Chapter 142: the romantic dinner

Marianne pov

"Did you have fun today?" i asked once we settled in the carriage, i was glad that he did not notice, i wasn't there. Damien had done his work well.

"I did, mother. But i hope you are not tired." he looked at me with expectations and i shook my head.

"I am not, do you want me to accompany you in something?" I asked and he looked at me surprised.

"Mother, we are going to have dinner with father, and you were the one who initiated it, did you forget about it?" he asked in an accusing tone and I bit my lip.

The medicine was already making me drowsy, and I did not know how much I could handle, but looking at his aggrieved face, I nodded.

"Of course  not, son. I will have dinner with you, after all, it is the first time we are going to have dinner at lakeside.`` I replied with a smile, as I ruffled his hair.

"I had dinner there before but it's a long time ago." he replied as he became silent, I was sure he was missing his mother or the moments he had spent with her.

"I am sure we will spend a good time together.'' I added touching his cheek, only then his lost eyes shone again as he nodded.

"I was thinking, if i could go home tonight, it's been a week since i last went home." said Roselia, and I bit my lip and nodded.

I was so angry that I completely forgot that she had a life too.

"You can take a leave for tomorrow, since I am going to spend all day in the chamber only." i added and she smiled gratefully, she must be very tired with 24/7 duties.

"Thank you, your highness." she added as she took the carriage towards her house when we reached the palace.

"Mother, why don't you rest first? I will meet you near the lake in an hour." said Killian and I nodded gratefully. I do need a warm bath to relax my muscles.

I walked towards my chamber and sat on the leather chair, at a time like this I missed Daisy, she had magic in her hands. I wonder if Ian had fulfilled his promise or not.

"Your highness, would you like to have tea?" asked Kate, as she looked at my tired body.

"Yes, i would like to have that sage tea, which i had yesterday." I replied and she gave me an awkward smile.

Soon Penny brought the tea and Kate helped me in changing clothes and jewels.

"I want a warm bath with herbs." I added it after drinking the tea.

"Yes, your highness"

It took me more than half an hour to feel better. I wore a simple orange gown with just a simple diamond pendant and earrings, and kept my wet hair open.

"There is no need to follow me, you all can go and have rest." i said and they looked reluctantly since i had given leave to knights too.

"Go," I said in a strong voice and they finally nodded and left.

I walked towards the lake side garden, where I had gone a few days ago for playing zither. It was the most beautiful place in the whole palace.

When I reached there, I was stunned to look at the view in front of me.

The place was covered with small candles floating on the lotus leaves, which was making the whole lake magical, not only that the table was decorated with exquisite flowers, and gold dishes. There were small candles and rose petals covering the whole place too, had Cassius lost his brain?

If i didn't know any better i would have thought that the place was decorated for a romantic dinner or love confession.

"Your highness" Clara bowed and wished me so as other maids of the duke's chamber.

I nodded and walked towards the dining table. When Cassius entered the garden, he was looking surprised. Was he not expecting me here or was he surprised because I arrived before him.

"The place is looking beautiful," he said, taking his seat.

"I know, but it was just a family dinner, there was no need to decorate it so much." i replied and he looked at me surprised again, was he not the one who did that!

"Thank you, but i was not expecting you to like it." he added with a smile, though i found his words suspicious.

"Where is Killian?" I asked and he raised a brow.

"I thought he would come with you, after all, he spent most of them with you these days." he replied with a blank voice, so I would accept it as a compliment, no matter what he wanted to say.

"How was your day in the town?" he asked, taking a sip of wine.

I bit my lip, i went to the town because i wanted to check my body and then take a physician report for collecting proofs. But we still had good time

"We had good times, your highness." 

"Of course, you had.." his voice was melancholic, as if he was feeling very bitter.

He himself had kept himself caged. Who had asked him to avoid his son and spend time at work and how could i forget Isabella! Did he know what happened, then why did he not ask me anything, or should i say blame me for everything.

"Marianne" he called me breaking my reverie, why was he looking so upset, was it because of Isabella!

"Yes, your highness"

"If you love someone else, and married to someone else, what would you choose? To stay bound in a cage or to leave everything and stay with the one you love" he asked and my grip on the flute tightened, the sparkling liquid felt the most bitter drink i ever had, so that was the reason, he finally wanted to tell me his truth!

[hey readers, as you have all seen the writing competition spirit awards are here, and i was thinking to participate in it too. I have a few ideas, I wanted to share and ask your opinion about it. So would you please be kind enough, to see the auxiliary chapter and advice me which historical romance would you like to read, i can not share  here as it will increase the cost of the chapter, thank you]