I need to meet mother. She is the only hopes for me to get out of this castle and reunite with Suzuka.
"Sebastian!" I called out
"Yes my lady?" he asked confused yet bowing down
"I need to meet my mother, the Empress...now!" I said.
"W-W-What..? B-But...L-Lady Isodelle..." he stuttered.
"Let's meet her now!" I said dragging him behind me as I went to the Right side of the Palace, the Royal Garden, home of the Empress. The Empress is the only one who can convince the Emperor to set me free. While he strict with me, he is carefree around her as he is head over heels for her.
The Royal Garden. Full of Roses, Sunflowers, Daisies and beauty never forgets to surprise me whenever I visit here. I forgot when the last time I was here. NO!
Isodelle, you mustn't admire these flowers. You have a sister to meet!
I came forward to a large door. The Empress is behind this door.
"Esteemed and Beautiful Empress, The Benevolent Radiance of the Nascan Empire, Master Matilda, the Crown Princess has arrived" said the maids in front of her bowing down.
"My, my Isodelle, it is so rare for you to come see me. Usually it is the other way around..." said Mother.
"Mother I need a favor of you" I said bowing down
"Which is?" she asked.
"For me to meet Lady Katarina Von Rochelli, the Daughter of Duke Rochelli, " I continued.
"Dear, come here" she said visibly shaken. I can feel her internal anger. It seems like she really doesn't want me to go there. But I must convince her. If I can convince her, she can convince Father.
I approached her. Careful and Cautious. I can feel her presence. Like a serpent coiling around a human.
"You must know that you are banned from going outside your room right?" she asked looking at me.
Gulp. Damn she is more scarier than Father but this is east.
"But Duke Rochelli personally requested me. If I didn't meet her then what use is there for me to be crown princess, one who cannot even fulfill promises?" I asked.
A sweat came down from her neck. Figured. This ain't Serpent coiling around human, but a tiger face to face with a Snake.
"But you must know your place dear. You are the hope for this Empire's Future. You are still very young and inexperienced. Once you cross that point, you can go wherever you want" said Mother.
She wasn't gonna give up that easily. "But Mother, isn't it good to keep nobles in check? What if they rose too powerful? Remember, only House Rochelli swore servitude out of their own will. What if they decided to rebel?" I asked. Checkmate.
"I see...fine what is it that you want me to do dear?" she asked.
"Simple. One. Let me be free and not under house arrest. Two. Convince Dad for the same. Three. Let me meet Lady Katarina" I said proud of myself.
"Well then, let's head there" Mother said. She stood up and went before me I followed her along with Sebastian.
"Lady Isodelle, Lady Katarina has crossed the market. Orders?" she said through telepathy. I used Light Magic on her the other day for smooth communication over long distances.
"Tip her guards secretly about her location"
"Yes Mam!" she said.
I followed Mother to the court. The doors opened. Father noticed me and Mother approaching.
"Dear, what makes your presence in court?" asked Father to Mother.
"Dear, our Isodelle has come with a request" said Mother.
"Which is?"
"For her to be out of house arrest and meet young Rochelli" said Mother.
"You have agreed to her?" asked Father sighing.
"Yes, it will be beneficial" said Mother staring at Father. He knows what that stare means.
"Your Majesty!" I heard a voice. It was Duke Rochelli standing up from his chair. "I also request Her Highness Princess Isodelle to meet my Daugther Katarina Von Rochelli" he requested bowing down.
"Hmm..." mused Father. He was still confused and unsure to let me.
"Father...you might wonder why I don't have my guard with me" I started.
"And why is that?" he asked.
"Well, she is 'my' guard for 'reason' but she is in the city recruiting individuals for my Mercenary Company, the Red Crimson Mercenary Company" I declared.
"What?! You mean-!" started Father but I interrupted him.
"Yes, because you didn't allow me to go out to the city, I was forced to recruit someone to scout the city. She is my eyes outside the castle" I said. His eyes widened. He sighed again.
"Why do you want to meet Katarina Von Rochelli?" he asked.
"Well, she seemed intriguing with her 'Sonic Speed'. I feel I could get along with her" I said. "Plus, as the next Ruler of the empire, it is my duty to keep Nobles in line" I continued.
"I...see..." muttered Father.
"Dear, I think its time we decide ourselves. Our Daugther cannot be in House arrest permanently right?" Mother asked.
"Yes dear. Isodelle, I am sorry. You are lifted from the confines of your room" Father said.
"Great!" I said. Excellent. Just needed Mother's Presence. It worked like wonders. Or Else he would have just ordered the guards to carry me back to my room.
"Thank you Father, I will take my leave" I said, bowed and left the court.
"Sebastian" I said. Behind me he said, "Yes, My Lady".
"It would be rude to go to the mansion by walk, prepare a carriage" I said.
"It shall be done, My Lady" he said.
"Ah! Need some tea. Why not serve myself?" I said as I went to my room. Sugar Cubes and Tea are my daily snack. I need to prepare myself to meet her.
Meanwhile with Katarina,
She was being carried by the Head of her Guard, Jack.
"Hey, Jack! Drop me! We can go much faster!" I said.
"Please, my Lady, we desire no training today" he said. The Guards also dropped a sweat. I looked at them. They looked forward instead of looking at me.
"Oh, so this is the noble girl?" I heard a voice.
Jack dropped me down and all the guards bowed. "My Lady, he is Marquis Grey Marlin" Jack murmured. I see. Just below my Father eh? But his look, I don't think he recognizes me.
"Which House are you kid?" he asked. "House Rochelli" I said. Even surrounding People stopped. He looked at me flabbergasted.
"Hah! You think I can believe that? Young Lady Rochelli doesn't sneak out like you!" he said. "But I am Young Lady Rochelli?" I said. He was mocking me with his voice.
"Say Kid" he said and grabbed my hair. "Ah!" I said. It really didn't pain me but I want to see where this is going. "You must be a lowly Baron's Daugther in this district. I will inform the Count assigned here to advice him. You must have some attitude to speak to me like that. Bow down and refer me as Your Highness" he said. He was still grabbing my hair. I looked down and bowed like a noble.
"Greeting, Marquis Marlin. It is my utmost pleasure to meet your grace" I said. He was taken aback slightly. "Good. Unworthy Noble's Daugther". Something snapped in me. Unworthy? Who said I am Unworthy? Am I dumb? I have my own pride. But because I didn't even do my work properly to find my other three siblings. Maybe I am unworthy.
"Sonic Speed" I murmered and appeared right in front of his face. He fell down and I was about to punch him when I stopped. "Know your place. If I tell to my Father, you would be fired from your post" I said. "What? Guards! Seize her!" he said. I took something out which stopped his Guards from moving. It was the crest of House Rochelli given only to Family Members. Even he was shocked. Surrounding commoners were also shocked.
"What? Young Lady Rochelli...!" he said shocked.
"Jack, what is the punishment for grabbing a noble lady's hair?" I asked.
"It is a physical assault against a Noble Lady, so it might mean Death. What shall we do My Lady?" he said.
"Nah, I don't want to kill anyone. Inform Father, now Post Haste. A corrupt Noble just injured his sweet daughter" I said. "The rest of you guys! Let's go now!" I continued.
With Aina,
"Confrontation. House Marlin was known in the underworld for its tax evasions which went unnoticed. Yet Lady Katarina just deduced he is corrupt by just one move. What Brilliance. I must inform Lady Isodelle of the entire scene" she murmured as she vanished from the scene.