“Yes, I see.”
Because of her shyness, Kalia tended to be good at scanning those who came into her territory. Slightly stroking one’s head or patting there shoulders was an expression of her affection and expression of trust. At such times, people who were curious blushed or watched on with an ugly expression, but the dull Kalia didn’t know why.
“Well, then, I’ll bring White from the stables. Please wait, Master.”
There were a bundle of things she had to attend to,that couldn’t be forgotten. Without thanking the good squire, he thought that even she could be cute. Kalia looked cute as she hummed, with an air of innocence she once had when she was young.
As he smiled watching towards the direction of the humming. The sound grew louder, as he returned with Kalia’s horse White. The giant, white horse, handed down by His Majesty, stood before Kalia with a steadfast step as usual.
The horse, which observed her with its pitch black eyes, exhaled through its nose with excitement. It was not an elegant and calm horse. Kalia snorted and paused before she rode on it’s back, finding White so adorable.
“Ah….. right.”
She sighed heavily and said to the young squire, handing him back her horse.
“I’m sorry, put White back…Will you prepare a carriage?”
“A carriage?”
“Yes.”
Kalia rarely chose to ride in a carriage. No, to be honest, she had never travelled in one. That’s why he questioned and asked her if he had heard wrong, Kalia nodding said.
“Prepare a carriage. Please.”
“Ah yes. Okay.” He watched her puzzled but went off to carry out her request.
Watching his back as the sounds of his footsteps drew fainter, Kalia sighed and gently touched her flat belly. She was about to ride a horse without thinking. No matter how ignorant, she was pregnant. She knew that running or riding horses was dangerous. No matter how talented people were, riding horses were meant to shock the body.
“I should be more careful in the future. I shouldn’t unconsciously act as usual. Uh.” Kalia pledged with clenched fists.
Soon she climbed carefully onto the carriage he had brought.
“If you’re to travel in a carriage, I will be the one to do it. Will you allow me?”
As she sat down on the coaches seat. The carriage quickly arrived at the Imperial Palace, while Kalia, sitting in the carriage humming, thought over what she would say to the prince.
“Welcome, General.”
A huge gate was opened and the carriage carrying Kalia entered the Imperial Palace. But soon stopped soon after. Her humming soon stopped as Kalia headed out of the carriage. Kalia, who had escorted the Prince since childhood, was deeply involved with him. The road to his villa was nothing new to her.
It took about the same time, as she retraced her footsteps entering from the entrance through the corridor that lead to the main palace.
From the other side of the corridor, a crowd of several wives, embellished with bright dresses and jewellery. Their aristocratic sons escorting them, as they discussed aloud.
“What in the world, Helena your necklace is fantastic. Why don’t you choose a bracelet that goes well with it?”
“There is also this magic seal, The Peacock’s magic seal, it’s been engraved, how precious must that gift be?”
“It is! It was the first time I’ve seen Shyman’s magical works up so close. Isn’t it worth hundreds of dollars apiece?”
“How envious would you be if you knew that the young ladies would be presented a bracelet with Shyman’s seal directly from Dame Helena?”
“It was just a small gift for her journey. It’s no big deal.”
Kalia, walked in front of the chattering woman, a particularly beautiful woman that had graceful black hair and stopped.
At that moment, despite the silence, Kalia walked in with a steady gaze. It had all happened so fast.
“Where do I say goodbye when you’re so busy. I almost regretted it.”
“Sorry. I was in thought, I did not see Dame Helen. How are you?”
She watched her from head to toe, her eyes much darker than Kalias light green, sparkled with amusement. Looking at her in thought she said.
“Yes, come to me at once. Are you injured anywhere? Did you manage to eat the cookies I sent last time?” Approaching her,
she reached out and stroked her hand a little over Kalia’s cheek.
Her eyes were as sweet as a worried mother. Her touch on her cheeks although were incredibly hard, fragrant and very cold at the same time.
“Madam Helena.” The dark green eyes clearly showed that she was of half elf origin.
Although over forty years old, she was a mysterious woman who held the beauty of a twenty-year old and had been praised as the queen
of high society. She was also Shyman’s mother. She was the particular character that would become the grandmother of the baby in Kalia’s stomach and was the hostess of the ball, where she had been born and raised.
“General Kalia, you’ve come at a good time. Come and play, Kalia. I want to cook for you myself who always manages to protects the prince, protects the country and protects our Shyman.”
Horberts, who stood out behind her admired her kind words, he said.
“You are so sweet, Madame Helena! I’ve heard from Kalia how Dame Helena is like her own mother.”
“Of course. General is one of our proud craftsmen in addition to Shyman. She is a beautiful person but grew up with Shyman
as if like her own brother.”
“How can you not know? It’s a famous story.”
“If you’re talking about the friendship between Madams Duke Shyman and General Kalia, it’s a staple fact among the social circles.”
“Oh, so I guess I’ve been talking too loudly. If it’s a staple,” Helena smiled happily, biting her lower lip as if it were embarrassing.
Kalia had silently looked at such a Helena.
‘Home, I’m proud of our craftsmen.’
It is true that she grew up in their household but did not grow up with Shyman and treated him like her own ‘brother’, like Helena had said.
She had always used the end room of the sunless annex and used the same place to eat her meals. When she spent time attending to balls,
especially during school vacation, she had to get permission from Helena to meet Shyman.
Which house needed their mother’s permission to go to meet their own brothers? Even though she only heard it once, the fact that Kalia had also been included with ‘us’, was questionable.
Actually, it wasn’t too far from fiction that a girl from the slums, from a family of peasants had saved his life once.
Although, she was not the owner of such a romantic novel and that was that. Supposedly in that sense Kalia had, had to be the fifth child of the emperor, as she had saved the third Prince’s life four times.
‘But what’s the point of being a child now?’ Kalia thought sorrowfully.
When faced with so many people, Helena was so fat that it seemed to be a bit exaggerated. If she thought, she was simply a cute masterpiece
of a lady who could wrap herself up beautifully, it couldn’t be helped. Anyway, it was with the support of the Duke, it was true that it
was with their help that Kalia was where she was now.
Kalia curved her lips and smiled. Helena stroking the back of her cheek she said almost whispering, holding onto the back of her hand.
“Thank you for your concern. If you have time, I’ll see you soon.”
“It’s a promise. It’s a must. It’s too late and I must chat with Michelle, so if you’ll excuse me first.”
Helena stared at Kalia, not knowing what to look for in her eyes, but Kalia smiled indifferently.
“Yes. I hope you enjoyed your stay.” Helena replied with a dark smile, as if her response was very unsatisfactory.
“No way. Then I hope you’re good.” Helena squeaked by the side of Kalia.
“…”
At the moment, Kalia’s head ached with pain as she frowned.
Her voice was soon drowned out by the wind and the sound of waves, her hearing like sand that disappeared in no time. Kalia, who squeezed one ear frowning as she left, instinctively looked back. With a bunch of noisy followers, Helena had already gone.
The strange hallway which grew empty, was now silent.