Vivia's mind raced to think of a response, but Miriam's claim caught her too red-handed for an escape to pull through. Weighing the pros and cons, she whispered,
"It was my decision to hide it."
Shock didn't welcome her eyes as much as Vivia had expected. "Hm. This is the Princess Clairette who I know. You cover up for your brothers. Definitely, you'll cover up for the demons."
"It was just a misunderstanding…"
"I'm afraid 'just' a misunderstanding won't cut it, certainly not enough to explain these severe wounds, my lady."
What will she do now? Will she tell King Rosrell? Or Elvin? It'll make matters worse…!
Miriam continued her fixed look at her. "I fail to understand your intentions, my lady. You chose to keep this incident a secret which would've given your brothers leverage over the discussions. Any kind of debt from our side over your safety was thrown out of the window the moment you got hurt. Fear of escalation isn't a good enough answer."
Her breath got caught in her throat like a fish on a hook. Anyone, especially from the Senate, catching her injury was the least of her imagination. All kinds of worse-case scenarios bounced back and forth mentally. Her anxiety-laced heartbeats, though, came to a slow halt when Miriam wrapped the film back over her injury.
"Quite a neat technique," she commented plainly, "But your wound cannot go unattended just because you want to hide it. It'll fester."
Miriam then released her hand. "Didn't expect anything less from Sir Doloros. Quite the talented doctor he is. Your wound is healing nicely, but it's not enough. Drop by my office tomorrow, my lady, and I'll apply some fresh medicine."
Vivia blinked once, then twice. "You won't..tell Father about this?"
"My lady has kept many secrets from Her Majesty about all those times His Highness Elvin bullied you. I treated your wounds and kept my mouth shut every time as per your wishes. It's nothing different this time, but…"
The light in Miriam's measured gaze prevailed as it was, yet an invisible pressure choked the air.
"Covering up for demons is not the same as covering up for your brother. It's a familial relationship with His Highness Elvin. With demons, it becomes a national matter concerning our realm. I hope my lady understands the difference between being a sister and a princess."
"Y-Yes, Madam Miriam."
Miriam neither nodded nor responded to that. She simply turned, walking away as quietly as she had approached her.
As soon as the pressure abated, Vivia's jelly-like knees almost gave out. Sweat formed on her brows, and she patted her temple, trying to ease back her restless breaths.
She's not someone to trifle with…
—
With Regina's command, all maids lined up, bowing their heads before her. She herself stood at the center, a piercing light in her eyes.
"I expect Clairette's chamber to be all neat and tidy. Not even a speck of dust should my eyes see."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the head maid said, her voice toned with respect.
By then, Vivia had returned to Regina's side, still a little dazed about her earlier conversation with Miriam. An invisible tension permeated in the air with the maids' silent but jumpy gazes.
Why's everyone on edge here?
"Where is Erissa? Why is Clairette's maid not here?" Regina asked with a sharp stare.
Right at the time, a pair of hasty footsteps ran down the hall, and a young woman in a similar maid's uniform as the others came rushing in.
"Long live Your Majesty!" She breathlessly exclaimed.
"Erissa!" The head maid scowled. "How could you be late?"
"M-My apologies! I was just tending to the last bit of Princess's room and didn't notice the time. Please forgive me!"
"Do not ever be tardy in front of Her Majesty and the Princess again, or I'll send you away packing," The head maid's icy warning brought an unspoken chill.
While Erissa was being berated, Regina warmly smiled at her daughter. "I see you've received some presents from Rudaheim. You can give it to Erissa. She'll safely keep them in your chamber."
"It's okay…Mother," A moment's hesitation slipped Vivia as she addressed her. "I'll keep them myself."
"I see, I see. As you wish."
Regina dismissed the maids once they stepped into Clairette's chamber. Erissa bowed, shoulders slightly tense. "I'll be outside if you need me, Princess."
"No, you can leave too. Clairette will summon you later again."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Vivia walked into the chamber, stepping farther as she curiously scanned Clairette's room. She had seen her fair share of regal chambers in Rudaheim's palace, but Clairette's chamber was starkly different.
Though Clairette was a princess by birth, she wasn't much interested in living a royal lifestyle. Vivia had expected a room that would blind her eyes with lavishness and luxury, but the humble and down-to-earth interior spoke of contrast to her imagination. Instead of holding exquisite art pieces or expensive vases, her chamber contained a large shelf of books and scriptures, as if it were a mini version of the royal library. Her fingers dazedly brushed across the hardbound edges of the books.
"I haven't let any dust settle on your favorite books," Regina stood beside her, stirring her from her trance.
"Thank you…Mo-Mother."
"You…" Regina clasped her hands together, "seem to hesitate today."
Vivia stiffened.
"It's because of how we disappointed you, isn't it? You kept waiting for us at Rudaheim, and we took so long to respond. I don't blame you if you hate us now…"
Her eyes stretched wide. "No, no. Please don't feel guilty. I don't blame you. I know how much you wanted me back as soon as possible. But perhaps His Majesty…"
The wave of frustration crossing over Regina's eyes evidently proved her helplessness.
"The news of your disappearance didn't reach us for quite some time and when it did, it almost caused a civil rebellion in Orseth. Indeed, Rosrell and Elvin were occupied in containing it, but Aeren could've handled it the same. I tried talking to him, but he just wouldn't listen to me."
Regina held her hands, fingers slightly quaking with ire. "But we're doing everything we can to find the culprit, Clairette. We won't rest until we have their heads!"
"So as I expected, they're still at large."
"One knight was found dead in the forest. He had ingested poison and killed himself. We conclude that he was the main attacker. As soon as he thought he succeeded in ki-killing you, he ended his own life."
Part of Clairette's memories rushed in her mind, and through that fog, came a familiar royal knight's figure she faintly recognized.
"What about the other knights?"
"The other four knights disappeared. We're searching for them. We don't even know if they're alive or dead. Nobody has the complete picture, that's why I wanted to talk to you the soonest. You must remember what happened to you, right? Did the killer say anything? Who sent him and who wanted you dead?"
A dull ache invaded her temples with a blurry figure smiling at her through the maze of her memories, which she assumed was the crooked knight. His lips muttered indecipherable words, looking down at Clairette's bloody body, but clarity was nowhere near her, worsening her pain.
Panicked, Regina swiftly urged her to sit. "I'm so sorry, dear! Please don't stress yourself. I don't want you to be in pain."
Tears fell as she trembled. "Please forgive me for getting so agitated. With no answers yet, I thought you were the only one who could recount what happened. But I'm a fool. I should be making you rest, not remind you of that horrifying time."
Vivia smiled, gently squeezing her hands. "Mother, you blame yourself too much. I want answers just like you. Even in Rudaheim, I kept thinking and trying to remember, but the memories are unclear for me. But I won't give up, Mother."
She slightly rubbed the tip of her reddened nose. "Yes, indeed. Don't ever give up and neither will we. Whoever tried to harm my daughter won't be spared."
A flutter of warmth spread in her chest. In this cold and desolate palace, only Regina cared enough for Clairette.
"I won't ask you about that day anymore, and you shouldn't force yourself too much to remember about it either. Rosrell and I've already taken measures for your increased security and only the best and most trusted knights will accompany you now."
"Thank you, Mother."
Regina smiled, a beaming sunshine lighting up her eyes. Her gaze eventually fell on her neck, and she tilted her head.
"Oh dear, that's a very beautiful pendant. Where did you get it?"
The Lavender Vow dangled between her fingers. Smiling, Zerath's thoughts gushed forth warmth in her chest. Questions arose as to what he might be doing at the moment.
"I got this in Rudaheim. There was a festival in their capital city, Casca. I really liked it, so I bought the pendant."
"Oh my. The lavender shade is indeed pretty. But I would've bought an emerald pendant if it were me. It would've matched so well with your eyes!"
A twinkle of melancholy passed her irises, but she didn't blame Regina for being unaware of the significance of lavender.
"Indeed, emerald would've suited much better…"
A cold gust of wind shuddered her body with a freezing chill. Darkness quickly blanketed the clear sky outside.
"It's already getting dark."
"Indeed. Days get shorter in autumn after all."
Her eyes remained unblinking at the clouds for several moments. Then she turned - slowly and equally puzzlingly.
"Autumn? Isn't it supposed to be spring?"
Regina blinked twice, apparently perplexed by her confusion.
"Why will it be spring? It passed six months ago. Now it'll get colder and darker," She released a sigh, "Seriously, I never like this transition to winter."
Vivia's confusion only grew darker like the dark sky outside, trying to make sense of her scrambled thoughts. She wasn't mistaken in any way that she had taken her last breath in spring. Then she found herself reincarnated in Clairette's body in the Realm of Harmony's forest and from there, she lived in the Demon Realm for twenty days.
Demon Realm…
"Mother…what month is this?"
"Hm? October."
A cold shiver ran down her spine, sharp and biting.
But, it was…May when I died.