The Silver Leaved Plant

"Xavier ...!" Queen Alexandra came and immediately opened the door. Her eyes grew wide when she saw that Seraphina was already in this room with Xavier.

Queen Alexandra walked over, her expression looking displeased because it seemed like Seraphina's presence was not something she expected.

"Why are you here, Sera?" Asked Queen Alexandra. Seraphina swallowed hard, looking at her mother's face. She knew that what she was doing was a mistake because she had met Nathan without her permission.

"I-I that-"

"Who told you that Xavier was awake? Did Jia tell you?"

"Mother, no! That-" she stammered. It was hard fighting her mother's aggression and she knew she couldn't do it.

The Queen continued to stare at her daughter as if to punish her, Seraphina looked down while fidgeting with her fingers. Seeing Seraphina who was moveless in front of her mother made Xavier worried. This was one of the reasons why Xavier was so protective of his sister, because Seraphina was soft and very sympathetic.

"I asked Jia to call her, do you mind, mother?" Xavier said with a very cold reaction.

He looked at his mother flatly, as if there was a threat he wanted to make. Queen Alexandra seemed conscious enough to interpret that gaze.

"But Xavier, you just woke up this morning. So, I don't think it's time for you to meet Sera. But, if you get better you will definitely-"

"When? When do you think my condition is better? I can't wait that long just to see her. I'll meet her whenever I want!"

"Xa-Xavier?" Seraphina was very moved to hear how Xavier was always on her side.

She felt like crying, mixed feelings happy and sad at the same time. It was a pleasure because Xavier was by her side and on the one hand he also felt sad because they were always treated differently.

Seraphina was eager to tell her mother what she felt, a difference which she increasingly realized that she wasn't really loved as she should be. Or maybe she still doesn't want to admit that all this time she has only been used as a puppet to fulfill her mother's ambition.

"I have to go, it's time to study. Xavier, I'll go first, see you later?" She said as he rose from her place and stepped hesitantly toward the door.

She was in a daze, her eyes were unfocused and it made Xavier feel very worried. But now is not the time to force her to tell him what happened.

Meanwhile, Seraphina was walking in the palace corridors daydreaming. Even she did not respond to the palace maids greetings, seeing the crown prince who looked different from usual made the whole palace worried.

"Prince Xavier, good afternoon?" Said Judy who was standing in front of her bowing to salute.

"Hi Judy? How are you?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty!"

"Thank God," she said with a wistful smile.

Judy saw that the face she liked so much looked sad and grim. Judy hated this, the cheerful Prince Xavier disappeared, turning into the gloomy Prince Xavier. Judy was worried, but she was afraid to ask.

"Your Majesty is well? Did something happen?"

"Judy, can I ask you something?"

"Me? Of course, you can ask me for help at any time, Your Majesty!"

"Umm...that, I can't say here. There are a lot of people passing by. How about going to the park?"

"Of course, Your Majesty!"

***

"R-really? Prince Xavier entered the forest alone?" Judy was shocked to hear Seraphina's confession that she was determined to break through the forbidden forest to look for plants with silver leaves.

"Don't tell anyone, this is our secret. You understand?"

"I understand, Your Majesty doesn't need to worry. I will not tell anyone. But, how do you enter the forest, Your Majesty?"

Shevwas a little hesitant to explain the chronology in detail to Judy, as it will definitely take a long time. Not to mention her meeting and agreement with the young man named Aiden, it was impossible for her to tell Judy that from now on her life and death were in the hands of that young demon.

"I sneaked out when everyone was asleep!"

"Prince Xavier, I am really worried. Are you all right? did you meet demons or monsters in the forest?"

"Ahahaha...no, I didn't meet those horrible creatures. I only met a wolf!"

"A wolf? The wolf attack you?" Asked Judy frantically. Judy's overreaction made her laught.

"Hahaha...I'm fine, Judy. You doesn't need to worry. Besides wolves are not bad!"

"The wolf isn't bad? really?"

"Yes, he helped me to find the silver-leafed plant."

"H-how did the wolf tell you where the plant grew?" Asked Judy. It seemed that she really wanted to know what happened. Her curious face made her face very cute.

Seraphina smiled, the image of Aiden's cold and creepy face resurfaced in her mind. Even if he intended to kill her, at least she owed him a favor. Thanks to her help, she was able to find a silver leaf plant which would be used as medicine for Xavier's recovery.

"At first he wanted to attack me, but when I said my goal, it seemed like he changed his mind and decided to help me. He led me to the place where the silver leafy plant grew.

"Is that so? How amazing, that wolf can even understand the prince's sincerity,"

"Hmm? Sincerity?"

"Ah...that, I mean even beasts know that Prince Xavier is a very good person!" Said Judy with a sweet smile. It seemed she was relieved after hearing her explanation.

"Oh, I see?"

"Yes, so what should I do?"

"Can you give the plant I found to Doctor Franz?"

"Give the plant to the doctor?"

"Yes, I could not possibly give the plant because it would be very suspicious. I'm afraid my mother will find out that I had time to sneak out of the palace at night. So, I hope you can help me!"

"Of course, leave it to me. I will definitely do it for Prince Xavier's sake!"

"What?"

"I-I mean for Princess Seraphina. Yes, for the healing of the princess!" Judy continued talking nervously because it was Nathania who was staring at her gently, it made Judy feel very uneasy.

"Hahahaha...thank you, Judy. I was very much helped."


***