“I can’t believe she was really killed... That there’s a murderer in the castle...” Nana muttered, her lips trembling.

“No one mentioned the murderer had to be human,” said the candidate from before.

“Lady Ashra, I suggest you measure your words,” Bastat calmly declared.

Cessilia suddenly realized that candidate was the one they had seen with Jisel previously, along with Vena. She hadn’t recognized her, since her hairdo and clothes had changed, plus she had only seen that woman briefly from afar. Ashra of the Yekara Clan. Just like her cousin Safia, this woman looked arrogant and vain. She shrugged at Bastat’s words, crossing her arms with a little smirk.

“Did I say anything wrong? The Princess just showed off her man-killing beast, did she not? Was I mistaken, that you threatened to murder your enemies?”

“My p-point is that I will not stoop d-down t-to your level,” Cessilia retorted. “I d-don’t do th-things in secrecy, and I d-don’t need t-to hide what I am c-capable of. I won’t lower myself or p-put on a p-play t-to make you satisfied.”

“That’s one rare skill around here,” scoffed another candidate, one of the other two that hadn’t been introduced yet. “Most ladies here play nice in public and hide their claws... For someone to act the opposite is one change I’d like to see happen.”

From her skin that was a shade slightly paler than most people in the room, and how she seemed to be among the rare candidates to respect her, Cessilia guessed she was Ishira, the candidate of the Hashat Family. Dressed in a long, indigo-blue dress, she bowed politely to the Princess as their eyes met, confirming her pacific intentions.

“Already ready to follow in the Princess’ shadow, Hashat?” scoffed Safia. “So typical of your clan of cowards...”

“You’re the one who should watch it,” Ishira hissed back.

“We’re only speaking the truth. Moreover, the Princess left the room earlier, didn’t she? I saw her leave, just a while before Vena was murdered. Why would she leave the banquet at all, when we weren’t done presenting ourselves, and plus, to return afterward? Her room isn’t so far, either. It’s only facts. She had the time, and a motive to kill Vena, didn’t she? One less candidate, wouldn’t you have been relieved to take that eyesore out of your way?”

“Lady Safia!” protested Naptunie, furious. “How dare you make such accusations?! Lady Cessilia is innocent, she only left for a short while, and why would she kill Lady Vena?!”

“Who knows,” shrugged Safia, visibly amused to have everyone’s attention, and to sow some doubt around. “Perhaps the Princess thinks this whole competition isn’t worth the trouble.”

“It’s not the t-trouble t-to murder someone either,” said Cessilia, annoyed. “I d-don’t need t-to lie or cheat.”

“Unlike some people we know,” scoffed Tessandra.

“How dare you accuse us of cheating?!”

“You’re welcome to return our gold anytime, then. Don’t you play Miss Righteous with us any longer. First, our room was ransacked, and now another candidate was killed. How much dirtier is this going to get?”

“She has a point,” said Bastat, crossing her arms. “None of the clans will follow a queen that gets her way with tricks, lies, and murders. Lady Cessilia may have brought a dragon, but she also proved she didn’t need one.”

“How is that?!” shouted Safia. “What can she do without her dragon, then?”

“Are you by any chance blind?” said Ishira, sighing. “Her hands are like this because she manipulated glass to make herself a dress after her belongings were vandalized. It takes courage to purposely injure yourself, even if you have great healing abilities. Not only that, but she sent a warning rather than an act of revenge, and she bested us all in showing her abilities, those she used and those she didn’t. You can’t claim Princess Cessilia’s efforts were for naught, unless you really want to act blind. ...Oh, and please spare us your usual dramatic shock. Do not pretend, you were all gloating about how she would have nothing to wear tonight. Seems like you were quite off the mark.”

Safia’s mouth opened and closed several times, completely in shock at how Ishira had just defended Cessilia. She clenched her fists, humiliated like a child.

“I... I only heard it from the servants! And it doesn’t prove she had nothing to do with Vena’s murder! Or are you also going to pretend she couldn’t have done it? You all saw her leave too!”

Tessandra glared around, but this time, none of the candidates spoke up in their favor. Bastat and Ishira turned their heads, visibly deciding to ignore Safia’s claim or pay attention any longer. The other candidates were exchanging looks, either smiling at the idea of cornering the Dragon Princess, or simply curious as to what was to unfold next. In fact, while they waited for the King’s return, the whole audience seemed captivated by the fight between the beautiful ladies present. They were all whispering in low voices, unwilling to take part themselves but happy to witness. Behind the two candidates of the Yekara Clan, many people were glaring at the Princess, or whispering about how she could have murdered Vena. The only people invested were those who had been crying since earlier, Vena’s people, the Pangoja Clan. Their other candidate, Istis, had red eyes, but was visibly holding it in. Instead, she glared at Cessilia, stepping forward.

“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself, Princess?” she said. “You should at least explain where you were!”

Cessilia stared at her, unwilling to speak. She took a deep breath in and slowly shook her head.

“I d-did not k-kill her. Nor order anyone t-to do so.”

“That doesn’t tell us where you were!” shouted Ashra, a snarky smile on. “Could it be you have no one to take your defense, Princess? No witness to confirm wherever you went? Isn’t it odd, for someone always stuck with the Dorosef girl and that boyish woman?”

Next to Cessilia, Nana furiously clenched her fists, stepping forward, but Tessandra raised her hand, and faintly shook her head, telling her to stay back. Instead, Yassim stepped forward.

“Lady Ashra, you should not–”

“Shut up, old man. I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the Princess. You stutter but you should at least be able to say something for yourself, no?”

“...That won’t be necessary.”

The calm voice took everyone by surprise.

With a faint smile on her face, Jisel stepped forward, her hands behind her back and an innocent look on. She was the last person they had all expected to speak up right then. In fact, most had completely forgotten her presence at all. She had been waiting in the shadows all this time, only to come out now. It was clear the King’s mistress was amused by the situation. Even Ashra and Safia exchanged a stunned look. The redhead put her fingers to her lips, smiling at them, a smile that didn’t foreshadow anything good.

“I’m impressed,” she said loud enough for all to hear. “His Majesty is gone, yet so many young ladies are eager to acquire justice themselves.”

“That’s not it,” declared Safia, frowning. “We were merely asking questions!”

“Really? I thought you were almost going to murder the Princess here and now. Or at least, scratch her face or something. I am a bit disappointed.”

Everyone was shocked by her words, but there definitely was a hint of truth in them... They had been quite ruthless. Jisel chuckled at their stunned faces.

“Do you have something to say?” asked Safia, impatient.

Cessilia noted how, unlike her cousin, Ashra had gone carefully silent right now, her eyes on the redhead. It was as if she had forgotten Cessilia to focus on Jisel instead, with something more complex, like... fear in her eyes.

“I do,” said Jisel. “The Princess is innocent, I will vouch for her.”

“...What now?” exclaimed Tessa, raising her eyebrows.

Cessilia was just as confused. However, Jisel smiled at her briefly, before turning to Safia again.

“There, you have it. You wanted a witness, didn’t you? I saw where she went and when she came back. She did not kill Lady Vena.”

“But–”

“Are you doubting my words?”

Jisel’s question held more threat than it seemed. Safia glanced toward her cousin, but seeing how passive Ashra had gotten, she swallowed her saliva, and possibly her pride.

“Fine...”

However, Cessilia wasn’t fine. She wasn’t happy with having Jisel stand up for her, of all people. She didn’t understand why that woman had done that.

Jisel smiled, visibly satisfied with the candidates dropping the whole subject, and slowly walked up to Cessilia. Around them, no one dared to make loud comments anymore, and seemingly, the people from each tribe were talking between themselves, most likely about the murder. Hence, with most people forgetting about them, she freely approached Cessilia. Her eyes went to the fur cloak on the Princess’ shoulders, and she chuckled.

“I’ve seen that ugly thing somewhere.”