ℂhapter 4

"Felix." My father breaths, plainly.

I notice Aunt Rumia look up at him with a frightened death stare, squeezing me even more tightly as if she's scared i'd suddenly leave her grasp.

"Come on kids, lets go inside." She says in a single terrified tone.

She glares at my father with caution the entire time until we step foot inside the palace.

She doesn't seem angry that I was with him but she does seem wary of him.

When she shuts the door behind her, I see Uncle Felix walking over to him through the large window. My father did say he had something important to discuss with Uncle Felix.

                                Felix' POV:

I can't believe out of all places, Kathenia ended up in the main palace. She could have died...but Silas bought her back alive...that was not the deal, so why?...why didn't he kill her like he said he was going to?...i'm grateful...but it's too early to celebrate.

"What is it?" I stand, boldly.

If anything, I didn't expect him to drop her off. There had appeared to be no signs of bruises on Kathenia so I feel that she's safe for now.

"How could you let that child roam around so carelessly?" He shouts in a low tone.

What?...Why does he sound worried?

He called her child rather than her name so I presume that he still loathes her, like the very first day he saw her face in that crib. I can feel his anger from here.

"Well...she wasn't alone..." I tell him. "She had my son, Cassius with her."

He rolls his eyes in disbelief. "You sent a child with another child?"

Am I being scolded right now?...

Even so, I had no other choice. I only had someone go with Kathy because I thought she was being picked on...but what made her go through the woods in the first place? I always thought she'd be too scared to step foot in there so I never had to worry about that.

"I promise you...she's a smart kid." I inform him. "She wouldn't go through the forest if it wasn't for a good reason."

Kathenia never took that path before. I've always known her to take the same route she always does...which leaves me curious onto what made today any different?

He seems unsatisfied with my answer, peering at me with a distasteful look.

"Let me tell you something, Felix."

He steps closer to me.

I've always been loyal with working alongside Silas, i've always defended him no matter what...but if he ever does something to hurt Kathy, that mindset will automatically change.

"If I didn't have a lot on my mind...I would have stuck to my deal." His voice, bitter. "Your job was to protect her from me...what if she never came home today?"

That thought scares me so much. I'd being lying if I said it didn't pass my train of thought.

He is right. If Silas didn't have other things to deal with, our Kathenia would have never came home. I've been working with him for quite a while now & even I know that he always stays true to his word which is why I am always so careful with her.

"Okay...I understand." I lift my head up in confidence, my voice cold & my eyes narrow. "You will never have to see her again from this day onwards."

I don't want Kathenia to be caught up in the mess she has no fault in. She was just born under tragic circumstances. I want her to live a wonderful life without having to worry about her father or feel guilty about her mother & I plan to do just that.

"Good." He speaks with a straight face. "This time, stay true to your word."

...

2 Weeks Later

I haven't encountered my father since that day but things have gotten more hectic around here. Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix have gotten even more strict...if that's even possible. I am prohibited from outdoor activities unless accompanied by an adult. The same rule applies to Cassius so I feel a tad bit to blame for it but him being the reckless person he is, I always notice him casually sneaking out without being noticed from time to time.

Though, I still wonder what business my father had with Uncle Felix that made him come to the palace rather than the other way around.

"Lady Kathenia, dinner is ready." The butler informs me.

"Okay! I will be right there!"

I've been finding new things to do everyday but I hate being stuck inside all day. I have to convince Aunt Rumia let me go out some way.

I make my way to dinner & that's when I see Cassius sneak back in through a window where he left it cracked open for his arrival.

"You're not covered in bruises." I joke.

He is usually always coming home in bruises even when he sneaks out. When Aunt Rumia questions him about it, he says things like "Oh, I fell off my bed." or "I was playing with my toys, roughly."

I don't know how she believes it...but a part of me thinks that she just doesn't want to question it so she leaves it at that.

"There's a reason for that." He grins.

His eyes appear lovestruck...could it be?...

"Please enlighten me on this reason, big brother."

He takes a deep sigh with a smug look on his face. I have never seen him like this before.

"It's something youngins like you have to wait to know."

I roll my eyes at him. Can't he just give me a straight answer rather than walking around eggshells?

"We're literally only one year apart."

He begins to walk towards the dining hall, flipping his hair around like he's some ladies man.

"Fine if you must know..." He presses his hand on the door & turns to face me. "I fell in love."

I almost choke on my own breath as my eyes extend widely in revelation.

Cassius...fell in love? how? with who? where?

So many questions.

For starters, he is not the type to look at other girls in that way because he himself, is too young to know what love is.

"What? when did this happen?"

He opens the door to the dining hall as I rush forward, still astonished by his words. "Please tell me more! i'm curious!"

"Sorry, sis." He takes a seat on the table. "Some information...is meant to be kept a secret."

"No!...please!...I must know!" I wail.

Aunt Rumia strolls over & takes a seat on the table as well. "What is this whole secret business all about?"

Cassius stays quiet in his seat. He really does not want to disclose about his sudden lover.

"Kathenia?" Aunt Rumia turns over to me when she realizes that Cassius won't speak.

I don't think i'm the one who should tell her since it will be revealing Cassius' private matters.

"Mhm...do you think I can go outside after dinner?" I change the subject with a cutesy smile.

"Absolutely not!" She immediately responds. "But nice try though."

She turns back to Cassius who happens to be sinking in his chair to avoid Aunt Rumia's stare.

I guess she has to know everyrhing that goes on in her childrens lives. Especially after what happened with me, she can't take any chances that something similar might happen to either of us again.

"Cassius...speak before I take away your playtime privileges."

And by that...she means she will ground him. I mean, there's not much to ground him for, considering he is already not allowed to leave the palace...Aunt Rumia just doesn't know that he broke those rules.

"Fine!" He shouts, arising from his chair.

Aunt Rumia & I both look at him with suspense in our expressions, even though I already know his secret.

Cassius takes a deep breath before he let's out the secret that feels like it exits his lips in slow motion.

"I have met a beautiful girl."

And so, he said it.

Aunt Rumia has a different emotion than what I was anticipating.

She jumps up from her chair in joy. "A girl?...my special little boy met a girl?!"

Cassius wears his complacent look again, adjusting his bow tie. "Yes...Yes I did."

It was a mistake telling Aunt Rumia because now I know that she will have follow up questions...and unlike me, Cassius would have to tell them to her.

"What's her name?...What family does she belong to?...Is she treating you kindly?"

"Yes she is treating me kindly, what kind of question is that?" He speaks as if she's asked a stupid question. "Would I be someone who has poor judgement when it comes to women?"

He flickers his eyes. "I only spent a day with her & I feel like i've known her my whole life."

How can he fall in love so easily?

Cassius has always been the type to blend into a crowd. He has so many friends & not to mention that so many girls fawn over him...I just thought that he would choose his lover wisely...

But I guess he is still young & has plenty of time in the future.

"Wait a minute..." Aunt Rumia questions. "How were you able to meet her if you were banned from exiting the palace gates?"

She looks at him straight forward. "I don't think I gave anyone permission to escort you...or did I?" She takes a seat back down, rubbing her forehead. "I don't know...I just have a lot of my plate, it must have slipped my mind..."

How is she going to let this matter go just like that? It's absurd.

"Nevermind that!" Cassius says, letting out a nervous laugh. "You said you wanted to know her name right?..."

Pointing his eyes left & right, he awaits for Aunt Rumia's answer.

"Well yes!...I need to know the girl whom got my boys attention!"

I begin to put in a spoonful of food into my mouth as I prepare for his answer. I am so inquisitive about this topic.

"Well...be ready because her name is just as beautiful as her!" He squeals in awe. "Her name is..."

I begin chewing my food with my eyes closed in relaxation until he finally says her name.

"Ruka Sylvester."

...

Huh?...

I instantly open my eyes & spit out my food.

It sounded like he said...no. I know what he said.

"Ruka?" I shout, accidently hitting my plate where it makes a loud sound. The atmosphere goes quiet as both Cassius & Aunt Rumia stare at me.

I'm glared upon by a whole minute while I try to process this information.

Cassius smiles at me to lighten up the mood, completely ignoring the fact that I just spit out my food in his direction.

"Wait...you know Ruka, Kathy?"

I don't know how to respond. Why does Ruka always have to be in the center of my problems? She doesn't even know that Cassius & I are basically related so I wonder how she'll act when she finds out?

Out of everyone in this Empire...why her?

I pick up my spoon again, avoiding eye contact.

"No...s-sorry about that..." I stammer. "The excitement was just too much for me...and the food was just too hot for my mouth..."

I don't know I had to put two lies together. I should have just left it at "The excitement was just too much for me."

I have to keep my composure up. I can't let them know anything.

When Aunt Rumia is certain i'm okay, she goes back to the matter. "Oh! Marquess Sylvesters daughter?"

She places her hand on her cherry red cheeks. "She's such a beauty...And I heard her manners are so exquisite!"

Looking at the both of us, she speaks her next words with such enthusiasm. "I had the pleasure of talking with her once and oh my!...that girl was just too sweet!"

I bite my tongue, keeping me from saying anything rash.

"I know right!...she really is lovely!" Cassius nods aggressively. "And she will be at the banquet next week so you & father can formally meet her there!"

He then turns to me with a beaming, heartfelt smile. He gets that from Uncle Felix.

"You too, Kathenia!"

I have never seen him act this way about a girl or for that matter...blush this much. I just can't believe it's for a female like Ruka. I'm trying really hard to be happy for him...but I just can't.

"I know you'll love her!" Cassius tells me.

I can hear his heartbeat from here.

He must be really serious about her.

I don't want to hurt his feelings so I have to play along. If I say anything bad about her, what will they think? Cassius has already decided that shes the prettiest most loveliest girl he's ever seen & Auntie Rumia is most likely already planning their wedding.

I gently nod my head, giving him a fake smile. "Yeah...I can't wait." My voice, low & raspy.

I wonder how that banquet will end up if Ruka sees me walk in with Cassius.

I have to do everything in my power to make sure she doesn't know we live in the same palace.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***