While Tessa kept teasing her, the three women kept walking, seeing more of the incredible place. Yet, Cessilia’s heart wasn’t there this time. She was already focused on the upcoming banquet, and what she would do to get to the King’s heart. She knew the odds would be against her, the foreigner with little to no power here...
“Lady Cessilia! Lady Te-... Tessa!”
The shouts came from behind, and the girls turned around, spotting the poor Counselor Yamino running in their direction. The old man was having a hard time carrying himself at the speed he wanted, all sweaty in his toga and out of breath.
“Uncle!” exclaimed Nana, running to him.
“Why are you ladies so... hard to find?!” he mumbled, out of breath.
“We were t-touring the c-castle,” said Cessilia, walking up to him too. “What is g-going on?”
“It’s poor Yassim!” blurted out the old man. “His Majesty had him locked in the dungeons this morning!”
“What?! Why?”
“I’m not sure, but His Majesty was very upset with him for bringing the Princess. I had thought he had changed his mind, but this happened this morning! I came to find you to let you know, but... I don’t think there’s anything to be done, sadly.”
“He can’t leave Counselor Yassim there!” exclaimed Nana, panicked. “It’s such a scary place...”
“At least he’s not condemned to death,” Yamino shook his head. “I think he intends to leave him there until the end of the competition...”
“He’ll only release him if Cessi wins?” grimaced Tessa. “I’m not fond of the old man after he lied to us, but it’s not worth sending him to a freaking dungeon...”
“I’ll t-talk to the K-King.”
They all turned their eyes to Cessilia, who was standing there, calm and resolute. Nana went completely white.
“No, no, no, Lady Cessilia, that’s not a good idea at all. Especially if His Majesty is mad...”
“Where c-can I find him?”
“Who? The King? Lady Cessilia, no!” protested Yamino. “I came to let you know, not to have you killed or locked away too!”
“Nupia, t-take me t-to His Majesty,” ordered Cessilia, ignoring them.
After a hesitation, the servant bowed and turned away to guide her. Nana and her uncle were both still shocked.
“No...” Nana blurted, visibly panicked. “She’s going to get herself killed! Lady Tessa, I’m not kidding!”
“Don’t worry, Cessi isn’t kidding either,” chuckled Tessa. “Trust me, she’ll be fine. You might as well try to stop a dragon...”
Chapter 7
Nupia led Cessilia through the castle, the others following behind her in silence. As they approached the King’s apartments, things became strangely silent. Not just in their group, but the atmosphere in that area of the castle was noticeably different. It seemed as if all the people working or living there were deliberately avoiding those corridors and, thus, abnormally quiet. It was also one of the highest floors, and as it became more of a large tower, the windows were showing both the sea and the archipelago, and the rest of the Kingdom on the other side.
Finally, they arrived in front of a single door. There were no guards and absolutely no sign that a king was sleeping behind that door... It felt almost as if they had been taken to some dungeon instead. Cessilia glanced at Nupia, but the servant’s expression was completely neutral. Still, it was surprising that she had taken Cessilia there without hesitation. It felt as if she had received orders beforehand... In fact, she turned around, addressing the others before Cessilia could walk in.
“Only the Princess is allowed to see His Highness.”
“Says who?” groaned Tessa, glaring back.
“His Majesty.”
“T-Tessa, it’s alright.”
Tessandra still wasn’t fond of the idea, and stared at Cessilia, even more confused. She had known her cousin would be unstoppable once she had decided to go and see the King herself, but she hadn’t expected she would not be able to accompany her. She hesitated for a while, conflicted between the trust she had in Cessi, and how much she didn’t trust that capricious King at all.
“...Are you sure?”
Cessilia gave her a little nod, but the faint and confident smile on her cousin’s lips was what put Tessa at ease. She didn’t need to know everything. Although she was curious to know why they had come here and what Cessilia wasn’t telling her, she knew her cousin wasn’t acting unreasonably. She trusted Cessilia, even if her cousin didn’t trust her enough to share her secret, it was fine. She had resolved long ago that their bond would go far beyond that of the blood they shared. They were best friends, but they were still each entitled to their own secrets.
While Cessilia walked in alone, Nupia stepping aside, Tessandra sighed and leaned against the opposite wall, crossing her arms with a sullen look. Despite her position, she was ready to barge into that room anytime. Nana looked even more nervous next to her, fidgeting with her skirt and pacing in front of the door.
“Will she be alright...?” she mumbled. “His Majesty can be very scary...”
“I don’t think he would harm the Princess,” said Yamino, although he didn’t seem very convinced himself.
“Aren’t you worried?” Nana asked Tessa. “Do you know why Lady Cessilia was so confident earlier? I don’t understand...”
“I don’t understand either, but Cessi isn’t reckless. You saw it, she probably has something going on with the King that lets her go in there, and not us.”
“And you really don’t know? ...Aren’t you curious at all?!” exclaimed Nana.
“Trust me, when you grow up in a powerful family like Cessi’s, you learn that it’s best not to ask too many questions...”
Defeated, Nana could only give up and wait. She stopped pacing, and instead, kept her eyes riveted on the door, her hands joined as if she was praying...
