She already had the Sehsan, Dorosef, and Hashat as her allies, or at least, not her enemies. The Pangoja and Yekara Clans were the main source of trouble, but from what she had seen, this wasn’t just about her; those two clans would have also gladly gotten rid of the King and their other rivals if they could... From their candidates’ arrogance, Cessilia could predict those two clans wouldn’t ally themselves with another. Only the Nahaf and Yonchaa she had yet to meet, but they were at the bottom of her priorities for now. She was more interested in the mysterious Cheshi Clan... If they were opposing the King for the murder of the Kunu Tribe they weren’t even allied with, why were they still alive? It was like those people were in a cold war with the White King, biding their time. Perhaps they were even watching this competition from afar?
At least, Cessilia could feel a bit better, now that she was more confident Ashen’s heart was hers. The dresses in front of her were all absolutely gorgeous... Some even had threads of gold, complex embroideries, and gorgeous silk materials she hadn’t seen in the market. Naptunie seemed a bit dazzled when she had seen them too; Cessilia would ask her later if she knew about these materials. In the meantime, she felt a bit happy and took her time picking the ones she liked the most, until a little knock was heard on the door.
Cessilia frowned, wondering who would knock without announcing themselves, aside from Tessandra who would have barged in...
“...Who is it?”
The door slowly opened, and Jisel entered, a smile on her lips. Cessilia’s heart dropped. Something about that woman made her uneasy. The way her smile didn’t go all the way up to her eyes, or how she wriggled her body around like a snake with a steel spine. Cessilia began glaring at her without even thinking, while Jisel casually made her way into the room.
“Looks like I’m bothering the Princess, again,” said Jisel with her honeyed voice. “...Did you enjoy your presents?”
Cessilia’s eyes quickly went to the pile of dresses she was admiring just before. How did Jisel know about the presents sent by Ashen already? If he had just sent them that morning... That woman kept walking around the room as if she was visiting it for the first time. She casually put her fingers on the nacre of the column, reminding Cessilia how she had done the very same thing just a few days prior...
“You really don’t like me, do you, Princess?”
Cessilia didn’t answer. The answer was obvious... She was trying to understand why that woman had come. She didn’t believe it was a coincidence for her to appear while Tessandra was away...
“That’s fine,” said Jisel. “You and I are more alike than we would probably like to admit... Dragon daughters are so easily made jealous, and rather possessive. Aren’t we?”
Cessilia’s heart froze.
“You’re no d-dragon daughter,” she hissed back.
“How would you know?” scoffed Jisel. “We grew up in different countries, yet don’t we look alike?”
Jisel turned around. Cessilia realized they were about the same height, and had a similar physique, although Jisel’s dress was so flowy, she hid her curves. Her hair was slightly curly too, like Cessilia’s, and her red hair was a shade not too far away from hers. But the most similar thing between them was their skin tone. Even Cessilia’s siblings all had different skin tones, varying in shades closer to either her mother’s or her father’s. But for Cessilia, who’d never seen anyone out of her family look like them, seeing someone else with a skin color so close to hers was disturbing. Jisel tilted her head.
“You’re having dinner with the Hashat Family leader tonight, aren’t you?”
“How d-did you know?”
Jisel chuckled.
“The walls have ears here, Princess. There’s little you can conceal from others, no matter how hard you try. Everyone talks... Everyone listens too. I am good at getting useful information and using it well. ...You might want to remember that.”
“Are you th-threatening me?”
“No, I’m letting you know I can help. Again.”
“B-but we hate each other.”
Jisel chuckled and began slowly stepping toward her.
“Hate and anger are emotions that only serve men, Princess. I can’t be bothered to hate you. It wouldn’t help me, would it? I can’t hate my owner’s lover. Who would you think he’d kick out first? His loyal dog or his beloved Princess?”
Cessilia was shocked. Jisel was comparing herself to... a dog? Since the beginning, she had felt something was off about that woman. While her speech felt real, it also sounded like... someone broken inside. Jisel didn’t have the eyes of a playful, young woman, she had the darkness of someone who had seen a lot already. She reminded Cessilia of her aunt, or her grandmother, who could smile while coldly killing someone...
“D-don’t come near me,” Cessilia suddenly blurted out, seeing Jisel so close.
“You’re not scared of me,” said Jisel, ignoring her words. “You’re scared because we’re too similar, aren’t we? If we had been born in each other’s family...? Who do you think would be backing off now?”
Cessilia only now realized she had taken a step back. She glared at Jisel, but the woman chuckled, and turned around, putting her hands together behind her back while walking away.
“Ha... If I were you, I’d pick the green dress to visit the Hashat people. Just a tip... from a non-friend.”
“Why are you d-doing this? P-provoking me? What d-do you have to gain?!”
“Because it’s a bit fun... and also, because we need each other.”
“I d-don’t need you.”
“Oh, but you do. Aren’t you curious to know who commanded Vena’s death, and the attack at the Outer Wall?”
Cessilia’s expression fell.
“How d-did you...”
“I’m telling you, Princess. I’ve lived in this Kingdom for a long time. I know how to get information. Finding who bribed the guards is almost too easy for me... as well as getting rid of them.”
Jisel chuckled, and leaning her back against the door, she smiled at Cessilia once again.
“How about you try, Princess? Ask the Hashat Leader about me tonight. Ask those people my story... and your mother’s family, of course. Isn’t that what you want to find out? You’ll see and hear interesting things, Princess... and you can make up your own mind later. And if you still think we shouldn’t be allies after tonight... well, every woman for herself then.”
She silently left without adding a word, leaving Cessilia to stand there, frustrated and furious.
What was that woman’s real aim? From the beginning, Cessilia didn’t believe her words. As Tessandra had said, she was a snake in a nest of rats. Why would she help her rival? She had called Ashen her owner... Did she really have no connection to the Hashat Family, or any other, then? If so, why would the leader know her story...? Cessilia was feeling so uneasy about everything, she barely heard Tessandra and Nana coming back.
“Cessi, we tried but the place is closed off to anyone but the Royal Servants, since they are preparing the banquet, but... Hey, what is it?”
