Elis hurried down to the parlour after searching through the main hall of the mansion, a worried look etched on her face. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the hallway.
From a distance, she spotted a figure at the far end of the corridor and quickened her pace as recognition dawned on her.
"Mr Foster!" she called out, causing Anryr to halt his steps. The steward bowed respectfully as she approached, making her hesitate.
"Mr Foster, please... no need for the gesture. I used to work under you," she said, feeling a flush of embarrassnt at his formality.
A calm smile crept onto Anryr’s face.
"Used to, Miss Canton. Now, you are His Highness Prince Kiev’s woman, bestowed by His Majesty the King of Cassian. How could I not bow? We are of different levels, and it’s important to maintain decorum."
"Well... I... umm... never mind," Elis stamred but pushed her thoughts aside as a more pressing matter took precedence.
"The thing is... have you seen Kiev?" she asked.
"His Highness? No, I haven’t," Anryr replied, feigning ignorance.
"He told he would be going to Sir Mills’s wedding and was supposed to be back last night. He ntioned he’d be a bit late, and I fell asleep early. I didn’t notice when he returned, and I’ve been searching everywhere for him," Elis explained.
"That’s strange. I was sure I saw him at the banquet last night, but I left earlier with my wife, Rosalie. After that, I didn’t see him at all, not even now," the steward mused.
The Knights of Gerhard and the derian Prince had gone out the previous night to capture and punish the Knights of Abinair for their vicious deeds, but that occasion was kept secret among those involved.
"I asked Callis and Jessy, but they didn’t know where he was either. Could he have gone elsewhere after the event?" she pressed.
"Probably. Ah! Why don’t you ask Arl? He might know His Highness’s whereabouts since he serves him," Anryr suggested.
Elis’s eyes lit up at the idea. Arl, the young teenager, had always trailed after Kiev as his aide.
"He’s not with Kiev?" she asked, considering the teenager might follow the deria Prince as well.
"Definitely not. I just saw him outside in the courtyard with his puppy, Rhen. Would you like to call for him?" the steward offered.
"No, it’s fine. I’ll go to him," Elis replied.
Without hesitation, Elis rushed to the main door to find Arl. The steward watched her leave the hallway, his expression hopeful.
"Just wait, Miss Canton. His Highness and the knights will surely take revenge for you," he murmured under his breath, hoping fervently that justice would be served.
***
The light of a new day had risen high in the sky, and soon, it would reach noon. Thick snow blanketed the surroundings from yesterday’s heavy fall, transforming the scenery into a nearly black-and-white world.
In the courtyard, Arl was playing fetch with little Rhen. The fluffy puppy resembled a snowball as it dashed and rolled in the pristine white snow.
"Now, this is the last one, Rhen. After this, we’ll go inside, all right?" the teenager said to his dog.
"Awoof!" Rhen responded with an excited bark, his tongue lolling out and his tail wagging happily. The puppy relished the ga, enjoying the snow as much as the chase.
"Catch!" Arl exclaid, throwing a stick into the air.
Rhen raced after it, his tiny body nearly swallowed by the thick snow. Undeterred, he jumped up and resurfaced to continue the pursuit. Monts later, he returned with the stick proudly clamped in his mouth.
"Good boy! You really love that, don’t you?" Arl said, bending down with a smile to rub the diligent puppy’s head.
"Now, let’s go inside and get you so treats. I have beef jerky from yesterday that you love," he added, lifting Rhen and cradling him in his arms.
"Arl! You’re here!"
Arl was startled by the soft voice calling his na. He turned to see Elis, breathless and slightly flushed from her hurried approach.
"Miss Canton! Why are you outside? I thought you weren’t feeling well?" he asked, concern etching his features.
Elis inhaled deeply, fanning herself with her palm. After calming down, she asked, "I’m all right. Do you know where Kiev is? I can’t seem to find him today."
Arl had anticipated that Elis would seek him out, especially given her urgency. Until now, the derian Prince and the knights had not returned from their ’mission.’
"Ah! His Highness went out for drinks with the other knights last night and hasn’t returned yet. They must have slept sowhere outside," Arl replied, aligning his story with what Eric had concluded.
"Sleep outside?" Elis raised an eyebrow.
That didn’t seem like Kiev’s style. He was always mindful of the ladies who sward him out of interest and the curious gazes of other n, which made him uncomfortable.
"But..."
"He said he needed a breather. Things have been stressing him lately, and he wanted to cool off. Don’t worry, the knights are with him. They’ll be back soon," Arl assured her.
Elis’s forehead creased, and a solemn expression settled on her face. She briefly considered what might be troubling the derian Prince.
It must be because of her!
Ever since she discovered the truth about Erika’s murderers, Elis had been drowning in despair, crying daily until her eyes were swollen and retreating into her chamber. When the tears finally dried up, she would sit upright on her bed, staring blankly as grief consud her.
Her emotions were unstable, affecting her both physically and ntally. She would only eat at Kiev’s urging, and even then, it was in small amounts, weakening her further.
How foolish she had been!
Kiev must have grown weary of her antics after days of supporting and coaxing her. She was the source of his distress, and now he had distanced himself from her.
The wedding invitation, a formal event that required his attendance as a guest of honour, felt like an excuse to withdraw from her.
Elis’s eyes drooped sadly. If Kiev had chosen to do that, she couldn’t bla him. How could she, when he had done so much for her?
A wave of insecurity washed over her. Would Kiev still feel the sa way about her after witnessing her worst monts?
He had always had Anna in his heart—his betrothed, the woman he was supposed to marry. Where did that leave her?
Elis clenched her trembling fists and looked down, fear consuming her thoughts.
What if Kiev lost interest and no longer wanted her?
She couldn’t imagine how she would carry on if that happened. Vulnerable and helpless, her face grew warm, and tears blurred her vision.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Elis!"
She looked up to see the figure she longed for approaching swiftly, a worried expression on his face—Kiev.
The derian Prince embraced Elis, drawing her small fra close to him. Arl bowed in respect at the sight of his arrival.
"Kiev! You’re back!" she exclaid, relief flooding her voice as she hugged him back.
Kiev smiled as he held Elis in his arms once more.
Teasingly, he said, "Why? Do you miss already? It hasn’t even been a day since I left."
At that mont, they revelled in their emotions, and their affection for each other was evident in their behaviour.
After a while, the derian Prince gently released one hand and lifted her chin, noticing the glistening tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, "You shouldn’t be out here in the cold, and you’re not even dressed properly."
He sighed at the sight of her thin robe.
Elis hesitated, but the weight of her worries beca too much to bear.
"I was looking for you! I thought... I thought you were displeased and no longer wanted ," she cried.
"What? How could you even say that?" he asked in disbelief.
"Arl said you were stressed and went out with the knights. You’ve never slept out... not after we shared the sa bed together... at least, not that I know of. So, it must be because of !"
Tears stread down her pale cheeks.
"I didn’t say she was the cause of your stress, Your Highness!" Arl exclaid, anxious that Kiev might bla him. "I never ant it that way!"
"I know," the derian Prince replied, burying Elis’s crying face in his chest and gently patting her back. "Whatever you’re thinking, Elis, it’s not what it is. You were never the cause of my troubles."
"Then what?" She raised her head, searching his eyes.
"I’ve been such a nuisance to you ever since I found out the truth about my sister. What else could it be? You wouldn’t want a burden like ."
"You are not a burden to ! You know I would never let you go! I was stressed, but it was because of the knights’ altercation, not you," Kiev explained.
"The knights argued?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes. Rember that day? The duel between Sir Brooks and Sir Navin? Sir Brooks was still upset with them even after the duel result was announced, and the matter of your late sister affected him, too. The fact that they couldn’t co together bothered , so I’ve been diating their reconciliation," he said.
"Really? So... it’s not because of ?" Elis asked again, seeking reassurance as she still felt uneasy.
"Of course not! Now that the matter is resolved and their relationship has been restored, I feel much more at ease," Kiev replied with a smile.
"The reconciliation... does that include Sir Navin too?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
The entire mansion knew that Eric and Noah didn’t sit well together. Despite their constant disagreents, they still managed to carry out their tasks effectively.
However, Elis felt that as comrades, they should set aside their differences and makeup. It would be wonderful if the two most talented knights could unite and work harmoniously as a team.
"Definitely! They’re the ones who need it the most! I’m sure they’ll get along well after this," Kiev said confidently.
On their way back from the forest, the derian Prince had a long conversation with Noah. The knight, seeing Kiev’s unwavering determination during their quest for revenge against the Knights of Abinair, finally opened up and forgave the others. He also apologised to them for his past misbehaviour.
With that, the knights’ dispute was put to rest.
"Oh, Kiev! I’m so proud of you!" Elis exclaid brightly as she hugged him again.
Her tears of sadness were replaced by happiness. The fearful thoughts of the derian Prince discarding her had vanished.
The couple rejoiced, both feeling content with what they had gained—one for the assurance of her partner’s presence and the other for the justice that would soon prevail after the retribution he sought for her. Arl couldn’t help but smile at their beautiful reunion.
Suddenly, Elis gripped Kiev’s arm tightly as a surge of pain shot through her.
Noticing her distress, he held her shoulders and asked, "What’s the matter? Are you all right?"
"I don’t know. I just feel hurt... Ah!"
Elis bent down, clutching her stomach. The pain radiating from that area had beco overwhelming.
She had felt a faint, dull throb that ca in waves several tis since yesterday, but she had ignored it, attributing it to her poor health.
Suddenly, she felt sothing surge within her, a warm liquid pouring down her legs.
"Elis!" Kiev’s expression hardened as he saw her enduring the pain.
Just then, Arl exclaid, "Blood!" pointing to the white snow sared with red near Elis’s feet.
The couple looked down, and Elis moved aside, revealing more crimson liquid pooling on the ground.
"Oh, God! Elis, you’re hurt!" Kiev shouted in panic.
"What??"
Elis was dumbfounded. Yes, she felt pain in her stomach now, but it shouldn’t be enough to cause such bleeding. Or should it?
Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted off the ground. The derian Prince cradled her like a baby.
"Take her to the treatnt room, Your Highness!" Arl exclaid. "I’ll go get Mr Amares!" he added, knowing exactly what to do without needing to be told.
Kiev nodded, and like the wind, he rushed toward the treatnt room for his beloved woman.
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