Chapter 54

….IAN….
'Oh…you're awake!" Waylon's voice was the first voice I heard the moment I opened my eyes.
' Uh?"
'Are you still feeling any pain or itching in your throat?" he asked and I shook my head.
' No…why?" I asked him after he heaved a sigh.
'I can't believe you were unconscious for the past four days. What did you consume?" he asked me and I sucked on my lower lip like a child.
' I have no idea either. I guess I mistakenly ate something I was allergic to." I said.
' Yeah…I know."
' Do you recall who prepared the soup you drank?" he asked me.
' Actually…Aurora was the one who brought the soup but she didn't tell me the person who prepared it." I replied.
'Why is something the matters?" I asked him but then he hesitated before shaking his head.
' Waylon-ah…you are hiding something aren't you?'
' Oh no…no…you get some rest and I'll go and inform mother that you are awake." He said to me and left the room.
I sat on my bed and looked around, I can't believe I've been unconscious for four good days.
Argggghhhhh…my head hurts.
I stepped down from my bed and I heard a knock on my door.
'Come in." I said.
It was the physician and mother.
' Thank God you are awake. Oh, my dearian-ah. Mommy was so worried." Mom said and hugged me after the physician was done checking my pulse.
' Mom…you making me shy." I said and she disengaged the hug.
'Oh, don't mind me. I was just too excited to see that you've finally gained consciousness." She said with a smile.
'Vivian-ah, hurry and get him some porridge." She ordered Vivian who went rushing out of the door and soon returned with mushroom porridge.
' Here son let me feed you." Mom said as she sat next to my bed and picked up the porridge from the serving tray.
' Sure, I miss it very much." I said excitedly and she smiled at me as she fetched the porridge and fed me.
I was left alone in my room after they all left, that was when I noticed that someone wasn't present.
Gianna, where could she be that she didn't even rush to my room after hearing that I am feeling much better.
Ah, how could a servant be so rude and mean to her master?
Where is she?
' Vivian-ah…" I called and Vivian came to my room immediately.
' Where is Gianna, why isn't she here? Where has she gone to? Has she gone home without my permission?" I asked her and she bowed her head.
' I am sorry your highness but Gianna is no more working in the first quarter of the Castle. She has been sent to the fourth quarters." She replied and I winced my eyes.
' What did you just say? How come she's now working in the fourth quarters without my
permission?"
' I'm sorry your highness but I can't tell you anything more than I have already told you."
' Why can't you? You know something don't you? Tell me…I said tell me why she's assigned to work at the fourth quarters!! It's an order!!" I yelled at her and she was shivering.
I don't know why but then I was very furious at that very moment that I couldn't control my anger.
' I… I…she was assigned there because of what she ….she did…your highness." She replied shivering and crying before me.
' I'm so sorry… I don't know what got over me. Sorry I scared you." I apologized and she nodded wiping the tears from her eyes.
' What did she do wrong?" I asked her.
' The soup she served you with contained something you are allergic to and that caused your
unconsciousness. As a form of punishment, she's been sent to the fourth quarters and assigned to double duties." She explained and I couldn't believe my ears.
How is it her fault that I drank a soup I was allergic to? Besides she wasn't t one who served me the food. it was Aurora.
I took my coat from the chair and headed for the fourth quarters.
'Your highness…your highness…" I heard Vivian call after me.
' Stay here and when anyone come to look for me…tell them I went out for some fresh air." I said to her and she nodded.
I knew a secret path to the fourth quarters so I went through that path instead and made sure I wasn't followed.
I finally reached and went to rose garden but there was no sign of her, I secretly went to the kitchen but no sign of her so I decided to go to the dry cleaning and there she was. She was in the fourth quarters maid uniform and was folding some clothes.
I watched from the distance as she wiped her forehead with the back of her palm. She looked pale and was sweating a lot.
I watched as she neatly folded the clothes and arranged them in the bowl. She was the only one there at the moment.
She stood up and was setting the bowl of folded clothes when she dropped it and before I knew it she fell to the ground.
' Gianna…" I called her name and I don't know how it happened but before I knew it, I was next to an unconscious Gianna. I picked her up into my arms and her temperature was very high, her whole skin was burning and she was very pale.
' Wake up Gianna…please wake up…Gianna…Gianna please don't do this." I cried as I shook her in my arms but she wasn't responding.
I went on my knees, I could still feel the pain in my chest, I knew I haven't fully recovered but then I don't know where the strength came from as I picked her up and carried her in my arms and headed straight to the fourth quarters Royal Clinic.
Gianna you have to be strong, please don't do this. Please!!
….
NO POVS
Uponian's arrival at the clinic, the doctor immediately rushed to attend to Gianna.
' Please see to it that she's all right, her skin is burning up and she looks too pale."ian said to the Doctor.
' Yes, your highness. I'll see to it that she will be fine." The doctor replied.
' I know I can count on you Dr. Park, please save her."ian pleaded while the doctor examined Gianna.
' Actually, your highness…" 'Huh...?"
' Her condition isn't very critical so you can stop pacing back and forth with fear in your eyes. She just has a fever and I think it is due to her over working because from the look of things, her blood pressure is very low. I'll give her some shots and I think we need to leave her to rest." Dr. Park said to the Prince who was pacing up and down and chewing on his thumb nail out of fear.
Dr. Park is a young man in his early thirties, strong and masculine stature, brown silky well-trimmed hair, six feet tall with bright blue eyes and rose red lips. He's the first youngest Doctor in the Castle and a very good friend ofian.
' Are you Sure?"ian asked and Dr. Park nodded.
' But still it isn't something to joke around with. Why does she have to over work herself so much? I bet she was too stubborn to even listen when they asked her to rest for a while. Ah, this is frustrating."ian stated and Dr. Park turned to him.
' My Prince…" he called.
' Dr. Park, pleas just call me by my name, we've been through this already."ian cried making Dr. Park chuckle.
' Okay, Princeian… if I may ask you a question."
'Sure, go ahead…I'm all ears."
' How are you and this maiden related, what is the relationship between you two?" Dr. Park asked andian pursed his lips.
' Urrh it's not what you think…oh no…no, it's not what…"
'I just asked a question out of curiosity, I have no other thoughts or what's so ever. It seems like you are indirectly trying to say something."
' Oh no, the only relationship between us are just a maid and her master and nothing else."
' Oh okay. I hope you are feeling a lot better now. I heard you got out of bed not long ago but from
how you carried this maiden to this place, if anyone were to see you, they might think you are so fit. I was just curious because I haven't seen you act this way for the sake of someone feeling unwell."
'She is someone I need by my side, I don't think I can develop any kind of feelings for her. I don't believe in love and I won't be its victim. I was just doing my duty as her master."
'But you could've called someone to bring her to the clinic instead of you carrying her all the way here."
' Dr. Park, please don't misunderstand things because they…they definitely are not that way."
'Okay…if you say so my Prince."
Nico stayed beside Gianna for some time before deciding to leave.
' Please don't tell her I was the one who brought her here. Just make up something…like a man or a worker was passing by and saw her unconscious so he rushed her here. I don't want her knowing about this."ian pleaded.
' You can count on that. I will take good care of her."
' I will take my leave now. I'll see you later Dr. Park."ian said and left.
On the other hand, Waylon had all the male workers of the Castle summoned in front of the throne hall.
' What are you doing?" The Queen who immediately rushed to the scene asked.
' I'm doing something that should've been done a long time ago." Waylon replied.
'How could you do this when you know very well that they have works to do. Do you think things in the Kingdom are just for child's play?" The Queen asked as she tried to hold back her anger.
'Mother, you never gave Gianna the chance to clear her name, you went ahead to punish her and assigned her to a different duty. But u believe in Gianna mother, even though I haven't known her for a long period of time, I've come to see her compassionate and true nature and that I believe that she wouldn't do anything to harm my brother." Waylon replied and the Queen looked away.
She felt she should've given her the chance but she made her emotions get in the way, she realized she was unfair to Gianna in the first place so she just turned, wishing in her heart that Waylon was right and that Gianna truly didn't do it out of her resentment towardsian.
' This mess started the very day Hannah stepped foot into the Castle and I am suspecting that she and Aurora are behind this. But first we need to find that gentleman." Zoe whispered to me and I
nodded.
They had an artist draw the picture of the gentleman according to Gianna's description and the of them had a copy.
The workers were lined up in four rows as they searched through, looking for that gentleman.
' What are we going to do now?" Aurora asked Hannah who licked on her lollipop like a five-year-old girl.
' Since he isn't one of the workers here, they wouldn't be able to find him and besides, it's a win win for us, she wouldn't be able to prove her innocence." Hannah replied.
' They might think she just made him up as an excuse so she would have someone to blame isn't it?" Aurora said and Hannah nodded as they stared from the balcony of their room at what Waylon and the others were doing.
' Arhh…it's so boring to watch. I wanna see some drama." Hannah said.
' He isn't any of them."axel said to Waylon and he nodded.
' I can't believe this, all of them are present so how?" Athenag asked.
' There's only one answer to that… the individual isn't a worker but an outsider." Waylon observed.
' Huh?"
' That's my answer to this, the master planner wouldn't use a worker because they definitely know their faithfulness to the King and Queen. So, they probably hired an outsider to do the job so Gianna won't be able to clear her name." Waylon explained.
'What are they murmuring about?" Aurora asked with curiosity as she watched them talk among themselves discreetly.
' Let's just go, it's not fun to watch them anymore. Are you in for a pedicure?" Hannah suggested.
'I'm all in!" Aurora said excitedly and they both headed back into Aurora's room.
' You may all return to your posts. Thank you." Waylon said with a slight bow and all the workers bowed with courtesy before leaving.
'Your highness…" A voice said from behind them and when Waylon and the others turned, it was a maiden.
' Vivian?"
'Yes, your majesty."
' What brings you here? Is anything wrong withian?"
'No, your majesty, he went out for a walk in the garden…There is something I need to tell you."
' Okay go ahead." Waylon said to her and she
nodded.
' I saw the gentleman who approached Gianna, I was sent by Princess Aurora to get some clams from the cold room. That was when I saw Gianna washing and murmuring something to herself then that young man(pointed to the picture in Waylon's hand) approach Gianna and talked to her.
I heard him say it was an order from the crowned Prince and that he needed it immediately so Gianna rushed to the kitchen and I was asked to hand over the clams to Gianna.
I had no idea that it was going to be used to prepare soup for the crowned Prince like I would've stopped her. I'm sorry I couldn't stop this from happening and not being able to tell you earlier. But that young man does not work here in the Castle." Vivian explained.
' I can't believe an outsider used Gianna and put her into doing this. He even dared used the
Crowned Prince's name. This is so unbelievable." Waylon said with clenched teeth.
' Thank you so much Vivian, please don't say any of this to anyone else okay. Thank you very much." Waylon said to her with a smile.
' I am glad I was able to spill this out and I hope this information can be of help." Vivian said with courtesy.
' You really did well. Thank you very much Vivian." Zoe said placing both hands on Vivian's shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze.
' I will take my leave then." Vivian requested and they nodded.
' Thank you." She said before taking her leave.
'So Aurora is behind this…I can't believe she put her own fiancé's life in the line just to get rid of Gianna, how can she be so heartless." Athenag said angrily.
' The Queen must know about this."axel said but then Zoe interjected.
'No…I don't think telling the Queen about Aurora's involvement in this will be better."
'Why?" they asked with a chorus.
' Aurora is a Princess and we all know how cunning she can be, she can even turn the tables around and have Vivian take the blame. It will only be wise if we keep it low about knowing that she was responsible. I had Vivian's confession recorded and I know it will be of great use at the right time.
For the main time, let's go and clear Gianna's name, that's the best way we can get back at Aurora and pretend we don't k would she was behind it." Zoe explained.
' I can't agree with you less, for the main time let's just tell the Queen to have Gianna return to her
post besideian and we will secretly search for this young man." Waylon said to them.
' I will request an audience with my mother and we will make sure to settle this before the King returns." He added and they agreed to meet at the throne hall after the Queen accepts to meet them.
Gianna woke up with a severe head ache.
' Where am I?" She asked as she sat up on the bed.
' You're finally awake…that's a relieve. Here drink this." He said handing over some medicine to me.
' What happened to me, why am I here?" she asked after taking in the medicine.
' A young man found you lying unconscious at the laundry room so he brought you here immediately. You had a fever and your skin was burning so I gave you some shots." Dr. Park replied.
'Uh…the clothes!" Gianna said jumping out of the bed.
' Where are you going to?"
'I left the clothes in the laundry, Ah…I'm so dead." She cried out.
' Well I think all has been taken care of so get your butt back on the bed and have some rest." Dr. Park said to her avoiding eyes contact and only focused on what he was doing.
'Huh?"
' I know you heard me the first time I talked. You haven't fully recovered, I thought you were going to ask about the young man who brought you here but all you care about is the clothes you left at the laundry." Dr. Park said hitting the back of her head with the pack of cotton wool in his hands.
'Ouch…you said I haven't fully recovered but you are hitting my head already."
'That's because you deserved it." 'huh?"
' Do you have something stuck in your ears or something. Get back here." Dr. Park said dragging her by the ear and sitting her down on the bed.
' Here…drink it." He said handing over an herbal concussion to her.
'What's in this?"
'Are you going to drink it?"
'Nope, unless you tell me what's it first." ' You really are one stubborn kid."
' No, I'm not, I am a really good kid." Gianna protested.
' Then drink it up." Dr. Park said and she winced before gulping it down.
' Wow…it tastes good." Gianna said licking her lips.
' I should've given you the bitter one instead…ouch my waist." Dr. Park said as he stood up from his
chair and Gianna looked at him with quirked eyebrows.
' You look young and fine to me." She blurted out and Dr. Park turned to her.
' You seem fine as well, why don't you go ahead and continue with your chores." He said to he ran Gianna gulped.
' You told me to have some rest and now you telling me to go and continue my chores…It hurts." Gianna said with sad puppy eyes making Dr. Park shake his head sideways.
' That doesn't work on me, I'm not one of those young men who are moved by that. Forget it, it doesn't work on me." He said turning away.
' So, who's the young man who brought me here?" Gianna asked.
' I thought you weren't going to ask but you did." 'Do you…by any chance know who he is?"
' Let say I do but I don't. It's kind of two in one." 'Ah, you are confusing me right now."
' I never asked you to have a confused brain in the first place."
' I have never come across a doctor who can be sarcastic…you are so cool." Gianna said excitedly.
' Really?"
'Oh yeah, most of them are boring and always looks busy and occupied with work but you are different, I think I'll visit here a lot during my free time."
' That's what most of you say, in the end…you get too occupied with work and never show up."
' I'm different, I promise I'll visit often…even if I have to make excuses, I really need to learn some sarcasm." Gianna said with a mischievous smirk.
A knock was heard on the door and Gianna rushed back to her bed as Dr. Park went for the door.
'Come in." He said and Waylon, Zoe,axel and Athenag walked in.
'Oh, my poor Gianna…how have you been?" Waylon asked as he reached to hug her.
' I am feeling better thanks to Dr. Park." She replied with a smile as she peaked at Dr. Park.
' We've got some good news for you girlfriend!!" Zoe said excitedly.
' Really?"
'Yeah, guess what?" Athenag asked and Gianna put on a thoughtful look.
' You got Mason a new face?" She asked and they looked at her with disbelieve.
'Hey! Your Elder brother looks amazing the way he already
is." Zoe snapped at her and she put on an innocent sad face.
' You know I'm not that good at guessing…can you tell me?" She asked fidgeting with the belt in her hand.
' We got your name cleared and you can go back to beingian's personal maid/assistant!!" They said with a chorus but she frowned.
' That isn't good news… I am better off working in the fourth quarters…look, I'm very grateful you got my name cleared but I can't go back to serving that cold hearted, mean and selfish Prince, never!" She said getting out of the bed and they stared at her with dropped jaws.
' Hey…who did you just call a cold hearted, mean and selfish Prince?" It wasian and Gianna nearly jumped out her skin when he popped his head from behind the door.
'Oh my God what did I just do?" She asked herself with her hands clasped on her mouth.
' You are coming with me!"ian stepped forward and dragged her with him.
'Help!! Someone please help me!!"
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