NOVEL WEB Chapter 27- Another attack
Three days have passed since my brother arrived at Belur and started living with us.
I never had a bad relationship with my siblings nor they ever did anything to me that could make me despise them. However, Brother Edmund was, nowadays, partaking in things that I couldn't help but feel frustrated.
After I left the Capital I assumed that I would be granted freedom. I was already old enough to take care of myself and decide what was good and what was bad for me. And Kyle was the best decision I have ever made.
Saving him from slave traders was a given, however, making him my butler was not in my plan. But the way things turned out, I am happy that he now serves me. The only friend I have ever made remains close to me most of the time.
Kyle is like a support system for me. After pretending to be a dignified and hard-working Princess, when I return to my room, Kyle welcomes me with open arms. He is the only person to whom I could show my real self. He is the only person who doesn't judge me upon seeing my childish and tantrum-throwing side. He is the only person, who adores the real Alatia.
However, Edmund doesn't understand how much Kyle is worth. My brother is just hell-bent on proving that Kyle is a no-good butler just because he doesn't possess a supernatural skill. So what? Can Edmund ensure that an awakened being can protect me when crisis befalls?
Well, forget about it.
Three days have already gone and today is the fourth day. I and Kyle just need to keep being cautious around Edmund for the next six days.
*Knock*
"Come in." Hearing the knock, I didn't think twice before allowing Kyle to enter.
It was early morning and my hair needed to be brushed.
I was already seated near the dressing mirror with my hair all messed up. This kind of appearance was something I could only allow, Kyle or Maria to see.
"Good morning, my lady."
"Good morning to you too, Kyle." I smiled at him.
He looked as neat and proper as ever. No sign of drowsiness at all. His clothes were neatly ironed and his appearance was perfectly representable.
He was holding a tray in his hand with a glass placed on it.
I took the glass before taking a sip of the herbal tea which helps me detoxify my stomach.
Ah~refreshing.
"How do you make this so good? I heard that mostly every beneficial thing tastes bitter?"
Hearing my comment, Kyle didn't say anything for a moment which made me turn my eyes in his direction.
For some reason, he was staring at the dressing table with his body frozen. However, before I could have asked, 'What's wrong?' he spoke up,
"Ah, well, I just add a little bit of honey and use fresh herbs that's why the bitterness blows away."
I frowned slightly at his weird reaction. Kyle took the hairbrush before getting behind me.
However, the moment he touched my hair and began gently brushing it, I relaxed.
I slowly sipped on the herbal tea and enjoyed the gentle caress from my butler.
"Today, will you accompany me to my training?" I asked him.
Since we don't get much time at the mansion to talk freely I suggested.
However, his response made me frown,
"I would be honored."
I looked at him through the mirror before asking, "Why are you behaving so formally with me-ah..." A slow yelp escaped my lips as I felt Kyle's warm finger pressed against my bare back.
My body trembled and my back straightened up in an instant.
'W-what is this....i-is this so-some kind of h-h-hint....' I couldn't help blushing at the gesture as Kyle continued to brush my hair and secretly ran his finger on my back
I shyly looked at him through the mirror, wanting to find him smiling at me....but all I saw was a serious expression on his face.
I was a bit confused....then suddenly I realized.
'His finger...it isn't moving mindlessly!'
My eyes slightly widened as I looked at him and found Kyle giving me a subtle nod.
"My lady, what would you like to have for breakfast?"
"Umm...whatever you like..." I answered him vaguely while discerning what he was trying to say,
'S-O-M-E-O-N-E...'
"I see. Then what about pancakes?"
"Hmm....that works...." I answered him mindlessly and read the next word....only to find my eyes widening in shock,
'I-S...H-E-R-E....'
I instantly got up from the stool and used my Divine Eyes to assess the place
"My lady, no!"
However, suddenly Kyle jumped toward me and and shielded me with his body,
*SHLINK*
A whistling sound resonated from somewhere before a groan escaped from Kyle's lips.
"Kyle?! What happened to you?" I asked him, worriedly. I roamed my eyes around and found a long dart piercing his neck.
*SHLINK*
Another whistling sound resonated but this time I was alert.
Without moving a single finger, I froze the air around us in an instant, and the next moment, the dart advancing toward Kyle's back, dropped to the ground.
"Ala...." His whisper brought me back to my senses I found Kyle's face turning blue and his eyes already half closed. However, not even for a moment did he leave me unguarded.
"Kyle! Respond to me, Kyle!" Despite my screams, Kyle's eyes blanked out before he fainted in my arms.
*****
[Third Person POV:]
Inside Kyle's room, some maids along with Collen, Maria, and Alatia could be seen currently around Kyle's bed, where the latter mentioned lay unconscious.
Alatia was so panicked that she almost used Phoenix Tear to cure him again. However, Maria arrived at the right time and assured Alatia that a high-grade potion would be enough to treat him.
The poison injected through the dart can be cured if treated within half a day. As such the best healer amongst the servants was given the task to help him recover.
"My lady, the poison has been neutralized but the fever would remain for the day."
Alatia nodded before the maid bowed and left the room.
Maria was using ice packs to cool down his head as Alatia drew closer to him and sat on the bed.
His face wasn't as pale as before but still, he seemed to be suffering.
Holding his burning hand, Alatia pressed it against her cheek as tears welled in her eyes.
"He will be fine, my lady." Maria tried to comfort Alatia but to no avail.
Maria knew how Alatia must be blaming herself right now. This was the second time Kyle was injured because of her, and just like the first time, Alatia was distraught.
However, amidst the drizzle of tears, a whirlwind of anger surged before Alatia turned her focus towards Collen and asked him wordlessly.
Collen tensed up momentarily before he nodded with a sigh.
"Bring her."
Commanding the guards standing outside, Collen stepped aside and allowed the two guards to bring a female spy inside the room.
The female spy wasn't trying to struggle as she was held by the two guards to stand near the door.
Alatia got up from the bed with her demeanor completely overtaken by murderous intent.
The cold gaze she carried made every single person in the room tremble and the fluctuation of aura from her was making it hard to breathe.
Her feet halted before the hooded figure of a young woman before Alatia conjured an ice spike in her hand and pressed it against the spy's neck.
"Tell me who sent you, and your death would be less painful."
Alatia was going to kill this woman. Whether she speaks or not, doesn't matter. Her death was inevitable even if God descends right now and asks Alatia to forgive her.
And thankfully, the answer which the spy provided, allowed Alatia to have her time killing this pest.
"I cannot disclose."
Alatia smiled. That smile doesn't carry the innocence that she shows to Kyle nor it is the dignified smile that everyone is used to seeing on her face.
The smile she wore right now, suggested something more profound. Something horrifying.
However, before Alatia could pierce the woman's left eye with the ice blade someone walked inside the room and stopped her,
"Don't do anything to her. It was me, who commanded her to attack you."
It was Edmund.
Collen and Maria's eyes widened in shock hearing that, however, the person who should have been the most shocked suddenly raised her hand and conjured a dozen ice spears around the Prince.
Even though it was her brother, no one was allowed to hurt Kyle.
No one.
******
A/N:- Heeh~