Chapter 37
1115 Words
“Miss Greycastle, you and this child must have an affinity for ill luck. This is the second fatal injury I have seen on him.”
“It was an incident. It was my fault.”
“No, it wasn’t your fault, you were set up. Lady Miriam told me everything that happened.”
“... I don’t know if I can do this anymore. Each time is more dangerous than the last. I don’t know why they want him dead but I can’t bear to see him hurt one more time…”
“I understand. I feel the same way too.”
“Huh?”
“You cannot imagine how many people are trying to kill Lady Miriam everyday.”
“What?”
“It’s true. If not for the fact that we’re in the palace, we would’ve already gotten three assassination attempts. Thanks to this brute, the numbers have decreased significantly,” Dr Rivers said, lifting Prince Miyon. She walked to his cot and immediately frowned when she saw how it looked inside.
“How does this child sleep in here? This looks so uncomfortable.”
“I tried fixing it to the best of my…”
“You’re really not one to talk. You sleep on your desk all the time.”
“I’m doing something useful. All you do is run your mouth about my work.”
“If you weren’t such a scam, maybe I will.”
Everytime Dr Rivers and Lady Geraldine were in a room, they always went at each other’s throat. It felt weird because it didn’t seem like they hated each other. If Lady Geraldine needed something from the other, she wouldn’t refuse.
{Don’t mind them. They’re old friends.}
“Oh really?”
{Yes. Looks can be deceptive.}
I nodded, staring at them arguing like an old couple. Something occurred to me at that moment. I didn’t know who Lady Geraldine was exactly. I just knew her as someone who was friends with Lady Miriam.
“Create a space for him on the bed. I’ll give you vitamins for him to take so he can get well. You’ll have to watch over him.”
“Okay. thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, I nearly failed.”
“See, a scam.”
“Oh for the love of… why don’t you try being a doctor?”
“Why should I? I’m not suited for it.”
“I forgot you’re a brainless brute.”
“I’ll break you.”
“Bring it.”
“Alright, please ladies, break it up. You’ll disturb the prince.”
The two women froze in shock, turning to look at me. It was their first time seeing me talk like that but I had to. I had to go change clothes so I had them watch over the prince. When I came back, they were all deep in a discussion.
“Oh Elayne, come, come. Come sit.” Lady Geraldine waved at me.
“What’s it?”
“We were just discussing something. Lady Miriam said you bear a strong resemblance to Princess Ariana!”
How... How did they?
“I-Is that so?”
“Yes. I looked closer and she was right. Your eyes are the same at least.”
“Is that a good thing though?”
“Perhaps not. But Prince Kalvin is here and well, we don’t want anything bad happening to you.”
“Haha, I’ll be careful.”
It had been a long time since I properly disguised myself. Nobody seemed to remember me and even though the king had seen me multiple times already, he didn’t seem to recognize me so I got sloppy. If by chance someone recognized me, I was done for.
“Lady Miriam, you knew Princess Ariana?”
{She used to come over to the Horps Duchy often so I saw her.}
I don’t recall ever seeing Lady Miriam before. It was strange how she took over the duchy and bore a strong resemblance to the Duke I knew. Even more strange that I hadn’t met Queen Moriah before in my life.
{She was a kind person. When my siblings bullied me and I’d go and cry in the garden, she would come and comfort me. She’d also teach me how to plant. Those days were wonderful.}
A little girl in the garden, something about it was so familiar.
"Hmm? What’s a child doing here? A servant? Hello there!"
"Oh, you cannot talk? It’s okay!"
"No, I’m not trying to hurt you."
"My name is Ariana. You can call me Ellie, like my siblings. It’s a pity I won’t get to know your name."
"This flower? It’s an orchid. It’s really pretty, isn’t it?"
It was so far back that I had forgotten I once met a dark skinned child in the garden of the Horps Estate. She was so small then and so fragile. It was so nice to see her grow into someone so strong and beautiful. She was the reason why I even learnt sign language.
It was even more surprising that the Duke had a hidden child. Falling from grace opened my eyes to see that the things I thought I knew were only the surface of how everything truly was.
{You’re really similar. It’s almost as if she’s here again.}
“... I’m glad I could remind you of someone dear to you.”
“What if Elayne’s actually the princess?”
I instinctively covered Lady Geraldine's mouth, looking around.
“Lady Geraldine, please don’t speak so impulsively." She spoke into my palm so I removed it.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Is that all? I’m quite tired so…”
“There’s a competition tomorrow and they’re inviting everybody. I wanted to warn you that you should stay indoors.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll be careful.”
“We’ll be leaving now. We have to participate and make sure our heads and positions are intact at the end of the day. It’s such a burden, really.”
“Your mouth is too loose, Lady Geraldine.”
“I wish you wouldn’t speak, Dr. Rivers.”
“I wish I’d never speak to you again.”
“Fine! Starting now, we will never speak to each other again.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Lady Geraldine stomped out of the room, Lady Miriam following. She gave me a smile and walked out of sight. Dr. Rivers was the last to walk out but the stare she gave me was unnerving. It was almost as if she was peering into my soul. She gave me a nod and walked away.
- Writer
