Later that day in the region of Elfedon...
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
Katherine's voice echoed off the tall walls of her bedroom, followed by the shattering sounds of aluminum trays and ceramics.
The maid dropped to her knees before Katherine — seated at the foot of her bed, her black orbs narrowed at her trembling maiden, soaked in the liquid of what had been served to her.
"Was that vomit supposed to be consumed by me?" Wrath laced her voice.
The maid whimpered with her head dropped to the floor.
The pricking sensation of the hot tea dripping from her soaked attire began to cool slowly, but her shoulders shivered in fear of what her lady might decide to do to her.
"How many times have I told you that I like my tea SWEET!"
The sole of Katherine's shoe stomped on her head like she were an insect, earning painful grunts from the maid who dared not raise her head.
"I— I... F- Forgive me, My Lad—"
"SHUT UP!"
She pressed harder on the back of the maid's skull, twisting and rubbing her foot to redden the spot underneath the girl's hair.
After diminishing the maid's being to her heart's content, Katherine finally raised her foot with a tut, crossing her arms as she looked away.
"Get out of my sight!"
The maid darted off the floor to pick up the ceramic shards surrounding her onto the tray before bowing to make her exit.
Katherine's fingers stretched to rub the side of her temple.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."
Her head turned in the direction of the open door, locking eyes with the tall figure of her older brother.
Kingsley's weight rested against the frame, arms crossed.
Katherine's expression immediately loosened.
"Everyone is just getting on my last nerve this morning!"
She pushed to her feet, closing the distance between her and her brother.
"For these past few days — from my morning beauty treatment, bath, breakfast, and down to my lunch — everything has been a clear evidence of incompetence amongst all our staff!"
She halted a few feet away from him.
Kingsley slowly pushed himself to stand straight.
"Maybe because your daily routine was always run by Sylteena alone."
She tutted with a roll of her eyes.
"As much as it irks me to admit, that vermin has more use than I had imagined."
"Good to see she has some value in your eyes."
He offered her a light smile, dropping his large palm on her head to give a gentle rub.
Katherine's frown slowly loosened to a pout.
"Stop treating me like a child..."
Her shoulders relaxed despite her statement.
"Still throwing early-afternoon tantrums like one. How can I stop?"
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"Hmph."
He chuckled.
"Lord Kingsley! Lady Katherine!"
The two siblings turned toward the hallway, sighting the guard racing forth.
Kingsley's smile dropped.
"What is it?"
Pulling to a halt with bowed head, the guard stated,
"Th- The royal carriage just arrived."
Katherine's eyes widened.
"The royal carriage?!"
A crease formed above Kingsley's brows.
"That doesn't make sense... We didn't receive any notice for—"
"Maybe it's the prince!"
Katherine's face lit like a torch as she immediately darted away in the direction of the staircase.
"No, Katherine, wait—"
She was far gone, clutching the flare of her dress as she raced off her heels.
Kingsley hissed, pinching his forehead.
"Why would a member of the royal family come this far without any forewarning?"
• • •
On the ground floor, near the open manor doors, the Duke and Duchess Pearson, along with Philip, stood already present with their eyes peeled on the convoy of royal carriages that rolled into their courtyard.
Katherine jogged up to her parents' side with shallow breaths, watching attentively as the carriages finally pulled to a halt outside.
Kingsley strode in as well, his attention just as piqued.
They watched the coachman rush down to pull open the middle carriage door, from which a royal knight stepped out with an escorting pair behind.
The leading guard bore a bright red stripe on his royal crest — denoting his superior position amongst those escorting him. They halted a few feet from the gathered family.
They offered a nod without courtesy to remove their helmets — a common behavior of royal guards who bowed to no one but royalty.
"Good afternoon, Duke and Duchess. I am Sir Darian, the head of this royal company," the head guard said, looking at the couple.
Genevieve and her husband exchanged a quizzical glance.
"Good afternoon," George responded.
"And to what do we owe this sudden visit?"
"Forgive our abrupt intrusion, but it is a matter of imperial summons."
Their brows knitted.
Genevieve then asked, "The queen summons us?—"
"Is it the prince!?"
Katherine's eyes glittered with impatience as she stepped forward.
Sir Darian gave her only a quick glance before clearing his throat.
"Her Highness orders the presence of the Duke's adviser, Mister Philip Clifton."
"Her Highness?!"
The couple recited in disbelief.
Even Philip — who stood quietly behind them — had his eyes peeled wide.
It wasn't who was being summoned, but rather who had the authority to send forth such a company for the summons.
The guard looked up at Philip.
"I am assuming you are Mister Philip?"
It took Philip a second to realize he was the one being addressed before nodding.
"Y- Yes..."
"Please..." Sir Darian gestured to the door,
"Her Highness awaits your presence with urgency."
Philip blinked twice before nodding.
"O- Of course..."
He steadily strode to the open doors.
The elite family members of the manor only watched with wide eyes, clearly too stunned to speak as Philip exited.
The guards turned about to walk away.
"Wait a moment!"
They paused.
Sir Darian slowly turned toward the female who had dared step forward a foot closer.
He stood at ease, hands behind his back.
"Yes?"
"Did you really come all this way to carry Sylteena's babysitter?!"
Darian tilted his head.
"Pardon?"
Katherine's face molded to an even deeper frown as her small fists clenched, her voice rising.
"Why would Sylteena send such a convoy for just a mere Duke's adviser?!... And why is she even—"
"First and foremost!"
Sir Darian's voice dropped, octave, dark and sharp. His hands loosened from behind to fall to his sides.
"The affairs of the royal house are of no concern to outsiders — dare I say, a mere Duke's daughter."
Katherine's eyes slitted.
A surge of sorcery coated her skin, her raven strands gradually levitating.
"Katherine, sto—" Kingsley began, but Darian raised a hand, halting him.
Kingsley grimaced at his little sister.
Standing firm, Katherine's eyes locked on the metal helmet before her. Her forehead pulsed.
"And secondly..."
Darian's hand landed carefully on the hilt of his sword still strapped in. He stepped closer, towering over her, his presence swallowing hers.
With his eyes hidden behind the thin gaps of his helmet, Sir Darian leaned in.
"You will refer to Her Highness with respect. No mere citizen shall dare call her — nor any royal — by name."
A shimmering red mist seeped from the gaps of his metal armor as his eyes illuminated with a dangerous red beneath.
Katherine's sorcery slowly simmered down, her eyes dilating.
"Do you understand me, young lady?"
He cocked his head, his voice dripping with malice and intent, stripped of any ounce of respect for her position.
Katherine's hands clutched at the flare of her dress, gulping softly as her body stiffened.
Unable to speak, her body jerked as instinct took over — she darted to her brother, burying her face in his chest as her arms wound tightly around him.
Sir Darian slowly eased back as his sorcery withdrew.
"F- Forgive our daughter, please..."
Genevieve stepped forward with a pitiful grimace, her hands clasped.
"Pay no mind to her foolishness. She speaks without thinking sometimes..."
Katherine whimpered into the fabric of her brother's coat as he held her close.
Darian glanced at the Duchess and Duke before saying,
"We will be on our way now. Have a pleasant day."
And with that, the royal escort strode out of the building before the convoy exited the courtyard.
Genevieve's eyes darkened as her expression hardened.