CHAPTER SIXTEEN
1591 Words
Chapter Sixteen
Finally, they have arrived at the capital. The crowds welcomed them cheerfully, it was noisy and colorful banners can be seen.
Celine stared at them who were gleefully cheering at the soldiers, especially to the safe return of their emperor.
‘What will happen to those cheerful smiles if they found out that this world will end soon,’ she thought.
Soon, she can see the imperial palace. The grand gate opened and as they entered the imperial grounds, she saw the servants lining up on the exquisite entrance of the castle.
“Your majesty, the family of the three kings are also here to visit,” She heard Lucas uttered to Mathew.
“Yes, they inform me back at the manor,” he replied.
“Your parents also prepared a grand banquet tomorrow evening,” Lucas said.
Mathew breathes in defeat.
“I have also been informed about that when there’s no need for them to host that kind of event. I have a lot to take care of, just to stop this world from falling apart,” he whispered back.
Celine who shared the same ride with Mathew remained silent.
“Celine?” Mathew called.
“Yes, master?” she answered.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
She eyed Mathew for asking such an odd question.
“…Yes.”
As they approach the entrance, Mathew steps down from riding his horse and was about to assist Celine but was interrupted by his mother rushing on him.
“Math!” he heard his mother called and hug him from behind.
“Mother, it’s good to see you,” Mathew greeted as he faced her and hug her back.
“Yes, yes. It’s good that your back my son, your father and I are worried about you,” the lady in her late forties uttered.
“Big brother!” another lady said as she approach Mathew.
Celine observed the whole scenario in front of her.
“Celine, would you mind if I help you?” Lucas uttered.
“Yes, please,” she replied as she glance at Lucas who assisted her from stepping down the horse.
“The lady in his majesty’s right is his mother, the former empress, her imperial highness Elena De Blanche and the lady beside her is his majesty’s younger sister, princess Veronica De Blanche,” Lucas explained.
“Master’s hazel eyes are like his mother’s,” she commented.
Lucas smiled.
“Yes, but you should see the former emperor, they look alike despite having different eye colors. As you can see, the eye color of the princess is the same eye color of the former emperor, they both have dark brown eyes,” Lucas uttered.
“Oh, then, where his master’s father?” she asks.
“The former emperor is ill and was resting in his room as what I have learned,” Lucas replied.
Their conversation ended when Celine heard Mathew calling her. She look at Mathew who was gesturing for her to come closed to them.
“Please excuse me, Lucas,” she uttered as she walk towards Mathew.
“Mother, this is Celine, she’s the one I’m telling you about,” Mathew said as he smiled at her.
“… Please to meet you…your majesty,” Celine uttered as she bowed her head.
Celine was surprised at Mathew’s mother, Elena when she embraces her tightly.
“Oh! Such beautiful lady,” she heard her say as she pinch Celine’s cheek.
“Mother you are hurting her,” Veronica commented.
“Oh,” Elena uttered as she loosen her embrace to Celine.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Celine, I am Veronica De Blanche, Mathew’s younger sister,” Veronica said with a smile.
‘Oh, they always smile,’ Celine thought as she saw through her mind the picture of Mathew always smiling at her.
“It is an honor to meet you, princess,” Celine replied as she gaze at the two ladies in front of her, their feminine look and superb beauty made them look majestic.
‘Their good looks run in their blood,’ her mind commented and she eyed Mathew.
“Mother we should go inside now,” Mathew whispered.
“Oh! Yes, we should,” Elena replied as she chuckled.
Elena guided the guests inside the castle and instructed the maids to escort them to their respective rooms.
Celine who was beside Mathew all the time was approached by a female servant.
“Good day my lady, I will escort you to your room,” she said as she bowed her head to her.
“Oh, thank you… Master please excu…”
Celine’s words were interrupted when a woman suddenly approach Mathew and pull him away from her.
The three kings also approach the two of them with smiles on their faces. Celine observed their casual treatment of each other and saw their happy faces as they talk casually to the girl.
‘It seems like they know each other,’ she thought as she look back at the maid.
“Please lead the way,” Celine uttered as they walk through the splendid and enormous hallway of the castle.
Celine observed the interior design of the castle. Unlike the manor, the inside of the castle is fancy and luxurious, it’s bright and comfortable yet sophisticated and elegant, perfectly designed for the emperor.
“We are here my lady,” the maid said as she opened the door for Celine.
As expected, the room was flawless and exquisite. She steps inside the room and eyed the maid-servant.
“Thank you,” Celine uttered.
“It’s my pleasure, my lady, If you need anything please don’t be afraid to ask, we are happy to serve you,” she said as she smiled at her.
“Yes, I will, thank you,” Celine replied.
The servant bowed her head again and exited the room. Celine walk towards the queen size bed and lay down her body on its soft and bouncy mattress.
Thoughts from the previous fight occupied her mind but a sudden knock made her back to her senses. She immediately went to the door and opened it.
“Princess? May I help you?” she asks Veronica who’s smiling at her.
“I’m sorry if I interrupted you, but would like to have some tea with me?” Veronica suggested.
‘Tea? What’s that?’ she thought.
“… It’s an honor to be with the princess but, may I ask who is with us?” Celine politely asks.
“Oh, don’t worry, the attendees are only my mother, my brother’s childhood friend Monica and other nobles and royalties from the neighboring kingdom,” Veronica replied.
‘Wouldn’t it be out of place for me If I was there?’ she thought.
“I see no need of my presence there, your highness,” Celine answered.
“Oh no, don’t be like that, of course, your presence is highly appreciated,” She replied.
“But…”
‘I’m tired,’ her mind whispered.
Celine stared at the lady for seconds, thinking Veronica might think she’s being disrespectful if she decline her invitation.
“…That will be fine by me,” Celine uttered.
“Really? Thank you for accepting my invitation,” She replied as she hold Celine’s hand which is smaller than hers.
“I promise you’ll never regret it. The tea is delicious, I brewed it myself,” Veronica continued as she pulled her for an embrace.
“Yes…yes, thank you, princess,” Celine answered.
She was left with no option as Veronica pulled her hand and led the way.
Along the way, Veronica’s dark chocolate medium cut hair was swaying as they walk. Celine stared at her hand who was still holding her hand.
‘They both have the same gentle and kind hand,’ her mind commented.
“Tell me, Celine, did my brother made you eat well?” Veronica asks as she eyed Celine.
“Master? Of course princess he feeds me well,” she replied.
“I’m sorry if my question is rude but I am quite worried about how petite you are. I was going to scold my brother for you so don’t be afraid to tell me about his negligence,” Veronica uttered.
‘Negligence?’ her mind laugh at the thought.
“No, no, master, is very kind and not irresponsible so there is no need for you to do that Princess. Thank you for your concern,” Celine explained.
“It’s good to hear,” she replied as she smile brightly at her as they walk into an enormous flower garden.
Celine’s eyes met Mathew’s gaze who was standing on the other side of the garden.
They continued to walk, Celine saw an elongated table with desserts and teas on top, and Mathew’s mother was already sitting on one of the chairs having a conversation with the others. Other unfamiliar ladies were sitting there as well and as the both of them get nearer to the table they stop their conversation. The strangers look at them, specifically at her.
Their burning stares made her uncomfortable and intimidated while she maintained her compose facial expression.
“Oh, good thing you’re here Celine, please have a seat,” Elena greeted as she smiled at her.
“Thank you so much, your majesty,” she replied as she sits on the chair beside Veronica.
She can still feel the burning stares of the other ladies at her.
‘What did I get myself into?’ Celine said to herself.
- Writer
