Days later, Amanda and Amelia decided to pay a visit to the palace and watch a puppet play. As the approach the palace, a gorgeous building appeared in front of them.
“Wow. Imperial Palace cookies are so different. It’s so delicious. Go ahead and try it.”
“Yes, I’ll eat plenty. If we run out, let’s ask for more.”
“Should we?”
*
*
*
Oliver seemed to have made many arrangements for their visit. Amanda and Amelia were free to roam around the grounds, and they saw many species of rare flowers and trees, rippling manmade lakes, and portraits of long-ago emperors.
That was just the beginning. Inside one of the palaces was a kind of museum that held all kinds of rare artwork. There were also offerings from other kingdoms and a collection of unusual items not found in the Keith Empire. There were also many buildings on the grounds, and they appreciated the variety of architecture and beautifully decorated gardens.
Amanda and Amelia were having a pleasant conversation as they arrived in front of another splendid palace. The servant, who had been silently guiding their path, stood to block their way.
“Ah, you cannot go in here.”
Amelia gave him a questioning look.
“Why? What kind of palace is this?”
“This is where Her Majesty the Empress lives, and you cannot enter without permission.”
“Ah, really?”
She looked up at the palace in curiosity.
Deudeudeudeu.
There was an ornate carriage coming out of the palace. It was going at speed, but a moment was all Amelia needed to catch a glimpse of a familiar-looking person inside.
“…Lady Brown?”
Amelia murmured, and Amanda looked over in curiosity.
“What do you mean? What about Lady Brown?”
“I was wondering if it was Lady Brown who was in that carriage.”
“Really?”
Rumor had it that Layla had confined herself to her mansion and did not go outside. It wasn’t that Layla couldn’t go to the Empress’ palace, but there was something strange about those two people who seemed to have no contact with each other meeting at this time. As Amanda stared at the back of the retreating carriage, Amelia spoke in a light voice.
“It might be wrong. Don’t worry about it.”
“Alright. Shall we go back then?”
The both of them turned away from the Empress’ palace, and spent their time viewing many other rare and precious things. Seeing the outside of the Empress’ palace was enough, and after a long walk, they were hungry and tired. If Amanda was this fatigued, and she worried about what condition Amelia was in.
“Shall we go back and have dinner and watch the puppet play Oliver told us about?”
“Yes. Let’s go, sister.”
There was nothing lacking in their perfect outing. Amanda also was extremely pleased to have spent this time with Amelia.
This was not the end yet, either. As soon as Amanda and Amelia returned to palace of the Crown Prince, the dinner prepared for them seemed ready to break the table’s legs.
“Oh, sister, we’re alone…but that’s enough for about twenty people.”
“…I know.”
Even Amanda could not help but let her jaw drop at the sheer amount of food. From the appetizers to the desserts, there was nothing that wasn’t the best the empire could offer.
She seated herself in a comfortable chair to watch the puppet play, and Amanda felt like she was in heaven. When the puppet play was over, Amelia burst into applause, but Amanda hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything else. They wrapped up the day’s activities and went to the rooms prepared for them.
Before Amelia changed into her nightwear, she wanted to soak herself in the bathtub, which had warm water and spices and fragrance and red petals. Her legs were a little sore from walking all day as well. Amanda had been careful that Amelia wouldn’t overdo it, but because of her condition Amelia couldn’t help but feel winded. When she saw the warm water in the bathtub, naturally she couldn’t pass it by.
“You don’t have to prepare me. I can take a bath alone.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Amelia ordered the maids to wait outside. While she comfortably allowed herself to be bathed by the maids back at home, it was awkward to take off her clothes in front of strangers. She also realized from experience that she would rather bathe alone if they did not know how to touch her carefully.
“Lalala~”
She began humming pleasantly to herself as she started to undress.
Deolkeong!
There was a loud noise from the direction of the bathroom window. Amelia, wondering what could it be in the imperial palace, moved slowly towards the sound. Suddenly, the window opened and a person fell inside. The smell of blood overwhelmed her before she could process what she saw with her eyes.
“Kyaaa!”
Amelia’s scream brought the maids running towards the door. They turned the door handle roughly, but Amelia had already locked it.
“M-My Lady, what’s going on?”
The urgency of the voice brought Amelia to her senses. A wounded man suddenly appeared in front of him. He had a head of familiar dark blue hair.
“…Who are you?”
Quinlen lifted his head at the sound of her voice.
Their eyes met in midair.
Though having no idea about this stranger, Amelia had a feeling that this man has been sent to protect her. Though the man was wounded, she could put her life in his hands.
“My name is Quinlen, and I was sent by General Oliver to protect you and your sister. Now, My Lady, tell me what’s going on–”
“N-nothing! A bug appeared and I yelled because I was surprised. It flew out the window and I’m fine now.”
“Thank goodness. If you need us, call us right away.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Amelia stepped away from the door where she was talking to the maids and approached Quinlen. She didn’t know where or how he got hurt, but there was a copious amount of blood coming from his side.
“Are you alright?”
Quinlen blinked his eyes hazily at the question.
“Don’t worry about me, I just got caught-”
Before Quinlen could finish, there was another loud voice from her door.
“We’re from the Empress’s palace. We’ve seen the man we’re looking for around here. Let us in to search for a moment.”
“Th-this is the Crown Prince’s palace…”
“Kkyaaa!”
Amelia heard the screams of the maids from outside.
‘Who they’re looking for now is probably…’
Amelia’s trembling eyes turned towards Quinlen.
Kwangkwangkwang!
There were booming knocks on the bathroom door.