“We can assist–”
“G-get out.”
The triplets bowed, and quickly left, most likely to guard the room. Tessa pinched her lips. She wasn’t fond of the triplets, either, but she was a bit surprised by Cessilia’s cold attitude toward them. She crossed her arms and approached her cousin, who was still rummaging through the dresses.
“What is it, Cessi? We already established those three were spying on us for the King... is there something else?”
“They are t-trained for fighting,” said Cessilia, “b-but they aren’t g-good servants at all. They d-didn’t guard our room and b-burglars came in. They d-didn’t offer us anything to d-drink although we just c-came back and it’s hot outside, and the p-plants haven’t b-been watered either.”
Tessandra frowned and turned to the plants. Only her cousin would have noticed the leaves of the only two small plants by the balcony, slightly less green than when they had arrived. She looked around and realized Cessilia was telling the truth. It was all small details, but for someone who had lived in a palace, it was obvious. The bedsheets had small wrinkles, and there was a thin layer of dust on the columns of the room.
“Fine, perhaps they are bodyguards that have been trained to be servants, but–”
“I d-don’t think they are b-bodyguards, either. Somebody was f-following me yesterday when I was at the m-market with Lady B-Bastat.”
“Now that you mention it... I had a feeling we were being followed when we were with Sabael, but the place was so crowded, I couldn’t find who it was.”
“Ashen also knew K-Krai had taken us out,” Cessilia nodded. “D-do you remember how long it t-took us to get from the c-castle to the Outer G-Gates?”
“He arrived to save you almost right after those guys had begun chasing us... Even with a very fast horse, it should have taken longer than that. ...Do you think the triplets were watching us and tipped him off? That we had left?”
“I’m n-not sure,” sighed Cessilia, “...b-but I don’t t-trust them.”
“Well, I don’t either, but it’s rare to see you so... careful, Cessi,” said Tessandra, sitting down on the bed.
“It’s l-like you said. There was a m-murder already... We need to b-be more c-careful.”
Tessa and Nana exchanged a look. Naptunie nodded, agreeing with Cessilia. The fact that a girl from one of the most powerful clans had been murdered inside the castle itself was troubling enough already, but after the burglary and the attack, they just couldn’t act as if this was simply an isolated threat anymore. They were all impacted by the clans trying to push their candidates up while getting rid of others.
While rummaging through the dresses, Cessi couldn’t help but think she had made a wise decision, keeping her relationship with the King a secret for now...
“Nana, when will th-the next b-banquet be?”
“Oh my god, I completely forgot to tell you!” exclaimed the young woman, jumping on her feet. “I heard from my uncle that it was decided at the morning council that the next banquet will be tomorrow! Apparently, since the candidates are in danger, they all want to rush the competition. A lot of the Lords also asked to have bodyguards in the castle to protect their candidates, but His Majesty didn’t attend that council, and they just kept fighting about it, so it was dismissed for now...”
“No wonder,” scoffed Tessandra. “The King won’t accept them bringing more of their own men into the castle when they are all already busy trying to murder each other... I wonder who made him late, hm, Cessi?”
Her cousin blushed, tightening her grip on the dress she was holding. Next to them, Naptunie blushed too, and went to help Cessilia sort the dresses, clearly needing to do something with her hands.
“The Lords agreed to have the next banquet held in the arena, apparently.”
“An arena?” Tessandra repeated. “...Is that a joke?”
“No... Apparently, several of the candidates have asked to have more space for their next demonstrations, so enough of them agreed to have it held in the arena...”
“N-Nana, where is th-the arena?”
“Oh, it’s below the ground, under the castle! It was built to look like an arena, with stairs and everything, but it’s not that big... It was originally a vacant cave in the castle’s foundations, but the previous King had decided to use it for the soldiers to train because he had too many of them. Sadly, it became more of an execution room than anything. I have never seen it myself, I heard it was closed for years.”
Tessandra smirked.
“Of course... They don’t need more space, they need an underground location.”
“Somewhere a d-dragon can’t reach,” muttered Cessilia.
Nana’s jaw dropped.
“I didn’t even think of that! Do you think they chose that location because Sir Dragon scared them?!”
“Or because he won’t be able to defend Cessi this way...”
“What d-do you think, Nana, c-can a dragon g-get there?”
Nana pouted, a bit unsure.
“I’ve never gone to that place myself... It’s probably closed to the public too if they are to be ready tomorrow. I could ask the people working here for information, though! I get along with some of the girls in the kitchen, and–”
“Let me guess, one of them is your cousin?” chuckled Tessandra.
“H-h-how did you know...?”
“I think I’m starting to understand a thing or two about your family, Nana. Alright, we can try and ask about it, then. I like to know the grounds before a battle... and see if it’s really as protected as they said.”
“We won’t need t-to use K-Krai...” Cessilia protested.
“The last time we couldn’t call out the big guy, we ended up running with three dozen assassins behind us, Cessilia. I will go check with Nana, just to see what it’s like, alright?”
Cessilia protested, but the two women quickly headed out, leaving her there with her dresses. Cessilia let out a long sigh. She didn’t have any idea yet of what she would do at the next banquet, especially in a new location. She would have to figure something out by tomorrow, which worried her a little. After she had tried to act tough in front of Ashen, she didn’t want to act disappointing in front of all the Lords, candidates, and him... She had ruled out showing more of her dragon-related abilities. It was enough that she had made a statement about it. If she relied any more on this, it would be the same as crushing her way to the top, the last thing she wanted. For now, Cessilia was interested in winning, in a fair way.
