The Tailor and the Prince by Pelaam

Author:Pelaam [Pelaam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780369500731
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The next day, Bertie was woken by Keitaro, with news that made his stomach churn. Ichirou was unwell. Dressing quickly, Bertie dashed out of his room. Keitaro remained on guard as usual, but his expression was grim.

“Ichirou is not well enough to walk in the garden this morning, Bertie-san, and his decision on who to choose between you and the other one must be deferred.”

“He’s that ill?” Bertie swallowed. “Can’t I see him at all?”

“Cherry Blossom says she’ll try and arrange that you can see him. He’s asked for you, but Makoto is concerned to ensure it’s not suggested that you,” Keitaro coughed, and shuffled from foot to foot, his cheeks coloring. “You don’t take advantage of him.”

“I can imagine who put forward that notion.” A bolt of fury rocked Bertie and he clenched his hands into fists.

“I’m sorry, Bertie-san, but it was thought best you know everything.” Keitaro’s woebegone expression was enough to make Bertie take a deep breath and unclench his hands.

“Not your fault.” Bertie managed a smile. “I can imagine Takeshi and Felton made that decision. “I don’t care about the contract. Only that Ichirou is ill.”

“You are indeed a good man, Bertie-san. Put your faith in Cherry Blossom. If anyone can find a way for you to see the prince, it will be her.”

“Thank you, Keitaro.” Bertie sighed. He’d eagerly anticipated a walk in the garden, and to see Ichirou once again.

“She did say for you to have your normal stroll. Shall we go now?”

“Very well.” Bertie wondered why Cherry Blossom would be so keen for him to still take a walk, when the real purpose behind them had been to permit him to see Ichirou who wouldn’t be there.

With Keitaro at his side, Bertie was led a different way once outside. Keitaro led him through a part of the extensive gardens he’d never seen before. The trees grew taller and thicker, and the foliage denser, as if this part of the garden had been left to grow wild. Thorny plants caught at him, plucking his clothing, and giving Bertie more than one scratch as he followed the young soldier.

“Is it necessary to come this way?” Bertie asked.

“Very. Cherry Blossom insisted.” Keitaro didn’t look around, but his gaze darted right and left as they went deeper still. Then he stopped at what appeared to be a solid wall. But after pulling back the overgrown vegetation, he pressed the stonework to reveal a doorway. “This is it.”

“What’s that?” Bertie asked, peering around Keitaro’s solid build. “An old door?”

“A forgotten entrance into the palace.” Keitaro flashed a quick grin at Bertie. “Or, more accurately, a forgotten exit, according to Cherry Blossom.”

“A way into the palace. Are you sure it’s forgotten?” Bertie peered around Keitaro at the blackness beyond. “There are no guards, or magic protections?”

“Guards, no. Protection, yes. But Cherry Blossom can pass anywhere through the palace. I cannot. I’m quite low amongst the guards, so there are places that one of my rank may not freely pass.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.