The Second Life's

XXXIII - Temporary Emotions

“You must get used to this if you want to be my personal knight,” I told Hendery. “Blood in before the Crown Prince sees you again and emotions.”

Hendery laughs. “I don't think Crown Prince is jealous type.”

“Awas!” shouted a woman.

Hendery swiftly hugged me to protect me from the wine splash that floated towards us. The woman fell to the floor along with the wetness of Hendery's coat with the wine. If there wasn't a Hendery as a shield, I would have been wet.

The woman got up and looked down. I didn't recognize him at all. “Ma-sorry! I-I was unintentional. Someone pushed me as I was about to pass near Mr. Franklin and Miss Winston ..”.

“Oh, yes?” Hendery glanced cynically at the woman. “It seems that you would intentionally want to harm Miss Winston if only I wasn't around and protect her.”

“What is this?” Idris appeared with two glasses of drink in his hand. “Why is there such a commotion?”

“Oh my goodness, the woman was about to make Miss Charlotte's dress broken,” said Rose who suddenly appeared and was pumping Idris. “I've never seen it.”

What's the problem with having seen it and never having seen it?

“I'm sorry! I was completely unintentional. I said honestly,” said the woman.

“I forgive you,” I told him.

“Nona Winston!” Hendery looks unacceptable.

“Be quiet, Mr. Franklin. Let's clean your suit,” I said to Hendery.

Idris didn't even walk, holding my arm. He showed no sign of letting go. I could only look at him with a confused expression.

What else does he want?

“Quite,” says Idris. “Just let Mr. Franklin clean his own suit. You don't need to come with him.”

“Did Miss Charlotte forget that now she is the Crown Prince's fiancee?” ledek Rose's. “It turns out Miss Charlotte is cheap too, yes.”

All the guests whispered while looking at me. I suddenly forgot about Idris and didn't notice him well.

“Get your mouth Miss Hindley,” reprimand Duchess Harriston. “You are offending His Highness Crown Prince's fiancee now.”

Rose covered half her face with a fan. He looked at me with disgust. “Sorry, Your Grace. I always lose control when I see something I don't like.”

“Nona Hindley-” I held off Idris who seemed to want to have a fight with Rose. That's what Rose wants. A debate that will have an impact on my engagement to Idris. “Just enjoy the banquet. We excuse.”

Idris pulled me away. Leaving the guests, Hendery, and also Rose.

*

We sat quietly in his office. Idris seemed to be tempering his emotions because of the incident earlier. Either because of Rose's words, or maybe because I talked to Hendery.

Maybe because, Hendery.

Idris is not this jealous. Maybe because he locked me up in the Queen's Palace and not a single male figure would talk to me. But now? Sure different.

“Stop talking to Marquess Franklin's son Charlotte” Idris.

“What's the reason, Idris?” calm down.

“He seems to like you. And I don't want any bad rumors about you, ” replied Idris who got up next to me and sat on the sofa facing me. “I don't want your name smeared because of the things I worry about.”

It wasn't you who made my name smudge yourself, Your Majesty Idris?

“Idris, Mr. Franklin just wants something for me. But I intend to talk to you about it if I will take the throne later,” I said trying to make Idris calm. “We don't have any relationship.”

“Yes, I trust you Charlotte. But what does a person like him want from you?! Do you have anything valuable?!” That's not a question at all.

“Idris, calm yourself-”

I'm standing. “How did you ..” Is that Jack? Yeah, I saw him passing by when me and Hendery were talking. But why is Idris so bad? Isn't that natural?

“You don't need a knight. I can protect you myself,” said Idris. “Now you must follow my orders. Stay away from him from this second.”

“No, can't be so, Idris. He's not wrong anything. I just like you. How can you behave like this?”

Idris stood up and glared at me. Why is it runyam like this? Oh no, has it been over an hour? Because my head is starting to hurt.

“Listen to my orders. I'm acting this way for your own good, Charlotte. I don't want to lose you again!” snapped Idris.

Whahuh? What did he say? Ears buzzing. Did he say, again?

“A-What do you mean again, Idris?” I asked while holding my head. “Ugh.”

“Ya, actually ..” I can't hear it. “Your album ... then ..” Idris ..., stop talking!

Bruk!

It was the sound of my body falling. My head twitched and Idris' shadow became five. There was a red-haired woman standing behind Idris. Who'sis that? Rose, huh? Or ... Concubine Sienna?

*

I opened my eyes and I saw Mom with Dad in our garden. Why am I dreaming?

“Beautiful Flowers for My Wife,” Dad said to Mom. “Did you accompany Charlotte who learned to sew a handkerchief for the Crown Prince?”

Mom smiled. “Iya, dear,” she replied.

“Can the two of them be together? You know for yourself how the habits of Her Majesty the Queen ..” said Father.

I haven't heard you speak yet, fire in front of me. The scene changes with the backdrop of a burning garden. In the middle of the garden stood Mother with the wand now on Ava. Father tried to approach her but was thrown backwards.

My voice won't come out. The dream is so real.

“Why are you so stupid?! Eva!” shouting Father. “Do you only care about the Crown Prince? Think Charlotte! Stop acting out of control like this.”

“Mother ..” I saw myself in childhood coming out of the house and seeing a lost mother and a wounded father. Everything's getting complicated. “Dad ..., what is this?”

“Come, Charlotte. It's too dangerous!” exclaim Dad.

“Why is Mom's body on fire?!”

There's no answer. Dad closed my eyes with his palm and put me in the house. After that it was all dark. I don't see anything else.

When my eyes opened, I saw Idris and Rose sitting next to each other. I've come from a dream.

If I were like I used to be, I might have been disappointed with Idris' attitude. But now it's not. Then ..., why am I shedding tears? It must be just a flickering. I ... don't want this.

You crybaby. I hate myself.

Idris stood up and approached me. But it was the wrong move. The closer he gets to me, the worse my headache gets. I pushed him a little bit to get him away.

“Charlotte ..”

“Where am I?” I asked Idris.

“You're in the Empire's guest room. Because I fainted, I brought you here.” Idris tried to check my body temperature by sticking his hand against my forehead. I shook his hand before he did that. “Doctor says if you faint from exhaustion.”

“Alright, thanks for that, Idris. Now I'm going home,” I said as I got out of bed.

“Wait, Charlotte. Why don't you spend the night at the palace?” Does Idris want to make me go nowhere?

“Sorry, can't.” I-i refused.