22. Not yet...

"Your Majesty, these are the reports from Sir Ares and the commanders who investigated the missing stones at the Omun province."

Sir Gideon Gallier placed the stacked documents on the table of the king, who was currently standing by the window and looking out at the night sky.

In his years of being an attendant to the king, even when he was still the crowned prince, he noticed that the king had that habit.

Looking outside the window while wallowing in his own thoughts.

Whenever he would see him like that, he could tell he was troubled.

Gideon stood still on his spot and waited for the king to break out from his reverie. When His Majesty sighed deeply, he knew it was over.

The king walked and sat on his chair. He held the papers and scanned their content.

"No traces of magic?" He asked afterward.

"Yes, your Majesty," Gideon answered. "The archmage personally ran a test for mana detection, but unfortunately, there were no traces that magic was used."

"How about the crimson leaves? Is there something more to it?"

"No, your Majesty. Sir Ares said it was just normal leaves."

Gideon remembered the box of red leaves he saw at the Magus Tower when he stopped by to collect the Archmage's findings.

It was funny that those mere leaves were once a demon, but when he heard it was brought by the Grand Duke himself. He knew there was no room for doubt.

The king nodded and continued reading the papers. But Gideon could tell his mind wasn't on the documents already.

He could perceive where His Majesty's mind was off to.

After Grand Duke De Adri and Marquess Vandross came to report, the king had fallen into deep thoughts.

He was present during the meeting, so he somehow had an idea of what was bothering him.

"Would you like me to send an official summon to Lady Vandross?" Gideon ended up asking.

The king was silent for a while. He scanned the papers once again, but only put them down in the end.

"Lady Vandross...We can't continue calling her by that name anymore. Send a letter to Kyden, tell him to...ask the lady that if she intends to stay in the empire, she should get registered on the empire's Civil Registry."

"Yes, your Majesty." Gideon bowed and left the room.

It was already late in the night. The passing breezes of the wind through the open large windows of the hallways are already cold, despite the season being just mid-summer.

The attendant hurried on his steps, afraid that the night portman would be no longer at his post.

After his attendant left, Renvillon stared at the pile of scrolls and documents on his side table. Once again, his thoughts wandered to what the Grand Duke told him.

After the meeting with the two commanders, the marquess left and the Grand Duke remained. And his purpose was to inform him of a confidential matter.

To which involved the lady of the prophecy again.

She was no longer the eldest daughter of the Vandross Marquessate, yet she also managed to wield dark magic.

On top of that, the Grand Duke said it was the first high priest himself who brought the lady back to the empire.

And he can't help but suspect that it has something to do with the prophecy. His intuition as the king of his empire is giving him a bad feeling. So, if the high priest sent the lady, then he must keep her here.

After all, based on the Grand Duke's words, it was the woman who defeated such a formidable creature.

* * * *

The chirping of the birds resting on the ledge of the window woke Mona in her sleep. The rays of the morning sun are passing through the tall curtains covering the large glass windows of her room.

She got up and stretched her arms while glancing around. It was noon yesterday when they arrived, but she failed to appreciate her room due to her weariness and hunger.

She looked around. Excited that her room now resembled a noble room of the medieval times she only saw in pictures back then. Her bed seems like an antique four-poster bed with white curtains rolled on the headboard.

She also noticed the elegantly designed set of couches with a round table in the middle, across her bed. And on the left side, was a glass door opening outwards a balcony. Lamps were high mounted on each column, and on one corner of the room placed the bookshelves paired with a set of two single-seater sofas and a mini table.

Beside the shelves was a door connected to the wardrobe and the bathroom.

She stepped on the elevated pool which is four meters in length and width. But the water only reaches up to her thighs.

She lifted her long and silky nightgown, not even caring why her clothes were changed or who even did change them, and jumped on the water out of her excitement.

Water splashed in the air, and a hearty giggle overruled the place.

"My lady, you shouldn't bathe with clothes on."

"Ack!"

Mona slipped because of the shock of the sudden voice, and she completely fell into the water.

"Be careful, my lady." The maid climbed the steps and lent a hand to her. To which she accepts immediately.

She could feel the rise of blood in her own cheeks. Feeling embarrassed, she asked the maid quickly.

"How long have you been there?"

"Since the part you climbed the steps and dramatically inclined your foot to touch the water....my lady."

Her mouth gapes at the frisky answer.

"Ugh...Erase that in your memory, please."

"If you say so."

The maid pulled her, but only to take her clothes off.

"Hya!"

She was surprised upon being naked, so she immediately submerged her body in the clear water to hide. Then she realized it was no help at all.

"Don't just pull my gown so suddenly!" She yelled at her. It was understandable that she would be shocked since she had never required help from another on bathing after growing up. She had forgotten that noble women in this era were being bathed by their maids instead.

"I can wash myself, so you can leave now." She ordered while hugging her knees and covering her breasts.

"No, my lady. You should get used to being treated like this." The maid insisted and snatched her arm, then gently brushed it with soap and white cloth. "No need to hide. We're both women after all."

Mona pouted and let the maid do her job instead. She smelled the soap and the liquid the maid was applying to her hair, and it somewhat relaxed her.

"By the way, you haven't told me your name yet."

The maid was now busy tending to her hair but managed to answer her quickly.

"My name is Cassandra, my lady."

"And I am Mona. So, stop addressing me as 'my lady', and just call me by my name." She replied, thinking it would be just a waste of time since she plans to work and become a servant like her.

"I can't do that."

"Why?"

"Servants must politely address their master."

Mona frowned at the answer. She wasn't sure what Cassandra was implying.

"I'm not your master, though?"

"Hm. You can't be sure about that."

"Whatsshhhhh." Water washed her words. Her maid just poured water on her so suddenly. She choked on bits of water she drank unintentionally.

She glared at the maid after.

"What politeness?"

"I'm sorry....my lady."

The maid was obviously forcing herself to address her in that manner, that's why she suggested just dropping it off. But now Mona was annoyed, so she didn't care anymore. Moreover, she finds her maid quite similar to the Grand Duke.

Both were obviously having fun teasing her.

"Call me what you want, then. But let me call you Sandra, instead. Cassandra's too long." She responded, even though the name was only shortened by a syllable.

She wiped her face and rested her chin on her knees. Sandra did not answer, and her mind was already occupied by the good weather outside.

After her bath, she planned to tour the entire grand duchy. But to do that, she must have a guide first.