Chương 16: The escape route

It was done! The urgency of the moment made me take a stupid decision and I regretted every bit of thought process that went through that one agreeing word! My heart sank in my chest as all the possible wrong scenarios that could occur in my life for this foolish agreement played through my mind. I cursed at myself for creating more problems for me to drown in.

Why would he even want to marry me? I shook my head getting that question out of my mind 'Idiot, that was something you should have asked him before saying a rash YES!', I cursed myself yet again. If I don't get out of this scenario soon, then only Goddess Luna knows what my father, the King, will make me face!

"Are you worried about the case Selene?" Channing asked, concerned probably looking at my pale, sweaty face making all sorts of regretful expressions. He didn't know what mess had happened just now, and even if other girls swoon over Fang and would die for this opportunity, I was promised to someone else.

Plus this is a stupid case! This trickster knew exactly when to ask the question so I don't get a rational amount of time to think through a response.

"No", I answered Channing and shook my head lightening the tension on my face, I didn't want Channing to comfort me more than what he already has done.

But when I turned I saw Fang's face and an uncontrolled comment passed my lips, "You know I kind of am, if the real preparator isn't ready to admit his crime, of course, I would be concerned, *sigh* people are so selfish in today's world"

My straight face was reeking anger through my fuming eyes, I would gladly go to jail if I am presented guilty of Fang's murder.

But Fang didn't pay any heed to my words looking at the waiter who was serving our food, 'How pretentious!' I rolled my eyes looking away. Fang was getting on my nerves just from ignoring my words.

When it was in his interest he didn't take his eyes off me, but look now! look at this coy face of his so focused on the food.

Channing rested an assuring hand on my shoulder breaking my attention away from Fang, "Don't worry Selene, if you are truly innocent then the public would notice as well and speak up for you"

That would have been a case in village trials that the public deems the final verdict wrong and the poll would have shifted to a majority vote. But this was the royal court, they follow strict laws here!

Channing didn't understand what was troubling me and if he did I don't think this time there would be any solution inside his head.

I turned to Fang again trying to pull him into this, if he thought I give up easily then he was wrong! "Ya I hope Fang helps me out, after all, he has a lot of fan following. Can surely bring in a lot of support!"

Fang's eyes finally lifted up from his plate and he took another spoonful of his bruschetta staring into my eyes. "Sure," he mumbled with his full mouth and staged smile, "but that can cost me a huge deal in the king's court"

"King's court?" I questioned with a ridiculous face, confused about what kind of game he was starting now.

Channing was quick to answer, excited as if a mother proudly sharing her child achievements, "Yaa! Fang is famous for those very reasons, he is the youngest minister inside the king's court!"

"What!" I exclaimed. It was a shock, of course, because most of the ministers in the court are in their late thirties. Fang looked not a year older than 25.

"Yaa he is also the representative of his village in the court", declared Channing straightening his chin as if boasting about his own self, "you know Selene, usually elders go as representatives, but somehow Waterwoods chose HIM for that role"

"Wow", I was practically speechless and Fang casually continued eating his food. Those were obviously some achievements he had, but my concern was going in a different direction now.

If he is a minister, does he know I am the princess? thinking about it I had never made my appearance in the court as I wasn't allowed to, but what if he somehow saw me?

That should not be possible, there are no paintings or photos of me in the sitting area or the court. I had spent half of my life locked in a prison dungeon and no one knew of it. Did my father tell anything about me? Maybe to keep a watch on me and revealed my face?

Is that why Fang asked for marriage as the price! Because I am the princess? If that is the case I have created a way bigger mess than I had expected it to be. It was imperative to make sure I turned his game around.

Fang shot his gaze up with a devious smile in his eyes as if reacting to my thoughts, picking up the napkin he wiped his already clean mouth, "You see little one, how troublesome it will be for me to exploit my powers and prove someone else innocent. I do have quite a lot of fan following but I utterly hate every single one of them! So don't expect those favours from me."

His sugar-coated sounding words made me do a sarcastic fake smile, "I don't need those favours, I believe the real criminal will be telling the truth today"

"Of course, after all his price is getting paid heftily", Every word that Fang spoke was affecting me to the point that I was going crazy. The way his eyes closed in support of that vicious smile made me want to scream and throw a chair at his face.

My jaw clenched and my eyes closed, taking a deep breath I relaxed my body and focused on eating my pasta. If he was a minister then I was the princess.

I thought exhaustively replaying his little agreement, there was definitely some way out of it. Every little action and every single word could make a difference in getting me out of it.

The rest of the lunch went quietly for me, everyone else was having their time with nostalgic talks that I could not understand. But I was focused to the point that I was now scraping the empty plate with my fork and then putting it in my mouth.

Suddenly the bells rang and my concentration was broken by Channing shaking me violently, "Selene! Selene!"

"Huh", I turned to him, absent-minded about the present.

"Let's go, the bells for the court to commence have rung", Channing got up ready to go and scanning the room I realised only two of us were sitting here.

"Where did everyone else go?"

Channing dramatically pulled me by my elbow, I stumbled a bit through the chairs but he held me securely in place. "Everyone is probably inside the courtroom, you were so busy eating the Air on your plate that we didn't disturb you"

He chuckled reminiscing about my foolish act and I couldn't help but break our eye contact. He could have just brought me back to sense then be made a fool out of in front of Fang, I blinked my embarrassed tears back and walked behind Channing.

The case wasn't haunting me anymore because I know what will happen when we head inside.

During this concentrated time for Fang's Price, I figured out an easy escape plan from it. The mess felt like nothing now. It was just a matter of time till Fang fell flat on his face when he knew how I had tricked him into believing that I had accepted his grandiose price.

An evil grin spread across my face as my eyes widened imagining the scene when Fang gets to know. His shocked face already made me feel a bit proud of myself and I straightened my back.

The moment I lifted my happy face I saw that cursed person standing at the entrance. I rolled my eyes and looked away, there was no way this person was bringing my morale down again.

"All the best Selene", wished Chief Jack through his obstinate lips. I staged a smile at him as irritating as what Fang had given me and simply walked inside without replying to his inimical thoughts of torturing me.

I was in too good of a mood thinking how I am about to trick Fang. It was a kids trick used in politics but I knew it would work out perfectly fine. Just you wait, Fang Warchild!

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