Locked

The day was warmer than usual, a sign that summer was slowly coming. Lumielle had to come to the bitter realization that Cosette would be coming soon. Her small peace would be destroyed. Indeed, she had been enjoying the lull of tranquility that had fallen over her. Watching Aris learn how to wield a sword with Rowan as she sat underneath the tree with Leo's shadow overlapping her own. The sunny breeze tickling her face as she smiled. It was blissful but all good things must come to an end. How long had it been since she had felt this way? Indeed, even in her first life, Lumielle had never felt this relaxed.

Her days were filled with menial tasks as she visited Vera inside of her Estate and the two tried on dresses together until their feet ached. High society revolved around Vera as every dress that she wore began to trend amongst the ladies. The belle of the ball, it was a good idea to keep her close for Lumielle would always be apart of the new trend. Talks about the Princess and her debutante were growing near. Who would be her escort?

In the past, she had asked her father who had declined. He didn't attend social events and she had been utterly humiliated when she saw Cosette holding the Emperor's hand. Anger blinded her as she felt her face flush—whispers of pity coated with malevolence flooded her ears. They were all just mocking her and she knew it. Now, she had no one in mind.

"So are you going to be asking the Grand Duke's son to escort you?" Sylvia hummed excitedly as Lumielle tilted her head in thought. Asterias had reached out to her on multiple occasions to meet, each time, he sent a white rose. The two had casual tea times together usually at his estate. Luckily, she was still hidden from high society so many people didn't pry about her relationship with him. With a smile, she had a feeling that Asterias would claim that the two were just friends with his impish smirk.

"Sir. Asterias?" Lumielle inquired, "I suppose I could ask him." He had debuted in society, "But I'm sure he'll have many women asking him." In the past, she couldn't remember whether or not he had attended. Then again, if he had probably gone it would have been with Lyanna. The Saintess didn't debut until she was sixteen; the goddess had yet to bless her. Rubbing her temples, Lumielle couldn't help but sigh at the work that she had ahead of her. Bringing the church on her side had been a taxing affair.

Sylvia pouted, "Princess, you should ask him before the other women ask him!"

Lumielle simply smiled, "I'll think about it." It was an answer to quell Sylvia as she knew that the young girl would not let it go if she didn't give her a response that suited her fancy. As such, the rest of the carriage ride was quite peaceful as they finally stopped in front of the estate. Peering outside, Lumielle found it peculiar that Asterias didn't greet her. Usually, he had his infamous smile on his face as he took her hand.

This time, Leo was the one that grabbed her hand and helped her step down. Her heels clattered against the ground as she peered at the estate. Walking inside, she was greeted by an obviously flustered butler, "Is something wrong?" Lumielle asked as the older man nervously fiddled with his fingers.

"The Young Master is in his room right now. He hasn't come out all day," he replied as Lumielle glanced at the clock behind him. It was past noon; he hadn't come to eat? She frowned.

"And no one thought to tell me not to come?" Lumielle inquired.

"I apologize for our ignorance. It completely slipped the minds of the staff," the butler said bowing.

Asterias was the one who had invited her; they met quite often and this was the first time that something like this happened, "then, is he not coming out of his room to meet me?" Lumielle inquired. This situation was quite peculiar. Asterias did not strike her like a man that would pull a childish stunt simply for the sake of it. She had not known him long enough but Lumielle was someone who could read people quite well, it was a habit she developed after years of plotting.

"W-We have been trying," The butler said as Lumielle exhaled looking at Leo and Sylvia. What should she do?

"Tell him that we'll just reschedule," Lumielle said with a sigh on her face. Sylvia looked the most upset after all, she had been the one to fashion Lumielle's outfit and hair today. She had done excitedly after Lumielle had stated that she would be going to see Asterias. It seemed that Sylvia was reading too many romance novels.

Bowing, the butler told her farewell as Leo took her hand to guide her out of the estate, "Are you sure we should just leave?" Sylvia inquired as Lumielle sat inside of the carriage. Indeed, she was somewhat curious as to why Asterias didn't come to greet her. He was not careless enough to forget about their meeting—he was sharper than she was at times, it unnerved her. The horses started to trot.

Asterias never forget their meetings as he was the one who scheduled them with a mischievous smile. The main instigator of their relationship, Lumielle felt it odd that he simply locked himself inside of his room without telling her. He hadn't sent any notice that the two wouldn't be meeting.

"Tell Leo to go back to the manor," Lumielle said her words somewhat annoyed, she seemed to be vexed by herself. Her concern for him made her annoyed. Why did Asterias have to act like this all of a sudden? Sylvia's eyes widened as she quickly opened the window telling the order to Leo and the coachman. Crossing her legs, Lumielle stared at the window until the estate became close enough for her to view comfortably.

Leo silently took her hand, "Is there a reason we've come back, Princess?" He asked, his warm copper eyes staring at her as Lumielle's lips turned down. Indeed, she would like to know herself.

"I guess we'll see," she said as the butler came running down the stairs once more.

Giving him a fake polite smile, Lumielle spoke, "Could you take me to Sir. Asterias's room?" She asked. There was no use in denying her; she was the Crown Princess of Endora. Even if she had no power, she was clearly the highest-ranking person inside of this estate. Was the Grand Duke not home? It seemed that he wasn't. Perhaps he was attending the hunting festival that occurred during the end of the spring.

Nobels gathered to slay the monsters and offer their sacrifices to a lady of their choosing. It was an honor to attend and even the Emperor came. In the past, many of the young gentlemen gave their sacrifices to the woman that they were courting or to the Empress. She remembered the dedication that Cosette received. Lumielle had gotten none while Cosette's name dripped from every man's lips—even her stoic fiancé had gotten down on one knee, kissing her hand and declaring that the monster that he had killed was for her.

The door that stood in front of her was closed, "Sir. Asterias," Lumielle spoke. What was she doing here? For what reason did she come here? Was she annoyed that she had been stood up? Lumielle's knuckles tapped against the door as if to try and elicit a response.

"Sir Asterias?" She inquired once more.

Silence.

The maids leered around her, their eyes nervous. "Is it locked?" Lumielle inquired as the Butler nodded fervently.

"Then get the key," Lumielle spoke without a modicum of hesitation. Turning on her heel, her eyes narrowed, "Do I need to repeat myself?" She asked. Leo turned towards the butler, his fingers touching the sword that she had gotten him for his birthday. Indeed, Leo and Rowan had become an immeasurable investment. The two of them had succeeded in gaining notoriety due to Lumielle placing them in the ranks of the Imperial Knights. They were natural fighters and apparently had never lost any of the mock battles that were held.

It took longer than she would have liked but the silver key was placed in her hands, "Princess," The butler hesitantly whispered as Lumielle ignored him.

"Sylvia, Leo, stay out here." She placed the key inside of the hole and twisted it. There was a satisfying sound as she entered the room. Dimly lit, she let the door swing shut as if to try and adhere to some of the privacy that Asterias had wanted. Her eyes first went to the bed but it was empty. The curtains had been drawn, untouched.

The room was disheveled. There was no sign of him. "Sir. Asterias?" She inquired once more, her voice cutting through the air and silence. Was he even in here? It seemed that he wasn't. Walking closer to the bed, she almost stumbled back when she finally found him. Her heart lurched—god, she had been surprised.

Finally, she found him. He was on the ground, sitting on the floor with his back leaning against one of the chairs. "Sir. Asterias?" Lumielle asked attempting to understand. Sluggishly, he looked up at her.

"Princess?" he inquired as he stood up.

She acted as quickly as possible. Running towards him, he stumbled falling into her arms. Lumielle was lucky enough to be as tall as he was. Yet, what surprised her the most was the heat that radiated off his body, "You're sick."