Chapter 101
1178 Words
Third Person POV
“Princess Kanna, for the last time, that’s not how it’s played.”
“I saw a space and I moved it. Why does a game have to be so complicated?”
“Everything has rules, princess. If there were no rules in our society, it would collapse. Please follow the rules.”
“Rules are for idiots. I prefer to do things my way.”
“Of course you do,” Kron mumbled, rolling his eyes. Miriam put them together so they could ‘get along’ but all they had done since was fight. Kanna absolutely refused to see anything from his perspective and Kron was slowly losing his patience.
Mirabel came inside the room with tea and served it to them. Kanna immediately caught her and asked where Miriam was.
“The duchess is currently occupied with work. She has many things to attend to. She would join us at dinner.”
“I can’t wait that long, I want to see her now. I don’t want to play with this grump any longer. Does she really have to work?”
“I already explained to you that everything has rules. Duchess Miriam has to work and we can’t disturb her because that’s the rule.”
“Who made the rule?”
“It’s an unspoken rule.”
“Well if nobody spoke about it, then it shouldn’t be that important, right? I’m going to go talk to her,” Kanna said, rising abruptly. She left and Mirabel ran after her because she forgot Miriam couldn’t talk and Mirabel had to interpret for her.
“I have to return to the battlefield. This place is not for me,” Kron mumbled, sighing. He cast a forlorn look at the game they were playing, regretting he didn’t ask for Reid’s company.
Well, even if he asked, he would’ve said no. For some reason, Reid was obsessed with spending time with General Tiller. It was something about special training. Rising from his seat, he asked for directions until he reached the courtyard where a truly special kind of training was happening.
The weather in Casella was still very cold even if the snow had cleared up. So Kron wondered why Reid was shirtless in such a weather. Seeing his lord, Reid was shocked and flailed around trying to explain.
“What’s going on?”
“Your highness, it’s not what you think.”
“What kind of survival training is he having you do? What if you catch a cold before you depart for the battlefield?”
“It’s fine. I’m more resilient than that. Besides that, spar with me your highness.”
“Oh no! No no no no no! I will not fall for that again.”
“Aw, why?”
“Not counting the fact that I have lost the last two spars I had, I have never won one against you. Now that you feel stronger, why would I do it?”
“You’re no fun, your highness.”
“Please just put your clothes on.”
Rolling his eyes, Reid put his clothes on. It was astounding how he walked around in the cold without shivering. Kron looked away, waiting till he was done. Even if he knew he was a man, Reid’s frame was too feminine to simply look at. It didn’t mean he was a soft person though.
“Are you done with your training? I want us to return soon. We have been away for far too long.”
“Oh, you’re right. Well, I should be about done so let’s go?”
“We’ll leave tomorrow.”
“How did the afternoon go with the princess?”
“All she’s interested in is disturbing the duchess. She’s the troublesome kind. Her cousin was a much better choice.”
“If you keep being so choosy, you’ll never find a wife.”
“You of all people shouldn’t be saying that to me.”
“Excuse me?! I am still looking for the perfect woman!”
“Of course you are. I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”
On the other side of the mansion, Miriam snapped the pen she was using in half. Kanna’s rhythmic tapping completely threw her off and also rocked the table she was using. It was endlessly annoying. She threw Mirabel a look.
“Your highness, perhaps you would like to be a bit quieter?”
“Is she done yet?”
What a brat. Miriam and Mirabel thought at the same time.
“No, she is not done yet. She has a lot of things to go through today and would appreciate it if you didn’t disturb her. There are much more interesting things you can do in the mansion.”
“Like?”
“There’s a hidden treasure in the mansion. It’s a succession tradition for our family. The duke hides the treasure so his children can find it. The child who finds it is judged as the child who knows their father the most and is most suitable to be the next duke.”
Mirabel looked away from Miriam’s glare as she explained.
“Hmm, that does sound a little interesting. So, are you going to give me a clue?”
“I’m not very good at riddles but this is the clue I will give you. Find the blue arch where the sun kisses the moon. The light would point your way.”
“I thought you said you weren’t good at riddles?”
“I tried my best for you, your highness. Now good luck.”
Kanna gave Mirabel a look of suspicion but left either way.
{Why did you tell her about the succession tradition?}
“It’s one of the most memorable moments in my life. I thought it interesting enough to keep her busy.”
{It’s a sacred tradition. Besides, you lost it.}
“I know I did. Now, I’m glad I did. You make a much better duchess.”
{You flatter me too much. I’m sure father would’ve been pleased even if you became the duchess. He didn’t seem too happy when I won.}
“He didn’t expect you to know him the most even after the way he treated you and your mother. We were all scared, you know? The ease at which you found it and your fierce defiant eyes. We thought you were just going to kill us all but you let us live. It was a stupid decision.”
{No matter what you all did, you are still my family.}
“Your mother was killed because of our actions. Honestly, you…”
{I have refused to hold hatred in my heart and pursue forgiveness and love. If I was always hateful, I wouldn’t find such great friends and have such a bubbling home. Regardless of what has happened in the past, you make me happy, sister.}
Mirabel always felt she didn’t deserve Miriam’s mercy. But that day, she decided to receive it. She would always be grateful for Miriam.
- Writer
