Chapter Twenty-Three: Potion And Paper
Estelle
Earlier...
My life at the palace was quite enjoyable especially when I became more close to Lady Emilia, often inviting me to have tea with her. We will talk about different things and surprisingly, I as Estelle, have a lot more in common with her. It's as if I tapped her inner 'Sophie'.
However there are times when I would still feel that she's not really comfortable with me. Especially when we are at balls or banquets. Maybe it's because of Prince Lorcan.
Phew. I can't believe that a thorn in our blooming friendship is a man.
But that is something I should worry about later on. Right now, Princess Sina and I were debating on who would go to Prince Lorcan's office as she was called. After playing rock-paper-scissors, a game in which I taught her, I won countless times so she has no choice but to be the one that goes to the Prince's study.
Petty yet I can't help but stick my tongue as she walked out of the chambers while giving me such sinister gaze. Over the time that we are together, the Princess and I treat each other more like a sibling now.
Which is cute! I really want a sibling back in my world.
When Princess Sina already left the room, I walked into the balcony. Surely those royal guards that are stationed don't know that the real Princess is now on her way to the Prince's study, right?
I looked at the night sky like I always do. At first, I just looked at it because I was reminded of the time that I have spent with Azval, but now it feels like it's becoming more of my hobby. Not to mention that the night sky here is worth looking for as it contains a lot of stars.
With all the buildings and light pollution in the city in my world, lucky me if I could spot just one star. But here, it feels so majestic. The night sky is full of them.
My attention went from up to down when I felt like someone was staring at me from the ground.
"Master Hagas!" I exclaimed which almost got the attention of the royal guards. I immediately covered my mouth using my hands and ran back inside the room. I would like for the royal guards to think that they are just imagining things.
Seconds later, a portal appeared inside my room. This is the same portal that Master Hagas made when he transported me from the woods to the inn back then. Without hesitation, I walked into the portal and the moment I crossed, Master Hagas was right in front of me.
I was taken aback by the fact that we were surrounded by the royal guards yet no one moved an inch. As if they didn't notice us even though they were just meters away.
"I cast an invisible barrier between us. Need not to worry. The royal guards won't notice us here," Master Hagas explained and I let out a sigh of relief in return. "How are you enjoying your stay at the palace?"
"I'm having fun," I replied shortly yet wandered my eyes around.
Do I need to tell him about how I got here or the mess that I have gotten myself into?
"Spare the details to your journal," Master Hagas said as if he read what's on my mind, "I have successfully developed the potion."
"What? Can I really go back now?"
I was filled with joy the moment I heard it but a part of me felt like I am saddened. After all, I've grown to like this place so much. I experienced a lot of things that I didn't imagine I would. Also, I may have seen Azval but we interacted as me, pretending to be Princess Sina.
"You will, soon..." Master Hagas let out a deep sigh and handed me the red potion which I immediately received from him.
Even though he already handed me the potion, I could see from his face that he was still worried about something.
"Is there something you want to say to me, Master?"
"There is a problem."
What's the problem? I should only drink this and I'll be forced back into my world, right? Right?
I looked at him with confused eyes and in return, he held my right hand which holds the potion.
"It's not you who should drink it. It should be Amalia."
"But she is not here?" I asked and let out a forced laugh.
That is just impossible. How can she drink this potion if she's not here?
"Her soul may be in your world but her body is in somewhere in this world. Just like yours. Your body is still in your world, soulless."
I was lost for words.
So, it means that all this time, I am just a soul wandering here? That explains why back then, even though I have suffered injuries, my original body is not affected in the real world. I can't even bring things from here to my world. That makes sense now.
"Then, why are you giving this to me?"
If Amalia is the one who should drink this, he could have gone to Amalia's body and let her drink it.
"Amalia's body is located inside the dragon's lair of the Grafgue Forest. The second lair, to be exact. She has put a barrier in the whole forest against me. That's because she doesn't want me to interrupt what she was doing but as I have said back then, the things she was doing still have flaws. She didn't consider that I was the only person who could also help her."
Master Hagas let go of my hand and composed himself in front of me. He looked at me with such a commanding aura.
I kind of have a feeling that something frightening is about to happen. Not to mention, Grafgue Forest? Dragon's lair? There are sightings that an ancient dragon woke up and is roaming around the forest.
"There will be a dragon hunt. Princess Sina will be sent to the second lair. I want you to take her place instead. Go to the second lair."
The way he is saying it, it feels like he's telling me to commit my death.
"How did you—"
"I used to work as the Kingdom's mage. I have eyes and ears around the palace and even though I stepped down, I still swore to protect the royal family. I just happened to find an opportunity inside to solve my own problem."
I just nodded my head in agreement even though I was still processing the things that he had said to me.
"Take Princess Sina's place," I mumbled to myself while I noticed him getting something out of his pocket. A paper.
"When you arrive, recite this poem. You have no need to find her body because after reading this poem, she will come to you."
He grabbed my other hand and placed the paper on it. I looked at it and even though it is written in a way that I can pronounce, I surely cannot understand what it says.
"Master Hagas, what will happen—"
"Remember Estelle, as long as you read the poem and handed the potion to Amalia, you will be alright," he said as if he was also putting some warning behind those words. Strangely, while saying those words, he's not looking in my direction but past my back.
I still have a lot of questions in my mind but he just disappeared. When I decided to turn my back around to see what he was looking at, my heart almost jumped out. Our eyes met and as he walked in my direction, I had a feeling that I should run away.
Present...
I wasn't able to run away. The thing that I want to know is why I am sitting in this garden with Azval while the royal guards are meters away from us. Just enough for us to converse without the royal guards hearing what we were talking about.
"I was wondering when I can see you during daytime," he said as he was staring at the night sky.
I almost choked on my saliva. Is he talking about me as Estelle or Princess Sina?
Surely, he's talking about me as Princess Sina but I cannot help to wonder if he was talking about me as Estelle because never did we see each other during the sun has risen.
"If you fancy tea, Your Highness, surely we can arrange an afternoon meeting," I said as I was feeling the paper and potion that I hid inside my pocket.
Somehow, he's making me feel nervous.
"A tea," he repeated and I heard him chuckle. "Yes, let's have tea. How can I refuse a tea that was offered to me by the Holy Princess?"
When I glanced at him, both of our eyes met. I gulped.
There he goes again with the redness all over his face. I don't know why every time we meet, he would just be red.
Is it out of anger or rage? Did he find out already that I was toying with the people around the palace?
"I can arrange it as soon as possible, Your Highness." Even though I don't know what we will talk about! We're just spewing random words here right now.
Oh right! I can just send the real Princess Sina in my stead.
"As soon as possible, huh? Maybe a month or two from now?"
"A month or two?" I asked confused. Is that the term for 'as soon as possible' here?
"Princess, I will be at war in the next dawn. I'm afraid that we will not see each other for the following weeks."
Oh, is this what Master Hagas is also talking about?
"The dragon hunt?"
"It seems that you are also well informed about this matter, Princess. You surprise me," he said and stood up. I also did too out of respect.
I let out a forced laugh as I averted my gaze.
Of course I am informed, I am going there as well.
"I would be looking forward to tea with the Princess as soon as I get back," he said and planted a kiss on my hand. I was taken aback.
Is this alright?
It seems like I am flirting with him even though I am engaged with his brother.
This is also a sign of respect, right?
Wait...
Does he like Princess Sina? Hah!
"Do you like me?"
Those words just came out of my mouth. Azval froze in front of me and I, on the other hand, covered using both of my hands my mouth after realizing what nonsense I just spewed.
After moments of silence, he bowed in front of me and started to walk away.
"You really are fond of that hamster accessory."
He waved goodbye as he vanished out of my sight while I remained there standing and letting his final words sink in. It made me confused yet at the same time, it's making my heart raced.
I grabbed my necklace and looked at the night sky while letting out a small smirk.
Does he already know?
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