Chapter 57: Reason for Leaving.
Chapter 35.5: Reason for Leaving.
Narrator's POV
-This happened a year before the confession-
Her short silver hair was beautiful under the sun. Sipping tea quietly while waiting for the person she liked the most, her movements were elegant, fluid, but flawed.
A blonde girl flustered from imagining was just swirling his teaspoon into the warm cup because in a few day's time. She would confess to the person she holds dear.
The silver haired girl noticed this admiring the traveling artist's face and giggled. "Traveling artist, I see in our daily meetings you've been coming happier than usual."
Kein widened her eyes and pardoned her fantasies going back to her tea, no longer distracted but still shy so she sighed and apologized. "My deepest apologies, Princess Cecilia. The truth is I have been dreaming of someone lately." (Kein)
Kein scratches the back of her nervously.
The first princess smiled rather widely upon hearing this. She thought it was her, every time the traveling artist was with her after all she never fails but to see her blush. "That's rather unfortunate, I hope the girl in your dreams has not been keeping you awake at night." (Princess Cecilia)
Kein chuckled at the first princess's response. Happy that she has someone to talk to, because for some reason the first princess is more willing to be happy to listen to her troubles but... she never told her who it was.
Princess Cecilia was oblivious. Filled by her ego by everyone in the castle about the spreading rumors.
The first princess was rather happy inside that there have been rumors about her and the traveling artist. She wanted to tease her with it, so she took down her cup of tea and settled it at the table. "You know a funny thing I heard around the castle. There's been a rumor that you were my secret lover. How amusing isn't it?"
Her voice was raspy and seductive. It was clear that the first princess was interested for a long time. Eyes were full of desires now that they've all grown up the first princess was bolder and shameless.
Cunning even.
Kein tilts her head. "There are?" she asks, slumping her back onto a chair. "I can see why. I have been visiting you at least once a week and I finally met the third princess Catherine but... your twin I haven't."
Princess Cecilia frowns. Thinking to herself, how can she just think of other women while she was literally right in front of her. She sighs lazily, placing her arm into the armrest of the chair looking at Kein hidden with want.
She knows why the second princess, her little sister, has been avoiding the traveling artist and she knows that both of them are friends.
What foolish sister spending time in the filthy streets, conversing with commoners. Princess Cecilia of course sent spies that included Kazari and the head Sister Porfolia to give her all the details she needed.
According to the reports of Kazari, her trusted maid.
There haven't been any blooming feelings of love, and she trusted that information.
Sister Porfolia has just been sending reports of how the orphanage was doing.
Utterly useless.
"My sister has her own reasons. I hope you don't mind her. I heard she usually feels unwell these days since... our mother has passed recently."
The first princess looked distant. Somehow she wanted to cry for a moment inside but... she just couldn't. She didn't want to look vulnerable to the person she liked so she did her best keeping in there.
Kein hesitates to speak but manages to mutter, "I'm sorry for your loss."
The first princess gives the traveling artist a polite smile before shrugging it off, "Don't be. People come and go. Mana deficiency is truly a rare sickness but I'm sure..."
She stops for a moment before having the urge to puke.
This hasn't been the first time it happened. The first princess holds herself out of panic trying not to look improper. She covers her mouth with her hands, already smelling faint with iron.
"Princess-" (Kein) notices what happens and tries to come up to her in a hurry.
"Stop- I'm fine." (Princess Cecilia) lets out a smile after many deep breaths, she curses in her mind. Of all the times it has to act up it has to be when she was with the traveling artist.
"It may have something to do with what I ate today." she uses it as an excuse but she knew damn well what was happening to her.
Kein looked so confused and worried for her. Princess Cecilia felt her heart beating faster when she looked at her that way with those deep light blue eyes that reminded her of the sky. "Princess, I know you're not fine. Let me find help-"
Someone else comes over with a maid outfit. "I'll take care of her highness. I'm afraid she's in no condition to continue. Please, visit again another time."
Princess Cecilia looked over to her side and realized Kazari was watching the both of them. She walks up to the first princess protectively, "She needs rest."
Kein looks at the first princess before looking at Kazari. "I should at least see her out-"
The two of them stepped forward. Kazari blocked her way, "No. This maid will take care of her highness, trust me. She just needs rest." (Kazari) further insisted, Kein didn't believe the maid in front of her.
Kein was about to refuse but the look on the princess made her hesitate even more. The first princess looked like she was in deep pain in her eyes. It was full of shame and humiliation for someone to see her in that state.
She knew exactly how she felt, "Your highness while I trust your maid. Would it be alright to leave?" (Kein) stands up waiting for an answer.
The first princess still looking at a horrible state could only nod. Kein sighs looking one last time. "Take care, Princess Cecilia. I'll visit another time."
When Kein had left Kazari didn't give a damn about manners now and immediately held the princess like it would be her last time. She takes a handkerchief placing it over Cecilia who coughs. "Your highness-"
"I-It's happening again... Kazari..." (Princess Cecilia) takes Kazari's handkerchief weakly, noticing the bloodstains from coughing. The first princess closed her eyes taking deep breaths.
"It seems that it's spreading slowly. Can you still use your-" (Kazari) worriedly looks at the princess who raises her hands, producing a faint light. It was really weak and it was concerning.
"Yes, do not fret. My magic... is not completely gone. I can still summon a mere ball of light at least." (Princess Cecilia) tries to stand up but her legs have gone weak, before she could ever fall and hit herself into the ground her trusty maid catches her with quick reflexes.
Kazari grits her teeth looking at the condition of her highness. "You... have been dancing again without resting."
Princess Cecilia ignored her trying to stand up, "It's not because of that. I believe mother's sickness has been passed down to me."
Mana deficiency. A sickness that could either have gotten through overuse of magic, genetics, or from a sudden unexplainable bad luck.
Mana deficiency does not only suck away the magic of the person.
But their life as well.
Kazari panicked looking right and left seeing that no one was there. She couldn't care about anything but bringing the first princess back into safety. "No one is patrolling the area, that's good."
"Your highness, apologies in advance." (Kazari)
Princess Cecilia who was trying to breathe was suddenly picked up by her maid whom she didn't realize she had the guts to carry her like this and even apologizing in the middle of it, Princess Cecilia's vision was getting blurry.
"If someone sees us like this..." (Princess Cecilia) she blurted out in a worry about her image.
It was improper to have her carried this way. In a bridal style, of course rumors will start!
Her maid never faltered, focused on the task at hand. Delivering the princess back to her room to rest, "You have forgotten, your highness. I am no ordinary maid. Leave it all to me, and close your eyes for a moment." (Kazari)
"Ordering a princess like this. I hope you're prepared for the consequences." (Princess Cecilia) weakly mutters drifting off to sleep unexpectedly. "..."
The first princess was so excited to see the traveling artist that she used all her energy for today.
The maid looked over with envious eyes but what can she do?
Kazari looks over the princess's lovely silver hair. She was happy that she was laying in her arms like a small little cat falling asleep, breathing softly but perhaps her heart is in pain because the first princess's feelings didn't bear the same.
She just loved her, as her trusty right hand.
Truly it was painful, Kazari has been in love for a long while but she never dared to confess.
After all, to love someone.
You want to see them happy, even if their feelings were for another person.
Even if Kazari knew she could beat that Kein Rosenguard- no, Kein Hills into a pulp for the hand of the princess, just like what they did in her tribe but she couldn't.
Kein still had her heart.
"For the princess to be safe. I am prepared to accept any consequences. So please, bring me punishment when you are well." (Kazari) mutters quietly, taking a small fraction of power into her hands.
A green magic circle appeared in her hand. It felt so powerful that everything around them seemed like time had stopped, "[Teleport]."
At once the two of their figures disappeared, going into the first princess's room.
Kazari laid down the princess in her soft bed feeling frustrated.
The first princess has calmed down at least, her mana becoming stable but she knew there will not be a lot of time before the disease will take her, like the Queen.
"Fuck... Fuck... Fuck..." (Kazari) cussed so naturally, holding her head in frustration and anger. "There must be something in my tribe that could help... but if I leave who will..."
She turns her gaze back into the first princess who was sleeping like her life is not in danger. Kazari sighs blushing, "She's no longer a little kid. I should compose myself better, as her maid I must not have these... distractions."
She sits down that day, never leaving by her side.
The first princess is truly lucky.
However, not for long.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.
She was getting weaker by the days and months that passed by. The King, their father has noticed this and realized she's sick.
The same sickness that took his wife's life.
The King took drastic measures and made sure to bring the same researchers, healers, magicians, to do everything they can to save the first princess.
The King sat beside his daughter, worried for her health.
She was supposed to be the heir to the throne after finding a husband but... even the King took percussion just in case... she never gets treated.
The second princess must be trained for the throne and to find her a worthy husband.
Immediately a ball was held, every nobles were chattering about all their activities, their children and prospects of suitors. Even with achievements, they were all unaware of the sudden announcement of the King.
The second princess, Rosarie and the third princess, Catherine were in the corner trying hard not to stand out. The both of them were busy going on over the new book Catherine was going to publish under a secret pen name. "Congratulations on being published!"
Catherine was doing sign language to communicate, 'So how's your love life going dearest sister? No trouble in paradise?'
Rosarie shakes her head trying not to bonk her sister in public for even telling her that but she knew Kein had reciprocated her feelings and was just waiting for her to confess, "I could never be happier, Catherine. Kein has certainly grown up after all this time meaning she has found me attractive! Isn't that great?" (Rosarie)
'You haven't told her who you really are though, it's been more than five years already when will you tell her the truth you're more than just a shrine maiden-' (Catherine) stopped signing when she noticed her sister frowning.
"I get that I'm lying but she has respected me and told me that she never did a background check on me." (Rosarie) fidgeted while playing with her fingers together. "She really didn't... I never told her anything about me and respected me for it..."
'She seems too much of a saint. Don't you think?' (Catherine) signs her that before grabbing a glass of water. 'I bet you she also has her own deep dark secrets. As a writer, those types of girls with her character are the most mysterious and secretive ones of all.'
The third princess raises the glass of water to her lips, drinking it quickly, 'And we both know, eldest sister Cecilia fancies her.' (Catherine)
"I forgot about that but I'm not worried about it. Kein has obviously fallen for me... At least I hope so. I haven't seen Cecilia roaming around to scold us too... how peculiar." (Rosarie) holds herself in worry sitting down taking a wine glass instead of water.
'Have you also noticed, the security around here has been increasing by the week? What if you get caught sneaking out one of these days? I won't be there to cover you!' (Catherine) puffs her cheek out angrily, but deep inside her it's just how she shows concern to her sister.
"All that sneaking out of the palace was easy work. I just need to leave a [Light Clone] of myself then I'm all set besides father has only his eyes on Cecilia, I'm not at all worried of getting caught. You worry too much, Catherine."
The second princess could only sigh realizing her sister was right. Security has been rather tight and no one would tell them anything.
She might get caught one of these days...
Trying to keep smiling for the ruse of this boring ball, Rose would rather escape, and help out in the orphanage doing good deeds for her people.
Not this... lavish balls knowing there are things that must be done.
Cling! Cling! Cling!
The sudden sound of glass clinking surprised everyone turning their heads to the direction of the sound. "Pardon me, everyone as I have something to announce."
The King stands up in a gruff voice,
"I announce that my second daughter will be the new crown princess! She will be the first in line for the throne. My daughter, Rosarie Goldheart!"
Everyone was shocked at the announcement, even Rose.
Whispers gathered on the ball even Catherine was surprised.
"What happened to the first princess?"
"Has hell finally froze over?"
"I haven't even seen the second princess... have you?"
"Where is she..."
"Is the king going mad?!"
The whispers their heads turning to look at Rosarie who was having breathing difficulties.
The stares.
The whispers.
The horrible things they've been speculating behind her back.
She was not prepared for it.
"I-I... need to be excused." (Rosarie) runs holding her dress. Not wanting to hear whatever happened back there, how dare her father not even tell her firsthand about this!
One thing she knew about Cecilia- she was serious about being Queen.
Rosarie wanted nothing to do with the throne!
"A princess must not run, Rose."
A voice called out to her, it was cold and weak but it was still annoying as ever.
Rosarie was surprised... The only person that called her Rose was Kein and the only person who knows that she's taking that name as an alias in the commoner dwellings was her younger sister...
"I've told you more than a dozen times, if you run like a savage they'll think badly of you."
It was her sister, standing in the hall like nothing.
Rosarie's face turned into confusion, anger, and then confusion again.
"Cecilia. What's going on?! Have you heard the news! I-I... why?!" (Rosarie) ran forward to her sister yelling, her eyes in tears. "Did you forfeit your place on the throne?!"
"Yes, you are now the first princess in line to be Queen. Smile widely for your audience, you'll need it." (Cecilia)
"Don't just tell me to smile like that! I know being Queen has been everything to you- why did you-!" (Rosarie)
Kazari steps in bowing to Rosarie in apology, "I'm sorry, your highness. Princess Cecilia is... unwell so she needs to rest."
Rosarie stopped to look at her twin. They couldn't look each other in the eyes. So much for being twins, they were hardly even siblings. "I know we're not close but you could at least tell me- we both know I want nothing to do with the throne."
Princess Cecilia laughs, she knows damn well of it but what can she do?
Death is literally on her doorsteps.
"I know. You were having fun with the traveling artist in that orphanage. I envy you, but a royal like you conversing with mere commoners, taking care of children is not the duty of a princess."
Rosarie grits her teeth, "So you knew what I was up to. I am thankful that you kept all of it all this time a secret..."
Her sister scoffs, "Don't thank me for it. I... you should go talk to our father. He should explain everything you'll need to know. You know where to find me after."
Princess Cecilia leaves, her footsteps heavy carrying the echoes of it with Kazari behind her tail looking worried.
After an hour of waiting for the ball to be over.
Rosarie was standing on the office door of her father, walking there's no tomorrow.
"Rosarie, I see you've been waiting."
The second princess widens her surprise at her father. He was tall, his figure never changing with this gray hair, but it was originally brown when he was together with the Queen on their younger days. "I have much to explain but... I hope you'll understand."
Rosarie swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. She has never had a private talk with her father... this would be the first in years... she felt conflicted.
While she was happy that her father was finally talking to her, it was also because of Cecilia stepping down to the throne.
The guards opened the door leaving the two of them alone in their office.
The King immediately slams his fists at the table, "Everything is going into shambles. First your mother and now, Cecilia."
Rosarie sits down in front of his father, he is crying.
She didn't know what to do but asked, "W-What happened to Cecilia? Is she alright?"
"Firstly, how dare you sneak outside the castle just to work at an orphanage. What if you have gotten hurt? Kidnapped? What if something bad happened to you? I could not bear to see two of my daughters dead." the king yells over the small shrinking princess being exposed.
Rosarie widened her eyes in a panic. Cecilia! She told the king about it! "I-I... I'm alive aren't I?! I'm fine!"
The King sighs in anger, "Cecilia is sick, she has mana deficiency like your mother."
"I'll be overlooking your mother's old doctors and mages. I'm afraid we're losing funds... the kingdom will be in ruins... please... Rosarie... I apologize but I have already agreed for you... to marry a [Winshern] prince. It would be beneficial for you both-"
Rosarie stands up from her chair and immediately exits the office. Her father has called out to her but she ignored it.
Cecilia that scheming snake!
She runs without care towards her sister's room where Kazari has opened the door for her, as if she was already expecting her arrival. "I have been waiting for you, sister or should I say Rose?" (Princess Cecilia) calls her by her nickname... hearing it from her sister's lips left a horrible feeling in her stomach.
It felt like she was taunting her.
Rosarie clenches her hands, "What's your deal! Honestly?! What did I ever do to you?!"
Princess Cecilia chuckles while ordering Kazari to close the door.
She does, leaving an eerie creek.
"Do you think I don't ever notice your little charade?" (Princess Cecilia)
She walks up to her little sister in circles, Rosarie was eyeing her every move. "For someone who's supposed to be weak and sick you sure can talk."
The first princess rolls her eyes at her ever so naive twin. "You were just the second born yet you excel in everything I could only hope to master. Dancing, calligraphy, language, you name it. Everything I tell you and yet-"
"You. Play. Dumb. You hide from the spotlight. You could've been a skilled Queen if only you stopped hanging around commoners." (Princess Cecilia) continues.
Rosarie laughs, "If you were so against it why didn't you just tell father from the start?"
"Isn't it obvious? To spy on you. And here... a warning."
Cecilia hands over a letter and some sort of drug. "Read it."
Rose reads the letter... It was from Kein. "You... confessed and she rejected you?" (Rosarie) asks in concern for her sister. "I-I'm sorry to hear that-"
Princess Cecilia glares at Rosarie in reply, "I don't need your pity but you'll be engaged now. I suggest ending things with her. She told me in the letter she'll be planning to confess to the person she truly likes next week."
Rosarie covers her mouth in happiness, finally! "You mean she'll confess to me-"
"Yes, but the kingdom needs you. Think of it, Rosarie. We're slowly growing in debt because of our father's investment in researching a cure for Mana deficiency. Do you think the kingdom can handle another year of starvation?" (Princess Cecilia)
Rosarie stops to look at the letter. "I know you don't know any sleep spells that will help you. You need not to worry."
The kingdom... or Kein.
The people or for her selfish love.
Of course, if this was a novel. She would choose love... but... the kingdom is really suffering and she has witnessed it first hand. The homeless doubled and are now seeking shelter in the orphanage including the elderly who can't work stable jobs.
Adventurers are slowly losing interest because the kingdom's economy is not well.
People have been moving to [Sprivanto] because they're a striving kingdom who welcomes people with open arms...
If this goes on... but maybe this is for the best?
People are moving for a new beginning. She should refuse and choose Kein right?
"Kazari, my medicine... I feel it coming again." (Princess Cecilia) holds her chest falling into the ground. "Of all the times it has to come..." she breathes in a panic.
Rosarie clumps the letter after noticing her sister has fallen, she was the first to catch her before Kazari. "Cecilia!"
"Your highness!" (Kazari) takes a pill from her [Storage Ring] and plops it into Cecilia's mouth, forcing her to swallow.
The first princess coughed up blood before smiling, "You have to be ready to be the next Queen. You must not have distractions."
Rosarie phantoms over the blood... her sister really is sick. She looks back to Cecilia who was being carried by Kazari into the bed.
Rosarie runs to her twin, "I-If I marry the prince... the funds will be sufficient enough to further conduct research for Mana deficiency right? You won't be in pain anymore right?!"
"Urgh, a princess does not shout or cry ugly. You... look terrible." (Princess Cecilia) groans looking at her disheveled sister.
Rosarie looks at the drug and then at the letter. "I'll do it. I'll do it to save you."
Princess Cecilia sighs trying to balance her breathing, "I... I didn't expect you would agree so easily."
"You're my sister. I... I love Kein but... I don't want to lose you like how we lost mom..." (Rosarie) was brimming with tears. "I don't understand why- why are we fighting?"
Princess Cecilia holds her twin's hands, "I-I don't want to die. I want to live... I'm really selfish. I'm sorry... I'm just hurt being rejected like this! We both look alike but why does traveling like you better?!"
The both of them cried, filling the room with tears.
Kazari was trying so hard not to wipe her highness's tears, sadly smiling at the scene of two sisters venting to each other.
In the end Princess Cecilia has managed to regain her composure, awkwardly sniffing. "I... You need not pay mind to what I said before. We will find another way to cure me or let it just pass. For the financial problem of the kingdom I'll... find another way to save us... so give me the drug back and the letter."
"Kein has been making you wait for so long, you deserve... to be happy." (Princess Cecilia) opens her palm expecting Rosarie to give her the items she requested but...
"No. I'm doing it. I need to use this opportunity to save you and bear with me. I... I will accept my faith and take on the role of the future Queen for our sake." Rosarie leaves with the letter and the drug. Knowing what will happen, she readies her heart.
Her reason for leaving was for family. For her sister, who she was never close with but she was willing to do everything for her.
Rosarie stops walking in the middle of the hallway, kneeling to hug herself and cries silently.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Authors note: As I've said before it's okay to ask for updates just- I need for my other readers to be aware.
Asking for updates gives the author motivation yes but overdoing it like, "When is the update? You slow author we want more! I DEMAND MORE!"
Is not good! Another thing. I have a reader who has told me this, "YOU SHOULD WRITE A HETERO BOOK ALREADY!"
"Why not have a genderbend mc?"
"I want a webtoon!"
No. Ehe. I have muted this reader in wattpad but he has found me in webnovel and that's a problem.
For now I'll ignore him, because he has been pinging me nonstop on discord.
It has been too much and I've been being polite and formal for months.
It felt like I owe him something? In any case don't do this guys if you weren't aware.
When you we're warned like three times already. Take a hint.
Ahem enough about that did you guys enjoy the chapter? Cuz I did because I was feeling sad as hell while writing this.
Now I understand why Rose had to say no to Kein's confession. What is this bullshit author?!
Ahem. Please continue the support of the book! The next chapters will be on Kein's POV while graduating from the Royal Knights Academy.
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