Catherine just woke up from her sleep, past midnight and she was surprised to see Lucas still in his attire, working with Konnor, flipping papers from papers.

"You should really rest, Your Majesty. We don't want you collapsing again from exhaustion." Catherine sit up in the bed and rested her back against the headboard of the bed.

"Konnor, tell the servants to bring the princess some food, something light like a soup." Konnor went outside to relay the message and came back in an instant.

"How do you feel?" Lucas glanced at Catherine from his glasses.

"I feel great, actually," Catherine exclaimed. She really doesn't want to spend another night in the king's chamber. The servants knock twice and entered the room with a tray of soup and some fresh fruits.

"Oh, Elle, I'm sorry, you must've been sleeping."

"What do you mean, Your Highness? It's only right that I serve you, any time of the day. You don't need to apologize." Elle handed the soup in a silver tray in the desk beside the bed. She pulled out a small table from the desk and placed it on the bed before placing the bowl of soup in front of Catherine. Lucas returned to his paper while Catherine ate in silence.

"You need to eat some more, Your Highness." Catherine waved her hand, dismissing Elle and the bowl of soup she brought again.

"Your Majesty, this is the third bowl of soup I had. I'm already full please tell them to stop bringing more food." Catherine begged at Lucas who was sitting in his desk, tending to his papers.

"Konnor, ask them to bring some tea."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Konnor left the room leaving the two in silence. Catherine fidgeted at the bed sheets where she's laying down. She needed to know what happened to Josephine's task. Seeing that Josephine's unscathed brought relief to Catherine, knowing that no one knows that she infiltrated the king's office. Catherine stood up and walked around the room, scanning the entirety of the king's chambers.

"You should really stay down," Lucas said, shaking his head.

"I've been laying down since last night. My back is already killing me." Catherine reasoned and continue to look around but stopped at the sight of the door. She opened the door and the cold breeze of the autumn brushed passed her pale white skin. Catherine felt the cold marble against her feet when she started walking, making her flinch but she dismissed the thought and continue her way towards the balcony and she was greeted by her favorite garden filled with the fireflies, giving light to the dark flowers.

Catherine stood in awe when she felt a soft fabric draped over her shoulders. She looked at the figure beside her who was looking at the garden. Catherine wondered what made this good and kind man do what he did. If anyone would really look at him, they would be able to see that there is still warmth lingering in his presence, it's just that people failed to notice it and so does this man. Catherine smiled before looking back at the garden.

"A beautiful kingdom, you have here."

"And I intend to protect it. Speaking of which," Lucas looked at Catherine who was still in awe of the view in front of her. He looked down to see Catherine's bare feet. 

"What?" Catherine asked when Lucas stopped talking. Lucas lift Catherine from the ground, placing his arm under her legs and the other supporting her back.

"W-what are you doing?" Frozen from her position, Catherine looked away from the Lucas' piercing stare. 

"Why are you walking barefoot?" Lucas asked that made Catherine look at him. The moonlight shone on Lucas's face, making his eyes shine more, Catherine, once again, looked away. 

"I... I wasn't planning on walking here. C-can you put me down?" Catherine whispered, not looking at Lucas. She didn't really know how to act when someone carries her. She may have been carried by him when he rescued her in the forest but she was unconscious but this time, she's very much awake and definitely in her senses. 

Lucas started walking back to the room and carefully placed Catherine on the couch near his desk. 

"T-thank you," Catherine said as faint as a whisper without looking at Lucas. He sat in front of the couch and examined Catherine. When he first carried her, he knew that she was light but now that he carried her for the second time, Lucas thought that she was light as a feather. 

"You should really eat some more." 

"What?! I just had two bowls of soup and a half. I can't eat anymore. No, I won't eat anymore. Why don't you try and eat some of that, then? And it tasted really bland!" Catherine grumbled that she easily regretted when she looked at Lucas's shock face. 

"Uh...Your Majesty. I... uh..."

Lucas burst out laughing at Catherine's attempt to apologize. No one has really talked to him like that after he ascended to the throne. It was kind of refreshing for Lucas and very entertaining. Catherine looked at Lucas in confusion and just smiled awkwardly. She never expected Lucas to laugh like a child. She thought that maybe it was a good sign. 

When Lucas finished laughing, he cleared his throat, leaned in, and look at Catherine with a serious face, "Then I shall have the cook beheaded in the morning for not meeting the princess's taste."

"What?! No. The soup was good. Really." 

"But you just said it was bland." Lucas tilted his head and rested it on his close fist, observing what will Catherine do or say. Catherine faked a laughed and scratched her forehead without looking at Lucas.

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"Now, that I think about, the bland taste was very unique," Catherine answered, knowing that whatever she was saying was complete nonsense. "I mean, it was probably full of nutrients that the food got neutralize?"

With what Catherine said, Lucas chuckled again but this time, Catherine also joined. After staying in the palace for a couple of weeks, this is the first time, Catherine saw Lucas so carefree and relax. Konnor entered the room with a tray of tea and teacups.

"I prepared Chamomile tea, Your Majesty," Konnor announced and placed the teacups in their places and poured the tea in the cups with just the right amount. If Konnor was a girl, he would be the most graceful lady in the kingdom. It's a shame that he's a man. 

After pouring the tea, Catherine thanked Konnor and he left the two.

"As I was saying earlier, there have been some issues in the north that I personally need to tend, which is why I will be leaving tomorrow. If there is anything that you wish to convey, let Malcolm know and he will know how to reach me." Lucas informed Catherine as she sipped her hot tea, warming her body as they talk.

"What issue?" 

"It is something minor so it will be fast and I will be back as soon as you know it," Lucas explained. Sensing that he does not want to talk about it, Catherine just smiled.

"Then I am hoping for your safe return."

The following day.

"Should I return your things back to your chambers?" Josephine asked, gathering the clothes Catherine used.

"Yes, you probably should," Catherine answered, absentmindedly.

"Your Highness, if you are worried about the king, you should not. He's like a combination of fifty elite warriors." Malcolm stated, smiling at Catherine.

"I...I'm not w-worried." Catherine stood up and headed out to the garden with Malcolm following him.

"Sir Malcolm, is it true that you created a blood bath when His Majesty was attacked by the rebels after he ascended?" Catherine questioned as they walked down the trail in the garden with a few servants following close by.

"Your Highness, please just call me Malcolm and the rumors are just exaggerating, I can't create a blood bath. I simply defended His Majesty." Malcolm chuckled and pulled out a chair for Catherine in the human-sized birdcage. 

"Well then, Malcolm, please call me Cath." Catherine smiled and ate some of the tarts that the servants served.

"How could I do that, Your Highness?" Malcolm said in surprise. "You are the future moon of this kingdom, I cannot smile address Your Highness as such." 

"It is an order." Catherine asserted with authority. 

"Yes, Yo... C-cath." Malcolm said in defeat and when he saw Catherine glared at her. Catherine chuckled at Malcolm's nervous statement of her name. She really didn't expect it to work, especially when she tried it to Thalia and Caitlin who still called her 'Your Highness' even she told them that it was an order.

"I was just kidding but I would really appreciate it when you call me that." Catherine blurted and watched as the small butterflies in the garden flew from one flower to another.

"I am honored, Your Highness." 

"Ah, what happened to Sir Raiden? Is he out?" Catherine suddenly remembered about Raiden who was kept in a prison cell for not being able to protect her.

"Yes, I was informed that he was released the next day you told His Majesty about his release." Catherine nodded and she saw Ria walking towards her.

"Your Highness, your ladies-in-waiting have arrived." 

"Well then, Malcolm. It seems that it is time for me to attend to my duties." Malcolm stood up and escorted Catherine to the library where Thalia and Caitlin are waiting for her. This time of day is when Catherine studies about the history of the Uranbel Kingdom and Thalia as her academic instructor.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Thalia and Caitlin curtsied in unison.

"Greetings. How is your sister, Lady Thalia?" Catherine started as she sat down in her seat, followed by the two ladies.

"She is repenting in our house for what she did during the party," Thalia answered and Caitlin just chuckled at her side.

"Your sister should have been beheaded for insulting the princess. Your lucky sister must ecstatic to be alive. Tell her to use her second life wisely." Caitlin mocked and pulled out a small box before placing it in front of Catherine.

"Your Highness, the Churchill family has heard of your recent encounter with the rebels that hated the king and faced some unfortunate injury." Caitlin opened the box and took out the small white porcelain jar.

"This is an ointment from the Lockley Kingdom. It is said to be the most powerful ointment against scars. Lady Clementine wishes for your fast recovery and sent this for you." Caitlin opened the jar and it revealed a white purple wax. Catherine took the jar and smelled it.

"It smells like lavender. Please tell Lady Clementine my gratitude," Catherine said and handed Ria the box.

"I will continue the lesson from before." Thalia started and opened the book with a leather cover. 

"After King Leonard Uranbel expanded the kingdom by conquering other kingdoms, the Uranbel Kingdom is the biggest one in the continent. You could probably say that the Uranbel is not a kingdom but an empire. The kings after King Leonard led the kingdom in peace until King Allan Uranbel. King Allan had a brother that split the council in half. Some of the supporters of Prince Asher say that he should be the rightful heir for he is the first son but Prince Asher was born out of a servant that made him have no right to claim the throne. He was also not granted permission to marry and bear any children that may threaten the throne." Catherine listened carefully to Thalia's narration of the history of the kingdom.

"The Churchills supported King Allan because of their son, Abel Churchill who was the closest friend of King Allan, gaining the favor of the rest of the council and thus making him the king. The followers of Ashers fled the kingdom when the Churchills and the Lokos killed Prince Asher."

"Are the rebels today, the followers of Prince Asher?" Catherine asked. 

"Yes, Your Highness. They started emerging on the year King Sullivan ascended the throne."

"But why?" Catherine wondered, there is no reason for them to fight anymore. Their leader is killed without leaving any descendants. 

"Apparently, the rebels want to end the reign of the Uranbels." Catherine gasped at what she heard.

"Let us end the lesson for today. I was told to keep your lessons at a minimum for the time being while you are still recovering," Thalia stated and closed the book. Catherine stood up and headed towards Josephine's room with Malcolm and Ria. When they were at the door, Catherine stopped Malcolm from entering and told him to take a break.

With Lucas gone, she can now know what Josephine has gathered from her task. Josephine handed her the newspapers she got and Catherine examined them. 

"In the north? This is where His Majesty is going."

"You were right, Your Highness. The beasts that we encountered were just the result of an experiment." Josephine pointed to the pictures she cut from the newspapers. 

"Why do they do such a thing?" Catherine asked but Josephine just lowered her head. 

"We need to visit the north," Catherine blurted which made Josephine look at her with worried eyes.

"Before we go back to our kingdom, we must at least visit the north. With a few servants coming with us, I certainly think that it is possible." Catherine added. Josephine knew that even if she told Catherine all the dangers she may face, she will still proceed with her plan.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will arrange for that to happen." 

"Your Highness, we should heal your wound this instant," Ria suggested and let Cathrine lay down on Josephine's bed.

"You do know I can heal myself right?" Catherine chuckled and let Ria touch her torso.

"Let me just do this for you okay?" Catherine giggled as Ria close her eyes. Water emerged from her hands to the wound on Catherine's torso, enveloping it with fire. Catherine frowned at the pain of her wound closing in. 

When Ria finished mending her wound, Catherine's torso looked clean and flawless like no arrow pierced her body.

"Thank you."