Chapter 8 - Viviana de feur Lostel - A Sudden Visit (1/2)

Ling Mei caught a fever due to 'shock' as the physician have stated after the horse incident. She have been staying inside her bedroom for almost a week and a half, and refused Vernon's summons with the reason that she doesn't feel well when in fact she has already recovered from her fever 3 days ago.

Taiyou Palace (the emperor's palace)

In the dim lighted throne room, Vernon sat casually on his throne wearing a white robe with gold and maroon linings on the edges, a maroon sash attached on his left shoulder and tucked in gold and maroon belt, his elbow on the armrest as his right cheek rests on his knuckle.

His cold gaze directed at the knight who was kneeling in front of him.

”So you are saying… today too, she won't come, is that it?” Vernon's dangerously low voice rang inside the quite room.

The knight or Leo felt cold and can't help but swallow his own saliva with the pressure he's getting from the emperor and his nervousness.

”Y-your Majesty, forgive this s-servant for I have failed you.”

”What's her reason to refuse this Emperor's summons?”

”t-that…ermmm…P-princess Viviana is still f-feeling unwell.”

”Not feeling well, huh?” Vernon trailed. ”I heard from Physician Grim that she's already recovered.” The room temperature dropped lower than before as Vernon said this. What he despises and cannot forgive are liars.

Leo flinched and felt like crying. 'Why does he felt like his Majesty is getting mad?'

Both the emperor and the knight looked his way. Vernon urged him to continue while Leo felt relieved the attention of his Majesty isn't on him.

”If I may be presumptuous, I think that Princess Viviana is sulking right now.”

Vernon's eyes narrowed. ”sulking? What for?”

”T-this… His Majesty hasn't visited the Princess to ask for her health … that's why I think Princess Viviana is sulking.”

”And why should I visit her palace just to ask about her health when I can just send someone to inquire?” Vernon questioned and raised his right eyebrow.

Theo wants to knock some sense out of his Emperor for being clueless around children. And she's his daughter at that!

”Your Majesty, showing your care personally is different from sending my brother. Children want the attention and care of their parents, and PRINCESS VIVIANA IS STILL A CHILD.” He specifically emphasized the last part of his sentence.

Vernon stayed quiet for a while before mumbling ”So childish.” and started staring outside the floor to ceiling window.

Theo sighed and shook his head lightly feeling a little helpless for his emperor.

”Let's go.” Vernon suddenly commanded and stood from his throne. The twins were still standing there - confused when Vernon has already started walking towards the door.

Vernon looked back ”What are you two still doing?”

Leo stood up, feeling his legs slightly buckling. ”ermm. Your Majesty where to?”

”Where else? To visit the sick.”

The two gaped but immediately walked behind the emperor. They couldn't believe that he would personally visit their princess all of a sudden. Although Theo did mention, it is not something the emperor would do. It is so out of character.

Leo who has his emotion written all over his face looked at Theo, the latter looked back at him with his emotions masked. The two communicated through their eyes.

'What happened to his Majesty?' - Leo

'Don't ask me, I also don't know.' - Theo

'Is he possessed?' - Leo

'…goodness.'

'It would be good if it's a ghost of a loving father….'

Surrounding the path walk leading to Tacita Palace are numerous trees which made the place slightly cool. In addition, Tacita is slightly elevated than the other palaces.

On some subshrubs, Linnaea twin flower have started blooming, becoming the belle of the mini forest. Vernon noticed this and couldn't help but stop to gaze at it, feeling a slight melancholy which he shook off immediately.

”She's becoming more and more brazen….”

The twins who were walking behind him also stopped and heard this.

Leo who has no tact started blabbering. ”I think so too your majesty, she's just like her moth—”

Theo elbowed his brother when he noticed where the emperor was looking and for him to stop digging his grave. Leo shot a hurt look at his older twin brother which earned him a glare.

The aura surrounding Vernon suddenly became sharp and chilling. ”You don't need to remind me of someone who I've already forgotten.” After saying this, he redirected his sight back to the path walk and started walking.

After ten steps… ”Leo… Pick those pale pink flowers. I want them fully bloomed and would be enough for a bouquet. Do it fast.”

”Eh? Now?”

Vernon didn't respond but Leo felt his aura pressuring him. ”Y-yes Your Majesty!” and quickly fled towards the Linnaea flowers.