Chapter 4

Lady Selena came walking down the stairs with an elegant green dress that was tight around the body but grew loose at the legs. Her hair was tied in a braid along with a green bow. She looked as if she was a princess or a queen going to a ball. The soldiers looked at her in awe, and it didn't mind her. She was of course single and her mind was always on Glen.

"You look lovely this evening," one of the soldiers said to her as she was walking down the hall.

"Thank you. By the way have any of you guys seen Glen around?"

"Glen? I believe he is in the dining room. It is almost dinner time anyways."

"Oh yes, of course. I'll go check there. Thank you again." Selena went off.

Glen was outside talking with his younger brother as he put the Wyvern in its stable. "Why were you late Cormag?"

"The woman expected more of me than I could offer. She said I was supposed to give her more food. I didn't know what to do. I mean she was an elder. I couldn't just leave her."

"I hope you did the right thing, Brother. Even if the elder is cruel, you still must respect them."

"I did, but hope I don't get scolded for not completing my duty."

Glen placed a hand on his little brother's shoulder, "His majesty won't scold you. I promise. He will understand if you tell him what you told me."

"Alright. Well, let's not waste anymore time out here. The air is freezing." Cormag began walking off with Glen trailing behind.

The brothers entered the castle and was greeted by Selena who came walking down the stairs. "Glen, Cormag, you guys are back. I thought you were in the dining room, Glen."

"I went out to speak with my brother. I hope I did not worry you."

"Oh no. Not at all. I just came back from checking in your room."

He began staggering, "Y…you were in my…room…?"

Cormag began chuckling under his breath. He knew why Glen wouldn't want Selena in his room. Glen, you have pictures of her all around your room, don't you? At least I know you have one in your journal.

"Well I didn't really go in your room. I just knocked. You weren't in there so I came down here. Why were you so worried?"

"It's nothing. I just hoped that you didn't go into my personal room without permission is all. But of course, I should've known that you wouldn't do that."

Selena smiled beautifully and reached for Glen's hand. He blushed and noticed how beautiful she was tonight. Never in his life had he seen her dress up so nicely for no apparent reason. Or was there a reason for her actions?

"Selena, you look beautiful…"

"Oh…umm…thanks…" Her cheeks turned pink and she could feel her face begin to burn. "Glen…may I speak to you in private tomorrow?"

"That's fine. Why not to today though?"

"You and Cormag are finally home together. It's quite seldom that you guys see each other now so I thought that maybe you should spend the rest of today with your brother." She shifted her glance to Cormag, "I'm sure you have a lot to tell your brother, don't you?"

"Why yes. But Selena you may speak to him now. I have the whole day off tomorrow."

"You do? Well then Selena, let's go to your room to speak." Glen smiled and took her hand fragilely.

Now Selena really did feel as if she were a princess and Glen was supposed to be the knight in shining armor. Selena pondered if he thought the same thoughts she was thinking. It would be impolite to ask, so she said nothing.

Once they entered the room, Glen released her hand and asked politely, "So what did you need to tell me?"

Fluorspar sat on her bed and patted the seat beside her, signaling for him to sit there. Glen walked over and sat next to her and then she went on, "Glen, I really want to thank you for going with me to visit my parents…I always say I have the will to go by myself, but I always end up needing someone by me. I'm glad it was you who was by my side today. And for that, I'll repay you back some day. So if you ever need anything, I'll be happy to help."

Once she was done speaking, she began fiddling with her dress. The whole speech made her nervous.

Glen smiled and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You have a friend in me too Selena. I'll be happy to help you whenever you need me anytime. Please don't be shy to ask me anything."

"Thank you Glen." Selena stood up and smoothed down the back of her dress. Her nose smelled the magnificent cooking again, "Well, we must get down to dinner now, shall we?"

"I'll be glad to." The two exited her room and went on down to the dining room where everyone was waiting.

Vigarde sat at the head of the table with Prince Lyon and General Duessel sitting at the sides. In front of them lay a buffet of food. Selena and Glen rushed down to dinner and thought that they kept the whole group waiting. The idea made them feel ashamed.

"I'm so sorry to keep you guys waiting. I did not mean it…" Selena bowed her head down.

"Please don't blame Lady Fluorspar for all of this. I needed to speak to her and I did not mean to keep it so long."

Duessel grumbled something to himself while the young Lyon laughed. The scene made the two perturbed. Lyon saw the confused looks on their faces so said, "No need to be apologizing. The maid has not even finished her cooking yet. We had just come down here as well."

"Oh…" Selena was surely embarrassed. "I guess we'll just wait…"

Glen showed no sign of embarrassment but Duessel sure knew he was.

They took their seats beside each other and Selena noticed something wrong with Vigarde. He had not spoken since they had come down. He was usually the kind to speak to the members of the Imperial three, especially Selena. She would not speak about this right now but she made plans of it in her mind.

Cormag came walking down the stairs wearing his nice regular clothes and his hair was brushed back. It was easy to see that he would soon grow into a looker like Glen but overall, he was somewhat handsome. Cormag sat across Glen and sat politely like the others.

Cormag saw the glimpses that came at him from Glen. They were of course not cruel. Cormag definitely saw what his brother meant, Nice way to put your hair. You look different tonight, or something to that affect.

Pretty soon, the maid came in and placed down some shrimp for the last serving. Lyon thought that the table couldn't look anymore delicious and Duessel wished that his family was here right now, but they were at home enjoying their own meal.

"Wow Miss Sarah. You've outdone yourself this time." Lyon was always the kind to compliment on other's successes. That was one of the many of reasons why Selena enjoyed him as being prince.

"Why thank you Prince. I did this today since it is my birthday and I always try to improve myself every birthday I have."

"Well, I don't know how you could improve any better on your cooking." Lyon popped a shrimp into his mouth and enjoyed every bite he got out of it.

Vigarde finally spoke up from his silence, "Since it is your birthday, why don't you go home and celebrate the rest of the day with your family."

"Of course. Thank you Emperor Vigarde."

"You deserve it." The maid brought down her belongings and left the room. It seemed as if she were in a hurry to go home. But then again, it was her birthday and everyone would love to celebrate it with their family.

After she left, they began eating the scrumptious food that lay before them. Selena kept an eye on the emperor as she ate and she noticed that he and his son spoke to each other in whispers. Many times has she seen Lyon lean to his father's ear and whisper something. The king would reply back by putting his hand up and whispering back. It must've been such a secretive talk if even Duessel couldn't listen in.

The table was silent that night. It felt disturbing. Selena couldn't stand the silence and the conversation between king and prince so stood up and asked the king, "May I be excused?"

"But Lady Selena, it's such a lovely dinner. Is something wrong?" Lyon had dropped his fork to say that.

"Nothing," she lied, "I guess I wasn't hungry tonight. I do feel bad for all her hard work going to waste, so please call someone else down in my place."

Vigarde looked at her and replied with a cracked voice, "If you do not feel hungry, then we will not force you to eat. Please do as you wish."

"Thank you…And if you see Miss Sarah tomorrow, please apologize about my actions."

"I will…" Vigarde would do anything for his foster daughter.

Selena soon left the table to go relax in her room. So much thoughts ran through her mind as she laid down on her bed. What was Vigarde talking about…Was he gossiping? Probably not…Lyon wouldn't be the kind to confide about people. And why was Vigarde so…silent? Is he sick? He did seem so pale… Questions such as these kept coming and coming. There was no stop to them.

Selena sat on her bed with mixed up emotions. Fortunately for her, Glen came walking in. It was such perfect timing.

"Hey there Selena." He kept his eyes on her and soon asked, "Is it okay if I sit down with you?"

She nodded with dismal eyes. Selena sat up to give him some room to sit down.

"Selena, if you're wondering why I'm here, I thought this was one of the times in which you needed someone to be with. You were so sad as you left the table and I think I know why."

"You do…?"

"I saw how Emperor Vigarde acted at the table. It wasn't like him. And I'm guessing you're worried about him right?"

Selena was astonished to know how much Glen knew about her. She knew she had never told him much about her, but he seemed to read her like a book.

"How did you know…?"

"You're not the only one that feels this way right now. Duessel and I feel the same way you feel. But I'm sure he's just having a bad day. You shouldn't worry much about him. Just relax and I promise everything will be fine. Tomorrow will be a new day and everything will be just as it always had."

"I hope you're right Glen."

Glen wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and Selena crashed into his chest. The way he acted towards her made her blush but she soon got used to it after a few seconds or so. It was just an embrace after all.

"Thank you Glen. If I had never met you…I guess I wouldn't know what I would be doing now. Thank you."

He released her and replied back tenderly, "I'll be going to bed now. Please get a good night rest."

"I will…"

The gentleman stood up from Selena's bed and walked out of the door after bowing his head. He gently shut her door and went down the hallway, feeling quite proud of himself for what he had done to help the damsel in distress.

Now Selena was alone in her room. Once Glen had left, it seemed that all the happiness had left, except for his comforting words. He's right…Everything will be fine next morning but why am I worrying so much about Vigarde? He just didn't talk and here I am feeling all depressed. I just know that this is something more than just a bad day…

Minutes flew by as she sat on her bed doing nothing. She was out in her own world, daydreaming. Before she knew it, she was thrown back into reality as someone knocked on her door.

"Lady Selena, are you still awake?"

It was Prince Lyon. He seemed to have a little worry in his voice.

She went to her door and opened it. "Prince, why are you up and about still?"

"My father grew sick. I was wondering if you could help."

She couldn't believe it. Somewhere in her heart, she knew that something was wrong. "Lyon, where is your father now?"

"He's in his bed. The nurse said that he's burning up and thinks that it's a horrible fever. She's never seen anything like it."

"Excuse me Lyon." Selena ran passed him and went to the emperor's room. She was about five feet away from the door and she could already hear the horrible coughing as if he were right in front of her.

When she was reaching for the doorknob, the maid opened it before her and jumped as well as Selena. "Oh, Dame Selena, it's you. What are you doing here?"

"His Majesty… how is he feeling?"

"I uh…can't say much…This fever is the worst I've seen. I don't know much about it." The maid spotted the dismal look in Selena's dazzling green eyes then continued as cheerful as she could, "But I know I could cure him. I'm sure that at least one place knows some medicine to cure him. You know what they say: Nothing's impossible…" Her voice became quiet at the end of her sentence.

"I guess you're right…Please tell me how he's doing soon okay?"

"Oh yes I will. Now you rush into bed okay? I wouldn't want you to catch sick either."

Selena nodded and walked back to bed.

She managed to settle herself to sleep but woke up every three hours. Somehow she could hear Vigarde's coughs from her room. It gave her a headache. She did try to think about happy thoughts but the sounds of coughing always came back to her.

"I have to check on him…" She began mumbling to herself.

She swung her legs over the bed and walked out. She looked so weak as she went through the halls. Anyone would want to comfort her if they saw her now. But no matter how tired she was, she owed a debt to him. He had saved her life and took her under his wing as his own child. If not for that, she might as well be in the graveyard along with her parents.

I must help him like how he had helped me. He gave me a chance…I must repay him, but how? I'm so useless…I don't understand why I think I could help him…But it doesn't matter. I have to try like how he tried for me. I'm going to continue and help him…

She kept thinking nonsense that didn't make sense. She didn't even know if she was heading the right way or not. Somehow though, she did make it to his room and stopped in front of the large brown door.

Vigarde's coughs went right through the walls. Selena's headache began making her confused. She sank to her knees and didn't know what she was doing as she began losing her mind. Luckily for her though, a night guard came walking by and spotted her.

"Lady Fluorspar, what are you doing out here?"

No answer came back to him. She was pure silent.

The guard knew the relationship between Selena and Glen so went to get Glen who was on night watch tonight. "I'll be right back Lady Selena. Please don't go anywhere."

As Selena waited, she heard Lyon in there, comforting his father. "Father, do you need a glass of water?" He seemed so calm even in this sort of predicament. Selena couldn't stand this though. She had already lost her family once and if Vigarde happened to go then who knows what would happen to her.

"What could I do…? If I lose Vigarde, then I'll be losing my family for the second time…" She held her knees close trying to hold in her tears. She didn't know why she was worrying still. She hadn't got any proof that Vigarde was severely sick or just the regular cold but she still knew that something was wrong.

"Selena, why are you out here?" Glen came walking down the hallway with his cloak still on and his hair dripping wet from the rain which had begun pelting on the ground a few hours ago.

She looked up at him and had to ask him, "How did you know I was out here?"

"That guard told me so. Selena, you must get back to bed. It is not good for you to be out here."

"But Vigarde-"

He cut her off, "We have already spoken about this. He may be sick but he'll be fine. If you worry, he'll grow worse."

Selena sighed mournfully, trying to believe him. "Alright…"

"Good. I'll send you to bed." He pulled her up by the hand and she got herself into his arms.

Glen blushed by her sudden act but soon got his arms around her. "I'm sorry for worrying you this whole day."

"It's fine. Every knight is expected to go through this."

"Does it bother you?"

"Not much, especially if it's you I'm helping."

Those last words stunned her. She was lost with words but managed her first smile in this horrible night.

"Let's go to your bedroom now."

Leading her by the hand, he got her into her room and tucked her in. Once she got in her bed, she seemed to have fallen asleep right away and he managed to give her a secret kiss on the forehead before going back out into the rain.