KATHRYN'S POV
"So, are you going to forfeit from this matchmaking fiasco? I think the duchess will consider that after what had happened to you." Lestalia asked me as she peels an apple for me. Ben keeps nodding his head while he sat beside my bed.
To be honest, I don't know if I should forfeit. Part of me wants to continue but another part wants to quit this whole ordeal. I still can't believe that I was shot. At that moment, I can't think of anything except saving Luna from getting hurt.
I know if she's the one who lay on this bed instead of me, the emperor will be in so much trouble.
"She can't forfeit even if she wants to. Even this matchmaking event has its own rule. Besides, getting shot at is actually a normal occurrence for royalty. Everyone wants your head for some reason. You'll manage to get it at the back of your head when you're used to it," it's Grand Duchess Annabelle.
Honestly, this woman never ceases to amaze me with her appearance. It seems like she was born to impress.
"Ah! There's no need for you all to bow to me. I'm here to visit Kathryn myself and also the bearer of good and bad news altogether," she sighs. Did she just sigh in front of us? I thought it's a bad manner to do that in public.
"How are you feeling? I was surprised when the doctor told me that you're fully awake. You do realise you just got shot, right?" I know Sherlock. You don't have to keep reminding me that I am hurt. I am trying not to think about the pain.
"Yes, I am fully aware of what happened to me. But it's futile to cry over spilt milk. I'm the type of person who likes to think about the future." The grand duchess smile from ear to ear when she heard me.
"Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?" She asked. I shrugged and told her to tell me the bad news first. It's always the best to hear about the bad than the good first.
"Well, the bad news is that they still don't know who sent those assassins into the forest. Seems like the emperor's enemies decided to infiltrate the palace's security personnel. After what had happened, the Palace is taking extra precaution. Even the maids are being interrogated. Seem like my cousin is really worried about you," the Grand Duchess wiggling her eyebrows.
"That is bad. The palace supposes to be the safest place for the imperial family. I have a feeling that it's something my father is currently investigating, correct?" Huh? What's happening? The Grand Duchess place a finger on her lips telling Lestalia to stop talking.
"And the good news?" Ben speaks up.
"The emperor decided to bring the infamous Gralia festival earlier this year. Of course, it's to make everyone forget what had happened today but also to let everyone have fun. The civilian doesn't have to worry about anything since the emperor will make sure nothing of some sort ever happens again." Ben scoffed.
"He can't even protect my sister from harm. Does he really think a festival could make everyone forget what happened to Kathryn? That's thrash talk," this time it's my turn to glared at Ben. He really needs to learn how to control that mouth of his.
I was about to lecture him but the Grand duchess raised her hand.
"It's true. He failed to protect your sister from harm but he is also a human. He's not perfect and he too has his own flaw. You have no idea how many citizens and even minister who works for him personally made a comment just like you did. It does hurt me to hear my cousin being bad mouthing like so but I have no power to say anything. The public has their own opinion and they're free to say anything they want." Ben beginning to realise what he had done.
"But trust me. He works hard to achieve the peace this empire truly deserve." I'm sure he does but not everyone has the same mind as us who believe in the emperor.
"I hope you learn your lesson," Lestalia said to my brother.
"Anyway, this festival. Will there be a play about the sun, the earth and the moon love story like they always do?" The what now? I turned to my brother who shakes his head as well.
"Of course. It is Gralia's famous legend after all." The duchess turned to us who seem a bit lost.
"Please tell me that you've heard about the legend of this epic love story before." I shake my head and so does my brother. They both were shocked.
"Some say it's old wives tale but for us who truly believe that true love exists, believe that the goddesses who command the sun and the moon together with the God who commanded the earth really do exist. Because their creator doesn't want any war to happen because of this epic love triangle, they were cursed to be the moon, the sun and the earth as it is today." Lestalia explained.
What so epic about it? I failed to understand the epic part.
"If you think of how the earth, the sun and the moon rotate among themselves, you know what we meant." Huh? Hmmm ... the earth circling around the sun as if it's chasing its love while the moon ... circling the earth ... in the shadows ... trying to gain the earth's attention.
Ouch.
"Wait, so why is this good news for me?" I asked when I don't see the logic.
"Because you'll get some time alone with the emperor when you two went to see the play of course. Not only you. Natania, Luna and Veronica will have their own alone time as well. Let's hope you heal when the play is premiering. That way you don't have to be bedridden like so." The Grand Duchess do possess such demanding aura.
Some alone time with the emperor? Really?
"Also, if the public sees you having a date happily with the emperor, it might help his image as well. Think about it. He did mention that he will not force you to do anything. But still ... he came to your rescue in a heartbeat," he did huh.
I guess he did.
***
Finally, some fresh air. It's been a week since I was shot and this is the first time I see the outside world. God that doctor is a tyrant. I only wanted to get some fresh air. It's not like I wanted to do so something extreme. Even I know it's bad for my healing wound.
The palace really is a peaceful place to be in. The garden, the vast field of green. I'm sure if I just have the privilege to explore the palace, maybe I'll heal faster than recuperating inside the infirmary.
"Ow!" Was that a child's voice? Maybe it's just my imagination. Why would there be a child wandering around the garden this early in the morning? I laughed it off until I saw a limping child suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Oh my God, that is a child and he's bleeding! How did he even end up here in the first place? And whose child is this? I kneel down and smiled at the boy who's about to cry. I'm guessing he's about the same age as my youngest brother too.
Maybe 5-6 years old?
"What happened? Did you fell?" He nods his little head while wiping his tears away from his cheek. This boy is pretending he's okay but I can see the pain actually taking a toll on him. I examined his wound and smiled at him.
"There's nothing to worry about. It's only a small cut. Once we washed away the dried blood and put a band-aid on it, it should be okay." I assured him.
Now, should I bring him to the infirmary that's on the other side of the Palace or towards the nearest place I could find clean water?
I guess the second option is better so it won't get infected. I offered my hand to him with a smile. At first he was hesitance but in the end, he took it with a smile as well.
"What's your name?" I asked so it won't get too awkward. Making small talk is another way to make him not to think about the pain after all.
"Bruno." I think he's m that shy little boy that only talks when he's being asked to.
"My name is Kathryn. Nice meeting you," I smiled. He gave me a little nod. What a gentleman.
"I know. Mommy told me about you. The one who will be the next empress she says." Huh? That's too soon to say, little boy. I quickly shake my head.
"Where did she gets that idea?" I laughed it off.
"Everyone is talking about it. Even daddy says you're the only one who has the chance to be the next empress." What the hell is going on? Is there something going on without my knowledge? Where did they hear all of this?
We finally came across a tap. I kneel down and turn the faucet so I could wash his wound. It's hard to move around when you've wounded yourself. Even a slight movement on my shoulder, it stings a little but bearable.
"Will it hurt?" He asked.
"Just a little," I said with a smile and carefully wash the wound under running water. After it'S all clean, I decided to tear a piece of my shirt and temporarily bandage it up so it won't bleed while I take him to the infirmary for proper medical attention.
"How did you end up in the garden all by yourself?" I asked as we walk through the garden towards the palace.
"I let Sir Carmichael and Lady Fluer out from their room so I could play with them at the garden. But I didn't see the rock and fell. Sir Carmichael and Lady Fluer ran away from my sight in the end. I don't know where they are now." Don't tell me there are other two missing kids running around the garden! My eyes widen.
"You mean to say your friends still out there all alone?! We need to help them!" I was about to go back but he grabbed my wrist.
"It's okay. They're here. See." What does he mean by .... oh ... my .... god ... is that... is that ... a dog?! Impulsively I decided to stand behind the little boy instead of being an adult.
I have trauma when it comes to dealing with dogs.
"Can you ... ask the dog to leave us. I ... can't handle them that much. You see when I was a child, a dog bit me and as I get older, I have fear with dogs ... and cats alike. So ... AHH!" I was so surprised when another one appeared out of nowhere and growl at us.
"SO PLEASE ASK THEM TO GO AWAY!" I didn't know I was yelling until I heard someone giggled. Was that the child?
"Mickey, Fluer, come here." That voice. Of course, it's the emperor. I watched as the dogs followed suit and actually sits behind the emperor who smiling at us.
"Sir Bruno, you've been making everyone worried sick! Why didn't you inform your attending maid that you're out here all alone?" The emperor seems upset. Wait, sir Bruno?! This boy is a lord?!
"I'm not alone. I'm here with Sir Carmichael and Lady Fluer. See, they're right behind you." The emperor shaking her head.
"What happened to your knee?" He asked.
"And why does Lady Kathryn standing behind you like that?" She's trying hard not to laugh! I know she is!
"She's afraid of the dog. Is mommy worried?" The emperor nods her head.
"Worried, angry ... you name it." That's the first time I saw a child sighing hard.
"It can't be helped. Your highness, is it okay if you carried me all the way?" I was surprised that this child has the audacity to ask such a thing from the emperor. Just who is this boy?!
"What a spoilt child you are. Alright then. Just this once." She picked up the child before facing me.
"If you're afraid of the dog, just stay by my side. These are my dog. I called them Mickey and Fluer. You don't have to worry, they're loyal Siberian husky," they're loyal now but not just a moment ago.
Fluer
Mickey
"They were growling at me," The emperor chuckled.
"It's because they thought you were being hostile with Bruno." They seem close. I wonder who is this child to her.
"This is Grand Duke Joel's son. His mother and he just arrived last night from their duchy. And Joel thought since the festival is coming up, why not bring his family along. And Bruno, you shouldn't make everyone worried about you. Promise me you will not do that again," the child nod with a smile on his face.
"You have my word, uncle Alvia," For that slight moment, I could see how amazing she will be as a parent.