As I opened my eyes, all of them gathered around me asking if I'm okay.
“The room is spacious but I felt it shrink. Just why all of you are here in my room?”
“You just collapsed three days ago.” three days.
“Honey please stop doing this, you promised you will not continue your suicidal attempts.”
“I just don't feel eating, and I'm not doing it on purpose my food tastes bad.”
“Inspect Alesana's food and the kitchen.”
“Yes, Duke Briele.”
“I'm going to take a bath, please do ready a carriage.”
“You're going to the market? But you just wake up.”
“I have something important to do.”
“Then at least bring Sir Calixto or Duke Clover.”
“I'm bringing Sir Leix.”
“As you use My Lady.” after I get to bathe and get dressed we go to market. Sir Leix just followed me while I'm finding the shop near at Central Park.
“My Lady, what store are you looking for?”
“The old lady's shop.”
“Why?”
“I have questions, maybe she can answer them.”
“My Lady.” Sir Leix held my shoulders and shake his head. “Please stop this.”
“Sir Leix, I'm not dumb I knew Clover and Sir Calixto are following us. Even you, I can't believe you sided them, you know my story but you choose them.”
“Your wrong lady Alesana.”
“Then why don't you explain everything, why did all of you ignore me? Why did you not show up when I call you? Why did all of you get worried when I lost? Tell me is Sir Calixto, Duke Clover and you, are spying on me?”
“I'm doing this for your own sake, believe me.”
“What?”
“Something's really wrong, it looks like someone is manipulating our body.”
“I can't understand.”
“I really can't explain well but we look like a puppet.”
“If your lying I will not forgive you.” I continue looking for that shop and when I found it there is already a new owner.
“What is it?”
“The old lady, where is she now?”
“You didn't know that old lady get killed and the culprit still not found.”
“What?”
“She got stabbed on the chest and her body found in the forest, that poor old lady.” my knees tremble and if Sir Leix was not there to support me, I'm sure I'm now on the floor.
“W-why?”
“Let's go now Lady Alesana, you need to rest.” we head straight to our estate and I did sleep all day. I continue my practice with Sir Ignis and then they announced that the Emperor is now awake.
They held a banquet but I did not come. I'm wondering why the Prince still not calling off our engagement. And the next day an Imperial Order came.
I need to stay in the Palace for my Lessons. I can't refuse and the most amusing part is Celestine will go to the same lesson as me. Then the emperor acknowledges her, that she will be also fit to be the Empress.
“Lady Alesana.”
“Miss Campbell.”
“You are really beautiful, I'm honored that we will go to the same lesson.”
“Yeah right.”
“I heard that you're brilliant.”
“Ah.”
“Do you find me annoying?” she said with a straight face and then she laughed. “I'm sorry I was joking. Please go easy on me, your a Duke's daughter and the Crown Prince fiancee and I'm just a mere count's daughter.”
“Please I'm not in the mood to talk.”
“Yeah, right. I'm sorry.”
“Lady Alesana, Lady Celestine it's good to see you both today.”
“Greetings, Sir Millard.” I bowed a little and he smiled at me. Sir Millard is the secretary of the Emperor.
“G-greetings, Sir Millard.”
The lessons now started, we have the power to manage the people inside the internal court, we do also attend meetings together with the Prince, the head of Aristocracy and the head of commoners, and the officers of the court.
“We should continue the yearly Hunting competition.”
“But the Emperor's health.”
“Even if we stop this year's hunt, the hunt together with the other nation is still going.”
“Why do you keep on arguing. Yes, we need to consider his Majesty's health, we can continue this year's hunt because the Crown Prince is still here. He can replace His Majesty, the Crown Prince will lead the ceremony.”
“Then let's do what Lady Alesana said.”
“Right.” after that the hunt is will now officially started Next Week.
“This is another competition, who will be the next Queen of the hunt.”
Yeah right, the queen of the hunt. I'm participating in the hunt while Celestine's not. They already made a borderline and strengthen the security in the forest. The Emperor is resting at the palace and the Crown Prince leads the hunting ceremony perfectly.
“The competition will start in a moment.” all of them watch me as I approached the Crown Prince.
“Here's my gift, I embroidered the Imperial families emblem. I wish you like it.”
“Woah, it's beautiful. Thank you, Lady Alesana.”
“When I became the Queen of the hunt, I have a request.”
“Sure.” he laughs at what I've said and after that, he goes to Celestine. Tsk. I also gave Duke Clover, Sir Calixto, Sir John, Duke Falco, and Sir Ignis the embroidered handkerchiefs with their family emblem. Then the ladies approach me.
“You did that all, Lady Alesana?”
“Right.”
“I'm jealous.”
“Duke Falco please accept my gift.”
“Duke Clover!”
“Prince Ares.” the noble ladies gathered around them giving their gifts.
“Lady Alesana thank you for your gift.” Sir Ignis said and I smiled at him.
“Your welcome, I wish you good luck.”
“I will personally hunt for you, My Lady.”
“Sir Ignis no need to do that.” he smiled at me and kiss my hand after that he bid his goodbye and go to his horse. I hold my sword tightly and glance at the forest.
“Honey, be safe okay?” I just nod and after that, the horns blew, the hunting competition starts now!
♡(∩o∩)♡
—IAmRoseee