Chapter 365: unnerving feelings

Marianne pov

When the sun shone, and the new day started, Cassius was already gone. Only Killian was sleeping in my arms.

I gently moved to not disturb his sleep. 

Daulla moved to wish me but I shook my head and she took a step back.

Wearing my outer robe, I walked out of the room towards my office.

"Go and ask lord James, is there any news or letter from my father and if there is no news, ask him to come and meet me urgently." Daulla understood the tension in my words, so she nodded and left hurriedly.

I rubbed my forehead and pondered again, but no matter how many times I thought, I still did not remember any injury or accident he had in his past life.

"Your highness"

"Umm, shall i prepare your bath or would you have breakfast first." her gaze was on my nightgown and I sighed. 

"Let me just change my clothes for now. I have some urgent work with James."

She bowed her head and after a long time I did not even pay attention to what I was wearing.

Just when we finished, I heard a knock on the door.

"Your highness, sir James is here."

"Ask him to come in." I took a deep breath to control my heartbeat and rubbed my sweaty hands with my handkerchief, but they were sweaty again.

"You called me, Mari?"

"Yes, I need to talk to you about my father."

"Oh, he has not sent any letters these days. I think he will be coming soon.`` His words were still positive though I could see a flicker of doubt in them when he looked at my pale face.

"Brother, I want you to go and look for your father. Since it is your vacation, I do not think that you are bound to train knights daily." if he had any doubts before my words confirmed it.

"Did something happen? Why are you looking so worried? Are you hiding something from us again?" There was urgency in his words but I just shook my head.

"Father needs to send weekly reports to the administration department. They have not received any report from father this week, which is very odd since father is a very responsible person. He did not even come for my anniversary and has not written any letter to inform us about him. 

Maybe I am just overthinking but there is nothing wrong with checking. If you can not go, then I will." 

He nodded his head and I could see his face was getting pale too.

"I will leave in half an hour then." he stood up and turned to leave.

"Brother"

"Hmmm"

"I request you to take care of yourself and do not come back without a father." 

"Do not worry, Mari. I will bring my father back as soon as possible. You just take care of your mother and that kid. I will leave my best knights to protect the palace." 

"It would not be needed. We are safe here. Take the best knights with you."

"But Mari, father is not here and even i will be gone, then.."

"Oh, Jamie, you are mostly on borders and father often goes on trips. It is not like mothers have never stayed alone. And so have i. Now go and take your best knights with you." he was looking hesitating but i gave him an encouraging smile.

Finally he sighed and nodded. Once he left I took a deep breath too. Mother has not talked to me for the past few days but now I need to go and talk to her about it too.

I stood up only to see Killian standing at the door of my bedroom. He walked towards me and hugged me.

"Everything would be fine, mother. Grandfather will be back soon.`` I just nodded my head and patted his shoulders.

"Are you not getting late for your classes. Hmmm?"

"Yes, I am ready. I will go after having breakfast."

"How are your new teachers, Killian?" 

"They are good, mother. Thank you for pushing me to change my ways. I am enjoying the new classes very much." he smiled as he looked at me.

"I am glad to know that, then go and study well or else your father will call both of us dumb again.'' I teased and he laughed and then nodded his head and left.

I took a deep sigh. Hope all my worries are for nothing.

Once he was gone, I walked to my father's office which was currently handled by my mother. Since my father did not have any siblings, mother handles everything in his absence. Yet she always gives us sufficient time. I am proud of her strength and hard work.

"My lady" Mia, the attendant of my mother bowed her head as she saw me coming.

"I need to meet my mother, is there anyone else?"

"Yes, my lady. Earl Alcantra is here for the discussion of his estate development.  Would you like to wait or join the conversation?" 

"I will not disturb them. Inform my mother that i was here and i want to meet her as soon as possible then" with that i turned and left taking a deep sigh.

"I want to take a bath" they nodded and prepared the bath for me.

I entered the pool full of fragrant roses and closed my eyes. A sudden dread was filling my heart. Why did Cassius ask me again and again to go and look for father. 

If mother would not have been busy with earl Alcantra then i would have felt better after talking to her. 

Wait! Earl Alcantra, was he not the man who always accompanied marquees Wiltshire in the parties and even in business they were sharing a lot of projects too.

My eyes snapped open with that thought and I stood up abruptly.

The maids startled by my sudden action stopped.

"What happened my lady, did we make any mistakes?" they bowed their heads in fear.

"Bring my clothes now, I need to go and meet my mother."