"Who the hell are you-"
"Shh! Watch your tongue, lad. Can't you see the imperial insignia affixed on his cloak?"
"O-oh…haha! D-do forgive us, kind sirs. We did not realize these ladies were accompanied." The bald one said, slowly backing away along with the rest of them.
"Now that you know…you'd do well to make yourselves scarce before I change my mind."
"Y-yes sir. Have a good time!"
"Miss Ulissa, can you hear me? Please get a hold of yourself."
"Refrain from moving her too much, Leo. She might puke on you as a result. Escort her back to the palace and I'll-"
"Nate? Is that you? Haha! I'm right, it is you! Haha! Handsome Nathaniel is here. I can rest easy now."
Excitement gleamed in her eyes as she giggled, her head swinging playfully without a worry or care in the world. Taking my hand, she gently nuzzled her face into it, her sigh a soft, warm breath against my skin. In that instant, the world outside of us vanished; the sounds, sights, and even the feel of the air changed, leaving only our shared moment. My heart thumped so violently it felt like it would burst from my chest, leaving me gasping for breath.
"So warm…your hand is so comforting."
The tender lilt in her voice, slightly slurred but undeniably sweet, and the palpable warmth of her skin, created an irresistible pull. I found myself captivated, barely able to hold back my reaction. It was then I realized…just how deep my feelings run for this woman. The way she looks at me, the subtle tilt of her head-it's enough to steal my breath and leave me utterly weak and helpless, completely at her mercy.
"I…missed you, Nathan. I missed you so much but…"
"…you've been so distant with me these days. Whyyyyyyyyy?" she pouted loudly while clinging to my chest, which alerted the onlookers' curious glances and quiet chatters.
"Leo…quit gawking and get going."
"Ahem! Y-yes, sire."
By the time we arrived at my aunt's manor, it was already too late to rouse the staff. Therefore, I sought the help of my men, requesting their help in order to bring Fatima to her chamber unnoticed. The sounds of her drunken singing…
"I am a wittle tiny bird flying awaaaaayyy! Far across the horizon I gooooooo!"
…were so piercing and loud that we had to use her window to coax her back into her room.
"Whyyyyyyyyy…. must love hurt so badly! Myyyyy withered heart is slowly fading awaaaaayy…."
"Forbidden looooove! Oh! forbidden love-"
I had no choice but to clamp her mouth shut to prevent her from causing any more ruckus at such a late hour. The moment we stepped inside, she latched onto my leg, her grip firm and determined, making it nearly impossible for me to leave. When tying her ankle to the bedpost proved ineffective against her rambunctiousness, I resorted to stay with her until she eventually fell asleep in my arms.
~Present Time, Rocktenberry Manor
"I…I did…WHAT?!" she yelled in disbelief, slumping to the floor with a loud flop.
I was not expecting that reaction at all. Perhaps I should have left out the details.
"I can't believe I did such a thing. What was I thinking?"
Lady Ivy's casual mention of that name yesterday sparked an intense curiosity within me, especially after what I witnessed last night. According to Amie, Miss Fatima suffered a fatal accident on the day the annex caught on fire. Her words sounded convincing, yet the nervous twitch of her lip and the haunted look in her eyes spoke volumes.
"How am I going to face his highness now?"
My self-control was severely tested when faced with the former duchess, and it was only through immense effort that I refrained from lashing out, a restraint that ultimately led to my hasty departure. I couldn't stand another day working there knowing what she did to my dearest friend. But…what if Miss Fati had somehow survived; her new life a carefully constructed disguise, hiding her true self from prying eyes and potential danger? Amie stated that an acquaintance of hers took her remains to be buried, specifying no further details. What if that person was…the crown prince? *sigh* No, that's impossible. There's no way she'd be friends with such a temperamental…
"Sir Pervess, please keep this a secret from everyone else. Please? I'm begging you." She pleaded, her hands clasped together. A bashful groan tumbled from her lips.
Gazing into her violet eyes, hidden behind clear spectacles, the strong feeling of familiarity I had experienced upon first meeting Fatima flooded back to me. Her soft voice, the lilting intonation, and the way she unconsciously pushes her hair behind her ear when frustrated mirror Miss Fatima's mannerisms exactly. Am I alone in noticing these minor details, or am I really losing my mind? Their appearances couldn't be any more different, but somehow…
"Do not worry, Miss Lottie. I won't tell a soul about last night." I reassured with a smile.
I should speak to them about this. Perhaps my senses will return to me when I confirm her death once more.
"*Phew! Thank you Sir Pervess. You've always been so kind to me."
"Pardon?"
What did she just say?
"Oh! I-I mean…You are very kind to me, Sir Pervess. Goodness! I'm all out of sorts today." She said in a stammering tone, her forced giggle echoing in the silence between us.
"I should cure this hangover quickly if I want to make it to the arena on time. I thank you for the medicine, Sir Pervess. Hehe!"
Hmm…
+++
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, my Lord. All is set and ready to go."
"You are all aware of the consequences you will face should this plan fail, correct?" he threatened with a scowl.
His men reluctantly nodded, their fear palpable in the heavy silence, their bodies stiff with apprehension. By consequences, he must mean that he will torture every one of these lads until they breathe their last. I've had just about enough of watching him display such madness from the sidelines. There has to be a way to stop him. However, if I were to inform our parents of his actions, he will certainly retaliate against me, or in the worst-case scenario, unleash his vengeful fury upon them.
"Tell me, Alex, what's it like to be the recipient of that buffoon's undeserved mercy? You must be frolicking inside that birdbrain of yours." he said with a smirk, adjusting his fingers into his black leather gloves.
"The crown prince's discerning eye for strength is nothing to scoff at, brother. To think he'd deem me unfit to even stand before him in the arena at a single glance. Haha!"
"Anyone can tell you're as weak and useless as any, little brother."
It appears my self-deprecating comment slightly amused his peculiar sense of humor.
"Meanwhile…he seemed rather eager to fight you, Ivan."
Even with all of his boasting about how strong he is, deep down he knows he is no match for a man who spent nearly five years fighting demonic creatures on a perilous battlefield. On top of it all, he is the most powerful Sant among his peers. I suppose this knowledge is one of Ivan's main reasons for taking these cautionary measures before the fight.
"Watch and learn how I'll handle things from here onwards. He will pay dearly for what he did to us that night." He said, his firm grip clenching my shoulder.
His poorly conceived plan is going to fail spectacularly, without a sliver of a doubt. I shall devise a way to protect these men from his wrath.
+++
The employee brooch clipped to my shirt allowed me to smoothly enter the arena, bypassing the fee one must provide to be allowed entry. Wow! This outdoor arena is gigantic! The sheer number of seats, arranged in vast sections, is overwhelming; I've never seen anything so spacious before. The scale alone is awe-inspiring. The plush velvet seats located higher up are likely reserved for the imperial family, while the white seats below with sun blockers are probably for the nobility. Which means the concrete seats, located farther away, must be designated to…
"Miss Lottie!" a familiar voice called from the distance.
As I turned, Miss Ulissa, Sir Leonardo, and three of the quadruplet brothers were approaching quickly, their excited expressions visible even from a distance. With a squeal of delight, Ulissa, brimming with enthusiasm, scrambled across the noisy bleachers to pounce on me in a hug that felt as warm as summer. The sight of her plump bosoms pressing against my chin sparked a slight feeling of envy within me. If only mines were half as big... I might have a chance to win over Nathan's heart and make him mine.
"It is so good to see you again today, my dearest soulmate."
I think I ought to inquire about the methods she used to cultivate such enormous melons.
"We saw each other just last night." I replied nonchalantly.
"That was nowhere near enough, silly. We should see each other every day!" She giggled cheerfully, pinching my cheeks in delight.
Though vaguely, I remember her being as intoxicated as I was last night, but she seems to be in a better mood than I am right now.
"I wasn't sure you'd come, Miss Lottie, but I'm glad you are here. Your presence will certainly lighten up the mood."
What does Sir Leonardo mean by that? Did something happen?
"I'm happy to see you all like this. It's not very often we get to be in one place at the same time."
"That sounded quite poetic, Miss Lottie." Sir Ulyx chimed in with a chuckle.
"By the way…have you run into our brother yet? He should have arrived at the manor last night." Asked Ulrick.
"P-pardon? Who?"
"There he is!" Sir Uler exclaimed, pointing his index finger towards the seats reserved for the nobility.
Ivy's hand gently clenched Sir Pervess', her fingers tracing the lines of his glove; Clover, likewise, clung to Sir Uwol's arm, a picture of blissful affection. They look so happy.
"Why is he walking so stiffly? Haha!"
"He must be nervous. He doesn't do well under pressure, remember?"
"Still…he's doing better than expected. I wonder who taught him how to escort a lady?"
"Yours truly, of course." Sir Leonardo grinned boastfully as a subtle hush permeated our midst.
"Ahem! It was a last-minute crash course which explains his less than perfect performance."
Our laughter echoed in the air as we took turns teasing the bashful Sir Leonardo. The refreshing feeling of the chaotic atmosphere around us and the bustling ambience of the arena was invigorating.
"We should find our seats before this place fills up. You're coming with us, Miss Lottie."
I was prepared to be the lone attendee, this being my first time, but the presence of Nathan's staff has significantly reduced my discomfort.
"Of course, Sir Leonardo."
"By the way…how did the meeting go with the representatives?"
"Well…his majesty decided to show up last minute. However, contrary to our expectations, things are progressing rather smoothly and efficiently. It is all thanks to your hard work, Miss Lottie." He said with a gentle grin.
"Oh, and if anyone asks, you are a linguistic scholar from Lithiar."
"P-pardon?"
"I had the same reaction when I was informed of it. *sigh* Please just…go along with it for now until this blows over."
Should I be worried?