章 24: Chapter 24
"Lady, why did the doctor stopped you from seeing me?" Aris asked as he munched away the cake Cailina gave.
Her lips tugged upwards, "Don't worry about it. Eat more."
"My Lady's birthday is a month away, are you feeling nervous?" Cailina shook her head at her puppy's question.
Aris bombarded her with questions ever since she went to bond with him. She patiently answered to satisfy her puppy's curiosity. The circus' show was never again mentioned, Cailina avoided asking about it to Aris.
It seemed that her puppy has trouble accepting that she saw his ruthless side. In reality, it never mattered whether Aris could kill more than the fingers on a hand, she would encourage him to show his fangs from time to time.
When people forget that you're capable of being merciless, they would treat you without respect. Cailina wiped the corners of Aris' mouth. She chuckled at his carelessness.
"Are you fine with socializing with many nobles?" Cailina asked.
She knew he's uncomfortable with crowds, his reaction to the sudden burst of people was caught by Cailina. No matter how much her puppy hid it, she was aware that the trip to the middle circle made him uneasy and jittery.
"No, but it's my Lady's special day. I will be on my best behavior."
He flashed his signature smile at his Cailina. It was also to guard his Lady from people with ill-intentions. Many would surely fall for his Lady's charms, and he wouldn't allow it. Cailina was his and his alone.
Those who wished to disrupt his time would meet an end. After all, his Lady's smile belongs solely to him.
The trees have lost their leaves and a golden color painted the garden. Cailina walked with Aris after filling their hearts with pastries. The puppy wore his bright expression as she followed along. The garden offered a peaceful scenery for them. She dreamed to have this last for eternity.
They stopped at the spot where Cailina found him. Aris stared at the abyss, his thoughts wandered to the moment his parents showed expression of panic and worry. It was the first and last he would ever witness such emotions from them.
Cailina let Aris have his silence, she too thought of that encounter. The Grandis' residence was surrounded by walls, it was a mystery of how Aris got inside. She knitted her brows, every time she thought deeply of Aris her mind would be clouded.
The day she found him became a fuzzy memory, as if in a dream. Cailina pursed her lips, her memory was sharp enough to remember what she wants but that particular scene, it played like a broken melody.
The wind softly blew, kissing the cheeks of the children that strolled. Cailina knew sweet moments like this would pass like the wind. She sighed and looked at her puppy.
His features remained soft and adorable. The dot-like mole on his face made him more charming. Aris would be one of the Empire's noblemen that would be sought out of ladies. She chuckled and caught his attention.
"Look Lady, I found a flower," Aris offered, he was happy that he could gift such a rare flower in the middle of fall.
Cailina accepted it with a smile, pets should be like this. Adorable and never greedy.
-
Duke Grandis tapped his finger on the table, he silently observed his daughter. He called Cailina many times since she came back from the circus.
"You never told me how your puppy got sick," He broke the silence with a serious tone, "Are you learning to hide things from your father as well?"
Cailina met her father's eyes, "No, I don't dream to do it. I'm sorry, I…"
He sighed, "The playmate you brought back was capable of killing your abductors. Cailina can't you see that your puppy will be able to harm you?"
She gulped and played with her ring, "I know that father knew more about Aris than me. You wouldn't let me be harmed."
She laced her reply with confidence. Duke Grandis would protect Cailina with everything. Her worth was more than any throne, even the Crown would risk to keep her away from danger.
Her father massaged his temple. She was indeed his daughter, the stubborn attitude that she has was from him. He sighed, this precious gem of his was smart but not enough to see the reason why he deliberately hid details about Aris.
Duke Grandis stood and offered a seat opposite of him. He placed an envelop in front of Cailina, "I received news that we have a maid named Lilian back at the capital, but she died after a year when you returned here at the fief."
He looked at his daughter as she read the contents. Cailina have a questioning look on her face, "Then, the one that sent the letter wasn't really our maid?"
The records showed that Lilian stayed as a worker in the kitchen, and occasionally talked with Ria. They don't appear close enough to exchange letters. She waited for her father to explain and the latter sighed.
Most of the comments about the maid pointed out that Lilian was a woman of carelessness. She wasn't aware of her surroundings. It was not a surprise she died by her own hand, an accident with a raging horse of a carriage.
"The journals I gave you, have you noticed anything unusual?" Duke Grandis asked.
Cailina nodded, it was her time to show that she's capable of finishing a task given by her father. She handed her scroll, "I wrote everything I found suspicious. A piece of paper fell while I was inspecting it."
She pointed at the paper, "Father, did Ria report anything about me to you?"
His lips tugged in a small smile but said nothing. It seemed that he was found out, his daughter's keen eyes never ceased to make him proud. The reason behind his private observation of his daughter would remain a secret until he proved his theory correct.
"Father, I ask for an explanation. I'm not a traitor," She puffed up her cheeks. It was unfair that her father got to monitor her, but she was still declined to know his work.
Duke Grandis smiled at her. He moved to another topic, it was concerning her pets. His work was in need of a few helpers.
Dr. Karl and his team met a temporary end. Not just any beings can participate, he was told that they needed strong-willed creatures. Who better person that can provide him that? Of course, it's his beloved daughter.
"Alright, I will do what father wishes," Cailina agreed. Picking up helpers for her father would be enjoyable, and her qualification would be boosted.
-
Maaike wiped the sweat threatening to fall from her face. She ignored the smiling Lai who had been bugging her ever since this morning.
"Can you stop following me?" She held her urge to smack his face with a pail.
Lai grinned, he was curious as to why his Lady went through the trouble to buy the two average looking beings. Well, he wasn't envious that Cailina originally wanted both of them. He was grateful that this woman in front of him caught the cold princess's interest.
"Tell me, Maaike. What did the Lady saw in you and that boy?" He squinted his eyes as he stepped back from the muddy water thrown at him, "Woah there."
His laughter annoyed Maaike. To make things worse, she couldn't teach Lai a lesson in fear that she might be dismissed from work. Maaike walked away from the possible cause of her removal.
She did her tasks with care followed by Lai. The latter became her tail throughout the day, it would be better if he tried to help her finish her work so that she can relax quickly, but no. Lai kept asking the same question.
Maaike placed her hands on her hips and frowned, "Don't you have work?"
Lai shook his head, "My Lady has yet to assign me to a post or so…" He crossed his arms, "Who are you?"
She pursed her lips, why was she obligated to tell her life to a stranger? Maaike returned the servant's quarters. Lai tagged behind her, but his presence was no longer acknowledge. Oris waved at her, wearing his soft smile.
He was her protector ever since they met. Maaike rushed towards him, "You're back already?"
"The market wasn't too busy…" His gaze fell on Lai, "Sir."
Lai stopped Oris from bowing at him, "We're the same status."
Oris bowed and said, "You're our Lady's close attendants. I don't dream to be disrespectful."
Maaike rolled her eyes, he told her that he has yet to have a station and now… She clicked her tongue. Oris nudged her and gave her a look to which she looked away.
Lai laughed at Maaike's cute acts. He glanced at the pouting bunny, "How about you tell me your story, Oris? Although my Lady didn't voice this out, she wishes to know both of you."
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