I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 38

(The Seed Of Misunderstanding)

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Leonus was sitting in his study doing some paperwork with his aide. For some reason, the atmosphere of the study was gloomy. 

"Is he okay?"

Adler whispered to Blaine. 

Adler Lynx… Leonus's aide. He is from the Lynx Clan that has been serving the Royal Family since the beginning of the Fellmirr Empire. And all the members of the Lynx Clan have beige white hair.

"What do you mean, Adler?"

Blaine whispered back.

"Can't you tell?"

"Tell what?"

"Look. He is fully focused on his work."

Blaine looked at Leonus. He was signing the papers at the speed of light.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Blaine said with a look of disapproval.

"Tch! Normally he will never do these works. He would always make me do all the work."

Adler said while clicking his tongue.

"You-"

"Shut the f*ck up!"

Eek~

Both Blaine and Adler flinched at Leonus's cold voice.

"Yes!"

Both of them said at the same time.

'He is definitely angry! He uses foul language only when he is in a bad mood or when he trains the knights. So what made our Cold-hearted Captain angry?'

Blaine thought to himself.

'What the heck?! I was here dying doing his paperwork while he was visiting the Loire. So what is he angry about? D*mn it! I couldn't sleep for a month.'

Adler cried inwardly.

"Then I am going to the training ground."

Blaine said while bowing.

"Wait. I will go with you."

"But Your Highness! There are many documents that need your approval."

Adler said eagerly.

"I will check them later."

"But-"

Bam*

A knight burst opened the door.

"Your Highness! The Crown Princess! She collapsed-"

Chiiing-

Leonus disappeared from the room.

"Ah-"

"Where did he go? Was he not here? But I did see him. Was I mistaken?"

The knight asked with a confused face.

"Don't worry. He was here."

Blaine replied calmly.

'Then was he in a foul mood because of the Princess?'

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"Don't worry. Nothing serious happened. She will wake up after recovering her energy. It's just that she is extremely weak and malnourished. She needs to eat more healthy food."

The Royal Physician said while healing Isabella with his magic.

Phew~

Everyone in the room sighed in relief.

"I will send the necessary herb from my chamber. Be sure to feed her the herbs every night."

The physician said while looking at the maids.

"Yes."

Ella and Cande replied simultaneously.

"But I don't understand! How is the child malnourished?"

Empress Alicia said with discontent. She was sitting next to Isabella. When she heard that Isabella lost consciousness, she came running to Isabella's room. 

"..."

Everyone in the room became silent.

Chiiing-

Suddenly Leonus teleported to the room out of nowhere.

"Princess?! What happened to her?"

Leonus asked

'Ah- the Prince?'

Although the maids were startled at Leonus's sudden appearance, they soon composed themselves and bowed their heads.

"Ah- Prince."

"Didn't you hear what I said?"

The physician flinched at Leonus's cold voice.

"Ah- Pardon me! The Princess collapsed because of weakness. Don't worry. She will wake up soon."

"Leave them alone."

Empress Alicia got down from the bed and ordered all the servants.

"Yes."

Saying that everyone left the room.

"Don't worry. She will be fine."

Alicia reassured Leonus then got out of the room.

Leonus sat next to Isabella.

"Princess… I don't know what to do when you are like that."

Leonus said weakly while touching Isabella's cheek. But soon halted and clenched his fist.

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Haa… 

I feel so weak. I can hear someone talking.

"When she wakes up, make sure to feed her the herbs."

"Yes, Her Highness."

"Sigh~ I hope the child wakes up soon."

'The Empress? What is she doing in my room? I tried to open my eyes. But couldn't.

"I will be leaving now. If anything happens, let me know."

"Yes, Her Highness."

I can hear footsteps getting further away. I guess she is leaving the room.

"Princess. Please be okay."

Ella said while holding Isabella's hands.

Ella? I want to say that I am okay now. But I am so tired. 

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Huh? When did I fall asleep?

I slowly opened my eyes. A beautiful white ceiling with Gold works came to my view.

I slowly got up from bed and sat down.

Ella was sitting on the floor while resting her head in the bed. It must be cold! How long has she been sitting like this!

"Ella."

"Dear lord! Princess! You woke up! You have no idea how worried everyone was!"

"I see. I apologize for causing so much trouble."

"What are you saying, My Lady? No way. No one gets sick purposely."

Ella blurted out nervously.

"Is that so?"

Isabella said with a smile.

"Of course!"

"Anyways Ella. Get up. You will catch a cold if you keep sitting like that."

"Y-Yes, My Lady!"

Creak~

"Oh my gosh! Princess! You are awake!"

Cande said excitedly while getting in the room. She entered the room with glass.

"Hey! Slow down! You are going to drop it!"

Ella scolded Cande.

"Oops! My bad. I was just happy to see My Lady awake!"

Cande said with a silly smile.

"Thank you for taking care of me. I caused so much trouble for everyone."

"No way, Princess!"

Ella and Cande said at the same time with a serious expression. 

Pfft!

Hahaha!

They are so cute. 

Ella and Cande's eyes widened at her smile.

'She looks so beautiful while smiling!'

Both of them thought at the same time.

"Anyways what time is it?"

"It's midnight, Princess."

"Midnight?!"

Ughh! I was asleep for the whole day. 

Sigh~

"Yes, My Lady."

Cande replied.

"My Lady. You have to eat now."

Ella said with a serious expression.

"Now? But-"

"No way, My Lady! You have to eat regularly from now on. You mustn't skip any meal. The physician said you lost consciousness because you are weak!"

"Ah-"

Isabella's eyes widened. 

"Ah- Pardon me for my rudeness, Princess."

"It's okay. I was just happy. It's the first time someone is worried about me…"

"Oh My Lady~"

Cande said with teary eyes.

"Sniff* Don't worry, My Lady! Both of us will always be there for you! Always!"

"Yes! You can count on us!"

Cande agreed with Ella.

"You two… Thank you. I am really grateful."

After that, Ella brought warm food. I had to finish it to reassure her, even though I didn't feel like eating. 

"Here, My Lady! Drink this."

Cande said while forwarding the glass she brought before.

"What is this?"

"It's made of herbs that help to replenish energy."

"Do I have to eat this?"

It looks bitter! I can't even imagine what it will taste like!

"Yes! You have to."

Ella assured me with a smile.

"O-Okay."

Then I finished drinking the… herb juice? Anyways it was really bitter.

"By any chance, did the Empress visit my room when I was unconscious?"

"Yes. She did. And also the cr-"

Cande was going to say something but Ella nudged Cande with her elbow.

Huh? 

"What is it?"

"Nothing Princess! She was just saying that the Empress almost cried seeing you unconscious!"

Ella said with an awkward smile.

"Yes. That's right!"

Cande said while nodding her head.

I see. I should visit her tomorrow. I have to thank her.

"How about the Crown Prince?"

"Ah- The Crown Prince was busy working on paperwork! You know how he couldn't work while visiting the Loire."

"I see. He is the Crown Prince, after all."

Yes. He must've been busy. But… Why do I feel a little sad…

"Don't worry, Princess! His Highness will visit you soon!"

"Yes, My Lady! Don't be upset!"

"Oh, I wasn't upset. A-Anyways you two should return to your room. It's already midnight. You have to sleep."

"But Princess-"

"It's okay. I am fine now! So go to sleep without any worry!"

"Alright. We will leave after you fall asleep."

"But I just slept."

"Don't worry. The herb you just drink also helps to fall asleep."

"Sigh~ Okay. I will try to sleep."

After that, I lay on the bed. I fell asleep after a few minutes, even though I thought I couldn't.

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Ella and Cande are walking together in the hallway while holding a candle. 

Ella: "Thank God! She fell asleep quickly!"

Cande: "I know right!"

Ella: "Anyways you idiot! You almost said that!"

Cande: "Ughh! It was just a slip of tongue."

Ella: "And because of that slip of tongue you might have lost your real tongue."

Cande: "Anyways, I still don't understand."

Ella: "Understand what?"

Cande: "Why did the Crown Prince order that?"

Ella: "That's true."

Cande: "I don't understand why he told us not to say anything about his visit to the Princess. He was so worried."

Ella: "I know right?! Did something happen between them?"

Cande: "I don't know. Everything was fine until yesterday."

Ella: "Sigh~ When I entered her room today, I was a little shocked to see the Princess alone."

Cande: "Poor Princess. She is so pure and innocent!"

Ella: "I know. How can she not understand that her own maid is like that! I wonder how she will feel if she knows that Anne is trying to spread rumours about her. My Lady trusts that b*tch so much!"

Cande: "Tch! Don't talk about that vixen."

Ella told everything that happened during the journey to Cande. She was shocked to hear that and also despised Anne for her wickedness.

Ella: "Anyways, we have to be careful about her. We can't let her do any mishap here."

Cande: "Yes."

Ella: "Tch! If I could, I would've kicked her out of Fellmirr. But I don't want My Lady to be upset."

Cande: "I know what you mean! She was so happy to see us worried about her. Sob* I can't even imagine what she went through in the Loire!"

Ella: "I know right! But don't worry! We will take care of her with our heart!"

Cande: "Sniff* Yes. But for now, let's keep an eye on that b*tch"

Ella: "Yes."

The two maids promised each other, then continued walking.

But at that time, they didn't know that amid all chaos Anne already sowed the seed of misunderstanding…