Fatima: The Slave Princess

"With all due respect, your highness, please do not bring up the past. As you're already aware, Miss Melissa left her post to marry her lover."

He spoke those words with a bitterness that even manifested in his facial expression. It seems he hasn't gotten over her even after an entire year had gone by since her disappearance.

"Is that so?"

Although his engagement to my sister was the decision of their parents, Emilia was already smitten with Dimitriu. In fact, her admiration for him played a part in father's decision to marry them. However, I for one knew her love for him was merely one-sided from the way he would passively react to her smothering affections. Which was why his scandal did not phase me one bit.

"Then tell me, Dimitriu…why is it that her parents are looking for her all over the empire?" I questioned firmly as I loomed over his desk.

"What…what did you say?"

He suddenly sprung off his seat with his eyes widened and his distraught as apparent as daylight. Dimitriu, whose demeanor was so serene that he was a mystery to his surroundings, is now laying his emotions bare all because of a woman who isn't even his fiancé.

"Your highness, what are you talking about? Miss Melissa even left a note saying…"

"Ah that?" I interrupted.

 "I went ahead and compared it to her old reports, and as expected, the penmanship did not match. Furthermore, there was a missed punch on her timeclock on the day of her alleged departure from the mansion."

"Then that means…"

"Indeed, Melissa Dougherty… likely never left the premises that day."

He grasped his chest and began to pant as he tumbled over his desk, knocking over his ink container which smeared all over his paperwork. Droplets of sweat were trickling down his face and over the ruined documents that were laid out in front of him. Now, if I was a caring friend, I would have rushed to his side to inquire about his condition. However, I can't be bothered with such trivial things right now. He can suffer for all I care, since I'm doing this not for the sake of my beloved sister, but for that of the curious little cat who might get hurt trying to uncover the truth on her own.

"It's getting late. I shall get going. We will discuss the rest of this affair tomorrow. I bid you goodnight, Dimitriu." I added as I left his study, knowing full well he won't get so much as a wink of sleep tonight.

++++++

"Duke Kartier! It is good to see you so early in the morning for a change. How fares your newborn child? Though I presume she was born healthy by the haggard state you're in. Did you receive my gift by any chance?" he asked excitedly.

"Your majesty, though I appreciate the gesture, I'm afraid three carriages filled with baby gifts were a little excessive."

I don't remember him being so elated when Florette was born. What has gotten into him?

"Your majesty, what is the reason that you summoned me here?"

"Right!"

His expression instantly stiffened as he signaled his guards and even his secretary to vacate the throne room. It seems this was meant to be a private audience, after all.

"We received news that they found the body of the missing Ecchelon princess and will hold her funeral in a month's time."

"P-pardon?"

+++++

I've gotten a lot more information from Ivy and Clover than I expected. However, what should I even do about it? Perhaps I could convince Sir Nate to take me on a tour around the Duchy again, so I can find a way to look for Melissa. This could have been easier if he had simply agreed to help. Why is he being so stubborn?

"That's quite the expression you're making. I would hate to be the subject of the scowl on your face, Miss Fati." Uttered a familiar voice from beside me.

"A-apologies your highness! I was not scowling at you at all." I replied after a loud gasp.

What kind of face was I making?

"Tone it down with the apologies, will you. I merely spoke in jest." She chuckled lightly.

"Oh, haha…ha…ha…" I laughed nervously.

"Right. I was told the strawberry preserves were being placed into jars today. Go see if they need any help handling them."

The kitchen…

"Sir Nate here can accompany you." She added with a smug.

Phew! Thank goodness! That place always felt like the gallows whenever I had to go in alone. He seems to be avoiding me lately. Is he still upset that I asked him to help investigate Miss Melissa's disappearance? The festival is merely five days away. I must get on his good side if I want him to take me there. What should I do?

"Stay here and don't cause any trouble. I will be back momentarily."

What sort of trouble can I possibly cause in a place where I'm not even welcomed.

The bustling clatters in the kitchen echoed in the air as the maids scampered about, tending to their matters. I quietly stood in the corner where Sir Nate had left me, waiting for someone to assign me a chore of some sort. The longer I waited, the more anxious I became, since they were treating me like I was invisible.

"Hey! Go and fetch me the cookies from the oven over there!" shouted a maid, pointing at the giant black oven in the distance.

Finally!

"Right away, miss! Just as soon as I find the mittens."

"What mittens? Oh, you mean these? I need them for something, so go find another pair."

As I looked around the kitchen, everyone's mittens were tucked in the pocket of their aprons and from the look on their faces, I had better not speak to them. Perhaps I could use my skirt-no, it won't reach, and the fabric is far too thin.

"What are you waiting for?! If these cookies burn, it'll be all your fault!" roared the maid while she and the others leered at me.

This was clearly premeditated, but aren't they taking things a little too far?

"If you're going to be this useless, then get lost! This kitchen is no place for a dirty little runt like you." She scorned disdainfully.

She pushed my forehead, which caused me to lose my balance as I tumbled backwards. In an effort to break my fall, I grabbed onto whatever was near, which turned out to be a giant boiling pot of soup. Before the container could reach my face, I felt a tight grip around my shoulders, pulling me out of the way as the pot collapsed on the kitchen floor.

"Fati! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Did it splatter on you?" he asked with concern.

The kitchen grew silent while I reassured Sir Nate that I was fine thanks to his swift reaction. Fear had already settled in their expression as they whispered to one another on the verge of tears. He glowered at them, and they quickly averted his eyes while quivering in terror.

"If this girl had been hurt, I would have personally executed each every one of you who stood there and watched it all transpire as though it was some sort of sick entertainment."

They suddenly slumped on their knees and repeatedly begged for his forgiveness, which surprised me. No matter how I think about it, even if he's the young master's personal guard, their behavior towards him is quite odd.

"Let's get out of here." He sighed heavily as he swept me up in his arms and carried me out of the kitchen.

"Sir Nate, please put me down! I can walk on my own two feet!" I whispered as I flailed frantically.

Being the stubborn Sir Nate that he is, he didn't let me down until we reached the pavilion where the princess and the young mistress were having tea. Their eyes widened in utter shock upon seeing me in his arms. They nearly choked on their tea.

"Princess Emilia, I suggest you never again send Fati to the kitchen."

What is he saying to a princess?

"Did something happen? Goodness, Fati! Why is your dress in such disarray?" gasped the princess.

I didn't realize my dress my doused with soup.

"Isn't it obvious? She nearly got…"

"Y-your highness, nothing happened at all. Sir Nate here is merely overreacting." I interrupted nervously while covering Sir Nate's mouth.

Lady Florette was glaring at me as if she was ready to murder me right where I stood. As for the princess, she was chuckling as she constantly cleared her throat.

"What do you mean, I'm overreacting? You nearly…"

"How did you manage to free your mouth without me noticing?"

"Stop covering my mouth, I must tell the princess about what just transpired-"

"Please, just stop talking!" I whispered in panic.

If looks could kill, the girl would have been dead by now. This is a side of my brother that I've never seen before. How interesting.