She's Exhausted

Time seemed to pass quickly when Melisa spent her life in the Sigmund Kingdom. It feels like she just came yesterday. But in an instant, spring had turned into autumn.

"Your Highness, please do enjoy your food."

Melisa nodded briefly before staring at the delicious food in front of her. In the past, such delicious food would have been eaten straight away without a second thought. But in Sigmund's Kingdom, she had to wait, because there was a high probability that she would be poisoned when she ate something that one had not tasted first.

The abundant harvest made the Sigmund Kingdom once again become one of the strong kingdoms that was certain to be able to get through the season. All kinds of food were constantly served in abundance in the palace. Every time Melisa saw the excessive amount of food, her heart couldn't help but ache as she imagined how hard it must be for the people of the Cyrille Kingdom, who always had trouble every time winter came.

"Melisa, you heard me, didn't you?"

After hearing the question from Alexius, who was sitting opposite her, Melisa stopped staring at the food someone was tasting and returned her attention to Alexius. Anxiety was written on Alexius' handsome face. Melisa understood the reason for his anxiety. After the last attack on Melisa, King Dillion ordered them to get married sooner than their original plan.

In Melisa's greenhouse, they should talk about the concept of the wedding they want and so on. However, Alexius used that time to worry about unnecessary things. At least, that's what Melisa thought when she listened to Alexius' words.

"You wanted me to agree with you to refuse the parade we have after the wedding ceremony is over, right? I heard that clearly, Your Highness. But I'm sorry, I can't agree with you this time."

If during the engagement party Melisa toured the capital alone, at the wedding, the bride and groom had to attend the event together to show everyone their official relationship. The reason why Alexius objected to that idea is not far from Isabella's problem. Because the parade is the event most awaited by many people, it is certain that Isabella will also be present to witness the event.

Letting his lover see that he married another girl was not something Alexius wanted. He tried to persuade Melisa to join him to beg King Dillion to remove the event from their wedding plans. However, this time, Melisa rejected that wish outright.

"I'm just an outsider in this place, Your Highness. Just maintaining my status in the palace is already difficult for me. If you want me to get on their bad side again for your sake, my apologies, but I won't do that."

"Why are you so afraid of the nobles? As long as I protect you-"

"During the time you protected me, I almost died once, Your Highness. And that was because people didn't like a princess from a small kingdom like me becoming their future queen. Your protection didn't guarantee my safety. That's why I need to find a way to save myself from danger."

Alexius was silent when Melisa coldly interrupted his words. The girl's expression did not change as she sipped her tea calmly. Her gaze slowly lowered, as she carefully put the cup back in her hand.

"But it seems you don't even care about that, right? All you have in mind is your girlfriend. Everyone's safety is not important to you at all."

Melisa stopped talking when she felt that she had been carried away by her emotions. Melisa feels quite lucky that even though she is selfish, her future husband is not a cruel man. Even though Melisa had spoken too much like before, Alexius remained silent without any intention of punishing Melisa.

"In the agreement I signed, I was only willing to keep my mouth shut about your lover's whereabouts instead of helping you protect him forever. I also have a life and kingdom that I need to protect. Therefore, I hope you understand, Your Highness."

"Then, I will also do everything my way."

"You are free to do so."

Even though Melisa was against it, the girl knew more than anything that she didn't have the power to prevent Alexius any further. When Alexius resolved the problem involving Isabella, he couldn't think clearly anymore. Melisa learned that the hard way. Therefore, instead of preventing him, she preferred to just let Alexius do as he pleased.

In the end, Melisa could only let Alexius go while she was left to prepare for their wedding alone. The gifts that were supposed to be chosen by Alexius were also all chosen directly by Melisa. Melisa looked at the list of things she was supposed to talk about with Alexius, then rolled it up calmly as if Alexius' departure was not a problem for Melisa.

"Your Highness....."

Teresa was too tired to remind Melisa about Alexius. Because of that, she could only call out in a worried tone when Alexius even dared to leave Melisa alone in the middle of their conversation. Melisa turned to look at Teresa calmly after the woman called her. Without the slightest expression, she spoke as if nothing could shake her feelings anymore.

"Since His Highness refuses to discuss what needs to be prepared for our wedding, I will make an answer that best suits the tastes of the people in the Sigmund Kingdom. Teresa, I will entrust the supervision of the wedding preparations to you."

"I understand, Your Highness."

At one point, Melisa suddenly became pensive, as if she was thinking about something serious. Teresa was silent because she was waiting for Melisa to first express what she thought. Then, when the time came, Melisa returned to speaking calmly as usual.

"Then, I want you to ask someone to prepare appropriate gifts for Lord Alister and Lady Vanessa's engagement party. Do choose a gift that will not disappoint either of them. We must not embarrass the royal family with an ordinary gift."

"...Are they going to hold a wedding soon, Your Highness?"

It was natural that Teresa was shocked when she heard the news. Melisa herself just heard the news from Alexius. Alexius said that both Alison's family and the Webster family refused to delay the marriage of their family member. Because of this, they plan to marry them after Alexius and Melisa's wedding is finished.

It feels sad because they have to get married so close together. However, both of them were ready with their respective choices, so there was nothing more they could do but accept their fate.

"Yes. They will hold the wedding a month after my wedding with His Highness is completed. Finding a suitable gift is not an easy task. I am giving you enough time so that you can find the most suitable gift, Teresa."

"Okay. I understand."

Melisa no longer said anything after Teresa agreed to her request. The girl walked for a while before she stopped suddenly. Her vision seemed to spin as she tried to take a step back. Melisa suddenly felt so dizzy that she almost fell, triggering a panicked scream from Teresa, who immediately caught her body.

"Your Highness!"

Not only Teresa but even the guards and services who were previously only on guard at a distance away immediately ran over when Melisa suddenly fell. Everyone was worried that someone had poisoned Melisa's food. Teresa was about to order someone to arrest the chef and service who brought Melisa the meal. But before she could do it, Melisa held her hand first.

"I'm fine. I just feel a little tired from dealing with everything these days."

Those people in the Cyrille Kingdom were skilled in poisons and antidotes, so when they spoke, others would easily believe what they said. Teresa also did not find the initial symptoms that are usually seen when someone is poisoned. Because of that, she finally felt a little calm even though she was worried because Melisa didn't look well.

"You shouldn't force yourself like this. You should rest, Your Highness. I will personally take you to your room to rest this time."

Melisa smiled slightly after hearing Teresa's words. "Okay. You can do whatever you want," she said resignedly. Melisa was already dizzy just trying to stand up again. Because of that, a knight finally offered to carry the exhausted Melisa.

Touching a royal should not be allowed in Sigmund's Kingdom. However, because the situation was an emergency, not a single person there dared to complain about it. Melisa finally felt that she could close her eyes comfortably when she was carried carefully. The stress and fatigue she felt recently made her sleepy enough that she closed her eyes as soon as someone carried her away.