Chapter Nineteen: In The Princess' Chamber
Estelle
“Cecil agreed to hand your things to Sir Gavian once he comes over later,” Adela said after reading the response letter that was brought by her Rox whom she named Aldri. That is the same messenger bird that she sent to inform that she left work at the inn.
I just also found out that the Rox is her divine creature just like Prince Reigen’s Yang.
According to Master Hagas’ book, lucky are those who have this divine creature because it is they are very good messengers and will ensure that they deliver your letter in no time. Not only they cannot be seen or shot down because they are fast and small but they have something like the comb of a rooster that serves as their compass.
As long as their master knows the receiver, the Rox can deliver the letter.
“That’s a relief that they know that we’re together,” I said as I handed my palm to Adela and she gave me some small grains. Now Aldri comes to me and pecks the grains on my hand.
“Are you sure that continuing this façade is a great idea?” I asked and gently petted Aldri using my other hand. Adela looked at me and shrugged.
“It is you who gets to act. I’m just someone who will be here if you need me. Are you worried about something?” she said and leaned on the doorframe of the balcony.
After Aldri ate all the grains in my hand, it flew and landed on Adela’s shoulder and started pecking Adela as a form of affection. I took it as a chance to lean to the other side and face Adela.
“Nothing. It’s just a thought that went to my head because of the incident last night,” I said pertaining to the scene in the garden wherein I am sure that Lady Emilia saw Azval and me. “What if they would find out that I am not the real Princess?”
“The Princess will have our back and for Lady Emilia’s case, let’s tell the Princess later on. She was so tired last night that we weren’t able to have a proper conversation with her. Let’s just hope that she’s in the mood to talk. So don’t worry too much.”
Adela looked at me in the eyes to assure me that everything will be okay. She also grabbed my hand and held it tightly.
I nodded. “Alright. Why is she not back still anyway?”
“Speaking of the holy.”
When Adela said that, both of us saw Princess Sina who was now carefully walking her way to us and when she successfully did, she started climbing.
The moment she reached the balcony, Adela and I ran in her direction to help her, and with that, she patted both our backs.
“This is the best night ever! I can’t believe I successfully got into the coven given my status,” she blabbered as she removed her cloak and Adela immediately got it as soon as the Princess handed it to her.
“I thought that they would be shocked as soon as I said that I am the descendant of the Saintess but they’re not. Like it is already a given?”
“C-Coven, Princess?” I asked. “What kind of coven is that?”
I looked at Adela and she just closed her eyes and twitched her lips. Princess Sina walked in my direction and put her hands on each of my shoulders.
“It’s a coven for witches,” she said with joy and jumped like a kid. I on the other hand froze on where I stand.
I was like that for a moment not until Adela decided to pat my back.
“But you’re someone Holy? This is not adding up,” I said confused.
Since Princess Sina is now walking to her bathroom to take a bath, we decided to walk behind her. Adela already prepared the bath minutes ago but it should still work since when Adela prepared it, it was hotter than usual. By now, that water will be kind of warm and perfect to soak with.
“That’s why I told you last time that compared to her, you’re much more holier.”
“You knew?!” I asked with rounded eyes.
It is not that I am against Princess Sina being a part of a witch’s coven. It’s just surprising for someone her title and status just to be involved in that matter. It is unlikely.
No, more like very strange!
“That! That’s the reaction I was hoping for earlier,” Princess Sina said and soaked her body in the tub. Adela and I started to scrub her body. “Adela accidentally found the book that I am reading which is about witchcraft and it good thing, I can trust her.”
“My brother was once interested in witchcraft and he could’ve been one if our family didn’t suffer a poor state,” she explained and looked at me before positioning herself. “He’s practicing but it doesn’t mean he’s bad.”
With that, Princess Sina looked at me with such meaningful eyes.
“So Estelle, tell me… can I trust you, too?”
“Of course, Princess. It’s not like I have anything against it. I was just shocked.”
Someone like me is of no judge to Princess Sina taking a liking to studying and indulging herself in witchcraft. In my world, it is already accepted as a practice. No one gets burned for being a witch already. In fact, a form of witchcraft is the reason why I am here. The problem is this world.
“As long as I am not caught, there’s no reason to feel threatened,” Princess Sina said while smiling and closing her eyes.
Adela and I continued her bath as she told us what happened to the coven and how smitten she was with the things she had learned while being there. She feels more alive talking about it rather than attending royal duties.
After the bath, we helped her change into her nightgown and Adela started brushing her hair. Princess Sina asked us about the banquet and I explained to her every single detail that I could. It is better not to leave any, even with my interaction with Prince Reigen, so that the Princess would not be taken aback when he would act familiar with her the next time. More importantly, I opened up to her about the case with Lady Emilia.
“That is bad. I must invite the Lady for tea.”I expected Princess Sina to be somewhat angry with what I have done but she seems more calmer than I have thought.
“My apologies. I just happened to see the second prince in the garden and thought that it would be rude if I didn’t initiate some conversation,” I said and bowed my head.
Well, there is actually one thing that I have excluded in my explanation. The fact that I jumped out of the window.
It took a while for the Princess to respond and when she did, she faced me directly and not just my reflection on her mirror.
“Do you like the second prince?” she asked with a wide smile. Adela laughed by her side while my eyes widened.
“Pardon, Princess? What, no! What made you think that? Adela is the one who liked him.”
“What? Me?!”
The room filled with silence and then seconds later, I realized what I had said.
Goodness Estelle! What did you just say?
Princess Sina looked at Adela and me, and her gaze changed between me and Adela as if she were waiting for someone who would explain to her what was going on.
“What are you talking about, Estelle? I don’t like him!” Adela immediately looked at Princess Sina. “I am swearing, Princess. It is true to that time on the knights’ training grounds when I told you that I am interested in Sir Ferran.”
“No, I… just a slip of the tongue!” I immediately answered when Adela and I’s eyes met. Silence filled the room and later on, the three of us just laughed.
“Perhaps, have you noticed that Adela here keeps looking at the second prince’s direction in the banquet?” Princess Sina asked while instructing Adela to use her hand to continue brushing her hair.
I actually haven’t noticed at all as Adela is always behind me.
“He’s together with the second prince,” Adela remarked. “Why is that?”
“Just like you, he’s the prince’s personal attendant. More like his personal knight. Even though Prince Larnaaz is a knight himself,” Princess Sina explained and turned her head around me. “So don’t be jealous now.”
“I am not… how could I?” I said furious while Adela was holding her laughter and nodding her head as if she was making fun of me.
After she finished brushing the Princess’ hair, Princess Sina stood up and went to her bed.
“Adela, arrange tea for Lady Emilia and Estelle tomorrow,” she said and jumped into the bed. Adela bowed her head and agreed. I pointed to myself with a hint of confusion in my eyes.
Princess Sina nodded. “You need to know Lady Emilia’s weakness so she can’t threaten us with ours.”
Right. I started this so I am the only one who can end this. Especially, Princess Sina still doesn’t know what kind of relationship I have with Azval. That man, I knew him as a mercenary, not a second prince of this kingdom.
“You may now leave us, Adela,” the Princess added and before Adela left she whispered something to my ear that made my face red.
“I can’t believe you’re jealous of me when Mr. Mercenary went back to the inn every night after you left. In recent, he brought flowers. He’s sorry for disappearing for a week, according to Cecil.”
“What? How did you—”
I wasn’t able to finish when Adela walked away and while waving the letter from Cecil earlier.
Why did she just tell me now? What a timing!
“You know, I have never shared a bed with anyone and the thought alone made me uncomfortable,” Princess Sina said as I started laying on the other side of her bed.
“I’m sorry,” I said and we both chuckled.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Instead of being uncomfortable, I rather find your presence calming. Maybe because we look alike? Are you perhaps my lost twin?”
“Princess, you’re just tired,” I said and closed my eyes. So did she after I heard her chuckle.
If I was born into this world, I would also assume the same thing. Maybe I am the Princess’ lost twin. But I am not. I am someone with a different identity from her and come from another world.
We may look alike but we’re totally different people. In this world, I am an impostor.
The afternoon after, I just found myself having a cup of tea with Lady Emilia alone.
“Your invitation is quite early, Princess,” Lady Emilia started after she had a sip of her tea.
Yeah, it’s early because I want to know your weakness as soon as I can!
“I find our conversation in the banquet interesting and would love to talk about it more,” I said and gazed at her. I felt like this conversation was intense though to ease that, I would just tell myself that I was just talking to Sophie… her meaner version.
While the both of us exchanged meaningful conversation, I was listening to her and looking at her closely if there was anything that would help me find her weakness. Until my eyes gazed at her gloves.
Why is she wearing gloves?
A memory suddenly popped out of my mind.
Ah… There’s a chance that she’s wearing it for a reason.
“Lady Emilia looks like you’re about to finish your tea. Let me pour— Pardon me!”
“What’s wrong with you?!”
She angrily stood up when I accidentally poured tea on her. The moment she removed her gloves, she revealed her secret card. I secretly let out a smirk.
So the idea in my head is correct. Her weakness lies in her hands also… just like Sophie’s.
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