บท 11: The day after tomorrow

Marcus was surprised to see his daughter and moved the blanket to get out of the bed when Charlotte told him to stay in the bed. She hugged her father and apologized to him.

Soon, she pulled away and sat on the mattress by her father's side. "How is Father feeling?" She took his hand in hers and caressed it.

"I am better now," Marcus said, and found the slight glow on her daughter's face.

"Father took a lot of stress because of me. I always give him trouble," Charlotte said and lowered her head.

"It is not true, my child. I got sick because your brothers were talking so rudely to you. If your mother were alive, she would have been broken-hearted to see that. I was such a bad father who could not even control his own sons. They kept saying the wrong things to you." Marcus didn't blame Charlotte for his sudden deterioration in health. Hayden and Winfred were forcing his daughter to marry Édouard when she was still vulnerable after Mathieu's demise.

"You do not need to marry Prince Édouard, my child. I understand you. When you love someone dearly, you are unable to forget him and move on. It is difficult," Marcus said, keeping a tiny smile on his lips. However, he didn't speak these words whole-heartedly.

A part of him wanted to see Charlotte happy. He was worried about how his daughter would live her life alone. Also, the people around her would never let her live in peace.

"Father, I have agreed to marry Prince Édouard," Charlotte informed Marcus. He was shocked to learn that and gaped at his daughter.

Charlotte knew that her father lied to her when he said he wasn't stressed because of her. The neighbours must have troubled him, especially the high-society people. Her father had always protected her and never let her undergo any worry.

But Charlotte understood her father. He was concerned for her future. After Édouard saved her, she felt that she was wrong to take her life. What would have happened to her father if she had been dead? That sight, she didn't even want to imagine it.

"Is it true?" Marcus' voice brought her out of her thoughts. She saw a faint smile reappearing on her father's lips, and she nodded.

"Yes. I told him that I would marry him. Prince Édouard is taking me to the Palace of Wexnon," Charlotte informed him. "He is here. I asked him to let me meet my father before heading to Wexnon with Prince Édouard," she asserted.

Marcus was delighted to hear of Charlotte's decision. He suggested to her that they should head out. Charlotte nodded her head and helped him get out of the bed.

The atmosphere was cold and tense in the living room. Fleuretta begged Édouard not to lower the ranks of Hayden and Winfred. "The prices are so high. How will we survive if the salary will be less?" Fleuretta tried to convince Édouard.

"My decision is final and it is irrevocable. I warned Hayden yesterday not to speak the wrong way with Charlotte. Her rank is higher than him, which he forgot," Édouard stated and noticed Charlotte coming along with her father.

He stood up from his seat and walked up to them. "How is Mr. Bourbon?" Édouard queried. Marcus formally greeted him before Édouard and Charlotte brought him towards the couch.

"Your Royal Highness, you must sit down. I will—"

"Please sit here, Your Royal Highness," Hayden said, standing up from the sofa. Édouard glanced at Charlotte and asked her to sit.

"Prince Édouard shall sit," Charlotte said when Édouard held her hand and made her sit on the sofa chair. He went to the other, on which Winfred had sat earlier. They sat on the other side of the couch.

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for marrying my daughter," Marcus bowed.

"I will keep your daughter happy. The marriage will be the day after tomorrow. I will send the special carriage for you all tomorrow evening," Édouard informed Marcus, who was filled with joy and looked at her daughter. She was glaring in the direction of Édouard, and he found it strange.

"Roger, did you not bring tea for the Prince and others?" Marcus asked the house butler.

"I do not want to drink the tea. Though, if Charlotte makes tea for me, I will surely drink it," Édouard said. Charlotte frowned at hearing him when Marcus immediately agreed to it.

"It has been a long time since we last drank the tea from Charlotte's hands," Marcus said while glancing at Charlotte.

"Father, I will make tea for all of you," Charlotte said, and went to the kitchen. Fleuretta excused herself and told them to continue the conversation.

"Charlotte is still in love with the late Prince Mathieu. I apologize to His Royal Highness if she says anything wrong to Prince Édouard. It will not be from her heart, but her frustration towards her fate," Marcus said.

"I understand, Mr. Bourbon. I will be patient with her." Édouard assured Marcus not to worry about his daughter at all.

~~~~~

"Charlotte, did you tell Prince Édouard that we misbehaved with you?" Fleuretta asked as soon as they reached the kitchen.

"What does the sister-in-law mean?" Charlotte was perplexed to hear her statement.

"Prince Édouard has lowered the ranks of Hayden and Winfred. Their salaries will be reduced. We never misbehaved with you, Charlotte. We three only wanted your good. Please request from Prince Édouard not to lower their ranks." Charlotte started to shed her fake crocodile tears. She joined her hands and apologized to Charlotte for their yesterday's wrong behavior.

"I will talk with Prince Édouard. Please do not cry," Charlotte said, and Fleuretta immediately hugged her. She thanked her and drew back.

"You should make the tea for everyone," Fleuretta said. Charlotte nodded and removed her hat. Fleuretta took it and told the maids to help her.

"You should go out. I will soon come to the living room," Charlotte told Fleuretta. She hummed and walked out of the kitchen.

Charlotte prepared the tea for them. She put the kettle with hot water along with six teacups, a tiny glass bowl with fine sugar in it, and a kettle with milk in it on the tray. The maid asked her if she would carry the tray, but Charlotte refused.

She walked out of the kitchen into the living room, where everyone was waiting for her.