that I was manipulated to fool her. She learned that we’re acquainted, and she spoke to me in private to inform me that she wanted me to report things about you since you killed the Izavenes she sent and there’s no one to spy on you. Of course, I was terrified of her, and I don’t want to betray you. She can hurt me, my family, or even you if I won't follow.”
Red diamond Izavenes are capable of controlling the mind, and yet, Eviona’s powers didn’t work on her.
Something isn’t adding up. But one thing is clear. The empress is after me, and when she finds out that Louvienne isn’t doing her job, she’ll get in trouble.
She wants to use Louvienne to challenge me.
I don’t want her to be involved here. The cold battle between Eviona and me in the past should be between us alone.
“… also, I think she gathered everyone because she wants to have ladies in waiting from Eskal. She was also specific about their family’s connection with you. I said we’re acquainted, but unlike the rest of them, I told her that our family didn’t send you a marriage proposal.” Her cheeks became flushed. Would I be numb if I’ll say that I don’t know why?
Now that I have a brief understanding of what the tea party entails, my primary concern is ensuring Louvienne's safety. However, I can't achieve this without keeping her close to me. There is one solution that comes to mind, but I am uncertain if it is truly the best course of action.
“You’re too shaken up. We should discuss this later. Get some fresh air, take a warm bath, or eat something good. Sleep if that helps. I have to process this myself,” I suggested, but she tightened her grip on her dress.
“At this point, I’ll calm down as long as you’re here.”
“If you say so. I have possible solutions in mind and plans now that I know where everything is coming from. I have to lay all of those out so that I’ll know what I should prioritize. First, the imperial prince and the Eurhyian princess. Now, the empress.” I wanted to throw something to express my anger, but that won't help Louvienne at all. Even if she knows that I have a bad temper, I don’t want to scare her. Shooting someone dead out of the blue was bad enough.
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“Now that you said that, you mentioned that you’re keeping them both here in your castle, right?” hearing her talk normally with lesser tension brought me a little relief.
“That’s right. I kept them both in one of the rooms in the basement. It’s not the best room, but it’s the best place I can think of that won’t be visited by anyone. Spies can be anywhere, but nobody will bother to visit that area. There’s one guard outside it, and I visit that room daily to check if there are changes.”
“I’m intrigued. Can you show them to me?”
“You don’t have to concern yourself with them. They have nothing to do with you. They’re my responsibility, not yours. All of these will be too much for you to handle. I don’t want you to get worked up. So, rest for now.”
I stood up and walked to the door to leave the room, but Louvienne grabbed my right hand with both hands, catching me off guard.
“Luvi?”
“Ral, you summoned me here recently for us to work together. I know you only see me as a frail friend you grew up with from the orphanage who needs to be protected. But you said it yourself. You want me to help you. So please, be a man of your word. Share your burden with me and I'll see how I can help," she didn’t give me the sweet, childish smile that I usually see, but a warm smile. Hints of disappointment are written in her eyes, yet she’s pleading.
Her words made me feel like I'd forgotten the reason why I wanted her to be here. Especially now, that I have to protect her from the empress.
“Alright. Let's visit them and I'll explain everything."
──•~❉᯽❉~•──
I held a candle stand as we walked downstairs. Louvienne was attempting to maintain her composure, but I could sense the underlying fear within her.
“Luvi, hold my arm. It gets a bit darker as we go on, but there are no monsters or ghosts here. Just focus on me and the path we’re walking on.” I offered my arm, and she held it without a second thought. "There's no reason for us to stay here for long anyway."
We arrived at the room where I had kept the imperial prince and his lover. Although the room lacked grandeur, it did not resemble a prison either. I would describe it as a space reserved for unwelcome guests.
The guard watching over it bowed to acknowledge our presence, and he unlocked the door for us. Louvienne followed me as I enter, revealing a huge bed where the imperial prince, Azriel, lies next to a palm-sized alexandrite gem that shimmered with an enchanting light that seemed to move within its depths. Rhinecrest, as they call it.
“Oh, so this is His Highness. It's my first time seeing him. His paleness made him look like a typical corpse. The difference is he’s breathing. You said you also have the Eurhyian princess here. Where is she? And what’s with that glowing gem? It looks beautiful yet suspicious. It seems like it’s something that can’t be held with bare hands.”
“Thyra, the Eurhyian princess, is sealed inside that ‘gem.’ The imperial prince created a Rhinecrest, which is the gem you’re seeing. The princess was in a life-and-death situation when I saved her, but the imperial prince sacrificed his life just to keep her alive. In that Rhinecrest, her body is being restored using his life force. He’s expecting to die because he poured out everything, and even told me to bury him at least. But then he’s alive, yet unconscious. Everything is still a mystery for me because creating the Rhinecrest was hardly written in books. I don’t know how long it will take for them to be like this, for it’s been nearly two months. Based on my understanding, the one who created the Rhinecrest is the one who can unseal it. My theory is, Azriel needs to be awakened first so that he can set Thyra free from the Rhinecrest."
“Wow, how dare you say their names as it is? You lack respect for the royals." I wasn't expecting that's what Louvienne will point out. All this time I thought she’ll feel bad for them, but I was wrong.
“You know I only refer to their titles when they’re not around, right? Even the empress. I never referred to her as 'Her Imperial Majesty' in private conversations. As for Thyra, we became friends. We didn’t have formalities – only at first. Azriel and I had arguments before this happened, so frankly, seeing him annoys me. But the reason why I'm keeping him is that we’ll need him to set Thyra free. Moreover, if they’ll find Azriel’s body somewhere, who knows what evidence I might overlook? Things may lead to me anyway so I chose not to leave tracks. Eskal will be in trouble if someone finds out that they’re both here. Not everyone in my castle is aware of this either."
Louvienne heaved a sigh and let it out after hearing the story. “I can’t believe you’ll get involved in this. No wonder why you always avoid getting involved with imperial matters. It causes unnecessary drama.”
“That unnecessary drama you’re calling became more complicated after Eviona stepped in and gave interest in you."
A silence hung in the air after I spoke those words, serving as a poignant reminder of my concern. The events that had transpired earlier had made me acutely aware of how frightened I was of losing her. I had often ignored her feelings in the past, but she never gave up on me. While she may have stopped bringing up the topic, I couldn't help but wonder what made her have feelings for me in the first place.
“Luvi, may I ask … what made you have eyes for me?” she pushed my arm away unmindfully and took a step back. Her face turned a shade of red, and she avoided eye contact.
"Why on earth are you asking such a question?! I thought we were talking about His Highness and Her Highness,” Her fists were clenched beside her, and I can imagine the kind of pressure one random question gave her.
I remained silent, keeping my lips sealed as I awaited her response. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at me, and then she slowly lowered her head in surrender.
“I’m not going to say this twice so you better listen!” she paused, gathered her thoughts, and spoke without looking at me. "I wouldn't say there are specific things about you that made me have feelings for you, but I just … love you for who you are. Even though you have a bad temper and are not exactly the warmest person around, I know that you care about your country, and even me. I know you do.”
I thought there are specific things that she loved about me, but she loved me and accepted my flaws instead. It wasn't the answer I'm expecting, but even though it may be difficult to grasp, I understand that it will take time to fully comprehend everything, particularly how love works.
Until now, I have only known care, so I wonder if there is a distinction between the two. Does love encompass warmth, perhaps? I can’t distinguish the difference; however hard I try to imagine it.
I wanted to ask her about it, but it’s quite embarrassing to ask. It can make her feel like she’s being grilled if I’ll ask further.
“I asked because ever since earlier, I’ve been thinking of what I can do for me to be sure that you’re safe. It was embarrassing to think of, but I know that one of my fears is losing you so,” I felt a lump in my throat as I process the thoughts I have, and mental arguments telling me the difference between what’s wrong and right became loud in my head. I keep on thinking about possible solutions, but I can only come up with one. What I’m sure of is I won’t regret anything, but she might.
“I … want you to become my grand duchess, Luvi. It might sound selfish but … marry me.”