Bab 22: ARE YOU CRAZY?

Cough!

Ariana still couldn't stop her coughing because she was too shocked. The food that she still eats now feels stuck in her throat. She quickly drank the water that was already on the table and drank it greedily until a little spilled on her dress but she didn't care. There's something else that she should care about! This is an emergency!

"Ugh," After emptying her glass of water, she continued to wipe her mouth with her hands, making Lily and Smith feel dizzy when they saw that.

However, Zayn looks at her in amusement. He didn't think that this new Ariana is quite exciting to see. Well, she is still an annoying girl but she is annoying with different kinds of feelings which he thinks he can tolerate a little bit.

After calming herself down a little, Ariana started staring sharply at Zayn who never changed his expression.

"Why do you call her so fast? You know I just got better right? Why can't you cut me some slack and let me breathe a little? Why are you being evil? " She's really all out here. No filtering at all.

Lily and Smith, who were listening began to tremble where they stood. Each time when eating together begins they will stand on the wall near the exit waiting for the Duke and princess to finish in case their master needed something unless they've been dismissed. So because they are still here, they can't help but hear everything.

Zayn's expression is unfolded. As if he's already used to this Ariana but because of his poker face, Lily and Smith feel more nervous as they know how badly he treated the 'sweet Ariana' before, so it's almost certain that he will treat this 'badass Ariana' more harshly. They just can pray that whatever happens won't be too much for them to handle.

"The grand ball that will be held at the royal palace will be coming soon. If you have not started early who knows what you will mess up later."

Ariana was silent listening to that. She knows a little about the grand ball as Lily once told her, but she doesn't take it to heart.

Meanwhile, Smith and Lily look at each other as the Duke's reply to the princess question is quite... Normal? It's not affectionate or something, but not that bad either.

"Besides, I got a letter from the secretary of royal this morning. The King is asking for your audience."

"The King?" Once again Ariana was surprised. She is certainly not ready to face her father who she knows is not like the father she used to remember and love.

"W-Why? I-I mean, why did the King want to see me?"

Zayn shrugs his shoulder a little.

"You tell me. You are the one who went to the royal palace before without a formal request. Are you doing something there that I must know?"

'Don't tell me my four brothers are aware that I was in the field and saw them killing people', Ariana started trying to find the reason.

"The incident that happened at the lake, I have never addressed it to them as it would be bothersome to me if they use the incident to get me to submit to their will, whatever it is when they never care about you in the first place. I hope you know what to answer if they ask you in that meeting. You probably can't pretend something never happens seeing yourself now, but I hope you think about your answer right."

"I assume you didn't want me to put you in a tough position." Ariana quickly caught that, something that Zayn never knew she would.

"I'm glad you understand." Zayn did not reject the statement.

Ariana pouted a little.

"You can just ask me kindly. Where is your manner duke?"

Zayn smirked.

"My kindness is just for some people. You should be glad as this is only for today. " Zayn then immediately got up from his chair and headed out.

Ariana looked at his dishes, everything is clean.

"Looks like you didn't have trouble eating in front of someone you hate."

What she didn't know, this is the first time he finished his meal when she was around.

~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon,

Ariana now finally faces facing with the infamous Madam Petunia. She is actually a Countess, also someone who has the highest rank in the city as she always teaches high-rank noble women. She even got a royal award for that, but, the worst is, she is fond of the previous King.

She didn't show that she didn't like this new empire, but knowing Zayn, who openly hates her, Ariana can guess something. Madam Petunia's harsh teaching to her must have been personal to some extent.

That doesn't mean Ariana will be discouraged. She used to face the worst type of people in her previous life anyway. This can't be bad. What can this middle age woman do to her anyway? She probably said some harsh words, but Ariana already practiced that with the Duke so what can hurt her now?

What is important now, she has a mission that needs to be implemented. If she can, she wants this woman to be one of her people and that plan will start now.

"I'm honored to be called by you again Princess." Madam Petunia starts talking, but her face is too straight for Ariana to read her.

Yes, yes, it's not me, but the Duke, who wanted to crush my peaceful life, Ariana can't help but nagging the Duke in her heart now.

"No, the honor is mine. I'm sorry about the short notice teacher, but thank you for coming." This is a gamble. Ariana learned that people from this era thought about 'teaching' so highly so she started with that together with her most innocent looks 'acting'.

Madam Petunia's face changed a little at that time, but she doesn't seem angry or anything.

"Ops," Ariana patted her mouth as if to detect her own fault.

"I'm sorry if I make a slip of the tongue. As the Duke probably already mentioned to you, I had an accident not long before and lost some of my memories so I might make a mistake here and there. What I know is that you were responsible for my education since long ago, so that makes you my teacher. Um... Should I just call you, Madam Petunia?"

At the time, Ariana noticed that the corner of Madam Petunia's mouth lifted slightly while her eyes were looking at her from top to bottom as if judging her, and Ariana was not mistaken.

'Let's see. She speaks in a friendly but modest manner. She also calls Zayn, the Duke as she should be in a formal situation. She also thinks highly of someone who used to teach her even though it was a long time ago. Maybe her loss of memories is not that bad at all.' Actually Madam Petunia didn't see this coming.

"It's fine with the teacher." She finally said, sounding proud actually.

"Really? Then, a teacher, it is. " Ariana flashed her glowing eyes as if she really loved the idea.

"But, I'm sorry in advance if I did something inconvenient during the lesson as people said my attitude is changing abruptly after the incident. I'm afraid I have a lot to learn and your hands might be full."

"I'll be blunt Princess. I might have some prejudice against you as you are a royal that I am not fond of but that doesn't mean I don't respect you. Maybe this loss of memories is good for this empire after all. "

Ariana was a little surprised to hear that, but she didn't lose her smile. In fact, she likes it. A person who can be honest when face to face is rare and precious.

"Let's sit first, teacher."

Now, both of them sitting comfortably, they continued their talk.

From here, Ariana can guess, the reason why Madam Petunia is harsh with the previous Ariana is not just because Ariana is a royal princess, but she didn't like Ariana because of her naive and stubborn attitude which does not suit her to be a princess. Madam Petunia probably thought that Duke Zayn deserved someone better or she probably thought that no wonder this princess was cast out by her own family.

Ariana might be a loner, but she got her own judgment which is hard for other people to accept. She forces her own believe to people and that's probably what makes Zayn more fed up with her.

The talk went on and on until late evening. As today is just an introduction no lesson is learned today. Ariana is now free of her schedule.

"That's right. Being humble and not pretentious or can I say 'a good girl act' always works with older people rather than being tough."

Ariana skips happily alone around the castle after the lesson alone and now comes across the lake which is the place she's been found and changes her soul with the other Ariana.

Her face suddenly changed as if she realized something.

"But why?" She asked herself while looking at the lake.

"Why am I acting as if I will never get back?"

One statement that she had been avoiding all this time since she was in a world that was different from the world she knew finally came to her mind like a slap. Her happy face is gone and changed to anxious, something she rarely feels.

"Am I really not coming back?"

Her eyes at that time seemed to be picturing the faces of her father and mother who were always there for her all this time, and her four brothers, Aiden, Ashton, Asher, and Ariel, who were always protective of her. Even the school that she always hated also appeared now.

A wave of longing began to weigh in her chest. So it feels too crowded. She then pressed her chest with her hand to ease the invisible pain. But the pain is too much until her eyes begin to water.

"No, no crying." Aware that she is becoming more fragile, she told herself this again and again, like hypnosis herself. She even patted her face left and right so that she would stop being a child. To her, crying means defeat.

She is already this far, she can't be weak. She hasn't even cried since being here and she wants to keep that.

But what she doesn't know is that it's not a bad thing to cry...

She might look pathetic at the moment, but her mind and heart will be light afterward.

All this because she still remembers what her mother said about her can live anywhere, including if she is in the desert. She forgot other advice from her mother... Which is much more important.

Whatever it is, for now, Ariana can't help but feel a bit depressed and anxious. She began to realize that she is alone and a stranger in this world. She also started arguing with herself about why she came to this world. Why is she the only one?

Slowly, Ariana walked closer to the lake.

"It all started with this lake." She spoke while looking at her reflection in the water. Once again, when looking at her appearance, she feels some of an identity crisis. This is not her at all!

She started closing her eyes and took a deep breath, so she could think more rationally. She still knows that nothing will change even if she blames fate.

"Wait."

Ariana suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the lake again. Then, she sat down and stared sharply at the calm water as if trying to ask for a battle. But the true is, she is thinking very deeply about something.

"When I fell into the sea, at the same time this Ariana here plunged into this lake. That's probably the time when our souls changed or whatever I can call it. So now..."

Ariana put her hand into the water.

"What will happen if I try to jump into this lake now? Will our body swap again? Or will I return to my real family? "

Ariana is clearly tempted by the idea.

~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile,

Silver Palace, west side, the Duke's office.

After talking with the princess, Madam Petunia comes to see the Duke in his office. Of course, even if it's late afternoon, he is still there working obediently.

When, Madam Petunia came in, in a rush he signed some of his paperwork before getting up and asking the woman to sit on the sofa.

Head Butler Smith, quickly poured tea and placed sweets in front of them before excusing himself to let those two speak calmly.

"You've never changed Your Grace." Madam Petunia said while laughing a little. She knows Zayn since he was little and knows how stubborn he is to finish something he starts even though it turns out he is already too tired. She is the same age as his mother anyway.

"You did too Countess. Still young and fresh." Zayn said his sweet words. He also considered Madam Petunia as his own family anyway.

"You know that is not what I mean, but yes, I can't deny my natural beauty."

Zayn laughs now as he is glad, Madam Petunia that he knows his entire life is still the same woman with great humor.

"Thank you for coming after the short notice. I didn't know how to show my appreciation."

Listening to that, Madam Petunia sips her tea a little as she wants to say something. That is why she is here to meet him when she supposes to be back at her compound by now.

"Don't get me wrong Zayn but I will speak straightforwardly now."

Zayn knew there was something serious going on here and started giving his full attention.

"Of course. I'll listen."

"Actually, I know why you choose me as her highness's tutor in the first place when she has just set foot in this palace." Madam Petunia said it while monitoring Zayn's expression.

Zayn flinched a little, but he didn't say anything yet.

"You know I am not fond of the new empire and I hate the King. So you must be thinking that I will give the princess a hard time while teaching her. Am I correct? " This time she wants to answer.

"I'm sorry." Zayn could only say this.

"No. I'm not saying this to confront you with what you are thinking and you are not wrong on that. I did treat her harshly and I'm sure your butler already informs you of that."

"I don't deny that." Zayn never thinks of lying.

"Did something happen with today's lesson that made you say all this to me, Countess?" That's what he wanted to know.

As whatever happened in the past, or what is happening, both of them always decide to keep everything to themselves and stay out of each other's work, but it looks like Madam Petunia trying to clear something up with him.

As if she could read what was in the young Duke's mind, Madam Petunia explained.

"There's no lesson today. We are just talking freely like a friend, things that we never did before. I am getting older, and I view something deeper than just what I see. Before, my hatred blinded me and Her Highness had difficulty because of that. I still tutor her honestly, but I can't tolerate mistakes, but she's still enduring it. I'm sure she still has a scar of my beating that will remind her of that time each time she sees that. Her stubbornness, ignorance, and arrogance clearly do not show that she is suitable for you or suitable to be a princess. But today, I would like to take my opinion back."

"You know she lost her memories right?" Zayn asked to make sure.

Madam Petunia nodded.

"That alone doesn't change people overnight Zayn. I am sure this is the true self that she tries hard not to show. She is different from her past self, but a good difference. I just wanted you to know that she's might be the Duchess, who deserves the title after all."

"And you just said that after meeting her this one time?" Zayn didn't want to believe it. One of his allies seems to betray him at this time.

"I will never take these words back." Madam Petunia never be this serious.

After the long talk, Zayn sends Madam Petunia to her carriage and sees her off as she gets going to her compound.

Her words before were still fresh in his memories, making it hard for him to calm down.

Yes, that person will be his duchess, but it doesn't mean he will stop hating her for that. He can't accept someone who before on the same page as him, likes that person now. Worse, what Madam Petunia just said, makes him think about his decision, 'about making her pay for his misery'. No, he didn't like this at all.

He then decided to walk for a while to clear his mind, in the open garden where he used to have tea time with the princess in one of the pavilions. Of course, he did that half-heartedly. Not far from there, is the lake that is the main factor in the confusion of what is happening now.

Zayn sighed a little now. He never thought that incident can change something or someone like this.

About to move away to return to his office, his ears caught the sound of something from the direction of the lake.

Splash!

His steps stopped. But then he moved again thinking that probably it was the sound of rocks or tree branches falling into the lake. However, his heart began to feel bad. The sound felt so big to think it was just a rock or a twig. Therefore, he now ran towards the lake.

How surprised he was at that time when he saw the princess's high heels at the foot of the lake, but the person was not there at all. His eyes keep looking towards the lake and he can see bubbles in one place.

He knows, the princess did it again.

Quickly, Zayn dives into the lake. As he can't see anything he comes up a few times taking his breath. Each time he goes up, he can hear the sound of the knight and maid in that area. They probably know something is happening.

Now, Zayn dives deeper. Thankfully, one of Ariana's accessories that she wears illuminates some light to make him aware of her position. He is now swimming closer to her who is now in a state of closing her eyes.

He hugged her tight and brought her body back into the surface. Above, the knights who was there helped the Duke and the unconscious princess to go up to the ground. Gasps of anxious began to be heard here and there from the maids who were watching.

"Get away from her." Zayn pushed all the knights that surrounded Ariana and started to be at her side.

He starts doing chest press that he learned from the doctor but still Ariana lying there unmoving. He started getting nervous.

"Tch." Zayn felt like he wanted to curse right now.

As using his palm doesn't seem to work enough, without thinking much, Zayn continues performing mouth to mouth breathing there. He looks so desperate that all the knights and maids who see are also surprised.

Sir Robert who had just heard the news now reached the place and also witnessed everything. He also can't believe what he saw right now as before the Duke seems didn't care if the princess will live or die.

Finally, Ariana regained her consciousness and coughed out a lot of water to her side. Didn't even give the girl time to settle down, Zayn yelled at her,

"Are you crazy?!"