They walk slowly beneath the flowering magnolia trees, their steps silent on the cobblestone paths. Birds chirp lightly in the distance.
After working for a short distance, Emilia paused, and settled by a shaped tree beside the flower. The soothing aura drawing her in.
Robert stood at a distance away, quietly looking around.
"I waited that day," Emilia began, her eyes staring at a distance away.
She turned to him, and Robert gripped his fist on his sword.
"I thought you might come, so I waited until evening."
"Did you wait for me or the King?" Robert questioned, taking a step closer to her.
Emilia rolled her eyes at his question, turning her head aside to stare at the flowers instead.
"I have no reason to wait for him," she answered him.
"I just thought that, after everything, you were still my friend."
Robert exhaled quietly and took a seat next to Emilia, maintaining some distance between them.
"I still am," he told her, his eyes bearing deep unspoken emotion.
A smile slowly evolved on Emilia's face and Robert soon broke into a smile as well.
"Then I'm glad."
They both remain quiet after, enjoying the cool breeze that circles around them and old memories flood back to them.
"Should I arrange some refreshments?" Robert asked after a while and Emilia nodded.
She has forgotten to eat and even if she wants to, she doesn't know her way well here.
Robert stood up and went away for a few seconds, then returned shortly and sat beside her again.
"I have asked the servants to bring some food over for you," he informs her.
"Your Majesty, can I be permitted to speak?" Robert asked and Emilia nodded for him to go ahead.
"I understand you were angry because of your father, but…"
"You used to call him uncle," Emilia reminded him.
Robert sighed, and stared anxiously at Emilia.
"Don't worry, I won't be reckless again," Emilia assured him, understanding his concerns.
"Please, don't test his Majesty's patience. He is already merciful enough to give you such a lenient punishment."
"You must not push him." Robert continued to warn, feeling unsettled.
About the issue that happened between Emilia and Lucas in the past, he lacked knowledge of it, but right now, he only wishes both of them reconcile.
"I promise you."
"I won't act like that again," Emilia responded.
Roberts heaved in relief and nodded, satisfied.
She remained silent for a long moment, then murmured,
"Forget about the King. Tell me about the late Queens, the ones before me."
Robert's expression dimmed.
"Why do you want to know about them?" he queried and Emilia shook her head.
"I'm just curious," she replied, and Robert thought that maybe she also believed the rumors that Jurua was responsible for the death of the queen in the palace.
"Your Majesty, the truth is different from the rumors going around."
"You mustn't believe them," he said and Emilia smirked.
"What's the truth?" she asked.
"The first queen indeed died of a sudden illness after she was sent to the cold palace because of…" he paused, hesitating about going on.
"I know the story about Helen."
"Tell me about the other queens after her," she told him, and Robert nodded.
"I don't know much about the next queen, but she suddenly fell ill and died too. Only Queen Henrietta was murdered."
"Murdered?" Emilia repeated, and Robert nodded to affirm again.
"The servant responsible was found dead and there is no other lead yet," he explained, and Emilia slowly nodded.
If the other two queens died as a result of sickness, then one could say the curse of the priest was informed, but thinking about Henrietta's part, it seemed untrue.
The servant Robert asked to serve them arrived with a tray of sweet delicacies and Robert stood to his feet to make space.
Emilia gently took a bite, feeling the pang of hunger that hit her as soon as she tasted the food and devoured it.
From the upper gallery overlooking the garden, Lucas watched them through half-lidded eyes with Thomas standing quietly behind him.
Lucas's gaze sharpened as he saw Emilia lean a little too close, her expression softening in a way he hadn't seen directed at him in so long.
He remembered years ago when Emilia stayed by Robert's side while he studied with her father.
He was used to watching them from afar and seeing the same scenario play again in front of him dug out some buried feelings.
"Your Majesty, do you need…" Thomas began, but Lucas cut him off.
"There is no need," he answered, and hurried his step towards her.
"Robert," Lucas called, his step interrupting the chat between him and Emilia, and he turned sharply, startled.
Robert quickly straightened, stepping away from where he had been standing close to Emilia. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a nervous humility as he bowed deeply to King Lucas.
"Your Majesty," he greets.
Lucas glanced between the two, his voice like frozen steel and Emilia also rose to her feet slowly, placing the cup in her hand on the tray.
"What are you doing?" Lucas questioned, his tone stern.
"The Queen hadn't eaten all morning, so I…"
"The Queen?"
"Right now, she is not the Queen." Lucas interrupted and Robert tilted his head puzzled for a second, then took a few steps away from Emilia.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty…" he apologized, but Lucas cut him off.
"Also, when did you become the one to decide on feeding someone in my palace?"
"Are you teaching me how to care for my servants?" Lucas continued, his voice resolute and firm.
Both Thomas and Emilia furrow, perplexed by his fierce words.
Robert stiffened and went on his knees quickly, bowing his head.
"I didn't mean any of that, your Majesty," he replied.
"But you implied it." Lucas retorted.
"Your Majesty," Emilia stepped in front of Robert, stopping him.
"I asked Robert to accompany me for a walk."
"I just wanted to catch up with an old friend," she interjects, but her words only make Lucas more furious.
Lucas laughed under his breath, the sound of his voice dry and sardonic.
"Old friend?" he repeats and takes a step forward, his eyes blazing at her and Emilia lowers her gaze.
"You are here to serve punishment, but still have the time to idle away?"
"Do I have to remind you of your place?" he snapped.
"Return and clean the room until it's spotless."
"You are not to stop unless I say otherwise," he told her.
Emilia raised her brow, her hands clenched at her sides, but she only nodded slightly and turned away, her step brisk as she returned to the study earlier, seething inside.