Despite dismissing the servants without the permission of their masters, the chamberlain wasn’t worried. He was even certain the king would be thankful for the privacy he had given them.
Eugene finally noticed no one else but just the two of them were around.
“We must have been walking too quickly.” Eugene remarked when she saw no one.
Kasser too looked behind them. He did notice when everyone left, but he didn’t see the need to point it out.
“Shall I summon them?” he asked her.
Eugene shook her head. “No, it’s not necessary.” she said, “Besides, I don’t think we’ll be needing them. Doesn’t it bother you, though, knowing someone’s always following you?”
“Not really.” He admitted. “It’s actually convenient, after all, I only look at them when I need them.”
Ah, she thought with realization, An acquired taste only royals would have. I’m definitely a commoner.
“Is it still uncomfortable?” Kasser suddenly asked.
Eugene shook her head. “I don’t think so.” She replied. “Not as much as it was before.”
Kasser gave a light chuckle.
“I meant your stomach.”
“Oh.” She smiled, realizing her misunderstanding. “It’s all right now. My stomach isn’t upset any longer. I feel perfectly fine.” Her smile froze in place, feeling a little guilt at her pretense.
They soon reached the end of the corridor. Towards their left was a path that led to a flight of stairs, on the other side was a glass door. Its height was as tall as she was. It opened from the inside, and beyond it was a balcony.
Eugene thought the palace had many windows and glass doors.
Stepping closer to the glass door, Eugene looked skywards and saw a blood red moon shining above them.
It was like that during the active period. But despite the moon being red, it’s light remained as it always was—cool as it shone on their path.
The door then clicked open when a gentle hand gave it a slight nudge, startling her momentarily.
“It’s open.”
“What poor management,” he said.
Eugene chuckled nervously, making up an excuse on the spot.
“It’s probably because of my getting sick. In their rush to aid me, they forgot to recheck the locks. Please don’t punish them.” Eugene added hurriedly.
Kasser looked at her, contemplative. Eugene already felt bad for lying, she would only feel worse if they’re punished for negligence because of her distracting them.
Kasser finally let out a light chuckle.
“Though I don’t think you are to blame, what you think is right isn’t my business, but yours.”
“Oh.”
Eugene turned her gaze away, wondering if she really could manage this entire palace? And though it frightened her, she couldn’t help but feel proud of herself for once. Gaining confidence, Eugene finally pushed open the doors, and stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the fresh night breeze.
She always did want to go out to the balconies and do this at night. If no one had been accompanying her, she would’ve done so much sooner. But, as it was, the servants followed her everywhere. And because of that, she fought many urges to prevent from appearing stupid in front of her subjects.
Eugene turned to look at Kasser. When she saw him frowning a little but saying nothing, she bravely continued on, walking further out. The balcony was bigger than expected, and the banisters made her feel safe.
She leaned over the rails and looked down below. It was of similar, possibly greater, height than the one Kasser had once jumped out of. She sensed him walking over to her, stopping right beside her.
“Your Majesty, have you been out here before?” she asked him.
Kasser shook his head. “No.”
“Not even when you were a child?” she asked incredulously.
He gave her an odd look. “What makes you think I would’ve during my childhood?”
“Children are adventurous and curious. They are willing to go outside and explore. Especially places like this which seem dangerous.” She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Kasser looked at her curiously… “Were you like that?” he asked softly.
Eugene had almost answered without thinking but stopped herself before she did.
“I don’t remember.”
Cold sweat rolled down her back. Eugene carefully studied his face. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to lead her on to something, or was waiting for her to slip up.
“Do you not get injured from jumping off a great height?” she asked, changing the subject.
Fortunately, Kasser didn’t think much of it.
“My Praz will do its work.”
“How high can you fall from? Can you jump with someone?”
“Was it so impressive when I jumped off last time?” he asked, with a slight grin on his face.
Eugene blushed.
“Are you… offended?” she asked hesitantly.
Kasser thought for a moment and soon shook his head.
No one had ever treated his ability to use his Praz like they would a talent. It was quite nice. Her question was strange, but it didn’t sound like she had any underlying intentions, so he wasn’t offended.
“Do you not feel uncomfortable?”
“Me? About what?” she asked.
Kasser stared at her for a moment, before trailing his eyes to the moon.
“You must not remember this either.” He began. “But a Praz and Ramita are like oil and water. They do not mix well together. In fact, an Anika’s Ramita is highly reactive to a king’s Praz. People often said some of them would even run away at the sight of a king because it’s an unbearable sensation.” He finished.
Eugene frowned. “Really?”
Kasser nodded at her stiffly, leaving Eugene once more to her thoughts.
Well, this is the first I’ve heard of it, she thought.
There was so much she didn’t know, about a world she knew she had created. She almost wanted to give up. But she shook the worry out of her mind, changing around the negative, to something rather productive.
I’ll make sure to remember next time. She thought resolutely. She couldn’t afford to make mistakes anymore.