“...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.”
“I d-didn’t need your help.”
“I know. But I figured you wouldn’t want to let the others know about what had really happened earlier. Am I wrong?”
Cessilia remained silent, refusing to give in to her questions. Jisel chuckled.
“So stubborn, Princess. That must come from your father, the War God. If your mother is like most of the long-lost Rain Tribe, she is probably more... flexible.”
Cessilia and Tessandra exchanged a look. Although they had suspected it all this time, it was quite odd to hear Jisel mention the Rain Tribe. The redhead noticed and tilted her head.
“Oh, please. You must have realized, right? You and I are probably distant relatives or something...”
“Our mothers had told us most of the Rain Tribe was gone.”
“Gone... or captured,” said Jisel. “After all, your mothers were made slaves, weren’t they? A concubine and a prostitute...”
Tessandra’s eyes opened wide, and her hand went to her sword. Cessilia reacted fast, grabbing her wrist before she pulled it out. Tessandra’s hand froze, but she still glared at the mistress.
“How much do you know about my mother?” she hissed.
“Just a little,” Jisel shrugged. “When the news spread that the War God’s woman was white-skinned, it got some attention even on this side of the border. The few who had survived the onslaught on the Rain Tribe tried to find out more, naturally. The women who had been made slaves... like my own mother. I guess not everyone could have a beautiful ending, though. She lived and died a slave, like most of those who had been captured. A handful lived long enough to be free again or bear the bastard children of their masters. The Hashat Family has a few of those, as well, you must have heard.”
She sighed and glanced toward the little group behind Ishira. Curiously, among all the people present there, they were those who seemed to be glancing their way the most. Even more surprising, they didn’t seem nearly ready to approach, some of them glaring at Jisel.
“...They don’t seem fond of you,” noted Tessandra.
“No. But not many people are, I would say. It’s one of the privileges of being the King’s mistress... Most people want you dead, or in their bed.”
She turned to the Hashat Family and smiled at them suddenly, which made those people uncomfortable, and they all stopped staring. Jisel scoffed.
“...Cowards, most of them.”
“How in the hell did you get in the King’s bed, then...” muttered Tessandra.
“I was lucky… Someone left that spot empty.”
Cessilia drew out Tessandra’s sword with one movement. The blade flew in the air, so quickly and swiftly, no one but Tessa realized at first. She stopped it one inch away from Jisel’s neck, her green eyes glaring at the young woman with murderous intent. Even worse, Jisel smiled and tilted her head.
“You could, you know. I’m sure no one would cry... Absolutely no one, I promise.”
She seemed to almost be offering her neck, but that only made Cessilia more reluctant to kill that woman. Still, her fingers were shaking on the blade. It might have been even more visible if they weren’t covered in scales.
“C-Cessi...” Nana whispered, a bit worried.
Eventually, Tessa raised her hand, and slowly took the sword from Cessilia’s hands while the two women were still glaring at each other. Around them, many eyes caught sight of the Princess almost killing the King’s mistress, and they were all curious as to what was going on. One of the women seemed amused, the other furious.
Jisel shrugged.
“I told you, I am not your enemy.”
“Don’t count on us braiding each other’s hair either,” retorted Tessandra.
“Oh, I know. However, I don’t have anything against you... unlike some of the ladies here. Perhaps you should think twice before making me your enemy.”
Outside of the room, Krai suddenly growled, making everyone jump, quickly reminded of the dragon’s presence. Its ruthless climbing on the building made strange sounds on the stone, and its growls were heard once again.
“...A dragon d-doesn’t share,” said Cessilia.
“Maybe he could learn to.”
