"It has been another month, yet still nothing?"
Ett frowned as she unfolded the letter once more. The letter had already grown soft at the corners from how many times she had re-read it over the past few days, hoping some hidden meaning might suddenly appear between the lines.
Nothing.
Only another delay.
Another excuse.
Ett let out a long sigh and leaned against the cushioned chair by the veranda.
"Something must have happened."
Or perhaps Ostenian Duchy was meddling again.
Honestly, she was a bit bored. Most movements are still hidden.
"What a drag…"
Should she go herself or not?
The thought alone already exhausted her.
No, better say stay in the palace.
Better stay in bed, even.
"I have not seen that boy for quite some time now."
Ett's fingers lightly tapped against the folded letter resting on her lap.
What was she even doing at this point? Trying to 'nurture' a good relationship between mother and son?
Ridiculous.
Blossoming relationship, my foot.
Ett almost laughed at her own thoughts.
"Princess, what do you think? These flowers surely look beautiful today, do they not?"
Ett slowly lifted her gaze.
In front of her stood a young boy dressed in gardening clothes, proudly holding a bucket of water and watering several roses that were shining healthily. Are you drowning them to death?
Ett's expression remained blank.
"Do you want them to die?"
The boy paused.
Then looked at the roses.
Then back at her.
"…Ah."
Right.
Lativ.
Ever since the day they met, this child had somehow developed the strange habit of appearing beside her as much as he could. It was almost impressive.
Whenever Lativ saw her near the gardens, he would appear carrying gardening tools. Whenever she sat beneath the pavilion, somehow, he would be there arranging chairs or cleaning tables before the servants even arrived.
"It's good to see you're in good health today, Your Grace."
"Silence."
"Understood."
The first time Lativ saw her, touching the roses absentmindedly, he acted as though he had received a divine revelation and wanted to get closer to her, instead of just watching from a distance.
Now look at him: whenever he is done with what Butler Xiwen ordered him to do, or escapes from it most of the time, he would come here, observe what time the Princess would come.
Lativ for today is a gardener, watering the plants every single day.
Aggressively.
Well, he is honestly a servant.
A noble servant.
Ett could only sigh seeing this bubbly kid.
Not an ordinary kid.
Too lively.
Too shameless.
Too clingy.
What a pitiful child.
He truly had no one else to speak to in this place who was near his age.
Then again, who exactly lived in this place?
A young emperor with the face of a stone statue.
A transmigrated adult trapped in the body of a princess.
And servants that are puppets.
All those who live here know their standing and their boundary.
How was anyone supposed to act like a normal child in this place?
Ett ignored Lativ and continued reading her book while Eru quietly sat beside her.
At the same time, she remembered the letter she had sent to Akan before.
To reveal herself to this poor, infatuated soul, smitten and blinded by vain beauty.
That fellow, Akan, rejected it immediately. For amusement, and I am unable to trust him yet, truly. Not until he is truly proven useful and secretive.
Still too dangerous, apparently.
Tch.
"Would Your Highness care for refreshment?"
Ett remained silent.
The servant beside her lowered her head quietly, already accustomed to her behavior.
You see, this is the type of servants they have. They won't act unless you order them. Really, a puppet.
"Please, allow me."
Lativ stepped forward, though instead of pouring her a tea or adding desserts to her plate, Lativ smiled at the servant beside her, "Can I?"
The maid blinked and looked at Ett. Ett stayed motionless.
Seeing this Lativ, he grinned even more towards the maid, nodding he took the parasol from the maid's hands.
"Young Master, this servant can—"
"It's quite all right," Lativ said with a bright smile. "I shall do it."
"…"
This time, Ett stared at him.
The maid stared at him.
Lativ continued smiling proudly as if he had just performed a heroic deed.
This fellow really…
At times like this, Ett truly wanted to grab him by the shoulders and tell him the truth.
Child, I am mentally old enough to be your Aunt.
Too bad, she could not.
So instead—
"Cough."
A soft cough escaped her lips.
Then another.
The maid immediately became wary.
"Your Grace, are you feeling unwell? I'll summon the physician."
"Ah! No, let me do it!"
Lativ spoke quickly; it almost overlapped with the maid's words.
A vein twitched slightly on Ett's forehead.
For some reason, her reminder reminded her of those overly enthusiastic and arrogant honor students back in high school.
Always volunteering.
Always answering first.
Always trying to impress the teacher.
He is sucking up impressively well.
"Go."
"Yes!"
Just enough time.
Seeing him leave, Ett also stands up.
Finally.
Peace again.
The garden became quiet once more.
Birds chirped gently in the distance.
Well.
At least, that was how it should have sounded.
In reality, there were no birds.
Only rows of black roses stood like funeral decorations beneath the pale sky. Still, in Ett's perspective, it has its own elegance and allure.
"To my study."
"Understood, Your Grace."
As they entered her wing, next to her study door was Gammarad.
He was already waiting.
"Greetings, Your Grace."
He bowed down.
"Mm, come."
Entering the study, Ett lazily sat on her chair and looked at Gammarad.
She beckoned with her hand.
Go on.
"I have prepared the recently made maps and all that you've requested of me, Your Grace."
"Alright."
Gammarad briefly glanced toward Lativ before speaking again carefully.
As they were about to discuss further, they heard the sound of rushing footsteps.
"Maybe, Her Highness is here."
"I think it is best that we leave."
They could hear Physician Fran say as if he already understood what had happened.
"What do you mean? Her Highness is coughing blood! I saw it!"
"I understand what you mean—"
"Your Highness, see? Her Highness is here."
Lativ beamed, then backed away and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Highness, I've let Physician Fran come and see how you are faring."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Gammarad, Ett, and Physician Fran stared at each other in silence. Yes, indeed, they understood it quite well.
Gammarad briefly glanced toward Lativ before speaking again, carefully.
"If it pleases, Your Grace, perhaps we may discuss the matter at another time."
Ah.
So that was what he meant.
The poor commander clearly wanted Lativ to be out first.
Hah.
Not like the palace members do not know that this little guy constantly wandered around her, albeit strategically every time he finished what he was doing or, if there was a chance.
Honestly, he is the lively guy in this palace.
"Hm. Very well. Come to my study afterward."
"As you command."
"Hold on, Commander. Wait for me."
Physician Fran hastily said as he quickly went to Ett.
"May I?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then… I'll just let the maids know to bring you a tea lest your cough may irritate your throat."
"Alright."
"How about your handkerchiefs, are they enough?"
"Yes."
"Then, I'll leave you be for now, Your Grace."
Physician Fran and Gammarad both walked out the door, leaving Ett and Lativ together.
"Hah."
Ett could only sigh and look at the map Gammarad gave her.
"You can leave now."
I don't need your assistance.
"Fufu."
Fufu? Ett looked at him with narrowed eyes, "What is amusing?"
"Commander Gammarad, and Physician Fran."
"???"
"Commander Gammarad always looks so frightening whenever I see him training the knights. Yet when he speaks with Your Grace, he suddenly becomes softer."
Soft what?
"And Physician Fran shows his kind self as a physician."
Like…of course, and she knows that. What is this boy on about?
"Aren't you the same? You all are, now leave."
Before you get more enthralled by my so-called vain beauty.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
???
What's there to be thankful for? Ett doesn't understand! What is happening to your brain? Too much oxytocin?
Lativ merely smiled.
Nine words.
Nine whole words.
For him, that alone was worthy of celebration.
During the past few months, the Princess has barely acknowledged him at all. Usually, she only responded with, yes, no, yes, hm, mm, shhh, shut it, and leave.
This is his effort bearing fruit.
Although the Princess is out of reach like the moon, he will still try his best to have that light flicker on him at least.
So what if she disliked him?
At least she no longer ignored him completely. Besides, he was shameless enough to pretend he never understood whenever she chased him away. Honestly, this palace was unbearably depressing.
"Can I just stay sitting quietly here in your settee and leave after a short while. It will be like I didn't even come here."
"Stubborn."
With that, Ett just ignored him.
See? Everyone walked around with cold expressions like emotionless dolls; some were just indifferent. Yet to him, only this hidden Princess seemed more alive, though she's truly weak.
Cold, yes.
Sharp-tongued, certainly.
But alive.
And strangely warm beneath all that frost.
Lativ quietly chuckled to himself.
Ett frowned.
For some reason, this child seemed happier whenever she treated him coldly.
Did he enjoy suffering?
How strange.
Now, her head is throbbing.
Best to ignore this person and just do her daily research and planning.
And just like that, the sun gradually lowers itself. The afternoon light shows itself.
Meanwhile, Ett was already fast asleep, who knows when.
Taking the blanket from behind her chair, Lativ gently draped it over her shoulders.
"The Princess is truly beautiful…"
Hahh. Yet his love is too majestic; he is undeserving.
When the Princess slept, the coldness around her disappeared.
She no longer looked distant or untouchable.
Only peaceful.
Like a sacred statue resting beneath the moonlight, no, no…she is the moonlight!
The resemblance between the Princess and the Emperor was also undeniable. Looking at her felt like seeing a gentle reflection of His Majesty himself.
It made Lativ wonder what the unsaid parents of His Majesty look like. After all, this was never discussed nor mentioned in the social circle. Rumors have it that they were too beautiful, or that His Majesty's father was from a different nation who came to marry the Princess, only to be killed.
There is no genuine truth.
"What is that foolish expression on your face?"
Lativ nearly jumped out of his skin. His blood froze instantly as he turned to the door. He hastily went in front of him within a respectful distance and bowed.
"Gre-Greetings, Your Majesty."
Lativ was full of sweat.
He didn't know! How! When did His Majesty arrive?
"Don't stare at her too much."
"Apologies, Your Majesty. Understood, I will never look at the Princess too—ah?"
What?
At the same time, Guren squinted his eyes, "Princess?"
Lativ blinked. "Yes, Your Majesty. The Princess…did I say something wrong, Your Majesty?"
Silence.
The atmosphere suddenly became strange.
Very strange.
Guren stared at him for several long seconds before finally speaking.
"Enough. Come with me."
Alas. Lativ already knows what's going to happen.
"Spar with me."
Lativ could only wallow by himself when he's alone.