episode 4

The cookies floated in the air, and dropped back to the table. "Really? Nothing there?" asked Cleetus. "Yes Your Highness, the cookies are not poisoned," answered the wizard.

"You are excused," said the Emperor. "Well, sorry witch," said Cleetus. He doesn’t even look sorry! I felt angry, I decided to point out his fault. "Excuse me? Oh, are you sorry? Because you literally just guessed that I put poison in it!" I said.

He frowned, "Okay, I'm sorry," he said. "I accept your apology," I tried holding back my anger. "In return, do me a favor," I said. "What favor?" Cleetus asked.

"Please stop calling me witch, call me Lady Elberta like everyone does," I said. "I heard Delbert called you Elberta, so I will too," he said. Well, that’s 2 steps in a row..

He smirked, he pulled out a headband. "This is yours, you left it on the office the other day," Cleetus said. He puts on the headband on my hair.

"Hmm, you didn’t act crazy over me? Well, that’s good.. As another gift, I hereby Robert is your new knight escort," said Cleetus. Wait.. WHAT!? Robert was supposed to be Albertine's escort!

"Thank You, Your Highness," I bowed down, "Oh and, because of your good deed, I will send an invitation to a luncheon tommorow. Since baking cookies is your hobby now, please bring it too tommorow," said the Emperor.

He's definitely mocking me!

"Yes, Your Majesty," I said, trying to keep my composure.

After that, I started to walking outside and went home. When I arrived, the Duke is waiting outside the mansion.

“Elberta! Where have you been?" the Duke asked me with a concerned look on his face. He looked over to Robert who is standing next to me. "Why is there a knight from the palace?" The Duke seemed angry about it.

"Dad, this is Robert. Cleetus said that this is a gift for me, because I was-" Before I could even continue, the Duke pulled out his sword. "Woah! Dad! Calm down!" I said.

The Duke looked at Robert angrily, "Go away!" He shooed Robert away, "Sorry, My Lord. But Prince Cleetus has requested me, so I have to obey his orders," Robert explained.

"Dad! Relax.. Robert here is just doing his job, Cleetus said it was a gift!" I said to him. He sighed, "Gift is just a sweet talk, he knows why he is here," Duke explained.

That’s nonsense...

When I turned around to look at Robert, he has a guilty face.

Wait.. the Duke is actually true?

"Wait, You were lying to me!?" I screamed to Robert. Wow, I’m an idiot to believe that this was a gift... "The Prince sent him to keep a tab on you," said the Duke.

"You see? Now go away now!" said the Duke with an aura from his sword. "But I can’t disobey Your Highness orders," said Robert. "Fine, today is your last day on guarding my daughter anyways," the Duke said calmly as he walked back inside the house.

I looked at Robert with disappointment, I started walking inside the mansion to my bedroom. I jumped on my bed, I can’t believe it.. Robert lied to me.. Suddenly, I heard a noise.

Knock! Knock!

The door opened, revealing Robert. "My Lady, I’m sorry.." he said. "Leave me alone, I’m not in the mood.." I said. "My Lady.. I haven’t done anything but disappoint you," Robert said.

"My Lady, I’m sorry.. I can’t disobey the orders, I will get punished," Robert explained. Great, now I feel guilty.. "Yeah, it’s fine.. I’m sorry I was too harsh on you," I apologized.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment

The Emperor asked me to bake cookies, so I guess that’s what I should do now..

I stood up from the bed, "Robert, do you know Cleetus's favorite cookie?" I asked him. Robert went silent for a bit, "Your Highness like a specific cookie, he liked it for it’s shape and not the taste," Robert said.

He liked the shape, and not the taste?

Well, that’s different..

"What is the shape of the cookie?" I asked Robert again. "Your Highness described that it’s a medal shaped cookie," Robert said.

Medal shaped cookie?

I started to remember a spin-off of the novel about the childhood of Cleetus and Elberta.

Does Cleetus missed the old Elberta?

I started walking downstairs, to the kitchen. I recalled what the shape looked like I saw from the picture in the novel, "My Lady, are you sure you can make it?" asked Robert.

"Yes, I’ve seen it before.." I said while cutting the cookie to a medal shape using a knife. "How My Lady? Even the knights who travel all around the world haven’t seen one of them," Robert said.

I put the cookies inside the oven, and meanwhile waiting. I asked Robert a few questions about the Emperor.

Robert told me that the Emperor is obsessed with old stories, and he dislikes someone with no manners infront of him.

After a few hours, the cookies are done. I started decorating it as the one I remembered from the picture. "Done!" I said proudly. Robert looked at the cookies, "These looks exactly like what Your Highness said," said Robert.

"Really? Thank God.." I started wrapping the cookies into a gift box. I still have a few hours before bedtime, so I decided to learn more about the past history so that I can make a good impression infront of that stupid Emperor.

The next Morning...

I prepared to go to the palace with the Duke, when we arrived.. the situation was really Awkward. Everyone was silent, How can anyone eat like this?

Suddenly, the Emperor started talking. "So, what have you been up to, Lady Elberta?" asked him. "Oh, I’ve been reading alot of books in the library," I said, trying to stay calm.

"Interesting, what did you read?" the Emperor asked again. "It’s about the Dragon and the Angel," I said. "Hmm, I love that tale. What made you read it?" he asked me a question again.

"Oh, it’s just interesting how they both fell in love and saved the world," I said. After that, he just started pouring me with a bunch of questions.

"Well, I didn’t know you know so much about history," said the Emperor. "Well, I’m trying to be a qualified wife for Cleetus in the future," I said.

He chuckled, "Wise answer," he said. "My daughter is not in a hurry of marrying someone," said the Duke. "Well then, I have to attend a meeting. I will get going now," the Emperor said as he rose from the seat.

Just before everyone left, I stood up and present the cookies I baked to the Emperor and Cleetus. "Your Majesty! These are the cookies I baked," I said while bowing.

"Oh, I was just joking before," said the Emperor. What!? That jerk! I tried holding back my anger, "At least try it out," I said.

Cleetus looked at me, "Since when did you listen to people?" he asked me with an annoying tone on his voice. Why is he so ungrateful!?

"Just try one!" I said out of frustration, pushing the cookies closer to Cleetus. "Hah, I guess you really are a mad woman," said Cleetus.

He left the room, leaving me and the Duke behind. "No matter how much you love him, I must rethink your marriage," said the Duke.

I walked down the stairs, feeling tired. I didn’t sleep enough last night, maybe I should just go home and take a nap..

Suddenly, I slipped on the staircase.

Oh no, I’m going to fall..

I closed my eyes, but not even a single thump was heard. I opened my eyes carefully and found someone holding me, that person was...

To be Continued...

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