Kingdom Buried in Silence

Passing By

House of Traun

Grape Farm

"This will be so much fun", Eliade clapped her hand as they walked towards the grape farm. Traun tended a grape farm behind the mansion with flowers surrounding it. "I heard that Traun's grapes are sweet. I think it's because of the flowers surrounding them", Olivia looked around. "As expected from our Lady Saphire's intellect", Sienna commended. "I didn't know that the other ladies would also be here", Floryn sighed. "Isn't this fun, Lady Traun? We'll get to gather grapes", Arabella pointed out. "I never gathered grapes. There are servants to do that for me", Floryn blinked a few times. "Of course. Although I think I also like that idea, Lady Arabella", Eliade nodded.

"The princess will be picking grapes. If you get any scrape, even just a bit, we might get exiled", Floryn clasped her hands. "Are you saying that because you're concerned or because you don't want to pick grapes?", Olivia crossed her arms. Eliade gave a soft chuckle and held Floryn's arm. "We'll make sure not to get hurt", the princess assured. 

The servants gave them gloves and scissors to cut the vines. "You didn't invite your brother?", Floryn pouted. The ladies chuckled seeing how obvious she was. A white-haired knight passed by. "Oh my, isn't it Sir Kirstein? You're not wearing your uniform which means you are not on duty", Eliade looked for an escape route. If Edel would be around, he will just be overprotective of her. The ladies saw Raziel walking with Ciaran in the hallway.

Hallway

"I still remember you sneaking me in when we were younger", Raziela smiled as the two walked in the open hallway overlooking the grape farm. "My father was a drunkard so he uprooted my mother's garden for his plantation of grapes. But then, Mother just laughed saying that the view isn't bad", Ciaran gave a small smile. "If your father could see you, I know he'll be proud of how far you've gone. You're the Captain of The Imperial Knights", the lady broke the tension by giving a weak punch on his back. "After I left for the Military Academy, did you train with your father?", Ciaran stopped walking. "Brother also left to attend to join you so I have nothing else to do. I started pretending as a boy to attend his training. I have to wear some disguises, though", the lady pointed out.

Ciaran and Raziel sat on the receiving couches. "Here's some paper that you have to sign as the Duke of the House. I understand that you became the Captain of Imperial Knight because of the death of your father and at the same time, the Duke. You don't have to worry. Lady Floryn will be a great Duchess", Raziel assured. Ciaran stared at the paper and sighed. The white head knight saw a bottle of wine and poured it into the glass. "Do you need to get drunk to sign the papers?", Raziel passed it to the man. The man received it and sipped. "I'll also have some. After this, I am no longer on duty", Raziel explained. "It's not that I don't trust my sister. Floryn has so many strengths that I don't have. She is upfront with her thoughts and very persistent with the things she wants. I am just worried that the society we live in might not be that too forgiving if she commits a mistake", Ciaran leaned on the couch. 

Raziel drank her wine and smiled. "Who knows that something formerly sweet could turn sour and eventually bitter? But if you give it another taste. You could see that it is at the same time sweet though it is bitter", Raziel looked at Ciaran and gave a pat on his shoulder. "Just like when you were suddenly appointed as the Duke and the Captain, it made you a sturdy one. I know your sister will come out as the person you will be proud of", the lady stood. 

"What made you go to the North instead of your brother?", Ciaran turned in her direction. She knew it was coming. "The night the Emperor commissioned brother to the North, I heard my father crying for the first time. Brother also came to me drunk, telling all his anticipated regret of taking innocent lives. He was never the person who would taint his hands with blood and forget it the next day. When he was an executioner, he would visit me every day with a looming sadness hovering over him.", she walked past Ciaran. "If I disappear, nothing changes. For someone who never existed in the first place to be erased in the phase of the earth is nothing compared to someone who is like a brother. Even you know how he's someone the world would choose", Raziel stretched her arms.