Chapter 93: calling by names

"Why is that so?" I asked trying my best to keep patience.

"Because he is the one earning at the house" he replied as if that was the most obvious answer.

"And what if both husband and wife are earning?" I asked back and he looked surprised.

"Why would that be needed, your highness, we earn enough to give our family a luxurious life," he replied somewhat ghastly at my question.

"Have you met my knight, Rubin?" I asked and he looked confused at the change of topic. He looked to Roselia and then nodded.

"Yes, your highness. She had come here many times before with you and her family," he replied honestly and I nodded.

"So should she go and find a man who stays at home, since she is already earning?" I asked and Roselia laughed.

"Your highness, wouldn't sir Roselia will leave knighthood, once she gets married '' alright, that's not going where I would have thought it would.

"Do you have a daughter, Rubin?" I asked and once again the man was confused, but still nodded.

"I pity her, now get my bill this instant" my voice hardened and he flinched. He opened his mouth to protest again but my eyes told him it would not be a good choice, so he nodded and went away reluctantly.

"Why don't you ask marquees to dismiss him," said Roselia, she must be offended by his remark.

I shook my head, "that would strengthen his belief, that power is everything and the man can do anything. Since we are being looked down upon, then only we have to be strong enough to prove them wrong." then I looked at her and smiled, "and you are already doing a good job here.'' I said, patting her shoulder and her eyes shone.

"Your highness, your bill," he said as he gave me the paper and I took out my pouch and gave him all the gold coins it had.

He bowed his head and we walked out, finally going back home.

"Would you like to have lunch, your highness?" Lina asked and I shook my head.

"It will only take an hour, Lina. I would have lunch in the palace."

We walked towards the carriage and sat in, the carriage started and I closed my eyes. The warmth is getting changed by the fragrant winds of soil, autumn is around the corner.

"Your highness, we are here." I heard the guard and then Roselia shaking me.

"Oh, I slept" I exclaimed and walked out.

"You are being too hard on yourself, Mari," she said and I shook my head.

"You can go and have lunch, I am going to see if Killian is waiting for me," I replied and without waiting for an answer I walked away.

As I reached his chamber I could hear the clicking of swords. Ah, swords fighting again. My hands instinctively reached my neck which was still wounded, I had to cover it with jewels and open hairs to hide the wound in the market. It had been uncomfortable but necessary.

My steps halted when I saw him wielding a sword with Cassius and Philip. I turned to go back but the man saw me.

"Your highness" called Philip and I closed my eyes cursing him, could he not see, I was returning.

I turned back towards them with a bright smile on my face.

"Your royal highness of Wusnaustan empire" I bowed my head a bit

"Oh, no need to be so formal my lady, we are in equal rank, so we can call each other by name, Marianne," he said I was surprised.

Are we that close to even remove any title and call names, maybe it was something they did in their empire. I remembered Cassius pointing me to be respectful to him, would denying being disrespectful, 'ah, who cares what you call me, we are not going to meet much anyway.'

"As you like ph...ilip" I replied with a smile, it actually felt odd to take the name of someone I didn't even know.

Cassius came forward and raised a brow, but stayed silent. I wondered what else he wanted me to do, or had his face permanently turned into a frowning old man.

"Are you here for sword wielding again?" he asked and my hand instinctively went to my neck and I shook my head lightly.

He noticed my movements and looked guilty. 

"I am sorry, Marianne. It must have hurt a lot, but I must say, you fought beautifully. I didn't get a chance to say that day, but I would love to do a practice session with you.`` He had that awed look on his face when he said that and a smile crept on my lips.

"It would be my pleasure, Philip. Somewhere in the future '' I replied ambiguous, not sure I should agree or not and thank goddess he did not pressure more and nodded.

"Killian, did you have lunch, my son?" I asked and he shook his head, "I was waiting for you mother." he replied coming forward and hugging me.

"Aww, it's already past lunchtime, you should not stay hungry when you do so much physical exercise,'' I scolded but my eyes were gleaming with happiness. It felt so good to know that someone was waiting for you.

"But I am not done yet, mother, I need to have one more practice session," he replied and I sighed.

"Oh, my child is doing so much hard work. It's alright, go and finish it, I will wait for you in the chamber ``I replied running a hand in his hair and he smiled and nodded.

"We have not done lunch too," said Philip and I did not know why he was telling me that, if he was hungry then he could go and have lunch in his chamber for all I care! 

"Oh, then you should eat, Philip. It's already past lunchtime," I said and he looked surprised by my reply. Did I say something wrong, shouldn't he go and eat if he was hungry.

"...."