Fatima: The Slave Princess-Chapter 80 - 79

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*Yawn*

With everything that's happened, the day felt as though it would never come to a close. Since sleep continues to elude me, a trip to the kitchen for some warm milk and honey is in order, hoping that will help me relax enough to doze off. I find this place rather frightening at night and treading this long and seemingly desolate hall alone isn't really helping. The low lights cast long, dancing shadows across the walls, making it nearly impossible to navigate the area without a lamp. The hallway stretched before me, and as I neared the stairs, my gaze was suddenly drawn to Nathan's study as a warm light spilled from under the slightly open door.

"Who knew one sentence would be enough to convince them? 'You must always receive kindness with a grateful heart, and a sincere thank you.' If you ask me, that sounds like something an old priest would say."

Hold on a moment-I taught them that back at the duchy. Is sir Leonardo calling me old? Me? A geezer? *scoff* How very rude of him!

"How did your highness manage to strike a deal with the marchioness? Something that his majesty himself failed to achieve multiple times in the past."

"You wish to know my end of the bargain?"

What are they talking about?

"Yes, your highness. I simply cannot believe it."

"Well...I promised my beloved aunt...that I would start seeing Florette Kartier with marriage in mind."

What?

"P-pardon? Are you serious, your highness? Lady Florette is-"

"I had no choice in the matter. It was either that or the deal was off."

...with marriage in mind? What does that mean?

"T-then the duchess-"

"I know what you're thinking, Leo. Rest assured, my aunt's affections for lady Florette have nothing to do with her mother. If anything, she despises the duchess just as much as I do, if not more."

They've stopped talking. I'd better slip away before I'm caught. Something tells me I shouldn't have eavesdropped on this conversation.

"Good night...princess!" Nathan shouted from his study, which caused me to jolt in surprise as I darted down the stairs.

~The Next Day

It wasn't until dawn that I finally drifted off to sleep, and now the harsh reality of having to begin work after a sleepless night has struck. How am I supposed to function today without dozing off? I wish my desk wasn't in his study, then I could sneak in a nap without his knowledge.

"I look like a corpse with those dark circles underneath my eyes." I muttered, a heavy sigh escaping my lips as I stared at my disheveled reflection in the mirror.

I believe I heard the maids talk about coffee and how effective it could be, especially in my current circumstances. While I've only ever had tea in the past, I'm open to trying new things.

+++

"C-coffee? Not tea but...coffee, miss Lottie?"

A stunned silence fell over Celia and the other maids; their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief, as if I'd asked for something forbidden.

"Here, Celia, add some milk and sugar, otherwise she might spit out the first sip."

"You're absolutely right, Claudine. Since her high-ahem! I mean, since Miss Lottie's palate is accustomed to the refreshing taste of tea, cafe noir might have an adverse effect on her."

What are they talking about?

"If possible, I'd like to try it without milk and sugar, please." I said confidently, flashing an oblivious grin.

I wonder what is causing them to exchange such doubtful and questioning glances with one another. Is coffee truly that bad without milk and sugar?

"H-here you go, Miss Lottie." Celia said nervously while cautiously handing the cup over to me.

Ah! The aroma is so tantalizing that it's making me drool. So, this is 'cafe noir'. I have always been captivated by the graceful manner in which my late father would raise his cup to his mouth during breakfast, prompting me to ponder the delightful taste of his morning beverage. He'd release a long, contented sigh after his first sip of coffee, the rich aroma still lingering in the air, and the atmosphere around us would lighten with our easy, idle chatter.

"Bitter!" I gagged loudly as I spewed out the entire sip back into the cup.

How could anyone stomach this bitter concoction every day and not hurl?

"Claudine was right after all." Celia giggled while taking the cup from my grasp.

"Here, Miss Lottie, have a slice of buttered bread while awaiting your next cup. These came out of the oven not too long ago." Malea said cheerfully while placing a plateful of steaming bread slices in front of me. The fresh scent alone was enough to make me forget about the lingering bitterness in my mouth.

"Thank you, Malea. I'll enjoy it to my heart's content!"

She looks pleased.

"Here you go, Miss Lottie. I have a feeling you will like this one a lot better." Celia grinned proudly, carefully placing the cup in front of me.

The coffee transformed from a deep black to a lighter brown as the milk swirled in, just as they had predicted. The rich aroma intensified with the creaminess. As I reached for the cup and lifted it to my lips, the maids stood huddled together, their eyes fixed on me, their anxiety palpable as they waited with bated breath to see my reaction.

"Oh, my! It's...delicious!" I exclaimed cheerfully.

The taste is so different, it's as if I'm consuming a completely distinct beverage altogether. So good!

"Here, Miss Lottie. I'll show you a trick I learned from my parents back home. Try dipping a piece of bread in and eat it."

"Delicious!"

Before I knew it, a chaotic clatter arose in the kitchen; maids bustled about, each vying to show me their unique coffee and bread pairings, their voices overlapping in a flurry of cheerful instructions.

"Take a bite of the peanut butter bread, then sip the coffee and chew it all together like so, Miss Lottie."

"Try this toast and..."

"How about some garlic bread with..."

Oh dear! Well, I'm glad to see they've finally let their guards down around me now.

+++

"You and I need to have a talk, Secretary Lottie. Take a seat."

Even his neutral expression looks scary. Is he going to scold me for what happened last night? *sigh* I really didn't mean to overhear...

"Regarding your friends-"

"I am very sorry, your highness." I blurted mindlessly; my head slumped in a bow.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"H-huh? W-what?"

He looks completely lost. Was he not trying to berate me just now?

"What are you apologizing for, Miss Lottie?"

This is so awkward.

"I...I uh...I suddenly felt s-sorry...about..."

Think Fati, think!

"...c-coming to work a minute past the appointed time, your highness. Haha! That is why I feel so, so very sorry."

Liar. If I had to take a guess, she probably feels bad about last night.

"I see. How very professional of you, Secretary Lottie. Since I am such a benevolent superior, I will overlook your tardiness just for today. Don't let it happen again."

"Y-yes, your highness, it will certainly never happen again. I promise."

I was merely jesting, yet she took my words quite literally.

"Very well. Now where were we?"

Did he buy my sham of an excuse? He's smiling now, so he must have truly believed me.

"Ah, that's right. Your friends..."

+++

"What could possibly be so urgent as to require an emergency meeting with the both of us? Have you two finally decided to get married?"

"Please accept my deepest apologies for any disruption caused by my request, Your majesties. I have come to formally request that my engagement to Princess Yurivera Eloise Von Alkaraz be dissolved."