Chapter 58: Chapter 58

As soon as Shia and Khailis were shown to their rooms at the Imperial Palace, Shia locked the door and sat herself right in the middle of the hard, marbled floor.

“A-are you alright?” Khailis asked, patting the top of her head gently.

Shia did not speak. Her eyes were set downcast, and she felt so rotten to her core. She really didn’t want Khailis or anyone else to ever see her in this state. She hated that she needed comforting from her, and she hated herself that she let someone as vile as the old king make her feel so powerless and so defeated.

She tried to act as nonchalant as she could when she was at the balcony earlier and even afterwards when she was escorted down from it, holding the king’s arm like they were really engaged. In truth, her insides were churning rapidly, trembling in nervousness and repulse of what had just taken place between her and the king.

“Shia, we need to inform Langrey as soon as we can of what might happen to him.”

Shia continued to look down at the seemingly incoherent shattered patterns against the marbled ground. Will she be able to break away from the deal she just made with the king in three days’ time? She initially thought that she’ll have more time to come up with a good strategy to free Langrion, but it seems that the king was more cunning than she thought. Shia had underestimated him. She didn’t know he would rush things like this... Had she known, she would have just attacked Lord Fincher right then and there when he came over to arrest Langrey and Khailis at the Littman Manor. It wouldn’t have to turn out for the worse like this.

“Khalis, tell me... can we do it? Can we really free Langrion?... Can I still get away from the king?”

“Shia, of course we can! You can get away from him. Even if Langrion’s life is not at stake, you should definitely steer away from the king - at all cost! Don’t lose hope, alright? You’re not alone in this battle.”

Shia wiped the tears that had threatened to fall down her cheeks. Khailis was right. She was not alone in this task. Although it feels like the world is crashing down on her, Khailis was here. Langrion was still here. She’s not alone. She has them and the mage, and... That’s it!

“You’re right. We need to talk to Langrion by tomorrow or the next day. I’ll see what I can do,” Shia said. She wanted to stand up, but Khailis hugged her.

“Shhh... It’s alright. Let’s just stay like this for a while, okay? Just rest here for a while. You can grieve if you want to. I know you had been holding everything in for a long time. You are a brave girl, Shia. I’m proud of you...” Khailis stroked her hair, and she found herself crying openly, letting everything that had happened from Sensala until now flow down from her eyes.

******************

The next day, the tender caresses of the afternoon sun slipped into the open window of Lady Edelfina Narnis’ room, making the mirrors of her dresser light up with elegant colors. She smiled as the lights appeared. It was a beautiful day for her, and it can only get more beautiful if she succeeds in the task she had set out to do.

She had been feeling unwell ever since she learned of Prince Langrion’s imprisonment. She started to develop so much dizzy spells that it made the journey to the Capitol such an ordeal. If it weren’t for Shia, she wouldn’t have had to travel hurriedly back to the Capitol. She could have spent a more leisurely time with Danterion and would have possibly convinced Langrion by now to stay behind and support her as she becomes queen.

But everything was ruined the moment she learned that Langrion was betrothed. If she only stopped him from leaving that day when she returned his ring, none of these things could have happened...

Edelfina had been so used to Prince Langrion doing little adventures on his own that it failed to occur to her that he might find someone else to like so easily. After all, he had loved only her for a long time, and she did not think he could forget the bond that they shared since childhood as swiftly as he did. Langrion would have eventually given in to her whims, and she was positive that he would have supported her dreams of being queen while he remained close by in the sideline.

However, that Shia from the Andry household just needed to come and ruin the path that she had envisioned for herself all along! Edelfina unconsciously twirled her golden curls in frustration when she first heard about her from Langrion’s official letter to the king, asking him to recognize their engagement as soon as possible.

Edelfina hated the fact that someone else needed to come to Langrion’s life and replace her. Furthermore, why did that blasted girl need to come from that particular noble family? It was the family that the old prune had been obsessed with since the gods know when. As a result, the king haplessly made her and Danterion go with him to Sensala, promising them that they can announce their engagement there. He did it just so he could verify the likeness of that Andry child to the duchess with his own, two eyes; and after seeing her, he was apparently engulfed with lust and greed.

Following the king’s bid proved to be the start of Edelfina’s misfortune. She did not expect that the heir of the Andry’s bloodline would be both beautiful and feisty – a combination that threatened her once unparalleled reign in the heart’s of men. She did not want to admit it to herself, but she could see right then and there why Langrion had been enthralled by her. She was graceful, sultry, and assertive. She did not hesitate to step up for herself and defend others when they first met in front of the dress shop.

Shia Andry was the incarnation of her worst fear, being the very first woman Langrey had ever taken a fancy of, aside from her. After hearing the king’s announcement yesterday, she knew that this Shia was an even greater threat to her future than she could ever imagine.

It didn’t help raise her nauseous spirits at all yesterday when she heard the crowd’s taunts against Langrey. It was equally displeasing when they cheered for the king as he announced his upcoming wedding in three days’ time.

“The tea that you have ordered from Jazamel has arrived, my lady. Should I make you some?” There was already some tea boiling in the teapot, but those were reserved for later.

“Please do. I have been rather nauseous lately. I need tea to calm down my nerves.”

Talita, Edelfina’s server since childhood, started to worry. “Nauseous? You had never been quite sickly when you were younger, my lady. For how long had you been feeling nauseous?”

“Ah, since I had received some bad news about the prince; it was probably about a week ago.”

“Then, instead of tea, I suggest that you talk to a doctor. Have you seen one while you were in Sensala?”

“That’s not necessary... Just make me some tea. I am positively craving for it.”

“B-but, my lady, we should make sure first; otherwise, it could be bad...”

Edelfina’s temper was about to rise again, when suddenly, her servant’s word started to sink in to her.

“Do you think so?” Could Talita’s hunch be true? It is highly possible since she had been with Danterion for almost a year now. Could she really be?...

‘Then, all the more reason why I must see that Andry girl,’ she muttered inwardly.

Edelfina had already made the necessary preparations. All she needed was for her to come and seek her.

A knock in the door and a servant’s announcement made her smile.

“You requested to see me,” the girl said.

Shia Andry’s silver, wavy hair was tied neatly away by golden pins, exposing a lovely face. Despite her guest’s sallow countenance, her olive skin glistened in the afternoon sun. She had become even more pallid since Edelfina had last seen her in the library that she started to feel a little sorry for her. However, she had brought this upon herself too by trying to take Langrion for herself, so in a way, Shia Hyanessa Andry is to blamed for her current misfortune of becoming engaged with the king.

This was all the more better; Edelfina would make sure she helps in alleviating this Andry girl’s current suffering.

“Yes; you asked help from Danterion some time ago, right? How is that going?”

“He has agreed to help me learn to wield the sword better, but we haven’t found time yet given how rushed things had been.”

The girl looked downcast, as if some heavy stone was set upon her head. That’s understandable. Who wouldn’t feel mortified with being betrothed to the evil prune they call as king? Even the kiss they shared yesterday at the balcony felt foul. She must be suffering greatly from the things she would have to endure once they wed.

“Why did you call me here? I thought I was the last person you’d have wanted to see.”

Edelfina snorted. The girl was too straightforward, which irked her a lot; but this was probably for the better. She was also a straightforward girl herself.

“Of course you are, but I pity you. I saw the devilish way the king had taken advantage of you when he announced your engagement yesterday. The frightened look in your eyes convinced me that you did not plan this, so I am here to offer my help.”

At that exact moment, Talita brought the teapot and cups for the tea she had asked her to brew beforehand. She set it neatly on the table.

The tea smelled heavenly. Edelfina would have wanted some for herself if she didn’t know any better.

“How do you propose to help me?”

“I’ll discuss it with you, but first, let me offer you a cup of tea. It will help calm your nerves for what I am about to say.”

Edelfina started to sip her own cup of milk. It didn’t taste as delectable as tea, but she should be careful for now. As soon as she sees the doctor, she will know for sure. She wondered what Danterion’s reaction would be. Is he going to be elated? This would probably speed up the process of her own wedding.

Edelfina smiled inwardly. Things couldn’t get any better.

“Why aren’t you drinking any? Do you not like tea?” the Andry girl asked out of the blue. Does she suspect anything?...

“I was told tea might not be best for my current condition,” she replied curtly. This Andry girl is making her lose her composure. Why was she being so curious all of a sudden?

“I see...” The girl looked down at her cup for a long time before finally taking a sip. “Now, shall you tell me why exactly you have asked me to be here?” the silver-haired girl uttered again.

Edelfina made sure her guest had taken in another sip before she answered.

“Like I said, I wanted to help you. If you will be successfully established as the new queen, it’ll be disadvantageous for me too, so I have no choice but to help you in your undertaking of not becoming queen...”

“By help, do you mean you will silence me?” the girl replied. She was looking straight at Edelfina’s eyes with a gaze that showed fierceness. She really does have nerves of steel; that must be why Langrion had been smitten by her. Edelfina’s own heart started to look at her differently. Is she starting to admire this girl’s spirit as well?

However, this budding admiration had come too late. This feisty woman before her from the House of Andry had already finished the whole poisonous cup of tea she had served. It won’t be long before death comes snatching her away from the doorstep.