101 Ways To Tame The Emperor

Chapter 20: Symptoms Of Love

“OF COURSE NOT, Your Majesty. I would not dare. I cussed at myself for opening the door. I should have just chosen to stay more in the dream land than to listen to all these.”

I leaned on the settee and rested my head on my knuckles. The first and last time I came to him and bothered him like this was fourteen years ago before I went to my first war. I had trouble sleeping back then, too. I didn’t think it would happen again, though. “I’m sorry. I just… don’t know what to do. This is new to me, Matt. You know that.”

Matthew gaped. He threw the pillow on the floor and rushed to sit on the glass center table in front of me. The brat almost tripped because he did it so quickly.

“Can you repeat that, Your Majesty?”

“I said I’m sorry.”

“You are actually saying ‘sorry’ to me? What the heck is happening to you? The genius Emperor who everyone feared and who always knew what to do just openly confessed that he’s at a loss now because of one woman. Are you okay? You are not sleepwalking, are you? Or am I the one dreaming here? This is a dream, right? I can’t believe you are bothering me even in my dream, you brute!”

“Say that one more time and I will kick your ass out of this Castle, Matthew. I want you to order the investigators to stop searching for Catherine. Tell them that I’ve found her already. I want them to investigate on something else instead. It’s about all the people who had an interaction with Catherine Peiris. Before the day ends, tell them that I want a thorough detail about her and her family members including all the things they did to her. Whoever made her cry, I will make them pay a thousand fold.”

Matthew’s jaw dropped. “So you really are awake, Your Majesty. And you do know how to apologize. That was very surprising.” I glared at him. “You really are serious about this whole thing, huh. This is really happening. I can’t believe it.”

“Just how many ‘really’ must I hear from you, Matt? You are hurting my ears. Can you have someone ask Matilde and Jeanne about Catherine’s likes and dislikes, too? Also inquire about her favorite food and have Mrs. Rembrant supervise it. She must see to it that the Chefs will serve them all for her. And if there’s anything that she finds uncomfortable here, tell the butler to change it as soon as possible. They do not need to ask for my permission about it anymore.”

“Your Majesty, you have fallen in love with Catherine, haven’t you?”

My whole body went rigid for a moment before I answered. “Don’t make me laugh, Matthew. You know I don’t do love. Not to mention that I’ve only met her recently. Besides,” I glowered at him. “Don’t just carelessly call her by her name. You have no right. You two are not close enough.”

He pouted. “You nagged as if you two are close. I bet Lady Catherine does not want to have anything to do with ‘General Malik’. And yeah. You are not in love. You just feel like staying awake this late and minding things that are not supposed to be your business anymore. And you just feel like waking me up. That is so great of you, Your Majesty.”

I ignored the sarcasm in his voice. “I am perfectly aware of how great I am, Matthew. Thank you very much. But why do you think Catherine cried like that?”

Matthew looked like he was about to freak out. “And how in the world would I know that? Why does it bug you so much?”

I scratch the back of my neck out of confusion. “I told you I don’t know. I thought I was just interested in her because of how brave she is and of how skillful she is. But even in her vulnerable state, I find myself still liking her. I’ve been to countless war to protect this Empire and to broaden our lands. I’ve been wounded many times. But those wounds did not sting as much as my chest sting now after I saw Catherine.” I held my chest. “Even now, it still sting, goddamn it! I don’t know what’s happening to me anymore.”

“This is so unlike you, Your Majesty. You never cared about anyone else’s business before. But Catherine, I mean Lady Catherine’s reaction was really surprising. There could be many reasons why she’s feeling dejected right now. First was that she was forced into this responsibility. If she’s not a spy, then it means that her family basically threw her to her death when they sent her over. If not for her skills, she would have died already. I mean, nothing hurts more than being abandoned by your own kin. You do know that she is not in good terms with any of them, right? Or maybe she has a man she was in love with and they had to break up when the Count sent her to the Castle?”

I could feel my blood pressure rising. That could be a possibility, too. But damn. I hate that. “I would ask her about that when I meet her later. If that turns out to be true, I swear I will make her forget whoever that man is. I’m here now. He is no longer welcome in her life.”

“You look so bothered and yet, you say you are not…” Matthew did not finish his sentence and just shook his head. “By the way, I heard that Lady Catherine’s birthday is in a month from now.”

“Really? Then prepare a banquet for her in a month. And invite all her enemies. It’s payback time.”

(Sabina)

OH, NO. Not again. I muttered to myself upon seeing the man who was waiting for me beside the carriage along with my Escorts and the imperial soldiers. If only the servants were not watching, I would have run back to my chambers.

I looked up the sky. Was this some sort of a punishment? But I’ve been a nice citizen my whole life.

Why, Lord? Why?

I thought I succeeded in making myself clear last night that’s why I felt so relieved when I did not see General Malik’s shadow at the dining hall this morning. I thought that would be the beginning of us not crossing paths. After all, the Castle was so huge. People could play hide and seek there without being able to find each other for days or weeks. Or maybe even forever?

Mrs. Rembrant toured me early in the morning to the safe zones inside the Castle after breakfast. She said it took the tour only three hours and a half since there were quite a number of areas that were prohibited for the guests.

The surroundings of the Castle made the tour longer. And all that walking wore me out. The whole place was enormous because there was a Castle in the western section which was built only for His Majesty’s private affairs. The Eastern Castle was for meetings and entertaining guests. My chamber was near the western section but it would take about twenty minutes of walk to get there.

Without Mrs. Rembrant, I was sure I would get lost for hours trying to find the way to my chamber.

She only toured me around the Eastern Castle because no one can freely visit the western section without His Majesty’s permission. She would have wanted me to show the falls which would take us fifteen minutes through the horse but we were already behind the schedule. Besides, we also have to ask for the Emperor’s permission first since only him and his family members used to go there.

Mrs. Rembrant assured me that if I get lucky and got married to the Emperor, I will be allowed to visit the prohibited areas. That tour was the first thing on my schedule for today. Before lunch, I was supposed to leave to visit the nearby towns and to make acquaintances with the provincial officers.

Unfortunately, the General was here again. I was starting to dislike the Emperor for sending this beautiful hunk my way. Oh, damn. Something must be wrong with my head. Why was I even complimenting him?

Calm down, Sabina. It’s only because you are sleep-deprived today. Your mind is not functioning well. Once you get a good sleep, you will be okay again. I mentally assured myself.

Today, the General was wearing a navy-blue suit. I caught the female employees stealing glances at his direction and blushing like teenagers. I must admit, seeing Malik Montebello can easily put anyone in a good mood. His presence made me forget why my chest ached. He even made me forget to breathe for a second.

And that was the problem. He can make me forget things… even the reasons why I should hate him.

The General was the first to approach me this time. Compared to last night, he was not smirking this morning. In fact, he had a soft smile on his lips which made my-I mean Catherine’s-silly heart race again. I was starting to dislike Catherine’s heart, too. It was annoying how it acts like this in front of this man.

“Good morning, my lady.”

Why was he suddenly acting benevolent? Was it because there were more people watching us now? Still, I played along. I had to. “Good morning, General.”

“You look like you didn’t get a nice sleep. Is something making you uncomfortable here?”

Would I let this chance pass to talk back? Of course not. I whispered, “As a matter of fact, there is. Someone is making me uncomfortable here, General. And it’s you.”

Malik gave me a lopsided grin. “So I am the reason why you could not sleep last night? You flatter me, my lady.”