Episode 5 The Royal Hunting Games
1439 Words
It has been 2 weeks, it's the first day of Autumn and Celine has not recovered totally. She has just awoken the day before and has been occupied in her room doing paperwork. The maids gossip as they heard the Queen- to-be doesn't want to see the king and the king is trying to pursue her highness.
Fantasia also been hearing this but she understood she doesn't see why Lilith Warwick had to have a title reinstated. As Fantasia carried letters and invitations to Derrick that Celine had completed she wondered what is the king planning.
"Your majesty, I wonder what are you doing with all these invites?" asked a bewildered but playful Fantasia.
"I'm planning the Royal Hunting Games, I want to bring Celine along to raise her spirits but I also want you to come along since you've been working non-stop you need a vacation, Fantasia." Derrick patted Fantasia head in a brotherly-sisterly matter which bugged Fantasia immensely but she couldn't help smile.
"What about miss pregnant b***h, Lilith..." Fantasia grumbled a bit before getting louder attracting the attention of an Ignis kingdom maid walking by with a tray.
"If I take her, who knows if that child gets hurt. I know very well that child isn't mine..." Derrick trailed off as he heard the sound of a fork on the floor.
Fantasia eyes shift to the right suspiciously as she marched towards the door where the maid is. "The wall have ears..." Fantasia thought to herself, silently she turned to Derrick nodding.
"If you bring her to the hunting games!!" yelled Fantasia as she turned to Derrick walking playfully towards him. "Everyone will know that she is your consort and your most favored one now, I am nothing compared to her I have no heir and I have work. Not even the Queen has the motivation to come."
Derrick sighed then smirked with a chuckle as he heard footsteps running away.
"Nice job, Fantasia. I want to see what Leo and Lilith can do. The day they harm my sweet bride, I'll pay it back to them 10,000 times to them."
-Lilith's Chamber-
"Heh, the royal bride is ill!!" Lilith victorious voice echoed through the room and her grin got bigger as the maid who was bringing her luxuries of lobster, greens, sweet potatos and sweet oats milk of pregnancy cravings.
"The royal bride power is getting weaker." Leo softly hummed as he took the tea on the tray and a piece of a sweet potato.
"She won't be able to attend the hunting games if she get desperately ill! If she does attend we can just use the child in my stomach to threaten her! If that doesn't work we can start a war and force Derrick to remarry me! You know how hard it is to fake seizures so he didn't get the idea to execute me yet out of pity..." Lilith swing her legs as she sips her porridge and shoved the bowl back to the maid.
"Smart but he will catch on that you guilt tripped him too much and he will know the prince is who impregnated you. Good thinking of sending his majesty brother to go out handle affairs overseas." As Leo placed the tea cup on the tray. "The royal Hunting game will start in 3 days let's prepare our plan."
3 DAYS LATER...
-Queen's chamber-
Celine woke up feeling better then ever after resting for weeks and getting up occasionally to work because the Duchess Lina who was loyal to former Queen Lilith refuse to help her. Celine noticed clothes suitable for hunting yet she notice delicate intricate detail. Such as the royal crest as a shawl and the royal colors of black and gold as tailored to match kings attire, everyone will know she is the Royal bride.
Celine slowly got ready without Merina and Melina who was packing her medications and foods for their trip with clothes, it took her forever. As Derrick walked out to see Celine he noticed her cheeks have retained their rose like complexion and he grabbed her hand laying kiss upon it.
"Derrick, where have you been? I've been waiting for you..." said Celine weakly as her voice soften like she was drowning in blood.
Derrick gritted his teeth, he planned a out of season hunting trip to find the Glass Lotus in the Mirror Forrest just to heal Celine. Celine looked at Derrick concern.
"I've been working more and more, I wanted to raise your spirits so I had this hunting festival to the springs and palace in the Mirror Forrest just for you." Derrick smiled hugging Celine he wanted to cry not anyone could melt his heart but Celine's sick gaze was an exception to him alone.
"I'll heal you Celine, I'll heal you..."
-Outside Mirror Palace Springs-
The Mirror Palace is a palace hidden by the woods only those of the royalty of Iustita could see it. As the carriages stop and Derrick leaves to the border of the woods and stick his hand passed the border breaking the barrier of the castle everyone aww'd including the servants.
"No big deal" said Lilith as she leaned her head out the window. "He always does that everytime we go to the Mirror palace, I can't wait to share a room with him, brother!"
As the carriages circled around the courtyard, noble ladies of all kind and concubines who were barely seen or seen wondering the palace but mind their own business. Lady Sonia was one of the concubine who was neglected lately by his majesty was happy that Celine let her experience the Mirror palace as the snow begin to fall.
Lilith quickly waddled out of the carriage and quickly walked over to Derrick. But she stopped when she realized Derrick was kneeling outside the carriage, everyone whispered amazed by the king's out of character way of waiting for a maiden/concubine.
"Is it Fantasia?" asked one noble maiden.
"No, it can't be, Fantasia is coming out the second carriage right now." Another noble maiden stated.
A pale hand reached out with nails painted of red and black placed delicately into Derrick's gloved hand. As Celine slowly came out a tuff of silver hair could be seen by everyone. Lilith's face twisted into an angry scowl as she realized Celine was the girl who was being helped out
Derrick pulled Celine into his arms quickly throwing her off. "Woah! Derrick, please!" giggled Celine. Derrick feeled relieved that Celine been casual with him, open with him and happy. All he wanted was for her to be happy. He fell in love with the right person finally.
"Aww, it's just the bride, I never seen the king like this! It's almost cute! Instead of being with a certain consort." stated a Noble Maiden.
Lilith's blood boil as she stormed into the palace as she was assigned her room. Leo watched the couple from afar then followed his sister.
-In the Snowy Garden-
"The hunting festival has begun! Please eat and drink for now before hunting!" stated Derrick as he raised a golden chalice of wine.
As Celine grabbed a pastry from the table she felt someone spun her around, it was King Leo from the Kingdom of Ignis.
"Hello, your royal highness...you're pretty today." Leo stated smiling, he analyzed Celine, such a pity this girl couldn't be his.
Celine felt uncomfortable by the stare then she noticed Derrick walking to greet an offical but she noticed Lilith is trying to get close to him.
"Your Majesty I must go, my illness is acting up and I shouldn't be standing in the cold for too long...I have to keep moving around to keep my blood from coagulation for too long." Celine exclaimed as she stumbled away leaving Leo who just watched the young girl go in the direction of the King.
"I tried Sis, I really did."
Leo shrugged and walked away to go talk another noble maiden.
"Yes, Minister Lawrence, I can't believe we've been blessed with a child." stated Lilith as she stood next to Derrick who looked disgusted as Lilith try to wrap her arms around his.
Derrick yanked his arm away and walked over to Celine who looked lost. He chuckled and grabbed her waist startling her as he picked her up. Everyone blushed and smiled at the king's approach he hasn't done that to the former Queen at all. Suddenly, Celine was thrown over his shoulder.
"Alrighty, everyone time for hunting. Get the lady her riding gear she will ride with me." as Derrick carefully placed Celine on the horse he gets on behind her.
Lilith gritted her teeth in anger, Fantasia realized she can't control the situation, and sigh could be heard as she rode away on her own horse.
- Writer
