8 8. Gathering Puzzles

Avery took off his suit and put it on Ariadne's back. "See you tomorrow, goodbye." Her and Avery walked away.

While elie took to her breast when she found Ariadne motionless in a park seat. Ariadne's hair was quite messy and her crown tilted. "Can't you please not steal some time alone with prince Avery? What if someone sees you?" Elie asked with a feeling of resentment.

"Oh no, did you know I was here on Avery?" Said Ariadne in surprise.

"I never taught you to hide, princess. And don't you ever do it again after this. Maintain your dignity before marriage." Elie said firmly.

"Well.. Alright.. Never again."

"Good. Let me show you to your room. Rest well. Tomorrow I'll teach you to sew."

"What? Stitch? Elie, I'd rather paint than sew. Please, I don't want my fingers on a needle anymore."

"No refusal, princess. You should be good at embroidery. Tomorrow you'll be very busy, princess."

"Can I please get away from the six o 'clock rush?" Asked Ariadne.

"For what?"

"Ah, the sun on that clock is almost good. I want to take a walk after my afternoon bath."

"Fine, I'll accompany you tomorrow."

"Ah, no no.. Don't be I want to walk alone. Free me a few minutes without you. I feel like I'm suffocating." Ariadne's antennas are outraged.

Elie finally nodded her head. Allow the princess a few moments out of sight. "But I ask you for one thing, princess." Said elie.

"What's that?"

"Don't you dare do anything rash. If anything happens to you, I won't forgive you and won't let you go out without a guard."

Hearing that, Ariadne breathed her heavy breath. "Well, elie, you're such a chatterbox."

"It's late. You'd better go to your room, princess."

"Yes. I can manage." The voice of Ariadne rising from her seat. Tighten her grip on Avery's coat, which she wears to keep warm. Perhaps, Ariadne will not remove the suit until tomorrow.

***

Morning, Ariadne's usual routine. The girl bathed at dawn and was already beautiful when the clock said six in the morning. Ariadne now bathed herself, just as she was always helped by the royal servants.

After the bath, the first thing Ariadne does after breakfast is go to the royal hall. To do the paperwork that needs approval. And also meeting with his majesty's ministers and royal advisors.

After a jam of his activity in the royal hall, Ariadne was herded by elie to the sewing room. The room is very large. There are a lot of open Windows on the right and left side. The center of the room was a soft sofa with a great big, round carpet.

"Elie, I told you. I don't want to embroider. Anything I would do, except sewing." The reluctant complained Ariadne stepping toward the sofa.

Elie clutched his tongue. "Come on, princess. You're seventeen years old. You must be master of many things."

Ariadne's pouting lips. But when she saw elie's un-angry face, Ariadne immediately sat on the sofa. Elie's face looks weary each time it is done to accompany Ariadne or guide her. The woman has been very loyal to Ariadne's side since Ariadne's parents died seven years ago.

Sometimes Ariadne too is incapable of challenging or rebelling against Elie. Ariadne will naturally learn that Elie's hard efforts to teach her something are difficult. Elie's like a mother to Ariadne.

After all Ariadne's fingers are covered by fingers, Ariadne begins to embroider. This time it's up to him to embroider. All that matters is that elie is watching her.

"Elie, can I ask you something?" Said Ariadne while still embroidering.

Elie nodded. "All right, princess."

"Why don't you get tired every day there for me? Don't you want a break from me? You're like my own mother. So, upon seeing you exhausted, I dared not defy you."

Elie was moved by what Ariadne said. She thinks Ariadne is now a grown woman and is well-behaved.

"What I do is because of the message the queen sends me."

Ariadne's a little surprised. "My mother spoke to you"?

Elie nodded her head. "Yes. The queen at the time could still speak to me. And the king died first."

"What did my mom say?"

"The queen has asked me to take good care of you. She gives you a will for the throne given to you in full."

"Is that it? No message for me, Elie?"

"There is."

"What?" Said Ariadne quickly.

"The queen has a message, so be a wise and brave princess. Grow well and take care of yourself." Elie said gently.

Ariadne's hand movements have stopped. Hearing what Elie described seemed enough to represent all her current feelings. "Is that Elie?"

"I would never dare lie to you, princess."

"I'm just asking. Because you were the only one who knew how my parents died."

Elie smiled slightly. "I went to the queen's room at the sound of heavy breathing. And the queen slammed down a glass of iron to signal that she was not okay. And when I came in, the king was dead. Only the queen can still speak."

Ariadne has tears in her eyes. If only she had grown up back then she would have been right next to Clemmie. But Ariadne knows one thing, her parents did not die of illness. It was the poison.

Seven years ago, Ariadne saw the contents of the iron glass clemmie threw beside the bed. Its water mark becomes consumed by ants, and within seconds they just die.

"Elie, what's in the iron glass that my mom threw me?" Asked Ariadne.

Elie furrowed her brow. The woman thought for a moment while trying to remember. "Water. The queen always provided water at her bedside. It gets thirsty easily and wakes up at midnight."

Now Ariadne truly believes it is a poison. Not just water. "Who usually delivers water to my mom?"

"Meghan, be with the maids." Answer elie truthfully.

Ariadne's eyes blinked. Her heart rate's racing fast. Was it meghan? Why would meghan poison her parents? If you want the throne, why didn't Ariadne just get poisoned?

The roar of Ariadne's breath. Truths that he knew were slowly collected. Ariadne must quickly find out who's behind the murder of her parents.

Ariadne will not give up. Ariadne must be at war. She will be ready to plunge her sword into someone who has committed a crime. Ariadne will not hesitate to keep the traitor alive. By all means, Ariadne swore to herself. She's going to kill someone who killed his parents.

***