Chapter 9

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖁𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝕱𝖎𝖗𝖘𝖙 𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

My entire body began to panic by the time I heard what Anna had said. If Henry hadn't been yawning like he had just woken up, my mind would have nearly completely blanked out.

"What's the problem?" I heard him ask, and when I turned to face Anna once more, I saw that her eyes had gotten bigger as she continued to stare at Henry and me.

"Milady, I think young master Henry would need to be in another room for this day, since----" I interrupted Anna before she could say anything more because I knew what she was about to say. Rather, I stood with Henry's arms around the bed. I smiled at Anna as I led him in front of her.

"That's why you are going to get Henry from my room and lock him----I mean, get him to see Sir Feldin now, don't you think?"

"Milady, Sir Feldin is on vacation and I'm afraid that----"

"Sir Feldin, what did I say about him? I must have been perplexed," I answered, trying to think of something else to do. I turned away from Anna and Henry to look around my room, telling myself to keep thinking until I came up with the last possible solution.

"Oh, remember, I wanted you, Anna, to take Henry to my mother because I think Mother wanted to tell me something concerning Henry and because I would be busy today. She would like Henry to master the embroidery lesson, so just mention it." I smirked at him and finally pushed Henry towards Anna before I could even allow her to speak.

But before Henry could release my hands—I have no idea how he managed to hold them—I noticed that his eyes were narrowing and he appeared really angry.

"Designs? Vestia, are you really with me now? I'm not a woman for crying out loud; those types of lessons were reserved for ladies like you." If I hadn't been able to cover his lips, Henry would have screamed, and I would have stared at him whenever he spoke again.

"When I reach the age of eleven years old, I will also learn how to use a sword. That's a promise," I murmured to him, taking hold of his little finger and swearing to keep my word.

Then, as I shut the door, I let go of him and shoved him aside. But first, I gave Anna a signal, and she unquestionably seized Henry and took him to my mother's place.

That was the first time I had heard him swear, but it didn't bother me since I knew he was just bewildered, and I couldn't let Calier know that I was here. Besides the horrific things he had done to me in the past, I couldn't imagine what he would do to my friend if he found out.

I took a moment to clutch my knees as I leaned against my door. I turned to face the sun, which was shining across my room, but I felt no warmth. Henry had ceased to be the kind person I had sensed earlier, and I would constantly be reminded of that horrible nightmare.

Caliere was a man I knew who had the unwavering ability to rule over anyone. He had fought in numerous wars before, and I would always wait for him to return to the empire.

When he beheaded one of the corrupt nobility at an event, everyone gasped but no one talked, and that's when I first saw his bloodlust. Nobody, not even my family, should ever get on his wrong side because he was a terrifying person.

I would be sincerely sorry if Henry and the Vellitas family suffered as a result of a single, catastrophic error, as he would never show pity.

I shook my head and smacked my cheeks a few more times until this memory was over. My resolve to let go of the past was the only thing keeping me balanced on a thin rope.

I took a few long breaths and, at last, got ready for my clothes. I'm aware that the maids will arrive in a short while, but I want to look modest, without jewelry, and maybe in a simple violet dress instead of a bright, sunny one.

I hardly brushed my hair when I looked in the mirror because it was all twisted together. I glance at the chair in front of me and my outfit. I took it and started straightening my hair. A few minutes later, I simply brushed it.

This was the first time Caliere had visited my home without extending an invitation; in the past, he would never even glance at me.

Since the sun is going to set, I suppose he wouldn't remain long. I would simply greet him out of respect if he came to talk to my father here. He first encountered me in this world under the ivy tree in the imperial household's garden.

I was unable to express myself at the time because my recollections of the past constantly collided with the present.

But I need to have those guts right now. Even though my feelings for him have changed, I have to admit that every change must come to pass, and Caliere should be the next.

He was bound to fall in love with someone else, a young woman named Liana; therefore, I could never make him fall in love with me. All I have to do right now is stay on his good side; that's one of my objectives.

I entered the building through the door and moved through the hallways once I was certain I was ready. As I turned to face the other way, I noticed a room that had been slightly opened, and Henry's volume was audible.

I made an attempt to sneak a glimpse at what he was doing, and sure enough, my mother was teaching him how to embroider. When Henry would make a mistake and Mother would correct him, she would laugh. Then, when the needle touched his fingers, he would scream, make a face, and sigh.

My mother never had a son, so even though they wanted to, they were focused on me, and even if I moved to the imperial household, they would still support me and not have given birth to any of my siblings. This is why I wanted Henry to be close to my mother.

I laughed, but I controlled myself so that none of them would know that I was listening in, especially Henry. Not him when he would feel ashamed if he was observed stitching.

I had to leave right away, as I realized when I stepped back. I'll go for now so I can make fun of Henry later.

I didn't have enough time to get in front of Caliere, who was staying in one of the guest rooms in our home. Father's aide, Frein, led the way.

He was able to clarify to me earlier that Caliere had already spoken with my father during my preparations and that Caliere had now asked to speak with me in order to help the crown prince extend his stay in the guest room.

Now that I was here, I could see how he crossed his legs, his left hand picking up the tea from the table and taking a sip, and his right hand gripping a book.

Upon my entrance, his gaze was directed towards the window adjacent to him rather than at me. Specifically, he was contemplating the sunset, which was already a captivating sight.

"G-Greetings, Your Highness," Despite my stuttering, I managed to deliver the customary salutation that guests offer when encountering an imperial member.

I avoided staring into his eyes at that moment because I knew that if I looked someone in the eyes, not even they would be happy. That's when I noticed how he was looking at me.

I caught him sighing. The only sound in this quiet room would be the way he set down his tea and straightened his legs. I couldn't sit without his permission, so I stood there.

But when I turned to face him, he had already stood up, and I was unable to read his thoughts because his pricey footfall would be heard more loudly at this point.

I didn't even realize what was going to happen until he was right in front of me. I couldn't move, and my eyes widened as I breathed in his seductive aroma, as if to tease me about what would happen.

If I pushed him away without even trying to do anything wrong, that would be an insult to him.

He said, "You seemed...plain for a young lady." Unlike before, when he would say anything with a trace of contempt or animosity, his voice was friendly.

I don't hear any hostility in his tone, or did he merely say those things as if they were true, saving them for his final remarks?

I couldn't even read his mind, so I'm not sure.

"But you know what?" he hesitated once more, and this time he kept bending in my direction until my back struck the door. His other hand remained in his pocket, and he placed his right hand on the side of my head.

"Your father seemed to care for you a lot; he even said that you're always wearing floral dresses, but when I looked at you now, it doesn't seem to fit his description or was it because of me?" He enquired. I saw his eyes narrow when I attempted to move my head.

His hair turned a fiery red when the sun's rays struck his form, but his golden glow persisted.

"I-I----"

"Well, I don't care about much of that; however, I can't seem to put it off. Why would you feel frightened on our first meeting, but you would have a strong gut to hold a young boy's hand in the market, young lady Vestia?"

***

Author-nim note: edited ^-^ Please forgive my grammar; English is not my first language. ^-^