The sun is just about to rise, but here I am already working in my office. I only sleep for three hours, and then I continue my work. I'm almost done with the first week's docunts and those urgent docunts.
I look at the pile of docunts and sigh. I still have three weeks worth of docunts to finish.
"Csille, you can do this! If you delay it for another day, it'll start to pile up again, and you won't finish this if that happens."
I have already cheered myself up a couple of tis now, but I guess it's not working anymore because from ti to ti, I can feel the frustration that is starting to build up inside of .
I am still struggling working with a docunt when I hear soone knocks on my office door. I look at my watch that is lying on the table and frown.
It's only five thirty in the morning. Most of my employees are still sleeping by this ti. Who is the one knocking? Is it Lilla? Is she worried that I didn't take a rest from work?
"Lilla, is that you? Don't worry. I already sleep so you shouldn't worry. Can you please leave alone for now? I'm still trying to concentrate on my work. I promise I'll eat breakfast. Just call if the breakfast is ready. I still have a pile of docunts I need to work on."
I didn't bother to look up because I didn't want to lose my focus. I'm sure that if Lilla sees how busy I am, she will excuse herself imdiately.
However, I still heard the door open, and soone walked inside my office. Maybe she have my breakfast with her.
"Just put my breakfast on the side. I'll just finish these docunts. Also, are you sure there are no urgent docunts I need to work on anymore? And can you please tell the nobles that I won't be entertaining anyone for now. Not until I finish this. Talking to them is wasting my ti. All they do want to do is to ask about the issue between Prince Fraser and I. So, please tell anyone not to bring any nobles to my office. How can I finish all of this if they keep bringing nobles here? The—"
My words were stuck in my throat when I heard the voice of the person whom I thought Lilla was.
"I heard from Aunt and Uncle that you didn't return ho last night. Are you planning to overwork yourself, Csille?"
"Bro-brother? What are you doing here?"
I look at his back. Trying to see if he is with my parents. I sighed in relief when I didn't see anyone.
"You're really asking that question? Aunt and Uncle got worried about you when you didn't return ho last night. So they ask to visit you here. Why do you always want to make us worry?"
I blink a couple of tis. Trying to see if the Brother Pascal I am seeing is real or just a product of my imagination.
"Are you planning to just stare at or to explain why you didn't co ho last night?"
I heard Brother Pascal's voice again, and that's when I realized that he is real. But what did he say? That Mother and Father were worried about because I didn't co ho last night? And Brother Pascal even agree to co here to check on ?
"I'm sorry, Brother. But as you can see," I gestured my hand around . "I have a lot of work to do, and I need to finish it up, or my work will continue to pile up again. I thought I already explained things to the coachman? Doesn't he tell the reason why I didn't co ho last night? If you're worried that I'm not taking care of myself, you can be assured that I am not. Lilla is always making sure that I eat in ti and sleep in ti."
Brother Pascal looks at and the pile of docunts around the office. "You know you still have wounds, right? Why do you do things that could worsen your condition?"
I look at my hand before I look at Brother Pascal. "But I have a Foundation I need to take care of, Brother. I couldn't leave it behind. I also couldn't pass this work to my employees because all of this is confidential. Also, you have already given permission to work, right? Why are you getting mad at again?"
He just looks at for a couple of seconds before he sighs and shakes his head. "Your parents are concerned about your health. It's better if you go ho tonight so they will stop worrying. I'll be going now. Rember to visit my office this lunch so I can change your bandages."
I wasn't able to say my goodbye because he imdiately left my office. I look at his back and smile.
Even if Brother Pascal only ntioned that it was my parents who were worried about , I know he feels the sa way. He won't agree to check on if he isn't concerned about .
I look at the docunts on my table and smile at myself. I felt refreshed after Brother Pascal checked on . I think I wouldn't mind finishing this off for the whole day.
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I didn't realize how much ti I was spending working. I was too engrossed in finishing the docunts inside my office that I almost forgot about my lunch.
"Da Csille, it's lunchti already. Can you please set aside your work and eat your lunch? You already ate your lunch late yesterday. Are you planning to miss your lunch again? If Doctor Pascal knows about this, I'm sure he'll be mad."
I put the pen down and looked at Lilla. "I still have a lot of work to do. Can I finish the docunts on my table first?"
Lilla looks at the pile of docunts on my table and shakes her head. She then walks towards and forces to stand up. "Da Csille, I know you only want to work, but there is always a limit when it cos to working. You need to have a proper al, a proper rest, and a proper sleep. Or else you'll end up getting sick, which will result in another delay in your work. So, I hope you also wouldn't forget about that, Da Csille. Co on. The cafeteria has prepared pasta for today's lunch. You like that, don't you?"
Lilla pulled outside my office with difficulty because I couldn't help but look back at the docunts in my office.
I still have a couple of docunts I need to work on. All I want to do now is to finish all those docunts inside my office so I can focus on finishing the other two weeks of docunts in the storage room.
"Lilla, can you just get my lunch and I will eat it in my offi—"
Lilla raises her eyebrow at . "Have you forgotten what happened yesterday? I brought your lunch to your office, but you didn't eat it imdiately. I want to make sure that you are eating your lunch on ti. So, now. We will be eating in the cafeteria, and that's the end of the discussion."
I am about to refute to Lilla when we suddenly heard a chuckle. I am about to scold the person who chuckled, but my words got stuck in my throat when I saw Rufus smirking at us.
"You're still stubborn as ever, purplany." He then looks at Lilla. "You're Lilla Vassellevé of the Frailens City, right?"
Lilla nods her head. "Yes, your highness." She then looks at Rufus and . And smile. "Your highness, are you here to invite Da Csille for lunch? You're right in ti. I am about to force Da Csille to have lunch in the cafeteria. I'm sure if she's with you, you don't need to force her to eat lunch. Doctor Pascal reminds us not to let Da Csille skips her al."
Rufus laughs. "Purplany, you hired a great employee here. Now I understand why you insist on hiring here. I just didn't expect she is forcing you to eat lunch." He laughs again. "When did you beco like this?"
I roll my eyes at Rufus. If Lilla is not here, I would probably hurt this guy. Why does he always love to tease ? He didn't even care if there were people around.
I heard Lilla gasp. She then let go of my arm and bows her head. "Da Csille, apologies. I didn't realize I was getting out of line. I was just worried about your health, that's why I did it. I hope you can forgive ."
I shake my head. "You shouldn't apologize. You shouldn't listen to what this guy is saying. He is only teasing , and about what you are doing, that's okay. I am actually grateful because if you don't always remind , I would probably forget to eat my lunch again. So, thank you."
However, even with my explanation, Lilla still apologized to a couple of tis before she excused herself.
I glare at Rufus. "And what are you doing here, your highness, Prince Rufus?" I intentionally emphasize the words your highness and Prince Rufus so he would know that I was annoyed with what he said to Lilla.
Rufus raises his hand as if saying he surrender. "I'm sorry. I didn't an to offend her, okay?"
"You should be careful with your words when talking to other people. Look what happened to Lilla." I sigh and shake my head. "Are you here to invite for lunch?"
Rufus winks at . "What do you think?"
"If that's the case, then let's get going, and because you're an to my employees, it's your treat today."
Rufus is about to complain, but I just pull him outside the Foundation, where a carriage is waiting for us.
We decided to rent a private room in one of the famous restaurants in the capital. The restaurant is actually full today, but because the Astalieus have a private room in the restaurant, we didn't need to line up.
I look at Rufus and frown when I notice the dark bags under his eyes. "Rufus, is there sothing wrong?"
Rufus looks at and frowns. "Wrong? What do you an?"
Acting like he doesn't know what I am asking him? I raised my eyebrow at him. Rufus loves to sleep ever since we were young. I even teased him as a sleepyhead before. So, it's rare for him to have eye bags, and if he does, it only ans one thing. There is sothing that is bothering him.
I point the bags under his eyes. "And how can you explain this? Why did you have eye bags? We both know you love sleeping, and the only ti you have this," I point my hand on his eyebags. "Is when you're stressed. So, tell . What is happening?"
I heard Rufus heave a sigh. Then he looks at straight into my eyes. "I'm in trouble, purplany."
Trouble? What trouble is he talking about? Does the Duke want to marry him off to soone?
"And what is this trouble you are talking about? Is the Duke forcing you again to get married?"
Rufus shakes his head. "No. He isn't, but it's worst than that. I think I'm really falling in love with her."
Falling in love with her? Does he an Princess Paislee?
I imdiately sit up straight. This is the news I want to hear. Once Prince Rufus falls fast and hard for Princess Paislee, that's when Prince Fraser will realize his feelings for Princess Paislee.
"And what's wrong with that?"
Rufus shakes his head. "You don't understand, purplany. I'm starting to fall in love with her real hard that I couldn't help but feel jealous of the person who is always beside her. I want to confess to her, but I know she will stay away from if I do. I don't know what to do anymore, Csille."
I looked at Rufus, and I couldn't help but pity him. I want to comfort him, but I don't know what to say that will make him feel better."
"Why don't you try to pursue her? I know we already talked about this before, but maybe it's the right ti for you to pursue her, Rufus. Who knows, maybe you'll end up with her."
I'm sorry for making you hope, Rufus. I'm sorry for the future heartaches.
Rufus shakes his head. "I don't know, Csille.. I don't know."
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