I Will Protect You This Time

Episode: 45

(ANXIOUS NIGHT)

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"So he will return after the Hunting Festival is over?"

Isabella asked after taking a sip from the teacup. She was having tea-time on the balcony table. 

"Yes."

Ella replied with a composed expression. She was standing beside the table.

"... I see."

Isabella said while looking at the tea in her cup in a daze. 

After a while, she took another sip from the cup and looked outside. From the balcony, the evergreen Guardian Trees could be seen. The trees were filled with red flowers as usual. Except for the Oakia Tree. Unlike other times, it was filled with blue flowers.

'I understand why it is said to be part of the Wisdom Tree, Zylbon… Zylbon also is covered with blue flowers all around the year.'

Isabella thought while looking at the Guardian Trees.

"The Guardian Trees look beautiful, aren't they, My Lady?"

Ella asked with a smile.

"Yes. They are breathtakingly beautiful."

Saying that Isabella took another sip from the cup of tea and finally put it on the table.

"We should get inside now, My Lady. It will be evening soon."

"I suppose so."

Saying that Isabella got up from the chair and went inside her room.

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For the past month, things have been quite hectic here. That's all because of the preparation for the upcoming Hunting Festival. 

Maria can't visit me nowadays as she has to help arrange and prepare many things for the Hunting Festival. All the Aristocrats are busy preparing for their tent and other things for the Hunting Festival.

The maids of the Castle are also busy cleaning the Castle and preparing food for the guests. They all stay up late at night doing different works. 

Even Ella and Cande seem busy for the past few weeks. They come to my room early in the morning. After serving me breakfast, the two go out in a rush to do their assigned jobs. But no matter how busy they are, they always come to check up on me from time to time. 

They return to my chamber at noon with lunch then help me to bathe. After that, either Ella or Cande go to work. One of them always keeps me company after I finish lunch. They are always done with their work by evening. So from the evening, the two keep me company until I fall asleep. And of course, their faces reveal how tired they really are. But they are always reluctant to leave me alone.

<

A week ago…

"You two…"

To me, they always look cheerful and full of energy. So I was kind of befuddled to see their tired faces for the first time. 

"Go. Return to your room and sleep. Did you look at yourself? It's as if you guys will pass out in any minute."

Ella: "We are alright, My Lady."

Cande: "Yes. Don't worry, My Lady."

Both of them replied in a tired voice.

"How can I not worry when you two look like this?!"

They had dark circles under their eyes. They were so exhausted that they couldn't even open their eyelids properly. Seriously?! How can they say they are okay!

"We are Beastmen, My Lady. We are stronger than you think."

Ella said in a reassuring tone.

"But still…"

"My Lady, do you hate us?"

Cande said with a pitiful look.

"What? No way."

"Then please let us serve you. Or else we will think you hate us."

Aghh! They put me in a situation where I am unable to refuse.

"Sigh~ Do whatever you want. But first, come eat with me."

"How dare us!"

"Why? Do you hate me?"

"No way!"

Pfft~

"Then you better join me."

I wonder how they feel to fall into their own trap.

"Y-Yes."

>

After that day, I told them numerous times to leave and take a rest. But of course, they refused to leave.

They are really kind-hearted. Although they don't seem to like Anne for some reason. 

Whenever I bring up Anne, I can see a fire in their eyes despite their vain effort to hide their disapproval towards Anne.

Speaking of Anne, after her fever she acted strangely for a few days. But soon she returned to her usual self. Although I didn't see her anywhere for a week. Well, she already said that she will be busy this week and not to or look for her. So I didn't try to pry. She is also busy with work, I guess.

Seeing everyone working so hard… I feel kind of useless. I wish I could help them somehow.

Anyways it's the middle of the night. I was standing on the balcony as I couldn't fall asleep. 

A low lit hurricane lamp is hanging around the corner of the balcony. The fire of the lamp is moving around and struggling to keep its sparks in the wind.

It's a beautiful night with a full moon. The balcony is brightened up by the silver moonlight. I can even see the Royal Garden clearly.

Chirp* Chirp*

Crickets are chirping on the faraway grass. It's so peaceful…

I slowly closed my eyes while leaning on the railing. 

Whoosh~

I can feel the gentle breeze. It's so relaxing. Makes me want to forget about the Hunting Festival. To be honest, I am frightened… Frightened to death.

This year's Hunting Festival… Every Kingdom and Empire will attend. That means… Loire too.

I don't think Emperor Mathias will do anything in front of so many people. And now I am the Crown Princess of the Fellmirr Empire. I have nothing to do with the Loire Empire anymore.

But still… I didn't think he would do such things at the last banquet on the Loire too. 

Remembering the memories of that horrible night, I still get shivers down my spine. I can feel my heart dropping on my stomach.

Haaa~

Relax. I took a deep breath. I shouldn't worry. He wouldn't do anything that will harm the reputation of Loire. And I will try to avoid him as much as possible.

Yes. That's what I am going to do!

Whoosh~

I trembled at the sudden cold wind. It's Autumn. So the temperature already started to decrease little by little in preparation to welcome the cold Winter.

I should go back now.

Soon after I returned to my room and laid down in the bed. 

I wonder how Leonus is. He went to the Beaulow Forest a month ago to check on the progress of the arrangements for the competition. I hope he is safe.

Now that I realized that I like him, I can't stop thinking about him. I looked at my wedding ring. The stone is shining brightly. It's the colour of his eyes...

It's scary how a person's feelings change so easily. I am such a wicked person. I even promised that I won't fall in love with someone.

To be honest, I was kind of scared of him at the beginning. Even though he behaved so well towards me, I didn't do anything in return for him. Instead, I misunderstood him as a cold person. Well, it's his fault to ignore me during the last days of the journey. 

Sigh~

It's my fault too. I never tried to get to know him. He must have had some reasons to do so 

This time… when he returns, I will apologize to him. I have to show him my gratitude. And if possible… I will tell him that… I like him.

I hope he won't get annoyed. To be honest, I am still afraid. I… I am afraid when I think about Roberto. I wish he won't hate me as Roberto did.

Now that I think about it, does Leonus love someone? What if he loves someone like Roberto and I don't know that…

Suddenly my head started aching.

Ouch*

[

Yes. I was ... who ... rumours…. a wh*re … men. ... beat ... bleeding… Az… Silver… Clan… Fiance… Sinner...

]

Ughh! 

My head… Familiar yet unknown words started echoing inside my head. It's like I forgot something important. What is it?

Ughh*

I groaned in pain. I should stop thinking about everything. Yes. Don't think about anything.

After a while, my headache subsided. 

Why do I feel like I am always forgetting something important... It hurts whenever I try to think about it.

That day too… The day Empress Alicia told me about the Hunting Festival. To be honest, I don't recall anything she said that day. Nor do I remember visiting her. In the end, I had to learn everything from Maria, Ella and Cande.

Something is wrong with me… 

"Sigh~ Nevermind. I will have to think about everything later. Anyways 8 days…"

8 days until the Hunting Festival of the Fellmirr…

That means just 1 day until the people from the Loire enter…

Haa~

I took out a deep breath. It's okay. Everything will be fine. I am not alone here.

Phew~

I should stop thinking about useless things and sleep now.

Crackle*

The popping sound of burning firewoods is calming.. It made me fall asleep in a minute.