A long journey to welcome someone’s death

The spoon that was already halfway to her mouth stopped in midair. Selah automatically put it back on her plate.

"His Majesty is in a bad state?" she asked to make sure.

Aeneas nodded lightly. "That's what the letter we just received this morning says," he said after wiping his lips. "This means we must return today as well. You don't mind, do you?"

That's fast, Selah thought. It took two days for the letter to reach Lièvremont, meaning King Tristan had been sick two days ago. If it had been two days ago, that would have been the approximate time Raul had arrived at Mesina. Their honeymoon schedule is about three days left...

Aeneas's calculations are fine too. King Tristan fell ill just as they arrived in Lièvremont or just as they were about to leave Lièvremont.

"Doesn't matter. It'd be weird if we didn't come back, right?" Selah said. "After this, I will get someone to pack our things."

"Just bring what is needed. The rest can be left. We'll leave after lunch."

"Okay."

King Balthasar is sick. Can they be this quiet? But even if you want to look worried, it's hard. Basically, Selah didn't like that old pervert, though…

But when I got there, I had to look worried. Can I do it? thought Selah.

"Just act naturally. Just don't show your hatred," said Aeneas.

"Does my expression look that clear?" she asked.

Aeneas chuckled. "Your brows are furrowed like that," he said. "Just show some sympathy as necessary. Later when you arrive, you go straight to the Queen Consort Palace and accompany Mother so you won't be asked all kinds of questions."

"You really have prepared everything, huh?"

"Of course."

So that afternoon, they departed from Lièvremont for Mesina. A long journey to welcome someone's death.

***

Less than two days later, Selah and Aeneas arrived at Mesina. Royale Palace looks very lonely. Once they bumped into someone, they wore a strained expression.

Azel came to greet them both. He immediately escorted Selah to the Queen Consort Palace, her new residence.

That is true. Even though I'm still in charge of Dulcia's family affairs, I'm not Duchess Dulcia anymore, Selah thought.

"We have arrived, Your Highness." Azel knocked on the window of Selah's carriage and helped her down. "Welcome to the Queen Consort Palace."

"Welcome to the Queen Consort Palace, Princess Seneca," greeted the maids.

Selah gave them a small nod in return greeting. She scrutinized her new maids one by one.

This was it: from now on, she had one more thing to take care of apart from the Tullia Ruby Mine and the Dulcia family. She felt like she wanted to go back to his vacation days yesterday.

"Welcome to the Queen Consort Palace, Princess Seneca. I am Sutton, the butler of this Palace. If you need anything, you can tell me right away," said Sutton.

"Is Her Majesty Queen Consort Catalina in place? I want to greet her first before starting with the others," Selah said.

"Her Majesty was in the garden, Your Highness. I will guide you there."

"Thank you, Mr. Sutton."

And, indeed, Catalina was there. She was seen enjoying her afternoon tea with her bodyguard. She seemed to be telling something and her two bodyguards responded well.

Judging by their interactions, it didn't seem like Selah needed to worry about the people around Catalina. Well, she also believed that Aeneas had done what was best for his mother.

"Selah is facing Her Majesty Queen Consort Catalina," Selah greeted. Catalina's face lit up immediately. "I apologize if I intrude on your time, Your Majesty."

"Selah!" welcome Catalina happily. "You came quicker than expected."

Selah knew he couldn't mention King Tristan in front of Catalina. "Prince Aeneas has urgent business in Mesina. So we came home faster, "she explained.

"It's a shame, even though it's rare for my little angel to go out with his friends," said Catalina sadly. "But your vacation is going well, isn't it?"

Selah could feel Catalina's two bodyguards suddenly become uncomfortable. Naturally, what else do couples do on their honeymoon? Most people would certainly find those times fun and fulfilling.

Meanwhile Catalina… Well, with her current situation, one couldn't tell that her "little angel" had just gotten married and went on a honeymoon with his wife. So people are forced to lie to him when Aeneas goes to play with his friend Selah.

Fortunately, the two bodyguards came to their senses and immediately left.

"Prince Aeneas took me to the river and fish. I can't believe His Highness is good at it," Selah told her. "Near the villa, there is also a field of chrysanthemums, so we also go for walks and pick flowers there."

"Wow, that sounds fun. I'm so jealous. If only I could go too…."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. One day the three of us can go."

Catalina smiled happily at that. "Oh right, thank you for the daisies you gave me that time. Now the flower buds have started to appear. Do you want to see it?"

Selah was then invited to the small greenhouse. The design and placement angles somehow feel similar to those of Tullia. Maybe from the bottom of her heart, Catalina remembered something.

She even put daisies near the sitting table too, Selah thought as she looked around.

"Look? Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait to see them bloom," said Catalina as she touched the flower buds. "I want to know what color and how beautiful it will be."

"I will also look forward to it with you, Your Majesty," said Selah.

Catalina suddenly chuckled. The way he laughs exactly like Aeneas. "When I meet you, I always think of someone. Your way of speaking and that stiff demeanor, as well as your green eyes… Like someone I once remembered," he said.

"Maybe it's because I'm your son's friend and we've met several times, Your Majesty. That's why you feel you recognize me," Selah said.

"But I don't think so." Catalina touched Selah's face gently and traced it. "You look like someone who was in my past life."

Selah's heart seemed to stop for a moment. She didn't know what to say or do if Catalina suddenly remembered Helena.

"Your Majesty Queen Consort Catalina," someone said. Sutton appeared in the doorway. "Sorry to bother you, but now it's time for you to rest for the afternoon."

"Oh, Sutton!" Catalina's attention was immediately diverted. "Oh my, I left the maids in the garden just now. Don't blame them because I went first."

Sutton came closer and smiled at Catalina. "No need to worry, Your Majesty. The important thing is you rest first now. You woke up too early today," he said softly.

"That's because I can't sleep well. I feel something is happening…"

Catalina's two bodyguards accompany her to rest. Selah secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then gave Sutton a small nod.

That one just now was really dangerous.