The disasters of the south

I used to enter the castle from the dog hole on the back of the castle wall so that no one noticed me in the main building and my secret personal maid, gave me a maid dress that I wore as I moved into the main castle since the way to the southern castle passes through it.

As I entered the castle there was hustle and bustle, I asked my maid what happened and she told me that the researchers that went to the south had been taken under arrest and a messenger from the south came saying that Your Majesty should hand over Princess Liana Embroth.

"But my mother's name was secret only uncle knew it" I replied with a worried face.

"You are so naive my lady, such things cannot be kept hidden for more than a few months. There are so many rats in nobility, those who swore their loyalty to this country would sell their loyalty for a few gold coins," she replied with a gloomy look.

"Don't worry Perry everything is gonna be okay." I comforted Perry although there were so many things running through my mind like what happened to Cedric and what was going to happen next. what would they do to my mom? I went to the side castle and found my mother sitting on the couch with a stressed look on her face.

I silently came from the back and hugged her tightly because I believe sometimes a single hug can melt all your worries away. Then I started telling my mom a joke that I just made up to make her smile. I heard nobles say at the academy that their parents force them and that their parents don't like them maybe some of them are real cases but mostly people fail to understand each other, only if we could see each other's point of view. There were lots of problems in our small cottage but it was warm, unlike those cold noble mansions where even brothers and sisters show fake smiles and wear a mask hiding their true dirty intentions just for some power.

I comforted my mom and then went to my uncle to figure out what was gonna happen next. I entered the study where my father and uncle were sitting when my uncle glanced a look he couldn't control his laughter and started laughing.

"What? Why are you laughing" I said surprised.

On the other hand, my father barely held back his laughter.

"This would be the first time in the history of any empire where the princess moves in a maid dress inside her castle" my uncle replied.

"Well, it's because it's easy to move without being recognized," I replied pouting.

"Well then what brought this cute little maid princess here" he asked.

"Well, it's about the rumors that spread throughout the castle," I hesitated.

"Oh about that don't worry we will send the son of Duke Arthur to the South for negotiation" he replied calmly.

If he means little Duke it must be Zill. Strange thoughts entered my mind what if something bad happens? What if I lose him? What if he doesn't come back?