Remaking Of Lady Cruel

Chapter Nineteen: Weird Treatment

Morning came, unexpectedly, Viviene woke up late. She’s always woke up at six in the morning yet its passed eight. Her body felt oddly heavy and tired instead of refreshed due to oversleeping.

‘Did that unfair punishment take place already? I swear that chicken!’ She muttered angrily forgetting that its not a chicken yet a phoenix, a mythical creature who talked to her in her dream. The blinds were still covering the windows.

‘Merriam didn’t come here early too.’ She wondered and stood up, she peek outside the window and saw that it’s a bright day to go outside for a walk. Someone knock the door, she glance at its direction waiting for that person to speak.

“Milady, I’ll come in.”

Merriam entered and was stunned seeing an empty bed.

“You came late. Why didn’t you wake me up?” She asked. Merriam glance at her and sigh in relief.

“I apologize Miss, the duke ordered me to come here late to let you sleep more.” She answered.

“Father did?”

“Yes.”

She didn’t ask question any further and went to the bed to take a sit.

“I’ll open the curtains now, Miss.”

She opened the blinds and bright sunlight entered the dark room. Viviene close her eyes a bit and slowly opening it to adjust her sight.

“I’ll take a walk outside. It’s a nice weather to watch the flowers bloom and I’ll be checking the progress of the greenhouse. I expected to have the flowers I asked from the butler before noon.” She muttered as she stood up and stretch her slender arms and legs. She notice the uneasiness in Merriam’s eyes which made her confused.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“M-Miss, the duke ordered that you shouldn’t go out from your room and just take a rest for today. His Grace said he’ll handle the greenhouse himself.”

“What?”

Questions pop up inside her head after hearing her words. She tried to recall if she did a mistake before that her father got angry and took away the responsibility of the greenhouse from her hands.

‘Or was it during my sleep that I insulted him unconsciously?’ She thought thoroughly.

“Miss, you look paler than before, are you alright?” Merriam asked her full of concern. She glance at her and smile.

“Of course. I recovered fully from that incident. Anyway, I still want to take a bath before breakfast. Assist me.” She ordered.

“Yes Miss.”

After bathing and eating breakfast in her room, she asked for books to read but before Merriam went out from her room, she asked something that just came out suddenly from her head.

“Merriam, where’s the ring I always wore in my hand?”

“Its in your jewelry box Miss.”

“Alright, you may go.”

She went out from her room with the cart of dishes used by her meal. She wants to hear the reason why her father took the greenhouse from her responsibility but she felt that its useless for now. She remembered Axxiale’s punishment due to her ‘stubbornness’.

‘He said that my soul will be in danger because I keep on refusing this fate. In the first place, it unacceptable.’ She thought seriously.

“What takes Merriam so long?” She mumble as she stood from bed. She open the door slightly and peek outside the empty hallway.

“It looks like I’m in a horror film..”

She slowly close the door and saw a familiar handsome face and a pair of violet eyes.

“Boo..”

“Ah!”

She screamed, shock of the sudden appearance of the Crown Prince. She fell butt first on the floor looking at him with frighten eyes. The crown prince chuckle wickedly as he look down at Viviene.

“It seems I really startled you.” He muttered feeling proud of his childish action.

“Yes. For a second I thought I saw the grim reaper.” She muttered in sarcasm as she stood up from the floor.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The prince walk towards the chair next to the table and sit comfortably. Viviene raise an eyebrow at his cool actions in her own room. But before all of that, she muttered a greeting.

“Greetings, Your Majesty the crown prince.”

“I thought you forgot my title due to what happened.”

“That would be a huge failure in my part.”

She stood near the door, crossing her arms on her chest and staring at the prince with an impatient expression.

“What?” The prince asked sounding so innocent.

“Why are you here, Your Majesty?” She asked directly at him.

“To know how are you.”

“I’m fine, prince. But before that, do you know where you’re at, Your Majesty?”

“I’m at your room.”

“Yes!”

“So?”

Her mouth hang open as she look at the prince with a stupid expression.

‘H-How can this man be so rude’ She exclaimed angrily while balding the prince in her imagination. Seeing her expression made the prince smile coyly.

“Relax, lady. Its not that I’m going touch you or anything.”

His words worsen the situation when he notice her expression become paler. She’s thinking that he’ll torture her for harming Lady Eliza before.

‘That’s unfair! I was the one badly beaten!’ She screamed inside her head.

“Also, I came here to do a healing magic to you.”

“Healing Magic? Your Majesty I’m already well.”

“You speak like you knew your body well.”

“Who’s more aware of my body other than me?”

She asked baffled by his words. He sighed heavily and glance at her. She flinch at how he held her with his cool, mysterious violet irises. She notice his appearance, unlike his usual black attire, he’s wearing white elegant clothes and his hair was combed neatly showing his forehead. The sunlight behind him increased his charm giving her an odd idea.

‘He looks like an angel sitting over there.’ She complimented not realizing that she’s staring at the prince for too long.

“Do I look so handsome?”

“Pardon?”

“Why don’t you come here. Unlike there, you can see my face clearly.”

She laugh nervously, sensing danger near her which she needs to avoid with all her might.

“I can clearly see you from here, Your Majesty.”

“Really? I’m doing you a favor, Ms. Cruel.”

“I feel honored by your kindness Your Majesty but I think I’m fine here. I’ve been lying on the bed for a long time so I’m standing here in the corner for a long time for fun.” She excused with a nervous force smile. The prince’s forehead creased and asked her.

“Is standing in there more fun than talking to me?”

An ominous smile appeared on his handsome face while Viviene felt that even more sick than before.

“No! I mean talking to you, Your Majesty, is more fun than standing here. A-Anyway, my legs are tired so I’ll take a sit over there.” She said in terror yet remain smiling. She point the chair placed in the corner facing the crown prince’s direction yet its still far from the crown prince’s position.

“No, I want you to be near me so that I can check you perfectly with my own eyes.” The prince ordered. Without a word and hinting his slowly rising anger in his tone, she drag the chair from the farthest corner in front the crown prince who’s satisfied of what she did.

“Now, don’t move..”

“What?”

He move closer to her and her heart beats faster due to that. Just before he could touch her face, someone suddenly knock the door. She flinch in surprise and glance at the door.

“Miss? Its me.” Sir Rowellius said behind the door.

‘s**t! Why is he here!?’ She cursed greatly in shock.

“Your Highness, can you please leave?”

“I don’t want to.” He answered stubbornly.

“What? But my knight will enter the room!” She blurted.

“So?”

She close her eyes, feeling the her burning rage in her. She force a smile in her face.

“Then, please hide yourself, Your Majesty.”

“Hide? A royalty like me?” The prince asked as if he heard an absurd request from her.

“Your Majesty, please!” She blurted out of anger and frustration.

‘Have mercy on me will you!?’ She screamed inside her head.

“Miss? Is something wrong?” Sir Rowellius asked behind the door.

“No! Nothing’s wrong. Please wait a moment, Sir!” Viviene muttered trying to calm down. She glance at the Crown Prince’s direction seeing no one but the empty chair.

‘Did he left? Whatever.’ She thought and shrug her shoulders.

“You may come in, Sir.”

The door opened and Sir Rowellius entered. His expression was gloomy and his eyes were shaking while staring at her amber irises.

“Sir? Is something wrong?” She asked heeding his distorted face. The knight suddenly kneeled down in front of her. Her eyes widen as she look at him.

“Milady, my master, I committed a grave mistake. Because of my incompetence you were endangered. Please punish me!” He blurted solemnly.

She blink several times trying to digest everything inside her head.

“..Yes? What are you talking about, Sir?” She asked ambiguous of the situation before her.

“I.. I felt really bad that you suffered a lot, Milady. I will take any punishment you give gratefully.”

‘What the hell is happening?’ She felt so stupid. She cant get enough reason why she should give a punishment to him. ‘Why would I do that when he did not anything bad?’ She wondered.

“Rise, Sir Rowellius.” She ordered. The man obeyed immediately while still looking at the floor. She sigh and start speaking.

“I didn’t blame you for what happened, Sir. Its because I’m weak.” She explained.

“Milady, you’re not weak.”

“Don’t speak nonsense again, Sir. You may now leave.” She said gently yet firmly.

“Miss..”

“Now, don’t give me such a sad look and go out. Thanks for your concern.” She muttered trying to lift the heavy atmosphere. “However, I’ll expect more from you starting today, Sir. Would that be alright?” She asked.

“Yes! Yes, Milady!” He answered immediately without doubts. She smiled at him then he left the room. She sighed and lean on the chair. She startled as she saw the prince sitting on the chair again while smiling at her like an i***t.

“Y-Your Majesty! You did not leave?”

“I still have an important business with you.” He muttered.

“Oh.”

He stood up and went to her, she look up meeting the crown prince’s violet eyes. He touch her forehead with his index finger and suddenly, she felt something warm covered her whole body. It disappear after a minute and strangely, they did not break each other’s gazes.

As she look at his face, she can see how the prince’s eyes widen as he stare at her with a horrible expression.

‘Wait, what did he just do?’ She asked to herself.

“Your Majesty?” She called dragging him back to reality. He smiled yet its evident that it’s a force one.

“Fortunately, your fine.”

“Oh. Great! That’s a very nice news then.” She muttered. “Anyway, thank you, Your Highness.” She added.

“..I’m leaving for real. See you next time, little rabbit.” He said as he disapeared in front of her.

‘Little rabbit? What a rude thing to call me.’ She thought pissed off from what he said.

Oddly, the maid she ordered for books did not come, instead, its her brother, Arthur came. In his hand were freshly picked roses from the garden. She look at him confused of the flowers he’s holding.

‘Its like the last time.’ She thought recalling the time he went to her room with the roses in his hand.

“For you.” He said with indifference but Viviene can clearly see how his eyes glowed sadly looking at her.

“Thank you, brother.” She said as she took the flowers. She sniff all of them and smelled the sweet and fresh fragrance which calmed her nerves. She glance at Arthur heeding his expression.

‘What do they look so sad when they see me?’ She wonder as she remember Sir Rowellius’ expression.

“Is something wrong, brother?” She asked, bothered by his sullen face.

“Nothing at all. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. No, actually I’m better now.” She answered with a lively tone.

Arthur remained silent while looking at her. She said those words full of life yet her face in front of him were pale. She notice his expression again so she asked him directly.

“If you’re feeling bad because of what happened, don’t be. Its my fault, not yours.” She muttered and put the flowers in the vase placed on the table. Arthur snapped and speak.

“I..”

“You know, if you’re really sorry, will you let me go out from this room? I’m bored.” She suggested looking at him with a tired face. He shut his mouth for a while before opening it.

“.. Actually, I came here to get you. Father wants us to join him drinking tea at the garden.”

“Father?”

“Yes.”

She think for a while before nodding her head.

‘Its not that bad than staying here.’ She thought.

“Also, I just want to say to you that you can do and get what you want, even if its thousands of jewels, gold or men.”

She looked at him dumbfoundingly. She smiled at him and nodded again.

‘lets crash out ‘men’ in his statement.’ She thought.

“Why would I want men? Anyway, lets go.” She said.

They arrived at the garden where the duke is sitting, drinking tea leisurely. The duke noticed them and invited them on the table.

“How have you been?” The duke immediately asked.

“I’m feeling better.”

“I see. Anyway, I removed the greenhouse renovation from your hands. You don’t have to do such tiring thing for the time being.” He muttered as he drink his tea.

“Why?” She asked confusedly. The duke stoned from his seat for a while before resuming his moves.

“I just want to.” He answered.

‘Oh really? I felt like they were hiding something from me..’ She thought observing their expressions. ‘They had the same gloomy expression again. Why?’ She wonder.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She’s not satisfied of her father’s answer yet she cant interrogate him due to her curiosity. Ignoring their weird expressions, she drink her tea.

“Child, do you want something?” The duke asked. She glance at him muddleheaded by his sudden question.

‘This is really weird. Everything is weird today.’ She thought realizing the bizarre events to her.

“Well.. Nothing at all father.” She answered indifferently.

“Nothing? How about jewels? Dresses? Or Shoes?” He asked persuading her.

“I have tons of that in my room, father. Uh, why are you asking? My birthday is not today.” She informed him thinking he mistakenly thought that today is her birthday.

“Yes, I do remember your birthday, child.” The duke said

‘Why is he always calling me child?’ she wondered. Before she could ask, she felt burning sensation in her chest and unexpected thing happened.

“cough”

Blood went out from her mouth. The men in front of her loose their calmness and rushed in her side.

“Viviene!” She heard Arthur called her.

She cough blood again feeling her chest even burning more. Her vision started to blur and she couldn’t hear the people around her. She could feel someone hugging her tightly and slowly, her vision is blackening. All she could think is the bird which appeared in her dream.

‘f**k that chicken..’ She cursed before passing out.