Fatima: The Slave Princess-Chapter 85 - 84

"We've not seen each other ever since the victory celebration. I truly missed you, Zen. I also wished to apologize to you and your guest in person, but I was too ashamed of my behavior to come forward. I hope you find it your..."

I wonder how Fati is faring. She must have been frightened earlier. I tried to reassure her to no avail, she was devastated. Just how much longer will the sight of those curs torment me so? Six years have gone by, yet the traumatic effects of their bullying remained carved in my core, casting a long shadow over my existence. The sight of her crying because of me is something I never want to experience again. It pains me to even think of it.

"I should like to convey that your invitation made me very happy, Zen. I had hoped to reconcile with you one day, therefore, I was relieved when your highness initiated contact."

I was certain my preparations for this day were without fault, but I am clearly mistaken. It appears I'll need to cultivate a greater level of patience and mental endurance to carry out my end of the bargain after all. Each word uttered by lady Florette, as innocent and harmless as they may sound, grates on my nerves so severely I can hardly control my facial expressions. My original plan was to interrogate her about that incident in front of countess Dupree's boutique, but my aunt's reply came sooner than expected.

"We haven't had a chance to properly catch up ever since my return from the war, have we, my lady?" I said, feigning a pleasant grin as I picked up the teacup from the saucer.

"My lady..." she muttered with a soft sigh.

Her cheeks, already flushed, deepened in color with every word, each interaction painting them a brighter crimson. She was always the same in the past when our relationship used to be innocent and free of anyone's intervention. Although I'm still uncertain about the specifics of how it happened, it was she who guided the knights to the well on that particular day, a fact for which I have remained continuously thankful. I believe my aunt's affections for her stemmed from that ordeal as well. Unbeknownst to her, Lady Florette, despite her outward elegance, possessed the same ruthless characteristics as her villainous mother, a fact hidden beneath a veneer of grace. The sweet, naïve Florette, once too gentle to hurt a fly, has been gone for a while now, replaced by something else entirely.

"By the way, my lady, have you been in touch with my beloved aunt as of late?" I asked, resting the teacup on its saucer.

"Are you perhaps referring to the Marchioness Rebecca, your highness?" she responded promptly, her eyes widened with excitement.

I only have one maternal aunt...

"Indeed."

"It has been a year since our correspondence had come to a halt, so I've been wondering how she's doing?" she pouted with a downcast expression on her face.

I see... My aunt's scheme was to have me personally convey the message to Lady Florette, thereby creating the illusion of a genuine alteration in my feelings. *sigh* How very witty of her. What makes her think I would actually go through with this?

"Ah! Has something happened? Is she ill?" Florette fretted frantically.

"Rest assured, she is faring strong and healthy these days."

Strong enough to impose this heavy a burden upon me...

"What a relief!" she sighed, the tension visibly leaving her shoulders.

"I called you here to discuss something very important, lady Florette Kartier."

"P-pardon?"

Her reactions appear so genuine, I might actually start feeling bad about this whole charade. I can't believe what I'm about to say. No matter how I think about it, this isn't right. Trying to win Fati's affection might end up pushing her further away from me.

"I've thought about the dissolution of our engagement, and come to realize how unfair it was towards you. Therefore, I propose we rekindle our relationship by resuming our courtship with marriage in mind."

I feel sick to my stomach...

+++

She's been staring into space for some time now. What is going on in that head of hers? I came here to offer my assistance since I heard his highness was away, but we have gotten no work done so far.

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"Miss Lottie!" I called, repeatedly snapping my fingers in front of her face.

"Right! Yes! I'm here! What happened?" she blurted as her gaze frantically scanned the room.

"Oh, Sir Leonardo. When did you get here?"

"We were working on the contracts together..."

"R-right...the contracts. Haha!" the princess giggled nervously, awkwardly scratching the back of her wig.

"My mind has been in a completely different world these days. It must be due to the excitement of relocating to a new place. Haha!"

Everything about her, from the way she carries herself to the words she carefully chooses, feels oddly familiar. Our interactions feel incredibly natural and comfortable, mirroring the ease one feels with someone whose company they've frequently enjoyed and space they've shared on many occasions. What is this feeling? Could my heart truly be wavering?

"Sir Leonardo, what is this?" she asked, her brows furrowed, and her gaze piercing through the piece of paper in her hands.

"Ah, this must be the trade contract with the Zeshronia empire. I recognized it by the seal."

"I know where it's from, however it's content...is completely off."

"P-pardon? What do you mean by that, Miss Lottie?"

"Your monthly oil-for-silk trade seems incredibly unbalanced; why are we giving up a thousand barrels of oil for only three hundred rolls of silk? Their export and transportation fees are waived, in contrast to Alkaraz, which are subject to a twofold increase every year. Is this real?"

What? She can...she can read Zesh?

"Damage costs and custom taxes on their end are also being charged to us. This trade contract is completely one-sided. Unbelievable! Who on earth reviewed and signed this?"

"That would be the previous monarchs."

She's completely riled up.

"I've never seen such outrageous terms in my entire experience of writing and revising trade contracts. Were these documents signed in awareness of these facts?" she fumed, smacking the papers on her desk.

"I highly doubt that. More importantly..."

"Miss Lottie, can you...truly understand what is written on these contracts?"

"Of course I can. I've studied twenty different languages while transitioning into my role as the crown princess of Ecchelon. This is mere child's play for me."

T-twenty? Is that even possible?

"I apologize, Sir Leonardo. I know I'm probably crossing a line here by poking my nose where it does not belong. It's just that...it irks me when I see things like this."

I think...we may have found a solution to our long-standing problem.

"Anyone in your position would react that way. This is an issue we've been struggling with for a long time."

"Really?"

Her eyes grew wide, and a look of lively interest quickly spread across her face, bringing her features to life. Her expectant gaze, bright and shining, was fixed upon me as she awaited my next words with bated breath. There is no question in my mind that her skills will be instrumental in solving this problem once and for all. However, I'll need approval from him first. I doubt he'll easily concur with the idea, not after yesterday's misunderstanding. He has been shooting death glares at me whenever we cross paths lately.

"I'll discus this matter with the crown prince later today. You can sort through them for now and set aside the problematic ones until his highness makes a firm decision."

"Thank you, Sir Leonardo! I will do my utmost best!" she exclaimed loudly, clasping my hands.

"You two again, huh?"

Uh-oh...

+++

Although we haven't been here long, we're already familiar with nearly every nook and cranny of this vast estate. Household chores are off-limits; we can't even lift a finger in the kitchen or anywhere else in the house. It's strictly forbidden. The maids prepare everything, from our warm baths scented with lavender to the day's attire, ensuring every detail is handled, and leaving us to only enjoy. A breathtaking collection of expensive dresses, glittering jewelry, and ornate shoes and accessories reflected a light brighter than the sun itself. We have an entire dressing room designated for our clothes alone. There are so many to choose from that I don't think we'll get to wear them all for as long as we live. Unlike the treatment we received while living with our birth parents, this is an entirely new and unexpected experience for us.

"I'm dying of boredom!" Clover whined, dramatically flopping onto the sofa.

"I can't do this anymore. When will Fati come?"

"Asked the one who called her a traitor before storming out of her room like the world was ending." I teased with a smirk.

Clover is mostly carefree and naïve when interacting with those she holds dear, however she bears her fangs rather quickly whenever she feels wronged.

"I didn't mean any of that, Ivy. I've been regretting it ever since." She sobbed with her head drooped.

They'd had their share of disagreements before, but this was the first time their quarrel had become so serious. Clover genuinely felt frustrated at first, but it all vanished by the time we made it to our rooms that same night. She and Fati are the same in that regard. Perhaps that's why they grew so attached to each other over the years.

"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

"Hmm..." I pondered deeply, averting her teary eyes.

She is so easy to tease.

"Well, you declared her an enemy now, so...probably not."

"Really?"

"You can start by apologizing today. She has just arrived."