Part 49

Violet's POV:

It was a warm day. I was enjoying the peace after the turbulent events that had transpired in the last few days. Thinking back, I let out a sigh.

"Is everything alright?" I turn to my side to see Allen peeking up from his papers.

"Yes, I was just lost in thoughts," I reply, stabbing my needle through the fabric again. "You know you don't have to spend time with me if you're busy."

"No, I do. It's a good way to catch up with each other."

"So long as you don't feel forced. I would hate to be the lady who had to force her fiancé to spend time with her."

"Trust me, I'm not being forced. If anything, I was looking forward to this particular meeting for help on my math," he smiles.

"Well, it is true you are awful at math," I chuckle.

"That pattern is beautiful," he remarks, looking at my embroidery.

"It's for Monique, I thought it'd be a nice gift to cheer her up after what had happened."

"Sneaky, it was. Pulling a forgotten clause from a law that has over twenty books dedicated to it."

"Not only that, but his father is suspicious too. I hear he has been talking to Lianey Swivel's father about the trade of our weapons."

"Surely not without permission."

"He has it."

"You gave it to him?!"

"Dear God no, I wouldn't even sell a pouch to that man nor any of his lackeys. But apparently Royal Confirmation has been given. Sylvia has been trying to find out who specifically but can never get an exact answer."

"Well why not just go directly to the King?"

"He's busy with God knows what. I don't want to say it's like he's avoiding her but I don't know what to believe. It seems a new matter comes up any time he's free."

"I'm sure he's just busy with the upcoming celebrations. Summer is basically the season of endless festivities. The palace must be in a wreck dealing with it all."

"How can you say for sure?"

"Because some of the work has been passed to my father. They say it's only a fraction of what they're dealing with at the palace but the papers rack to the ceiling. He's been in a huff over it since the start of the month."

"I can only imagine his frustration to be away from the Duchess," I giggle. "How is your mother? I've not been able to see her in quite a while."

"The usual. She's tutoring the twins in noble etiquette while also preparing for Rillaine's Adunatio."

"Oh yes, she didn't participate in the Pledge, did she?"

"No, it wouldn't have worked seeing as she's not pledging to this country. However, the Adunatio has nothing to do with countries and she's been dreaming of it since last year. I doubt anything would keep her from participating."

"No doubt Lucas would be more than raring to showcase his engagement to her."

"Unfortunately," he sighs.

"Oh come on, he can't be that bad. And he's especially sweet to Rin, so much so that I bet he would kiss the floor she stepped on."

"It's just hard to see my twin sister around boys. We've been together since before birth and now she's going to leave to another continent."

"Hey, no matter her relationships, blood doesn't lie. You will always be important to her and she adores you. Besides, with my power, you could technically visit her whenever you want in an instant."

"Haha, you're right. Thank you," he places his hand onto mine, looking sweetly into my eyes.

"Anything for my fiancé," I smile.

"I just remembered, I had the Gardener plant some new flowers, Lilacs."

"Len, you didn't," I gasp.

"Would you like to see?"

"Of course!"

Sylvia's POV:

I storm through the palace corridors, all servants too scared to meet my gaze.

"I-I apologise, my lady. The King is busy," The guard said as he looked away from me.

"I see. So when will he be done with his business."

"I-I suggest you come back tomorrow. He should be done by then."

"Is that so? Isn't that what you said yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. You know, I'm starting to think that you're hiding something, Thomas."

"Eek- How did you know my name?!"

"I have my ways. Now, I don't mean to hassle you gentlemen so I ask that you relay these kind words to my future father-in-law: If I don't see him soon, I may shave his dog. Please say it in those exact words. Oh, and also add that I have ordered a new razor especially for pets."

"Y-yes my lady." I turn around in a huff, marching back the way I came from. In the midst of my angry walking, I spot the new annoyance of my life.

"What a cute face you're making, Grey."

"I'm not in the mood, Cairo."

"It seems you have been pushed out yet again by His Majesty."

"It seems so, care to shed some light on what is occupying him so long?"

"That's a royal secret, no outsiders can know."

"Humph, then how do you know?" His smirk vanished as he looked at me with hostility.

"I think it'd be wiser for you to shut your mouth. You ruin your pretty appearance with all that talking. What is it they say, silence is a virtue?"

"Maybe you should start practising it then, at least then you'll have at least one virtue."

"Insolent wretch." His surroundings grew hotter.

"Boorish pig." I used my ice to drop the temperature, our two auras clashing.

"How about I sear your lips together."

"Try, and I'll freeze your limbs off."

"Perhaps a little less threatening might do the trick." It was instantaneous. Ace was in the middle of us. My aura immediately disappeared at the sight of him.

"Hah, do you heat up in front of your lover?" And then it reappeared.

"It seems oxygen is wasted on you, please stop breathing and die."

"Is that a threat to a royal member?"

"Of course not, it is a threat to you, son of Archduke Malachy."

"Sylvia, please stop," Ace whispers into my ear.

"Only for you," I reply.

"Cairo, it's been long. I don't believe long enough that you've forgotten the lesson on chivalry of a gentleman."

"I believe that only applied when dealing with ladies."

"Why you little-"

"Ah ah, hush dearest. Follow Mason to the gardens, I have some mint ice cream prepared there."

"Sylvia!" Mason cried as he grabbed my hand and led me away. I looked back to see the two talking.

"I hate that arrogant ass," I spat.

"That's not exactly the correct language to use as a Crown Princess."

"I don't care. There's no way to dress up the truth about that spoiled, obnoxious ass."

"My Lord. Although I'm not refuting, I still believe there's a better way to say it," he sighs.

"Sometimes the simplest way is the best way to describe. Never mind that, what do you know about the King's affairs?" I ask.

"What, you mean his current business? I think he's dealing with the Adunatio at the moment."

"It can't be so difficult that it needs all his attention. I need to speak with him. Urgently."

"I don't know what to tell you, Sylvia. I'm just Ace's assistant."

"No...you're also the dear son of  the Minister of Defence. The man who spends the most time with the King as his bodyguard..." I grab him by his tie and pull him to my height. "You wouldn't mind dropping a hint for me, would you?"

"Ahem, I-I can't breathe." I let go.

"My apologies, I'm simply vexed. But you will do it, won't you?"

"I-I'll see what I can do."

"Oh good, you really are an amazing friend, Mason," I gleam. He looks at me with uncertainty.

"I hope you're not terrorising my assistant, Sylvia," Ace calls out as he walks over.

"Of course not, I was just asking a favour. I am really frustrated these days what with one of your royal members handing out permissions of my store without my approval," I jab.

"Ouch, I hope you don't think it was me."

"If it were you Ace, don't think I wouldn't find out, I have a plethora of ways to make you pay. One being me telling my father on you."

"Ah, we wouldn't want that. But don't fret, I'm also looking into this, as well as the change in the agriculture plans."

"Change in agriculture? What do you mean?"

"Just something a few nobles are planning. They want to change the grain fields into land for cattle."

"All of it? Pfft, impossible, it'll never work."

"Not impossible. They're very prepared to defend this plan. His Majesty is swamped with the logistics of it."

"Huh, so that's why he has no time for meetings. I'll let it go for now, but I'm holding onto my threat of Pookie."

"Pookie? What threat did you make to my father's dog?"

"Nothing you need to worry about, sweetness, let's enjoy the ice cream," I boop him on the nose before sitting down.

Hi guys, it's near that time again. The time where I'll be shipped off back to boarding school for another year! I sincerely hope lockdown comes again because I loathe school as much as Sylvia loathes Cairo. Unfortunately, this also means irregular updates. I hope you continue to stay and support my work and keep an eye out for a new story that may or may not be cropping up soon. It's leaning toward more maybe not until I finish this story which might not happen any time soon especially with the ideas I have planned.

Nevertheless, I hope you all continue to support my work and I love you all! MWAH