The Center of Cosmos

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Mathew opened his eyes and realizes that it’s already morning. He let out a sigh as he stroked his hair backward revealing his forehead and then stands up from laying on his bed.

“Good morning master.”

He glances at the lady with a pair of emerald eyes and an unreadable compose facial expression, wearing a simple floor-length white gown with bell sleeves, the waist part of the dress is wrapped in emerald-colored corset and despite her not styled waist-length black and wavy hair, it’s not an obstacle to seeing her unequal beauty.

“Celine? What are you doing here?” Mathew asks.

“I came here to do this,” she uttered as she steps closer to him and poke his forehead gently making his exhaustion and fatigue fade.

He touches his forehead the moment she steps away from him.

“You’re doing this again, didn’t I remind you not to waste your energy?” he said.

“You need that more than me master, anyway, I should go now, and someone might see me here. I don’t want to tarnish your reputation,” she uttered as she snaps her finger.

Before he could even respond, Celine already faded away.

‘It seems like she doesn’t care about it at all,’ he commented as yesterday’s moment flashes back in his mind.

He sigh.

‘Am I the only one who’s bothered?’ he thought sadly.

Soon his bubble of thoughts faded when he heard a knock on his door.

“Your majesty, we will prepare your bath, may we come in?” A servant announced behind the closed door.

“Yes you may,” Mathew answered.

The door opened as the lady servants’ barge inside his room, they lined up, facing him, and then bowed their head to Mathew.

“Good morning your majesty,” they said in unison.

“Would you like us to prepare the bath in less than five minutes and leave your clothes on the table?” a maid asks.

“Yes please,” Mathew replied and turned his back on them.

On the other hand, the maid-servants are still couldn’t help but admire his bare torso and how incredible the tattoo on his left arm was.

“…Then we will immediately do what you want your majesty,” one of the lady servants managed to reply.

After doing his morning routine Mathew heard another knock.

“Come in,” he announced.

Lucas entered the room and bowed his head.

“Good morning your majesty,” he greeted and bowed his head, “Did you rest well last night?” he asks.

Mathew let out a sigh again and glance at him.

“No, I didn’t,” he answered.

Meanwhile, Celine who was already strolling at the garden at the same time inspecting the barrier she made yesterday that’s only visible for her to see suddenly approached by the former empress along the way.

 “Celine,” Elena called as she smiled at her.

Celine glance at her and bowed her head.

“Good morning your majesty, you look stunning today,” she uttered and glance back at the lady wearing a royal blue gown with gold embroidery on it, her hair was elegantly styled with golden ornaments on her hair.

“You’re flattering me again, you’re stunning as well. It’s good to see you here Celine, I didn’t see you during breakfast a while ago?” she said.

“I already eat my breakfast in my room, your majesty,” Celine answered.

“Oh, I thought Mathew was with you since he didn’t show up in the dining room as well,” she replied.

“…No, master, is not with me your majesty though we met early in the morning,” Celine responded.

“Is that so,” Elena uttered as she glance at the blooming flowers.

“Your majesty, is there something wrong?” she asks.

“I’m worried to my husband lately especially that the leader of the dwarves is coming here. The feud between us and the dwarves is giving me too much to worry about,” Elena answered as she massage her temple.

“If it’s okay your majesty, May I ask why the former emperor and the dwarves’ leader hate each other?” she asks.

“My husband and both the leaders of the dwarves and elves are best of friends before, but sometimes misunderstanding could break even the relationship we oath to protect, my dear. Sometimes, the bleeding we felt emotionally could also break the things we thought would stay with us till the end,” Elena answered, “Forgiveness is really hard because we need to listen for us to know and we need to comprehend to understand, it takes a lot of strength. I just wish everything goes well for Mathew, he’s always through a lot,” she added.

“Don’t worry your majesty, Mathew always tries his best, he can get through it,” Celine comforted.

“Yes, you’re right,” Elena replied and smiled, “I’m proud of my son—”

“Elena!” a voice called.

Their gaze landed at the man approaching them.

“Good morning your majesty,” Celine greeted as she bowed her head to the former emperor.

“Oh, good morning Celine,” Nathaniel answered and smiled at her.

“Goodness Nathaniel why are you shouting early in the morning, you’re ruining the beauty of the flowers,” Elena said as her gaze became fierce at her husband.

“I’m sorry my wife, but I’m having a hard time dealing with you suddenly disappearing by my side. Will you stop that?” he answered.

Elena chuckled.

“Why already miss me?” she answered and smiled.

“Stop playing with me, we should head back, you’re not even wearing your cape yet,” he replied as he hold her hand.

“Fine,” she replied and glance back at Celine who’s staring at them, “It’s nice talking to you Celine,” she uttered as they walk away.

Finally, the trumpets can be heard.

‘They’re here,’ her mind uttered as she walks back to the palace.

He was riding his horse as he look at the grand and big palace in front of him.

“Were here, father,” his son announced to him.

“Yes, I can tell,” he answered.

‘It's been a while since I saw this place,’ his mind uttered as his jaw clenched because of a bitter memory.

“If they won't let our knights enter their grand palace, we won't come inside as well and just go back,” he uttered to his son.

“Yes of course father,” he heard him say.

As they get closer to the entrance they were expecting the guards would stop them and announce that their knights are not allowed inside but to their surprise, the guards bowed their heads and greeted them, and let all their knights enter.

“Hmm, I never thought that the imperial family would surprise us like this,” his son commented as they saw the servants and butlers already lining and making an aisle for them towards the grand entrance of the imperial palace where the royal family stands on top of the stairs waiting for them.

His stare became sharper when they come closer and as he saw them getting clearer in his vision.

And soon, they have finally arrived at the grand stare. They halted and get off from their horses.

The door of the palace opened and soon the current emperor exited from it.

‘He looks like his bastard father, but even if they were different people, they were still my enemy,’ his mind declared as he stared at the man standing on the top staring at him through his hazel eyes.

Celine, who was only a spectator standing beside Lucas look at the royal family standing in front of her.

As expected they all look stunning and majestic, the former empress added a floor-length fur-lined cape, the former emperor was wearing a royal blue Marshall uniform with gold embroidery, a white trouser, a black boots and also wears a cape designed like what her wife has, while the royal princess Veronica wears a bluish gown with gold embroidery at the hem of its balloon floor-length skirt.

“Welcome to our humble abode please make yourself at home,” Mathew declared, and then all the servants including Lucas and her bowed their heads at them.

“Welcome!” the servants said in unison.

Her gaze landed on Mathew who was staring at guests with a serious expression on his face.

Mathew was wearing a Marshall uniform like his father but it was crimson red with gold embroidery, white trouser, and golden boots. He was also wearing a crimson red floor-length white fur-lined cape with golden embroidery of a sun on it. As usual, he was wearing his crown that looks heavy for him and his hair was neatly styled making him look more handsome and glorious.

“It been a while since I saw this place,” a man with red curly hair uttered, his height was only leveled below Mathew’s chest but despite his height, he looks strong a skilled warrior and a dignified ruler.

‘He must be their leader,’ she thought.

“Ah yes it is,” Mathew answered with a smile, “Please, let's continue our conversation inside,” he added.

“Yes we should,” the man answered without having a trace of gladness on his face.

Celine observe everyone and could sense the rising tension between them.