Chapter 43 Amarias Attempts
5 days before Esmeralda woke up
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
The curtains were drawn, soft light slipping through the edges—
But it did nothing to ease the stillness that lingered inside.
The newspaper trembled slightly in Amaria's hands.
"...Still unconscious."
The words were printed clearly.
Lady Esmeralda remains in a state of unconsciousness following the incident at the cathedral.
Silence followed.
Then—
Amaria smiled.
Soft.
Gentle.
Just as she always did.
No one saw it.
No one noticed.
But she felt it.
A warmth blooming slowly in her chest.
She hasn't woken up.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper.
"...How unfortunate."
The words came out smooth.
But her eyes—
They did not match.
Because beneath the calm—
Something stirred.
She was excited that this had happened.
But her smile faded quickly when she realized something—
How annoying.
She stilled.
Then slowly—
Her smile returned.
Gentle.
Untouched.
As if nothing had changed at all.
No matter. If she does not wake up at all, then it will be for the better.
---
The doors remain closed on Rael's study.
Amaria stood outside, hands folded neatly before her.
A knight stepped forward.
"My lady," he said respectfully, "the Crown Prince is unable to receive visitors at this time."
Amaria tilted her head slightly.
"...Is he occupied?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"With matters concerning Lady Esmeralda."
For the briefest moment—
Her smile faltered.
But it returned just as quickly.
She looked gentle and understanding.
"...Of course."
She lowered her gaze.
"...Then I will not trouble him."
The knight nodded in relief.
Amaria turned.
Graceful.
Unhurried.
But the moment her back faced the door—
Her fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve.
So he refuses me... because of HER.
Her steps did not falter.
Her smile did not fade.
But her thoughts lingered.
The next day, she requested for an audience again and this time, she was allowed to enter.
"The Crown Prince will see you now."
Amaria smiled at the knight.
She entered quietly.
The doors closed behind her with a soft thud.
Rael sat behind his desk.
Composed.
Unmoving.
He did not rise.
"...Lady Amaria."
"Your Highness," she greeted with a graceful bow.
"What brings you here?"
"I didn't have anything to do, so I grew bored in my room."
"What of your servants?"
"I... don't think they like me very much."
She said with a pitiful look on her face.
"I see," Rael said plainly as he skimmed through the papers he was holding, "if they are not to your liking, we shall have them replaced. You can convey these matters through my aide, Jack."
"I-It's okay," she answered, "they don't bother me at all, anyway."
Rael glanced at her for a while then resumed his eyes on the documents he was holding.
Silence followed.
Then—
"I heard of Lady Esmeralda's condition," Amaria said softly.
Her voice was gentle and carefully measured.
"...It must be difficult."
Rael's gaze remained on the documents before him.
"...It is being handled."
A pause.
"...You have been visiting her often, have you not?"
Amaria's tone remained light.
Curious.
Rael's hand stilled.
Only slightly.
"...That is not a matter you need concern yourself with."
Amaria blinked.
"...I only wished to offer my concern."
Silence.
Then—
Rael finally looked up.
His gaze was calm.
But distant.
"Your concern is noted."
Nothing more.
The dismissal was subtle.
But clear.
Amaria's smile held.
Perfect.
Unshaken.
"...Then I am relieved."
She took a small step forward.
"I had feared that I may have caused some distress during the incident at the cathedral."
Rael's gaze sharpened.
"It seems you have not fully recovered from that incident. It is no one's fault so why are you blaming yourself for a matter that has already been resolved. You should rest," he said.
A pause.
"...And refrain from further speculation, lady Amaria."
The words were polite.
But final.
Amaria lowered her gaze again.
Oh... does he care for my well-being?
Her smile had widened.
"...As you wish, Your Highness."
Silence lingered.
Rael had already returned to his documents.
The audience was over.
---
The next day
Amaria requested an audience with Rael for the third time.
This time—
She dressed differently.
The fabric clung to her figure, deliberately chosen. The neckline dipped lower than propriety allowed, revealing just enough to draw attention—too much to ignore.
Even from a distance, it was obvious.
Intentional.
"The Crown Prince will see you." a knight declared to her.
Amaria's smile deepened slightly.
The doors closed behind her.
Rael did not rise.
He did not greet her.
"...Lady Amaria."
His voice was even.
Controlled.
"Your Highness," she replied, dipping into a graceful bow.
Silence lingered.
Then—
She stepped forward.
Closer than before.
"...It must be difficult for you."
Rael did not respond.
So she took another step.
"...Are you not lonely, your Highness?"
Too familiar.
Too close.
"I'm always here for you, your Highness." Amaria climbed up his desk, " I can comfort you in many ways lady Esmeralda couldn't."
Her chest now fully up his face.
Rael's gaze lifted.
Sharp.
Cold.
"...Hah."
A quiet, humorless breath.
Rael leaned forward slightly, his hands resting against the desk.
His gaze locked onto her—
His veins now visibly seen.
His red sharp eyes looking forward towards Amaria.
Amaria smiled thinking he had given in.
"So this is who you really are... I had wondered how long you could keep that smile."
Amaria's lips curved.
"...Your Highness?" she asked, softer now.
Rael lifted her chin.
"Just because you have been granted residence within the palace," he said.
"And I have permitted these audiences with you."
A pause.
"Does not mean they are out of personal interest."
The words landed cleanly.
"You were strange the moment I first met you, lady Amaria. At first, I thought it was ignorance. That you were unfamiliar with court etiquette due to being raised in a faraway land."
"But now—"
His voice hardened.
"I see it is simply your nature."
"Ignorant. Presumptuous."
A pause.
"...And distasteful."
Amaria removed her chin from his hold and her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
Silence filled the room.
She lowered her gaze.
Stepping away from the desk.
Her smile returned.
"I do not understand what you mean, Your Highness," she said softly.
"I was merely offering you my comfort."
"But since it is unwelcome..."
She turned.
Graceful.
Unhurried.
"I shall take my leave."
The doors closed behind her.
Rael did not look back.
As she stepped out—
Amaria's smile remained.
But her thoughts shifted.
Who does he think he is!?He should be grateful I even look his way.
A breath.
Unsteady.
Then—
Her expression darkened.
No.. this is all HER fault.
The name lingered.
Unspoken—
But clear.
Esmeralda.
Her nails pressed deeper into her skin.
She has been the thorn that I could not pluck out in making my life perfect.
Her fingers curled slightly.
I'll have to remove her entirely.
Her gaze lifted once more.
...This time—
A faint tilt of her head.
...I won't make the same mistake.
And just like that—
Her smile softened again.
Perfect.
As if nothing had ever been wrong.