Bab 9: Chapter 09: Really Pitiful
While Zarniya was faced with a hungry predator. On the other side of the Kingdom, Princess Felina was in reverie. Steward Leah saw that and worried for the welfare of her perfect first princess.
Princess Felina had been acting differently since the day that she was awakened from her delirious fever. Steward Leah wanted to bring back the Princess Felina she once knew; however, her Princess seemed to have this permanent change. It was not confirmed but according to how the first princess was acting these days. This might be related to that slave- Princess Felina had been obsessing about giving that slave to that worthless thirteenth princess ever since she was a little better.
Steward Leah saw Princess Felina begging the Queen to give away that slave.
Now that the slave was given, Princess Felina seemed to have been more anguished.
"Princess Felina, the maidservant from the Amethyst Castle has come to tell you the situation there," Steward Leah said.
Princess Felina looked at herself in the mirror, she regained her senses.
It was happening.
Elizart had finally arrived at the palace grounds.
"He's here," she muttered.
After realizing that the dream was somehow her reality, she had been trying to prevent Elizart's arrival to this kingdom. Yet, that swerve of events seemed to be prohibited to change.
She was anxious whenever she thought that she could not alter that dream from reality. However, when her mother approved to give away Elizart to the thirteenth princess, Princess Felina was extremely relieved.
"Eli," Felina muttered. "Elizart."
This was the name of that slave in her dream.
It was a dream, but it was so vivid as if she turned back to time herself. She experienced everything and this time it felt like she was living a second life. He had not seen him yet this time but if he really looked like that slave in her dream... Then, everything would come true.
It was comical, how she believed the dream and tried to prevent it. But also, there was a part of her that did not want to believe it. However, every time she was about to convince herself that it was not real, there would be a happening that would prove it was real.
Like how she never had seen Elizart's appearance, but she knew too well what he looked like. And if that slave looked like Elizart then…
…
Felina pursed her lips and narrowed her line of sight to Steward Leah's reflection in the mirror.
Steward Leah said that it was such a shame that such an exquisite slave was wasted to the thirteenth princess. He must be extraordinarily looking since Steward Leah got upset about how Elizart was given to Princess Zarniya.
It was a waste, yes. But compared to the future that was supposed to happen, this was a better beginning for her.
Princess Felina might have lost the man but not her life.
Princess Felina was not entirely sure how this could affect her future however, as long as little things were happening, big things would result in better.
"Let her in," Princess Felina said.
A maidservant bowed when she entered from the door. Princess Felina silently waited to hear what happened, and the maidservant said every detail she remembered until they left the thirteenth princess alone with the exceptional-looking slave.
Elizart arrived at dawn, he was presented to the thirteenth princess before the afternoon. Steward Leah reported on that part.
It was already dark outside, and another report came from the maidservant princess Felina assigned to watch over the slave.
An hour or so passed and the thirteenth princess left the parlor and went to her bedroom with a stupor expression and clumsy footsteps.
It did not take long for the slave to open the door of the parlor and walk around the castle as if he were strolling and appreciating the palace. When he was exploring the interior, he strutted in his alluring fashion in the hallway with elegance and went directly to the princess's bedroom. Just now, before the maidservant left Amethyst Castle, she heard that the thirteenth princess rang the bell for the first time to order and serve dinner in the bedroom.
Everyone guessed that the thirteenth princess might be unable to leave her bed because of exhaustion from the service of the slave. They had that kind of notion since the slave never went out of the bedroom and the bell rang after hours.
The thirteenth princess had not tasted the pleasure for her eighteen years of existence, she must have indulged herself after receiving such a flawless slave to serve her.
Princess Felina listened attentively, there was no displeasure nor regret on her face. She might feel this way because she had not seen the slave yet. But every servant serving her, including Steward Leah who had seen the slave, was so regretful that the worthless thirteenth princess was having the benefits of that slave's expensive life.
Princess Felina could discern their gazes.
She knew that they were thinking she would regret giving Elizart to someone else once she saw him herself. But the truth was, she was very not willing to give away Elizart; she loved that slave in her dream.
Although it was a dream, she still had lingering feelings in her heart that felt so real for him. Even now, thinking that he was within reach, her heart was thumping loudly and the urge to see him was unbearable. However, loving Elizart had such a massive payment in exchange.
Princess Felina could not afford it.
Every night, she dreamt fragments of that dream, but it would always end when she was killed by him. So, to say, it was a dream and a nightmare at the same time.
"Observed him closely," Princess Felina said. "Tell me everything that he will do and speak. Don't let a second miss."
The maidservant bowed her head deeply, "I will do as you say, Princess Felina. I will do my best!"
"That's all, return to your post. Starting today, you should stay in the Amethyst Castle to watch over him closely, don't try to get smart or too courageous. Remember, you mustn't make Elizart upset."
"Yes, Princess."
"Make your way back. Leah, make sure to award Megan generously."
Princess Felina's servant did not understand why their princess would give up the slave that she liked to the thirteenth princess. She would even go overboard to do things like this. But they could not question her or judge her. The first princess had always been intellectual and reasonable. Although it had been a month since she got sick and had a change of temperament, Princess Felina never made a command that made no sense. They trust their princess and follow her orders regardless of their absurdity.
The maidservant left the room and Steward Leah left with her.
There were other maidservants in the bedroom, but Princess Felina felt so lonely and cold when everything went silent.
She recalled Megan's report and her dream event.
She could feel her heart clenching hearing that he went to Princess Zarniya's bedroom and did not leave. Thinking that another woman had claimed Elizart was heartbreaking for Princess Felina. But on the back of her head, she was somehow not convinced that something happened already. Since the maidservant did not see it personally, Princess Felina assumed it would be impossible for Elizart to serve a monarch so willingly.
How could he? In Princess Felina's dream, they never happened. How could Elizart and that thirteenth princess happen?
The first day he became hers, Elizart did not speak a word to her. She deeply admired him, and she was shy at that time. She was content with staring at him and having one-sided conversations. Elizart was very indifferent, he did not speak to her, nor look at her. His eyes were dimmed, and he was standing tall, not bowing down.
She knew that he did not acknowledge her as his owner or his master. He treated her as a wind, but she kept him close. Yet they never touched. Princess Felina could not recall when it was exactly, but it took her many weeks before he finally said a word to her.
"You don't own me," he said, his eyes were so dark, and she could see hatred within them. "Don't you dare lay your fingers on me or I'll cut them for you."
Princess Felina was not able to get near Elizart, even the strand of his hair was not allowed to touch. It was already hard to talk to him— what about sharing a bed with him? That would be impossible.
Princess Felina in that dream was deeply captivated by him. So, she waited and waited. She cultivated her relationship with him, and it took her to death. She was still unable to share warmth and love under the sheet with him even after all the years they spent with one another.
How could the thirteenth princess achieve something Princess Felina had not experienced in that dream? That would be so unfair…
Princess Felina did not know exactly how Princess Zarniya was able to make Elizart stay in the bedroom. Princess Felina had all sorts of reasons to keep Elizart close to her all the time. Princess Zarniya must have done the same. Though the maidservant did not say anything about Princess Zarniya begging Elizart, it must be the case.
"Megan is right, Princess," Steward Leah started while comforting the first princess. Looking at Princess Felina's expression, she was disheartened. "The thirteenth princess had not experienced being loved or served her entire life so she must be exploiting the slave. You're a magnanimous and kind sister to all of your siblings. Even a bastard princess is blessed with your graceful heart."
Hearing that Elizart was being exploited or threatened by the thirteenth princess made Felina complicated. How could such a meek female do that to Elizart? But Princess Felina chose to believe the impossible to comfort her own heart.
Also, there was no other explanation, was there?
Elizart was a proud being. He did not like being called a slave, he did not behave as a servant. He was unyielding and very elegant. His ambition was high, but he achieved it in the end. He became the ruler of this kingdom… even if it was in the dream, Princess Felina knew that Elizart could do it in this realm as well.
She was not aware when Elizart started coveting the throne of this country. She did not know what he did to sustain the nobles' faction support as well as the recognition of common people. He killed the rightful heirs and the King, yet no one criticized him for it. He stood at the top and he was respected and loved by this country.
He did not please anyone and did whatever he wanted; he was ruthless too.
Princess Zarniya couldn't have control over Elizart. Right now, she might even be suffering… It was understandable for the thirteenth princess to like or get obsessed with Elizart at first sight. But thinking that Princess Zarniya would not be able to touch even his hair strand, Princess Felina was delighted.
Princess Zarniya could only look but could never touch Elizart. She would like Elizart or even fall in love with him. But he would not spare her a glance. Elizart did that to Felina, it was her fate in that dream. That fate now belonged to Princess Zarniya, even the death belonged to Princess Zarniya.
Princess Felina patted her chest; she could not be jealous of a dying woman.
Princess Zarniya was really pitiful.
"Tomorrow, go to my treasury and find something to give to the thirteenth princess. A jewelry box accompanied by a jewelry set is good. Give her the pearls and the emerald set I have," Princess Felina said and stood from her seat to walk towards the bed.
She should take some rest.
Steward Leah followed her closely without speaking but her brows were knitting. Princess Felina already gave that bastard princess a flawless slave. She was personally invited to the first princess's birthday banquet. Now, she was also gifting that bastard princess jewelry. How could that bastard princess receive such grace from the first princess?
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