Marianne pov contd.

"Mother, it is almost twilight, father still has not come. He must be busy." said Killian as he looked at the carriage that was going farther and farther away from us.

"Umm, Killian, the letter was never sent. Your father must be busy with many things. He was looking very disturbed when he left. So I didn\'t want to disturb him. Moreover I can handle more than 10 Isabella by myself. I do not need to disturb your father over this small matter." I replied with a smirk over my face and he blinked.

"Then the maid who was sent to write a letter and threaten aunt Isabella.. All that was an act?" he asked, blinking his eyes again. Was it so difficult to believe in that!?

"Well, I just wanted her to tell the truth and apologize to you properly. I did not want to lie to you son. I apologize if I have hurt you. But if i would have given you a hint, your aunt would have noticed it before you.\'\' I explained and he shook his head.

"No mother, not at all. I am not angry with you. I just could not believe that you handled everything so well without even disturbing my father." he chuckled at my shrewdness and I didn\'t know if I should feel embarrassed or be proud of it!

"But what if aunt realizes that father is not going to come. After all, a few hours had already passed."  he asked with worry filled eyes.

I did not know how to explain to him that his aunt had long forgotten about your father. She was busy in someone else\'s arms. But I must say that both were brave to do something like that in my palace.

"Do not worry son, if i have taken the risk, that means i know the result, your aunt would come soon and tell us that she needed to go back because she is sick or she just remembered that she has some urgent work in the palace.

So, you just take a rest and I apologize for dragging you in the mess but it is time that you learn all the tactics from me. Only sword wielding and art, and etiquette is not enough to be a good duke, you need to be well versed in politics too."  I said softly, he nodded his head and then looked at me with guilty expressions.

"I will be a better help to my future mother." he said with determined expressions, making me laugh.

"You are the best son, already. You just need to be a wiser"

We both heard footsteps and turned to see Isabella coming towards us.

"Marianne, i am not feeling well, i have waited enough, but Cassius is still not here. I think I should go and rest. I will meet you and Killian some other day." she spoke with a tired and pale face.

She was looking so frail as if she would fall any moment and hurt herself.

And before we both could say anything, she turned and walked towards the exit. Killian turned to look at me with eyes while I just laughed.

"Now you shall go and continue your lessons. I need to go and check on my mother.`` I replied and he nodded and walked towards his chamber too.

I walked towards my mother\'s chamber. I still did not feel at ease when I left her alone. When I felt every maid\'s and knight\'s eyes were following me subtly. I frowned because whenever I looked at them, they were looking down like they always do.

Mother was sitting on the rocking chair and looking out of the window. She was looking desolate and exhausted.

"Mother, are you okay?" I asked as I walked closer to her and sat near her.

She gave me a look but then continued to look out of the window.

"Mother, you should rest more. You are still weak. Shall I order some more soup for you?" I asked as I looked at her parched lips and dull face. A lump formed in my throat.

"I just had some food, Mari. I think we need to talk. Though I have not heard everything, I still heard a bit and piece of what you were telling me when I lost my consciousness. Now, i want to know each and everything in detail.\'\' Though her voice was feeble, it had a strictness in it. I knew that she would not relent, so I nodded.

"Mother, I will tell you everything but first you need to lay in bed." I bargained and she finally took a sigh and nodded.

"My lady, his royal highness is here. He wants to meet you to know about your health." she looked at me annoyed as if it was my fault that he was here and then took a deep breath.

"Send him in, please." she replied, anger was visible in her voice.

She sat on the rocking chair again and I took a seat beside her.

Philip walked in with a worried face, even Cassius was not looking this worried when he had come to see her there the other day. What an artist!

"I was busy in the market affairs these days, Monique Diana. I did not get the chance to meet you. Only today did I come to know that you have been given poison. I am so ashamed of my ignorance. How are you feeling now?" he asked with a worried face.

"I am much better, lord Philip. You did not need to worry. My daughter and son in law are there to support me every moment. They are with me every time." she replied with a smile but i could feel the sarcasm in her voice. But should she need to say that! I still did not know if we were going to continue the act or not!

Maybe Isabella was insulted enough and we have enough rumors to damage her standing in the society and enough proof to send Marquees in the presence but Philip was still untouched and hidden in the dark.

We still didn\'t know what his motive was!