When the Daffodil Blooms

CHAPTER 9

"Ro."

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"Hug?"

"Of course."

Charlotte just needs to open her arms and the princess will instantly move closer to her. The princess buries her head on Charlotte's shoulder and inhales the herbal scent on her skin. This never fails to make her feel relaxed and comfortable.

"You asked her for a hug but what about me? I can also give you a hug." Prince Marius said and approached them with open arms.

"Tight. Hard to breathe." Princess Andrea murmured with her eyes peeking at her brother like a rabbit.

"What? I am only hugging you tight because I adore you a lot." Prince Marius explained. "Can you now give me a hug?"

"No."

After the princess's firm rejection, she buries her face on Charlotte's shoulder again. The young General Commander slips her fingers on Princess Andrea's hair so she can softly massage her scalp. Maybe it is too relaxing for her since the princess sigh contently before her eyes feel heavy. She is getting sleepy now.

"Princess, you should take a nap." Charlotte gently said.

"But Ro will be gone if I sleep." Princess Andrea replied.

"I will visit you again soon, Princess."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"...Okay."

"I will stay here until you fall asleep, princess."

Charlotte urges the princess to move to a bigger sofa inside the office. After that, she gathers all the sofa pillows and arranges them so the princess can properly lie on them. As promised, Charlotte did not leave the princess's side until she falls asleep. The butler gently put the blanket that she prepared on hand to Princess Andrea.

"She can really fall asleep as long as you are here." Prince Marius commented as he return to his seat.

"Is she getting a hard time sleeping at night?" Charlotte asked.

"There are times like that. I have to visit her at night and bring a glass of warm milk for her that she can drink before sleeping. It sometimes works like magic but most of the time, Andrea will never sleep until she feels tired and find a comfortable spot on her bed."

Charlotte can only let out a soft sigh when she hears that. It is unfortunate that she cannot stay with the princess all the time. She must be having a hard time in the palace although Prince Marius is also living with her.

"What about her condition? Did they already find a good doctor for her?"

"Not yet. But I received news about a doctor who lives in the forest. They say that doctor is the best in the field of medicine but he is now retired from his duties. I am still looking for him hoping that he can help Andrea's condition."

Charlotte did not say anything after that.

To others, Princess Andrea is the beautiful twin sister of Prince Marius who has a snobbish personality. The princess never speaks a word to those people she doesn't care about. She also refuses to smile at anyone and treat them kindly. Aside from that, it is well-known information that Prince Marius is a doting brother to her that's why no one dares to mistreat or look down on the princess.

But those words are not true at all. Princess Andrea is the sweetest person that they can meet in their life. It is just something that happened to her in the past which affects how she deals with other people right now. Only Prince Marius and Charlotte know what things she experienced which made her become like this.

After staying with the princess for a while, it is now time for Charlotte to leave. Aside from finishing her work today, she doesn't want the Count to make a fuss if she comes home late. After fixing her uniform, Charlotte looks at Prince Marius and bows her head.

"I have to go now, Your Highness." Charlotte said.

"Alright. I will not hold you back this time. But..."

The Crown Prince shows the female General a mysterious smile.

"I have a surprise gift for you."

"And what is it?"

"You will know soon."

Charlotte can only purse her lips when she hears that. She has a bad feeling about it. Knowing Prince Marius for years now, Charlotte can sense that he is planning something again. But she did not show any interest in it and bowed her head again.

After that, Charlotte quietly leaves the Crown Prince's office. Before going home, she visited the barracks where her knights were doing their training. When they see their General Commander, they quickly stop their training to salute her. Telling them to be at ease, Charlotte checks their training and see if they have any problems or difficult situation in the palace.

Fortunately, Sir Gabriel, the Vice-General Commander of the Nocturnus Knights, is handling everything while Charlotte is away. He is a reliable man who is responsible and loyal to his master and empire. Just like the others, Sir Gabriel has no idea about the identity of their General Commander. Every time she is away, Prince Marius is covering for her by saying he is sending her alone to do a sensitive and important mission for him. Knowing that the Crown Prince has a lot of trust in General Commander Rovira, none of them question it and simply wish for their leader's safety.

"Leader, how is your mission? Is it hard?" Sir Gabriel asked.

"How much do you know about my mission?" Charlotte asked him back.

"Not much. His Highness just told us that you are getting something important and it is related to the royal family."

"...I see."

"You are really my role model, Commander Rovira! Even Prince Marius is now entrusting you with such an important mission! You are really a pride of our Nocturnus Knights!"

"..."

Charlotte decided not to say a word and pretends that she didn't hear anything he said. Sir Gabriel and the others are already used to her silence so they didn't mind it if she did not say anything back to them. When Charlotte looks back at Sir Gabriel, his eyes are sparkling with joy while sporting a huge smile on his face. In her eyes, he looks like a huge puppy who always wags his tail happily.

"...I have to go now. Can you train and look over our knights' all by yourself?" Charlotte asked.

"Don't worry, Commander Rovira! Leave their training to me. I will make sure each one of them will become strong and will not cause any problems for our troops. And besides, the senior knights are also helping me train the others. Just leave everything to us while you are doing your mission, Commander! We will always wish for your safe and victorious return!"

"..."

Charlotte just asked one question from him but he already said a lot of things to her. Not trying to ruin his good mood, she just gives him a short nod before turning around to leave the barracks. To avoid anyone following her, she takes a few detours first before entering an empty room. When she comes out, Charlotte has already removed her disguise and returned to her usual looks. After that, she goes to the back of the royal palace where her carriage and companions are waiting for her.

To avoid any suspicions from her father, Charlotte bought a few things that can only be found in the plaza. When Charlotte arrives at the mansion, Butler Mel immediately greets her and informs her that Count Byron is waiting for her arrival. He also instructs the servants to bring the things she bought outside to her room.

The moment she steps inside the mansion, Countess Rosalyn is going downstairs to go to the garden. When the two meet, Charlotte simply nods her head at the Countess to greet her. This greeting is only suited my a stranger who meets a person unfamiliar to them. Because Charlotte is not close with her mother, she is treating her as a stranger who shares the same place to stay.

She is about to leave when the Countess stops her.

"Charlotte, wait."

Charlotte turned her head to look at the Countess.

"I bought tea from a traveling merchant. He said the tea was from the Vestia Kingdom."

She has no idea why the Countess is telling her these things now.

"That... Do you want to try the tea with me in my room?" Countess Rosalyn finally asked. "If it's alright with you?"

When Charlotte did not give her a quick reply, the Countess suddenly felt anxious inside. If this is Roselyn, she will instantly say yes and show her eagerness to spend time with her. But when it comes to Charlotte, she is not familiar with her personality at all. The Countess is about to say more things when she sees her daughter nodding her head.

"Alright." Charlotte agreed.

"Oh, that's good!"

The Countess let out a breath that she unconsciously held while waiting for Charlotte's reply. Afraid that her daughter will change her mind, Countess Rosalyn quickly asked Butler Mel to prepare her favorite teacups and bring them to her room. After that, she asked her daughter to come with her. Without showing any reluctance, Charlotte follows the Countess in quiet steps.