Chapter 188: human walls

I laughed at the absurdity of the situation, "you mean you were hoping that i would come to your chamber, so that we can come together. Are you forgetting that i am a married woman." although I  was laughing my eyes were cold, he was beyond redemption sometimes.

"No, I mean our carriage would go together. As we were going towards a single direction."

"Since we both would go in different carriages there how does it even matter that we are going together or separately!! It was not like you could see me from such distance or talk to me" 

He was shocked listening to my cold reply and direct insult I threw at him. He was definitely not expecting me to speak in front of his sister. But this man was literally asking for it.

"Oh, that wasn't what i meant. We could have shared the knights. It took two convoys even when we were coming to the same place."

"Oh, you do not have to worry about that, my lord. My husband is rich enough to afford all the knights. If needed, he could send two extra convoys to keep his wife secure. So that i can travel comfortably." I replied haughtily,  making him tongue-tied.

"Oh, in that case I must be over thinking. But i didn't mean to offend you, my lady."

I wanted to say more but relented as I was at the royal palace, or else I would have told this man how to behave with a married woman.

"Alright, it's late, let's go from here." said Katherine and I nodded, walking towards my carriage.

When I sat in the carriage, Roselia's eyes were digging holes in my body. It was clear that she wanted to know about the accidental kiss, but was forced to keep the mouth shut due to the royal present around, and I could only pray that she would forget about it after meeting Sir Edward on the trip.

I closed my eyes as the carriage started in rhythm again. What I was expecting from this journey was to make a few things clear to the empress. In my last life, she was just a miserable woman and spent her whole life like a decoration in the palace. But in this life, she was getting courage from my retaliation. But the problem is, instead of putting up a fight for her position, she was more interested in leaving. As if leaving would be that easy.

Her stubbornness could even bring war to the nations. Sometimes I wonder why I was taking the responsibility of everyone around me, if she wanted to leave then let her leave. War would have nothing to do with me.

But then I was the rippling effect that is bringing these changes, so I should leave a fair warning from my part, at least.

"Your highness, we are here."

I smiled looking at the area we are in. there was only water no matter how far your eyes went, river Ethele is a picturesque blue green river with a huge waterfall  located right of the palace. A natural freshwater river, it stretches over 12km and offers captivating scenic views especially during sunrise and sunset when the lake's water carries impressions of the bright crimson and vermillion colored sky. The southern side of the lake has a beautiful view of the town and is more peaceful. you could see the clouds below you as you walked and the air was so strong that it could make you feel its heartbeats. As if she was singing an old folklore in your ears. You could see the whole empire of the other side looking like ants. It feels like you are standing in the sky, and looking down on mortals.

The speed at which water is falling made you hold your breath and look at it in awe! I looked at the sky and then at below me.

"Your highness, you should not go so close to the waterfall."

"I know Sir Roselia, I was just looking at the depth." 

I assured her as I walked a bit closer but before I could do that a human wall was formed by the rest of the knights before me.

"I apologise, your highness. We are doing our duty."

The announcement in the churros made me stunned. I looked at Katherine who was looking around freely, while only his main knight, Sir Richard was moving with her, and I fumed.

"I was just enjoying the view" I said through gritted teeth but they did not budge.

"I want to see the clouds" I repeated and they looked at each other and gulped.

"We apologise, for our insolvency, your highness, but can not go further. You can look at clouds from where you are standing"

"How would i do that, if you stand in front of me with your ugly faces." I grumbled and heard Katherine and Philip laugh.

Alright! They did not have ugly faces but they were seriously not letting me enjoy the view.

"Let me help you," said Philip and I nodded, even though his help would be fine if I could enjoy the scenery peacefully.

But in the next second, half of them left and created a wall between me and Philip. We both looked at them surprised when they spoke like a broken record again.

"We apologise, for our insolvency, your highness, but can not go further. Only the empress is allowed to mingle with her highness. As a man you should keep your distance in public places' ' they repeated in chorus again making his face ugly. He felt insulted as he looked at the knights who were much below him advising him.

Katherine walked towards me and their wall was gone.

"I must say the duke must love you a lot to be this much worried about you." my face flushed as she said that and I closed my eyes.

So that was the reason that Francis was flustered when I denied to take extra knights and maids with me. Just what he was even trying to achieve!

[i am sorry for late reply of comments and uneven updating. i have fever from 4days and it is just not going down. and last night my son caught it too. please adjust with me for a while. thank you]