The Amorous Mate

Chapter 17: Begging

“Isn’t it a bit uncanny, Mama?”

“Of what, Dearest Andromeda?”

“Of your daughter Demeter. Have you not realized that something in her— surely—something has changed.”

Starting a gossip, Andromeda was sitting in front of a table that was found at an elevated portion of the Palace’s Grand Hall. Her eyes are red and all puffy while she stares to the people that are walking and talking busily at each other.

Usually, the palace’s hall is used for the grandest celebration of the season. Mostly, it is used for Royal balls and in announcement for the coming-of-age of daughters and sons of a noble family.

Yet, now in this difficult time, everyone inside the hall wears black—everyone wears either genuine or fake sadness smoldered on their faces.

The Royal burial of the dead King and the Crowned Prince was already commenced. Hundreds and thousands of people earlier has joined the mourning procession for the King and Crowned Prince’s dead body. Along with the Royal Family, the people of the Nightingale Kingdom has joined the dead royals until their last destination: on the Cemetery of Heroes, the King and Crowned Prince were buried.

Now, those noble men and women, as with invitation of the Queen, has joined the Royal Family for today’s supper.

“You see, Mama, if you would closely observe your dearest daughter, you would immediately notice that … she is acting weirdly,” Andromeda continued her gossip to the Queen who is also just beside her on the table.

“I haven’t noticed, Andromeda. I see her fit as she is,” the Queen uninterestedly answered.

“But, you see Mama, everything in her—except her physical features—have changed. I firstly noticed how she talks. It has a different tone and is less gracious than she was before. In fact, I’ve heard her cursing. Mama, that is barbaric!” Still, the First Princess Andromeda was insisting on a thought as she talks about Demeter to the Queen.

“Andromeda, to gossip someone is as less gracious and as barbaric as someone who knew how to curse. Besides, I haven’t personally heard your sister spewing some nonsensical words,” the Queen replied. She too was busy looking and nodding to people inside the hall who gives and pays respect to her presence.

“Hear me, Mama. Yesterday, when she had first visited the coffin of Papa and Brother, she was … she was so different. If you are there, you would have been embarrassed too. As less gracious as this was, but what she did was frantically hugging the coffins and then bawling so loud that the whole silent mausoleum was disturbed by her noise. Mama, it is barbaric! Then, if you would notice, she is always lost; on her thoughts, on the proper elegance, on the basics of the royal life. Mama I am not entirely sure yet I believe that Demeter—”

“Dear, I am begging you not to spew any nonsense for now. We are in the middle of our deep sadness, it is. Besides, the head servants of the House of Saxton has explained that it happened to Demeter after receiving the news of her father and brother’s death. Her inactions was nothing but because of utter sadness, Andromeda. It is just as it is.”

Queen Cordelia has cutted the words that Princess Andromeda was about to say. Instead, with her broken, hoarse voice, she explains what was the possible reason for Princess Demeter’s improper actions. Then, after that, the Queen has brushed off the tears that is about to fall on her eyes once again.

“But Mama …”

“I can now see what you are trying to do, sister.”

Suddenly, from another side of the table, the Third Princess Cassiopeia has interrupted Andromeda, and carelessly joined the conversation.

Because of that, Princess Andromeda sharply looked at Cassiopeia, as if a warning not to become any annoyance. Then, when Cassiopeia did nothing but glance at her and mockingly smile, Andromeda frustratingly rolled her eyes.

“I believe it is not a high time for you, Cassiopeia to interrupt my conversation with Mama. Have you had not taught that to interrupt one’s conversation without any permission is disrespectful?”

“Have you not taught that to gossip someone’s nobility is disrespectful?” Cassiopeia replied.

Andromeda smiled, but her eyes are burning with rage.

She then sarcastically replied, “dearest sister, what I am doing here is not a mere gossiping, I’m afraid. I am telling my insights about the weirdness of our sister.”

“You are the only one who sees her weird, sister. I did not see her as how you do,” Cassiopeia mockingly replied.

“Because you are stupid!” losing control, Andromeda muttered a direct insult to her irritating sister.

“Well not as stupid as you who is trying to tarnish one’s name so that her competition with you would be less tight!” Now, hearing Andromeda’s reply, Cassiopeia has lost her graceful composure too.

“W-What? What are you indicating l, Cassiopeia? I’m … I’m just talking with Mama about Demeter being abducted and the one whom we are talking with is nothing but a shapeshifter!” Andromeda, panicking and disoriented, has started to explain her side.

For a moment, Cassiopeia suddenly froze with her creased, inquisiting face. Then, when she had totally understand what her sister has said, her face reddened so hard as she tried her best not to outrageously laugh. They were in the middle of noble people, and one barbaric laugh will cause her to lessen her dignity.

“Y-You have surely thought that sister Andromeda i-is a Shapeshifter?” Cassiopeia asked, still, trying her best not to laugh. Tears are coming off of her eyes as she holds her raging laughter.

“Y-Yes, the current Demeter we have in the palace, indeed,” Andromeda answered. “Why are you laughing?” she irritatedly asked.

“Pfft! Sister, that is a hundred times weirder than me who is dreaming of an actual novel-like romance!” Cassiopeia exclaimed.

“Again, Andromeda, Cassiopeia, you will be enough of your childish bantering, or I’ll set you locked in your respected rooms?” Queen Cordelia interrupted.

Because of the angered, dominating tone from their Mother, Princess Andromeda and Cassiopeia quickly zipped their mouth in fear that they will be locked up on their room. Being alone in a room, without anything to do, or to watch, surely is a terrifying thought.

Now, as they silenced, the three of them simultaneously saw Princess Demeter. She was below, on the group of noble crowd, hugging the black hat she had used during the burial.

Quickly, the three of them had noticed the troubled face of the princess. As she swam on the crowd, her head turns left and right, as if she was finding something. Or maybe someone.

**

‘Where is he? Come on, Lord Matthew, you have to show your self to me!’ as Chelsea swam to the vicious crowd of black clothe-wearing people, her eyes were troubling while she was scanning the whole grand hall.

In hopes that she will find Lord Matthew in the crowd, she did not hesitate swimming into it just so she could find him.

Earlier, when they were still in the middle of their procession towards the cemetery, Chelsea had surely seen Lord Matthew in the crowd. He was joining the crowd earlier as they proceeded to the cemetery—coffins of the King and the Crowned Prince being on the head of the procession.

That very time, she had already wanted to talk to the Baron Lord. She kept on insisting to her Mama that she wanted a minute to break from the procession, but the Queen did not gave her any chance.

Now that they were all in the Palace’s Royal Hall, Chelsea has been hoping that she could find Lord Matthew’s presence.

Surely, her matter of urgency to the Lord is nothing but important. She had to find the Lord as soon as possible, so that they could talk over something.

Now, because her mind is occupied of finding where Lord Matthew is, she did not saw that Prince Nigel Winchester was already in her front, smiling at her.

She had only recognized that Prince Nigel was in the front, when her face bumped into his muscular, nicely toned chest.

“Oww, Sorry,” Chelsea quickly apologized.

“Surely I would not want to receive that plead for forgiving, because I have not been offended by what you had done, your Highness. In fact, my chest is nothing but thrilling as of this moment thinking of the fact that you had just bumped into me. Ah, the most beautiful gem of the season has bumped her fate to me. Believe me, it is nothing but romantic for me,” Prince Nigel said with all the enthusiasm that is pouring on his voice.

“I-Is it, your Highness?” Chelsea awkwardly asked.

Prince Nigel saw the glimpse and traces of awkwardness glaring at the aura of Princess Demeter. Because of that, he tried to change the topic in hopes that she would feel comfortable talking to him.

“Well, your Highness, I only came approaching to you because I wanted to send you once again my deepest condolence. I hope for your quick emotional recovery for this downfall,” said Prince Nigel.

“Wow, thanks, really,” replied Princess Demeter.

Prince Nigel did not expect the informal reply of the princess, that is why he confusedly looked at her. There then he saw that the Princess’ attention was not on him, but on other else.

As she pretends to have a meaningful conversation to the second prince of Winchester Monarchy, Chelsea’s eyes were roaming around the surrounding. Still, she is looking for Lord Matthew.

“Is something bothering your peace, perhaps?” Now in order to clear his confusion, Prince Nigel decided to ask.

“Huh? Ah, no, nothing. I-It’s okay. Hehe.” Chelsea panicked for a bit when she realized that Prince Nigel had seen her disinterest to their ongoing conversation.

“I believe you do have something bothering in your mind, your Highness. As a gentleman, allow me to help you overcome that problem.” Prince Nigel encouragingly smiled at Chelsea as he told those words.

Chelsea could not deny, but it seemed that the alluring words of the Prince had charms and hypnotic essence. She was somehow shocked because she suddenly felt the immediate urge to tell the Prince what was on the top of her mind right now.

“Actually,” Chelsea—s***h—Princess Demeter started, “I am looking for someone. I have to find that man because I have something that is so important I have to tell to him today.”

“As long as it is not about you confessing your love to him, may I know who the man was? I have strolled in the grand Hall for an hour already. Perhaps I could tell you where he is,” Prince Nigel offered.

“W-Well, his name is Lord Matthew. He is a Baron in the province of Saxton.” Chelsea said. She was uncertain if it is right for her to ask a favor from him, but since she had already asked, what she can only do was to bit her lip to hold her composure.

“Ah, Lord Matthew Uppergallant! Indeed, I have seen him earlier.”

“R-Really?!” Chelsea exclaimed excitedly.

“Indeed. He was there,” Prince Nigel used his index finger to pinpoint where the Baron Lord was. “Right at the last of the rows of pillar. He was talking to other noblemen including the Viscount Hasteless.”

“Thank you!” Princess Demeter exclaimed.

Because of her happiness from his information, she forgot to control herself, and she quickly gave the Prince a tight hug. She also grabbed both of his hands, and squeezed it tightly.

“I owe you something. Bigtime,” Princess Demeter added.

Thrilled, she started her quick journey towards the place where Prince Nigel saw Lord Matthew.

She left Prince Nigel on the spot. What she does not realized, is that, because of how she unexpectedly hugged and held Prince Nigel’s hand, his face was now both shocked and red from blushing. He was awestruck and unbelieving of what the Princess has done to him.

While Prince Nigel was left stunned and with butterflies chaotically fluttering in his stomach, Princess Demeter was beaming, however. She hurried her steps as she was about to approach the place Prince Nigel had pointed.

At first, she was afraid that she would not be able to find the Lord on that place. However, when she had swept the last woman that is hindering her path, it gloriously revealed Lord Matthew.

The first few seconds that she saw the Lord, her feet glued on the floor. She stared stupidly at the man who was holding a glass of wine, laying his back on the ginormous pillar, while talking to few other gentlemen on his front. Chelsea, again, failed to deny to herself that she finds Lord Matthew incredibly attractive.

Then, a few seconds after, she shook her head rapidly, and slapped and squeezed both of her cheeks.

“Wake up, Chelsea,” she whispered to herself.

Gaining back her composure once again, she proudly marched to the group of gentlemen where Lord Matthew belongs.

“Y-Your Highness! What honor have we had that you bothered nearing to a mere us!” One gentleman exclaimed when he saw Princess Demeter on his front.

“Y-Your Highness, allow us to pay you honor,” said the other gentleman. After his words, the whole group of gentleman simultaneously took a bowing in her front.

Lord Matthew had no actual plan of bowing at her, but because he was in the public eyes, and belongs to the group of gentlemen, not bowing to the royal ranks is considered as a grave crime.

“May we know the reason, your Highness, why you had come to our small and not so powerful group?” another gentleman asked.

Because of that, Princess Demeter did her best to compose herself once again, and then she sweetly smiled.

“Can I talk to the Baron Lord of Saxton?” she said. “I have a very important matter I need to discuss to him.”

After her announcement, all of the gentlemen seemed to harmoniously turned their gazes to the Baron Lord Matthew.

“Ah, indeed, your Highness. You may wish to talk to him.” One of the gentlemen required the answer from the Princess’ request, so that the awkwardness of the situation would cease.

Hearing that, Princess Demeter’s eyes had lit in delight. She delightfully jumped in excitement, then, ran towards where Lord Matthew—who has not been talking nor saying anything, the moment Princess Demeter had arrived.

Then, if it is not as surely surprising, but Princess Demeter was the first one who unhesitatingly grabbed the Lord Matthew’s hand.

“W-What are you doing, your Highness?” Lord Matthew asked, shocked and surprised.

“We’re to talk on the garden,” said Princess Demeter, causing even more surprise not just from Lord Matthew, but from every gentleman who had heard her.

“But …”

“No buts. Let’s go.”

Princess Demeter pulled Lord Matthew’s hand, leading him towards the outside of the palace.

“Princess Demeter, I suggest you would let go of my hand right away. The people are—”

“Then what? If I am going to ungrasp your hand, what would you do? Leave and escape from me?” Princess Demeter said.

“I would not, I promise.”

Finally, they are now outside of the Royal Hall, and only a few steps away is where the labyrinth of garden is waiting for them. Yet, even though they had managed to get out of the Hall, the noblemen’s inquisiting stares are still following them.

“I believe you would,” Princess Demeter said.

“Princess Demeter, you must trust a gentleman’s word. I am in deep promise, I would not leave you.”

Princess Demeter stopped walking, and she looked at Lord Matthew.

“Do you?”

Seeing the way how the Princess cutely pouted her pinkish lips, Lord Matthew quickly averted his gaze.

“I … I would,” he panicked.

The Princess shrugged her shoulders. Without any second thought, she released the hand of Lord Matthew that she has been grabbing earlier.

“Okay. Since we are now not anymore near to any people, we can talk here in the entrance of the labyrinth garden.” Chelsea has once again excitingly smiled to Lord Matthew.

Seeing her genuinely blissful smile, Lord Matthew sighed in frustration.

“I know you are not the real Princess, and because of that I too know that you are not entirely affected by the death of your supposed to be father and brother. But please, whoever you are, would you wipe off the smile beaming on your face? It is surely reflecting to other people’s thoughts that you are happy of your Papa and Brother’s death.”

“Oh, you’re right.” Realizing the point presented by Lord Matthew, Princess Demeter quickly covered her smiling mouth, and then tried to wipe off all of her excitement.

“Well, I was sad, for a bit. You see, this is still the body of Princess Demeter, that is why her emotions within still resides in me. Do you even saw me crying when I witnessed their lifeless faces?” Demeter defended her own self.

From that, Lord Matthew sighed in frustration. “Let’s not talk about it,” he said. “instead, you might tell me what was the very important thing you badly wanted to tell to me.”

Chelsea’s smile has lit again, but remembering Lord Matthew’s warning, she quickly rid of the curve.

Instead, she excitedly announced: “I have found an answer.”

Lord Matthew’s forehead creased. “Answer about what?”

“About me. About Demeter. About our situation. I have found a way so that I could go back to where I came from, and the real Princess Demeter coming back to her own body. We can go back, as if nothing has happened, as if everything is normal!” she vocally announced in a way of whispering but at the same time, excited.

“You had what?”

“I found a way. Don’t make me repeat it,” warned Princess Demeter.

“But … how?” Lord Matthew asked.

“Simple. I know everyone already knew about the deciding of the new heir of the Nightingale’s heir of throne.”

“We do,” answered Lord Matthew.

“That is what I have to do. I have to be the chosen one; I have to be the Crowned Princess.”

After Princess Demeter’s announcing, Lord Matthew’s left eyebrow has raised, along with his serious poker face.

“Dare me not say that you are kidding,” Lord Matthew warned.

“And who says I am kidding?” sass and attitude, Princess Demeter-s***h-Chelsea had also raised her brows.

“How is being the Crowned Princess would connect to the cure of this ill event? Being the Crowned is nothing but position. It does not possess any miracle,” Lord Matthew explained.

“It was the Destiny’s way of entertaining his or her self. It is just a trial for me. If ever I would succeed from this, then, everything will be alright!” Chelsea—again, losing her composure and becoming excited—has answered.

Lord Matthew released a light laugh that seemed bearing with anger. “And now you are fooling me again with this Destiny trope. Forgive me, Princess, but I would not buy your stories.”

Irritated, Lord Matthew turned his back on her and attempted a walk out and away from her.

“But it was what the white wolf said to me! I know it was just a dream, but if you are in my hopeless situation, would you choose not to believe that dream, or would? Because me, I am choosing to believe whatever she said. That’s all I could do in hope that I could go back to my old self!” Chelsea shouted. Luckily, there was no one present in the garden except for them, making her dark secret safe and still intact of her.

Lord Matthew turned to her once again. “You … may you say again what you had said before?” he asked.

Chelsea brushed the stroke of tears that has fell on her cheeks. “About what? That this is only my choice?”

“No. The other one.”

Chelsea’s forehead creased. “About what?”

“The wolf,” Lord Matthew cleared.

“That graceful white wolf with nine tails and three piercing red eyes?”

“D-Did she t-talk to you?”

Chelsea felt weird when Lord Matthew started to stammer and seemed out of control.

“Yes, she did,” Chelsea answered. “She is the one who gave me all these thoughts, all these stupid ideas.”

“What can I help to make your life succeed then?” suddenly, Lord Matthew asked, as if he had never vowed not to buy on any of her weird stories.

“What? Why? Are you going to help me?” Chelsea’s face brightened again.

“Tell me, whoever you are inside Princess Demeter’s body, what can I do to help you out of your situation?” firmly, Lord Matthew demanded.