Chapter 4: Like she never existed.

       Maxwell was practicing his archery while Glenn who stood behind him reported what he found out at the inn.

       "The lady had woken up and she seemed just fine. Also there was a woman with her who was taking care of her" Glenn said respectfully.

       "Hmm, okay" Maxwell simply stated. He has already done his own part so whatever happens to the lady from here on was none of his business. His non challant attitude shocked Glenn.

       'Didn't His majesty ask me to check on the lady because he was worried about her, why did he sound like he doesn't care whether she lives or die' Glenn thought. Maxwell didn't tell him how he had met the lady and Glenn was as curious as a cat but he dared not ask Maxwell about it.

       "Your Majesty" Queen Emmelyn said as she curtsied. Maxwell was so focused on his archery that he didn't notice when Emmelyn got to his side. Even though he heard her greeting, he did not stop what he was doing neither did he respond to her.

       "Your majesty, the royal concubine is dead. She's still so young, how can death be so cruel" Emmelyn said, her voice a little choked because of her sobs. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was pink. She was dressed in a white cloth and she looked like a beauty in distress. It was such a pity that Maxwell didn't spare her a glance.

       Seeing that Maxwell was not moved by her words, Emmelyn moved closer to him and tried to grab his arm. Maxwell stopped what he was doing and said with an austere voice;

        "Don't you dare!"

       Emmelyn's hand froze. There were flames in Maxwell's eyes as he stared down at her. She gulped in fear and retracted her hand. Luckily she had come alone and Glenn had moved  a few steps away to give them privacy else she would have been so embarrassed. She casted her eyes downwards and said in an aggrieved tone;

       "Why do you hate me so much? What wrong have I done that made you avoid me as if I'm a plague? You did not allow me to live in the same building as you not to talk of sharing a room with you. It has been three years since our marriage and I've never been allowed to enter your residence. Why are you treating me so unfairly?" Her brown eyes were now fixed on him. She looked like she was about to burst into tears but Maxwell didn't care a bit.

       "Even though you have to live in another building, at least it's still within the palace walls. For that, you should be grateful" Maxwell stated coldly. Just talking to Emmelyn irks him. He hated pretentious women and she happened to be one. He was about to leave when a servant walked up to him. The servant bowed deeply and reported Duke Peyton's arrival to Maxwell.

       "Have him wait for me at the study" Maxwell said to the servant who nodded in understanding and hurriedly left. Without sparing Emmelyn another glance, Maxwell gave his archery equipments to Glenn who was now by his side. Glenn received them and trailed behind Maxwell who was now walking ahead. Emmelyn was left standing in a daze. She thought of all she had done to have Maxwell to herself and her anger flared up.

       'Why? Why wouldn't he fall in love with me?' She thought angrily. She clenched her fist and her fingernails dug into her palm but she didn't seem to feel any pain. The frail beauty image she displayed a few moment ago was gone. Now, she looked like a venomous snake.

       "You just wait Maxwell, I'll make you fall for me" she said through gritted teeth.

       *                    *                    *                     *

       Maxwell entered the study. He had just changed into a new set of cloth and he was looking fresh and full of vigor. Duke Peyton on the other hand looked like he had aged ten years more. He was a strict and upright man who was respected by a lot of people but right now, he looked like he had lost his soul.

       "Your Majesty" Duke Peyton said as he bowed. Even though his heart was heavy and the pain of losing his only child was suffocating, he still maintained all protocols.

       "Let's leave the formalities" Maxwell said as he took a seat. Duke Peyton sat opposite him and both of them remained silent until Duke Peyton spoke up;

       "I know that the request I'm about to make might sound unreasonable so please forgive me if it, in any way, offends you"

       "Go ahead"Maxwell stated calmly. Duke Peyton's eyes slightly reddened as he thought about his daughter. He took a deep breath and looking into Maxwell's eyes, he stated his request.

       "As you already know, Amber is my only child. Her mother died right after giving birth to her and I alone raised her. I knew her better than anyone else and I could tell that she wasn't happy in the palace. If ony I hadn't tried to force her... If only...Anyways, it had always been her wish...to be buried next to her mother"

       Maxwell knew where the conversation was going and he was getting impatient so to prevent Duke Peyton from saying another long speech, Maxwell spoke up;

       "You can take corpse and do as you wish"

       Duke Peyton was shocked and at the same sad. Even though Maxwell was giving him permission to take his daughter's corpse, he still felt disheartened. It doesn't seem like the king even cares about his daughter's death.

       "Thank you Your Majesty" He said as he stood up to leave. He walked towards the door but just before leaving, he turned towards Maxwell and said;

       "The last time I came to see her she was writing a poem. Do you want to hear it?" Seeing that Maxwell didn't say a word, Duke Peyton took his silence as an approval so he recited the poem. 

       "They would simply turn a blind eye

       As if I had never lived"

       "When I read this last line of the poem, I asked her why she wrote such a line and do you know what she told me? She said that if one day she was to die, there are people who would not even remember that she had ever existed. Back then, I did not think much of her words but right now, I think she was right" Duke Peyton said solemnly. He looked straight at Maxwell and said resolutely;

       "I believe that someone is responsible for the royal concubine's death. Afterall, her maid was stabbed to death. As her father, I'll be sure to make whoever is responsible pay dearly" After saying this, he left.

        Maxwell also thought that something wasn't right about the royal concubine's death but since her father already took up the task of investigating her death, he'll simply let him do it.

       'I wasn't going to lift a finger anyways' he thought.