"Why is her meal being made separately? A special meal?" I played dumb and asked acting like I was offended, when in truth I figured that she wasn't going to attend today's breakfast.
"No-no" The servant stuttered as they searched behind me.
The Head maid stepped forward and said. "The Madam is not feeling well, so she won't be attending the breakfast" The polite smile had returned to her face. It would be hard to believe she was talking about Harper with such a venomous gaze a few seconds ago.
"How unfortunate" I shook my head, as if saddened about the news. "I hope she recovers soon. Staying locked up in her quarters isn't good. I've barely seen her these past months. I'd love to have her over for tea, sometime soon....."
I took a long pause, acting as though I was thinking about something before I finally said. "Head maid, please relay my concerns to the Madam"
"Yes, my lady" She said, with a slight bow.
The servants expected me to leave, thinking that I was done, but I still stood in the kitchen, my arms folded. They carried on with their work for a few minutes. Their discomfit was evident, but no one could chase me away as that would be rude.
It took a while of watching me standing in the kitchen, before the Head maid finally opened her mouth. "My lady? Is there an issue?" Her tone was so polite that I could not point out any fault in her questioning tone.
"Obviously. I had come here for a plate of biscuits and a cup of coffee. Yet, no one has attended to me"
The Head maid seemed to remember I had said this before. She ordered a servant to place my request in a tray as her face turned a bit red with embarrassment.
The servant offered to carry it back for me, but I firmly refused. So, with a tray which held coffee and a plate of biscuits, I exited the kitchen and went back to my room.
I noticed Cardin trudging through the hallways. He'd been rather quiet during the past few weeks. It seems like he's been keeping to himself and barely comes out of his room.
Sometimes, it felt strange to me how he didn't even show any interest in being the Marquis' successor. Did he know of father's true plans? I doubted. Father and Cardin rarely ever made any exchanges. I also monitored Cardin's movements with the aid of my spies. That was why his daily schedule always left me flabbergasted.
No socializing amongst nobles. Only a few friends who he visited rarely or sometimes went out with. No attempts to invest in business. My spies informed me that he blew it all off at private parties. No classes on intellectual topics. Not even basic Economics and Philosophy! All high ranking nobles had to be involved in such an education. Even Olivia and Paisley took classes every week.
Cardin, the supposed future Marquis Deor of the South, had no qualifications whatsoever. Didn't everyone have a redeeming quality? I could point out one in everyone, even in father and Paisley.
However, even as I stare at Cardin right now, nothing comes to mind.
'Could it be that he doesn't want to be Marquis? But, who wouldn't want power?'
It was rather hard for me to believe he was satisfied with his current condition. Who would want to be in the precarious condition of living as a "scarecrow heir"? I'm sure he had heard of the title nobles in the South had given him.
I watched as he walked, dragging his feet on the floor, as if his shoes were too heavy. He probably didn't notice me because he took a sharp turn and moved into a room. Probably the music room.
I went on my way with the plate of cookies and cup of coffee, in hand. Upon getting into my room I locked the door behind me.
"I brought biscuits and coffee. Figured you'd want it"
There was a moment of silence. Only the sound of the key turning in the lock hole. I turned around after making sure the door was perfectly secured.
"That sounds nice" The husky, masculine voice reverberated in the room. The morning sun from outside, shone on his figure – outlining his figure which looked leaner within just a week of not seeing him.
Setting down the tray unto the table in front of him, memories flashed in the back of my mind. Memories from when he used to eat meals in my room all the time, just like this.
"How did you know I'd come?" Nathan asked, before picking up a biscuit and munching on it.
"I just knew" It was the truth. Something told me he'd come today. Although I didn't expect him to be here this early. As I looked at him, I could see my reflection in his silver eyes. It made me turn away slightly. "You seemed to have been quite busy"
He sipped on the coffee then wiped his mouth. "Nothing I can't handle. The war will be over by tomorrow"
"What makes you so sure?"
"I threw in a little bait. The illegitimate prince will turn on his father and brothers. I promised to help him become Emperor, in return he'll promise allegiance to our Empire. Dragging out the war any longer might make me go mad!"
As he told me all about the war, I sat on the chair that faced his. He went on about details about the war. Things that wouldn't be put in the daily newspapers.
The tiredness and stress was evident as the dark circles under his eyes seemed to move with each of his facial expressions. The gauntness of his cheeks were outlined as he chewed on the biscuits. Still, despite his paleness, he still looked rather handsome.
As expected of the male lead. Only main characters can look this good while looking sleep deprived. Pardon me, but I still can't help but admire Nathan's visuals from time to time.
"Anyways. Enough of boring talk. I have a gift for you" Crossing his legs, a smile played on Nathan's lips.
"What is it?" This had made me really interested. A gift from Nathan would be worthwhile.
"It's a surprise" He said, with a wide grin.
Controlling the feeling to demand an answer to satiate my curiosity, I urged him. "Tell me! You know I hate surprises"
The edges of his mouth were stretched in a sly manner as he looked at me with a dangerous glint in his eye.
"I didn't want to spoil it, but if you insist...." Since he was done, he pushed the empty biscuit plate aside. He then dug his hand into his pouch, which was slung on his shoulder. His hand roamed around the bag, seeming to search for something.
"Aha" He had gotten his hands on the object he looked for. Wrapping his fingers around it, he pulled out a silver dagger which was drenched in now dried up blood.
The dagger was dropped unto the table with a heavy thud. I could guess the dagger had been used to end the life of some person. He had probably stabbed them in the stomach. Or maybe the heart. Nathan did like ending fights quickly.
"Is this the gift?" A bloody dagger didn't interest me much. I could ask Harper to get one, smeared with the blood of any one of my enemies, if I truly desired to behold the sight. I knew this couldn't be it, as I saw the way how his eyes were alight with excitement. He seemed like a child excited to go play outside.
"Of course not! Who gives someone a bloody dagger as a gift?" Leaning forward, his head in a hand, his smile was beautiful. "Your gift is a bloody corpse"