The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Nineteen: Theo

Amabel was in the study when Kier came in and brought a paper. "Sir, this is the exam paper for today."

One eyebrow of Amabel went up, suddenly she was faced with the test. The girl sighed, took the paper and put it on the table. "What should I write?"

Kier put a fluffy pen on the paper. It only takes a few seconds until the pen writes the subject. Amabel's mouth opened wide to see the magic. His sparkling eyes showed how interested he was in the thing.

Without the legs he is together, without the ties he is detached. Say, what?

"You must be kidding." Amabel stared at the riddle question and then screeched. He quickly wrote his answer and looked up, "after I answer, what should I do?"

"Yes?" The reply was confused and then cleared his throat, "mistress sure she doesn't want to look for answers in books or ask the teacher?"

Amabel immediately shook her hand, "there's no need to be too serious. I don't plan on getting good grades."

"But if it's wrong the princess will come out." Kier couldn't help his sadness. The silver-haired girl tilted her head, staring at the lowered Kier. "You think I'm going out?"

Kier quickly moved his hand and shook his head. "No, it's not that. However, I just-ah, forgive me."

Amabel wiggled her pen with a twisting motion. "No need. Kier, first of all, even though I had no intention of contesting this election, I was sure my answer was correct. Both stop looking sad, don't suit you."

Kier finally looked up and smiled slightly. "Miss just needs to roll it up then say I'm done. After that, the paper will be sent to a special room."

Magic is really great, Amabel said in her heart. He followed Kier's instructions, rolled them neatly and said: "I'm done."

Leaving the blue ash, the paper disappeared. Amabel smiled in satisfaction, she was completely amazed by the thought of the creator of these items. This magic paper was definitely used for important people sending letters. If Amabel wanted to buy it, she couldn't.

Kier cleared his throat, stopping Amabel's delusion. "Sir, if you may know, what's the answer?"

Amabel went back to playing the pen in her hand, "traitor."

Kier tilted his head, puzzled. "Why is that?"

His hands stopped playing the pens, "the traitors had no legs because they moved like shadows and left no trace. They are not bound by royal regulations until finally they are released and want a new bond. They moved together, without a sound, without a trace, and slowly broke away from the kingdom. Then they will fight after determining the right time."

"How can the princess know that so quickly?" Kier still can't believe that Amabel can solve the puzzle in no time.

"Just guess from a story I remember." Reply Amabel potluck. Kier wondered, what story has Amabel heard?

"The story of my father and my teacher, Kier." Amabel's reply instantly made Kier startled and lowered his head, embarrassed. "Not to be ashamed, that look on your face reminds me of Eli, I mean my brother. Easy to guess."

This time Kier instantly covered his face, trying to cover his flushed face holding in shame. Seeing that only made Amabel shake her head, "so, after this what are we going to do?"

Kier cleared his throat, cleaning his still-clean and neat skirt. It does that as a nervous diversion. "There is no specific schedule. The organizers of the examination gave three days for the empress candidates to answer the puzzle. However, of course the princess is a rare case!"

Amabel smiled as she could, "then can I go downtown?"

Kier smiled sweetly then shook his head. "If that's not for sure."

Rejection that is too sweet to make Amabel grieve. Kier then patted her hand, "in exchange I will bring you the princess's favorite sweet pastries. Please wait!"

Amabel did not even answer when Kier was out of her study. The girl sighed, leaning her head on the table. In a week he has done nothing meaningful. Just read a book, go around the palace, practice dance (which is the most exhausting activity for him), and sometimes just laze around. Amabel's bored. Even papa has not visited him, even though they are both in the palace. His breath sounded, quite loud.

The girl finally stood up, staring out the window of the reading room. The weather outside is very nice and suitable for walking in the city center. Oh, how Amabel misses Andette's bread. Even from this distance he could smell the sweet and distinctive aroma of Andette butter.

From where Amabel could see the back gate of the palace. From here we see a small road from the gate to the city center. Maybe it's the road used to transport the workers. A smile is created with a passing idea.

"Daughter, the cake is ready." Amabel jumped in shock when she heard Kier's call. "Geez, I'm sorry."

The girl shook her head, still holding her chest she walked towards the table. "No problem, Kier."

Kier then tidied up every cookie he brought. Today a cheese cake with chocolate on it, a chocolate pastry, and strawberry sweets. "Oh, what about my request back then Kier?"

The dark-haired woman immediately stood up straight, her face more serious than before. "From the palace workers, the princess was known as an unpredictable sweet girl. They think of you as a brave man for defeating the Second Prince. Even they thought you were so great for calmly answering His Majesty's question."

"Then what about society?" Ask Amabel before putting in a piece of strawberry sweets.

Kier seemed to hesitate for a moment, "the people who are pro at Duke Lancaster certainly praise your bold actions. However, some who are opposed think you are looking for attention. I found out there were four nobles who were involved in the spread of this misinformation."

"Who are they?" Amabel's fingers started to roll around her cup.

"Viscount Alberto, Count Briggit, Marquis Esmee, and Baron Killian." Kier replied calmly, "but some would say that Duke Prada was most likely to join the party."

Amabel nodded, beginning to remember the names. "Of the five names, whose daughter entered the palace?"

"Princess of Baron Killian, Marquis Esmee, and Duke Prada." Kier looked at Amabel who was cutting the cake. "What's your plan now?"

Amabel smiled as she put in a piece of cheese cake. "Recycle this cake."

Seeing Amabel's attitude made Kier smile. He knew that Amabel might be thinking of a plan, but he would wait until Amabel told him. "Kier, you can rest after this. Come back at night."

Kier nodded and carried the empty plate out. Maybe Amabel needs some time alone. Kier's not wrong, just not right. The information from Kier made Amabel aware that perhaps in this palace there were people who became political tools. When meeting with the princesses of nobility however he had to make an alliance. If not, he should know anyone who is in alliance.

Amabel began to stretch her body and then walked towards her room. Let's think about it later, now he has to focus on escaping! Wrong, he meant to go downtown. Amabel needs fresh air to come up with the perfect plan.

The girl opened her closet and took her dark purple robe and some money to buy some bread. Amabel braided her hair and then came out of her room quietly. His heart pounded as he stepped towards the back gate. Strange indeed because this palace was not guarded by knights in each corner, but it made it easier for Amabel to escape.

Amabel turns and sees the back gate. Fortunately, he often surrounded the palace to memorize in each place. The silver-haired girl peered over the wall and saw four maids talking to the coachman.

"Why are you hiding?" The low voice immediately made Amabel turn her head. How shocked he was when a black-haired man with red eyes caught him. The girl sat down and covered her mouth. Instead of helping the black-haired young man chuckle, "i scared you?"

"of course! What do you think I'm gonna do?" Amabel's scream in her whisper. He cannot be caught by the guards and destroy his plans. His gray eyes stared at the figure in front of him, from top to bottom. The clothes are similar to the ones Irwin uses. "You're a knight?"

He nodded, "of course. You can see from my clothes. So, why are you hiding like a thief?"

Amabel immediately pouted, "i'm not a thief. I just want to get out of the palace unnoticed."

The man in front of him now crossed his arms, looking at him suspiciously. "If not a thief then what?"

Hearing that made Amabel squeak, "the personal errand of Lady Lancaster."

Instead of believing, the man in front of him even laughed amusedly. "With silk and satin that can only be used by nobles you think I believe? Come on, I'll take you to the guard."

Amabel hurriedly retreated and held him back, "wait. All right, I confess. I'm not a thief, I'm not Lady Lancaster's private errand boy."

"Then?" Asked the young man with narrowed eyes.

"Amabel Rosemary Lancaster. I'm the daughter of Duke Lancaster and one of the future empresses." The girl looked up, looking at the red-eyed young man before her, "are you satisfied now?"

"No. How do I know you're real?" His body lowered, equating with Amabel's view.

Tired, Amabel pointed at her eyes and hair. "You know, the rumors are going around? Lancaster's only daughter with different eyes and hair."

The young man before him tilted his head. "Never heard it."

Amabel's mouth is open, "huh? You live in the woods, right?"

The young man sniffed his shoulders. "I should know?"

Amabel's hand was raised and scratched her ear. "Squeaky. You should have known."

"Why should I know?" The reply and Amabel's voice were choked.

The girl immediately shook her hand, "already. Forget it." Amabel turned around, her intention to buy bread was gone already. After all, the time will not be enough because it is exhausted by this unimportant debate.

The black-haired young man turned his head, looking at Amabel who was walking past him with his head down. His smile was created and he lightly pulled Amabel's hand. "I haven't said you can go, miss."

The young man's hand immediately raised, "ops, sorry. If you want, I can drive you."

"Really?" Ask Amabel with sparkling eyes.

Suddenly the young man's breath choked, "hm, yeah. So, let's go."

Amabel nodded and stepped up, but was again arrested. This time it was not her hands, but the hood of her robe until Amabel felt suffocated. "God! If you're like that you can kill me!"

"Ops, sorry, again." Reply without guilt. With his thumb he pointed in the opposite direction. "If you go through there, you will be immediately found out. I've got a better way there."

"You know a kidnapper's punishment, don't you?" Sindir Amabel in case the young man before her had evil intentions.

"The law doesn't apply to me." Hearing that made Amabel squeak. How arrogant of this knight! Amabel hopes that Alec can defeat her pride because Amabel believes she cannot defeat him.

"What are you looking for downtown?" The question breaks the silence. Both of them were in the stables at this time.

"Bread from Andette's shop." Answer Amabel. The young man nodded then went inside the stables. He came out with a golden horse.

"We're going on a horse?" He asked as he looked at the young man who was now wiping the horse.

He casually nodded. "You scared?"

Amabel shook her head, "not that." Amabel's voice shrunk and was full of doubt. "Women like me ride horses with strangers. It feels so wrong because maybe I'll get engaged soon."

The young man was silent for quite a while while staring at Amabel. "Then I will walk beside you."

Hearing that made Amabel startled and stared at those red eyes in disbelief. "But you're gonna be tired."

The young man smiled, "let's just say I'm doing my duty as a knight."

Then he stretched out his hand, "let me help ride this horse."

Despite the doubt, Amabel grabbed the hand and let her body be lifted by the young stranger she had just met. The two started walking and exited through the door beside the stables. The young man walked by the side of the horse calmly. Seeing that made Amabel feel guilty, "sorry."

The young man chuckled, "no need."

"So, what should I call you?" Ask Amabel, breaking the silence.

"Theo." Answer's short.

"By the way I've been being disrespectful to you and I'm really sorry." Amabel looked down, though Theo did not see.

Leisurely Theo shook his hand, "no need. With me let's get rid of all the formalities."

"Can?" Ask Amabel not to believe it.

Theo looked up and gave Amabel a smile. "We've been doing it since then until you suddenly apologize."

Amabel immediately pouted, "because you made me feel guilty."

Ridiculousness is again heard, "so, may I call you Bel?"

I don't know why Amabel's cheeks warmed up when she nodded. "Then I'll call you Theo."

"Sure, do as you please."

Through that road, it didn't take long to reach the city center. Theo easily helps Amabel get off. "You can go buy some bread and we'll meet before sunset."

Amabel immediately held the tip of Theo's shirt. "How do I know you won't leave me?"

Theo looked Amabel in the eye and then removed her necklace. A necklace with a green stone in the shape of a circle. "Touch and tell me you're done with it so I can tell."

Amabel frowned, "how did you know?"

"Just do. I don't have much time." Theo then left Amabel. The girl pouted and wore the necklace. He started exploring each store and stopped in front of Andette.

"Siang, Miss Erma!" Amabel exclaimed cheerfully from under her cloak.

Erma jumped in shock then hugged Amabel tightly. "Good, miss! I miss it so much! It's been so long since Miss's been here."

Amabel smiled broadly, "oh, Miss Erma, I miss you too. Is there any new bread I should taste?"

Erma immediately nodded and put in new breads with a seductive aroma. "I can't wait to try it! Oh, where's Mr Fergie?"

"He's meeting Levite to buy some tools." Amabel nodded and gave Erma some coins. "Please say hello to him."

Erma nodded. His cool look seemed to give strength. "Miss, no matter what happens I'm sure you have a reason. So keep fighting."

Amabel smiled. Erma's hope is so sincere. "thank you. These breads will give me strength. Then I'm leaving. See you soon."

"May happiness and safety accompany you!" Erma cried with a nod of Amabel. In her heart Erma prayed that Amabel might be elected Empress.

After leaving Andette, Amabel whispered to Theo's necklace. "I'm done."

There was no reply, but when Amabel got to the place, Theo was waiting for her. Amabel ran over and gave Theo one piece of bread. "Eat."

"I'll do it while I walk." Theo then lifted Amabel's body onto the horse. The two returned to the palace while eating bread. "It's no wonder that you desperately want to buy it. It's so delicious."

There is pride in Amabel. "I knew. So, as a knight where were you stationed?"

"Leadline during the war." Answer Theo.

Amabel nodded, "cool. I remember the story of the Prince to the Five."

"What story?" Theo asked.

"Said my brother right now the Prince is fighting the traitors." Amabel replied amazed. "He's so young and awesome."

Amabel looked, "wasn't that so? Eiy, why is your face flushed? I'm talking about Prince, not you Theo."

Theo immediately snorted and stared ahead. "Forgetit."

Amabel screeches. It did not feel like the two had arrived at the palace. Theo lowers Amabel's body, but this time Amabel can see Theo's eyes more clearly. A strange blend of red and blue, yet so beautiful.

"Thank you." Say Amabel while giving her respect.

Theo did the same. Amabel took Theo's necklace off her neck. "I give it back."

Theo took it and nodded. "Thank you." Amabel then turned around. "I'm saying goodbye."

"Be careful." Reply Theo briefly.

Amabel wishes she could see Theo again. That hope made Amabel turn around, "are we going to see each other again?"

Theo who was rubbing his white horse head looked at Amabel then smiled. "Only if you want it."

A smile was created on Amabel's lips. "I'll look forward to it then." He then turned around and hugged the brown paper containing Andette's bread.

Amabel was really looking forward to it. Theo couldn't stop smiling.