4 Chapter 4

Yeah. I tripped.

I landed on my right knee hard. Since my knees were already bruised I'm pretty sure it's scrapped. I got up as quickly as I could and stood next to Aunt and Uncle. Aunt Aster happened to see the mishap and gave me the most murderous look. There was even some spotting of blood seeping through my dress. This might actually be a good thing. My plan was to go up to the kind crying and whining or some shit like that. I bet I can make this classy.

"Count Noah Francis Dellion and Countess Aster Daniella Dellion greets His Majesty the King and Queen." Not even sparing me a glance, Uncle Noah states their rank and full name and bowing to the royal couple then step aside for us children to do the same. "Kathrine Grace Dellion greets His Majesty the King and Queen!" She says a little too loud I bet she was trying to look cute but she just ended up looking like an annoying kid. Now it's our turn, since I'm the oldest I must introduce everyone.

When I try to curtsy to begin I stumble with the xtra pain in my leg. "Charlotte Aster Lydell, Callumn Larkspur and Magnolia Lark Lydell greet His majesty the King and Her majesty the Queen. May you be blessed with long life and longevity." I say with the brightest smile I could muster. It was a mouth full, but the middle names signify our birth as nobles. Commoners don't have middle names and royalty have two middle names for some reason.

King William looked visibly worried and to bring it home I stumbled again "Quickly!! Send her to see the royal healer immediately!" He shouted worriedly to the steward standing to the right of him. ""No!"" Aster and Noah said at the same time losing their earlier composure and air of indifference making the royal couple narrow their eyes at them. "*Cough* We mean it is alright. We can give her the very best treatment when we get home." Uncle Noah tried to cover up his earlier outburst but all that did was raise the Kings eyebrow. "So you're saying that you can deliver more care than that of our royal healers! Are you looking down on us?"

"Oh no your majesty. We would never imply something like that! We just meant that the child *cough* we mean Charlotte would be more comfortable at home." Astrid said bowing so low you couldn't see her face. Haha they're backpedaling so fast you could almost see the skid marks.

"Your majesty, I would like to go to the royal healer please. May I also bring my siblings? Their tummies hurt. I don't know what's wrong." I say making eye contact with the twins. Getting the hint they both rub their little tummies with their cute chubby little hands making pained faces. "You may." The steward made his way over to me and picked up the twins and headed for the door on the right of the thrones.

Aster and Noah looked on in worry. Aster turned and bit her handkerchief nearly tearing it in two. He three bowed and left and excused themselves from in front of the royal couple. Finding a spot in the back to converse with fellow nobles Noah went about to look as unworried as possible. Aster on the other hand made a lap around the room trying to look as unassuming as possible but her actions caught the eye of the queen who watched her closely. Aster slipped out the the banquet hall to follow the three children. The hall was empty, looking both ways she started to make her way to find the children, hopefully before they're inspected. Her steps thudding with strength headed toward the infirmary.

****

We walked down the hall and out into an open courtyard filled with lush bushes and trees and flowers. It looked more like a plot of land than a courtyard. Down a stone path on the other side, about a five minute walk from when we entered, was a small cottage. On the side of the white two story cottage was a garden filled with different herbs and medicinal flowers. The stewards sets down the twins and knocks on the door 3 times. A woman in a white apron opened the door. Her beautiful green hair was the first thing in view. She was a tall fair skinned woman with bright green eyes that looked almost yellow that were covered in large rimmed glasses. "Oh Stewart, you brought little Lotte, Cal and Maggie." {Who is this woman and why does she know our names? Is she close enough to be calling our nicknames? No one calls us that anymore.} My heart had a little pain remembering the parents the kids and I have lost. I've lost my second chance of having a mother.

"Well you see little Lotte, I'm the one who delivered you fair children." She said with a big bright smile which made her cheeks touch her glasses. {Oh my god. Can she read minds?} "Oh my come in come in. Stewart why are you just standing there bring them in!" "Madam Julian, you know my name is Mark, my job is being a steward...ರ_ರ" "And I've told you to call me Jules, Stewart" With a haughty look she opened the door wider and ushered us in.

Her cottage was nice, the front door lead into a living room of sorts, it had a couch and chairs but the walls were lined with tables and shelves filled with herbs and potions, mystical animal parts and mana stones. To the far wall you could see stairs leading upstairs and a door. She led us to the door and inside the room there were beds with fresh white sheets. The room had a large window that let in warm sunlight. "Now Stewart. Stay outside while I examine the children." She then closed the door with only us four in the room.

I sat the twins on the bed then sat down myself. "So...um what's your name?" I look up at her yellow green eyes. "Oh my, Lottie you don't remember me. My name is Julianna Julian. You children can call me Jules or JJ. Whichever. " Shrugging she plops herself in a chair she dragged in front of the bed we were seated on. "Would you please heal them?" Gesturing to the twins, they looked at me shocked. "No. Heal older sister! She's way more hurt!" Magnolia cried out with Callumn nodding enthusiastically.

"Oh calm now. I can take a look at all of you. Let's start with you Cal." She scooted her chair closer to the bed and raised both her hands and began to chant, "Oh holy light guide your healing light. Bring into view the injuries..." as she says this she moves her hands over Cal's body. "What the…" She stops halfway, then begins again over me and Magnolia. Without a word to us, she gets up from her seat and goes to the door. "Mark." At the call of his real name from Jules he became worried. "Yes Ms.Julian. is something wrong?". "Call for her majesty. Tell her it's of most importance. Quickly, go with haste!" Mark nodded with a serious look on his face and ran out the door.

"Now children. Undress and let us see those wounds." I pull up the dress to show my bruised and battered legs. You can barely see my brown skin underneath the black and green bruises. Jules hisses as if she herself was in pain. I go to Magnolia and unbutton her dress buttons on her back to see bruises all on her back. Seeing it myself makes me so mad I want to spit. Callumn takes off his little petticoat and unbuttoned the first few buttons. His small fingers slipped on the buttons and went to help him revealing bruises on his small chest. Jules came over to look and had to look away "Who could do this to mere infants?" Jules managed to get out. It seemed she was holding back tears.

"Aunt Aster and Uncle Noah find joy in our pain, Kathrine helps sometimes too. Will we have to go back to them?" I asked, making the cutest face with tears from the anger at seeing the twins injuries. "We'll have to wait for Genevieve."

****

Mark made it back to the party out of breath. Before he went in he took a second to catch his breath and make himself presentable. He walked in and went straight to her majesty's side. When he told her Julia's message she exclaimed "What!?" starting those around. She excused herself. Heading for the cottage she spots Aster walking that way as well. "Countess Dellion, are you worried for the children as well?" Aster stops in her tracks. Cursing under her breath she turns and bows to Queen Genevieve. "Greeting your highness, yes. I was quite worried I couldn't bear to stand still." she said putting on a pitiful face. "Walk with me to Julia's cottage, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you again." Queen Genevieve said with a wide smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I would love to, your highness." Aster said with the same fake smile. They walked in silence to the cottage.

Before they could knock, Julia opened the door in a hurry. "Vivi you can't believe what happened to the children….Oh YOU'RE here" Julia said "you're" like it's the dirtiest thing in the world. This made Aster nervous but she didn't allow it to change her facial expression, but her hands began to moisten. "Well come in, Aster….You sit on the couch since you're here." Julia said dismissively. "Vivi come with me in the room." The pair went into the room and closed the door.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"