Chapter 38
1141 Words
Third Person POV
Susanne released a breath and watched the vapor that came out disappear into nothingness. The night was colder than the day, especially outside with nothing but a coat as protection from the slow falling snow. She shivered, clinging the coat closer to herself.
She hears a rustling sound from afar and waits patiently, grabbing the hilt of the dagger in her coat. When the footsteps she heard before approached, she whipped it out and pointed it at the neck of the person who joined her.
“I see your instincts are as sharp as ever, Susanne.”
“You still walk into my dagger, Lia.”
Susanne placed her dagger down and surveyed the face in front of her. If she didn’t know the person in front of her very well, she would’ve mistaken her for a man.
“What happened to your hair?”
“A little mishap. Here’s what you needed.”
Lia handed the little paper in her coat pocket to Susanne and waited for her to read it all. When Susanne was done, her hands were trembling and not from the cold.
“So, the rumors were true?”
“Yes. I saw them myself. They plan to invade Uramuth soon. King Mival most likely knows about it.”
“Bloody hell... I have to report this back to his majesty! We can’t just let this slide! Who knows when he will start his madness?”
“Relax Susanne, I already sent a messenger bird. It should be getting to the kingdom soon.”
“That’s a relief. Will you be returning with us?”
Lia paused. She reached for Susanne’s cheeks and caressed them.
“No, I will not. I’ll remain here to monitor things.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“I have to. Besides, there are many who need my help.”
“I need you. Kalvin needs you. We need you.”
“I know but you’re all so grown up now. I have someone to worry about. How is Kalvin?”
“He’s still hung up on his dead wife. He’s been giving everyone a difficult time over it.”
“Susanne, what if I told you… Princess Ariana is still alive?”
“What?! Are you serious?”
“Yes. I think I’ve found her. She was so hard to find and now I know why. Someone was hiding her.”
“If Kalvin finds out, there’ll be trouble.”
“Exactly. Keep him away from the women in the palace. Keep a close eye on him.”
“That brat… always causing trouble... tch!”
“Take care of him for me.”
“Fine.”
The two parted underneath the cover of the moon like they were never there. The next day soon came and with it, a buzz of activity in the palace. Susanne could imagine other people in the palace getting ready but her cousin was reticent, lying on his bed in his night garments.
“Excuse me, your royal highness, aren’t you supposed to be doing something right now?”
“...Sleeping?”
“No...You have to go hunt with the men.”
“Why?”
“Because you promised. Now get up!”
“You’re so loud. Go away.”
“If you don’t get up right now…”
“Fine, fine, I’m up, I’m up. Gods, you’re one fierce woman.”
“Thank you. I’ll be waiting. There’s already a warm bath.”
“I hope I drown in it.”
“I’ll revive you and then kill you myself.”
It took so long for Kalvin to return that Susanne had to go in and check on him. Fortunately he was almost dressed so she waited for him more. When he came out, he had words for her.
“You… can’t you knock?!”
“You took your time in there so I had to check on you.”
“You saw me naked! You’ve defiled my honor!”
“So I saw your drawers, good riddance! That’s not your honor!”
“Oh, so you think men do not have the same rights of honor as women when they are being harassed?”
“For the love of god, Kalvin, please listen to yourself.”
“No, I hear myself well! You’re denying your crime.”
“Why are you so bloody dramatic?”
“I’ve been molested, harassed, treated like…”
His voice trailed off as they reached the outer corridor. Susanne wondered why he stopped and traced his line of sight, her eyes landing on the woman who walked across with food in her hands. She had a bandage on her arm and her eyes were focused on her destination.
Susanne recognized her as the woman who fled the brunch with the child. Seeing she was present in the brunch with a child that looked like King Mival, Susanne automatically assumed she was the newest concubine of King Mival. So when Kalvin called out to her, she was horrified.
“Hello miss.”
“Oh, hello.” She gave a short bow, creating distance between them.
“I can’t understand why you’re wary but I just wanted to apologize for my inappropriate behavior. I shouldn’t have accosted you that day.”
‘Inappropriate behavior?! What did you do?!’ Susanne screamed in her mind. The woman in question looked uncomfortable.
“As long as you know your mistakes, my lord. I have to go now…”
“Wait, I haven’t introduced myself to you yet. I am Prince Kalvin but you can call me Kal.”
“Oh, I’m Elayne Greycastle. It was nice meeting you.”
“Yes, very nice.”
The smile Kalvin had on rubbed Susanne in the wrong ways. She reached for a corner of his shirt and tugged on it.
“Please forgive my cousin, he can be annoying at time. We have to leave now.”
“Okay.” She nodded and began walking away.
“I’ll see you later!” Kalvin yelled as I dragged him away.
“What are you doing?! She might be the King’s concubine!”
“No way! She said she’s the little prince’s nurse.”
“Has it occurred to you that she might be lying?! What if the king is keeping her a secret? Remember they said the mother of the last prince is a servant.”
“... That’s right.”
He looked disappointed. Susanne finally realized why Lia said she should keep Kalvin away from the women in the palace. Susanne had the opportunity of meeting Princess Ariana twice and therefore couldn’t recognize her if she tried. But if her existence threatened the peace of their homeland, there was no way she would allow them to be together.
- Writer
