Chapter 133: Chapter 133

Sara walked confidently through the castle’s gate, greeting the guards who stepped out of the way for her while greeting her back, however, she did notice them exchanging a quick look, as if hesitating about something.

“You were asked to monitor my moves?” she asked calmly, her eyes reading the answers from the young guards’ faces that looked apologetic and uncomfortable with the orders they were given, but Sara didn’t take that to heart, she understood it was not in their hands but in the hands of their superiors, the question was, which one.

“The princess gave us orders!” hearing their words, Sara raised her brows until they almost touched her hair line, she expected Henry to be the one who gave the orders which wasn’t surprising at all with the things Eren told her, but for it to be her sister, it was all too strange.

What was her sister thinking? Sara wondered, not just abusing her father and questioning the people’s representative, but also investigating her, Sara wondered what would make Nara, who trusted Dahlia with her life, start questioning her.

Did Henry tell her about the things he found out? With that question in mind, Sara thanked the guards and resumed walking, pushing the matter to the back of her mind, it was merely the first hour of the morning and she was feeling exhausted, after her long talk with Eren, Sara felt that some of the weight was removed from her shoulders, which was strange and confusing, she not only felt safe with him, but he also…trusted him to be her ally, more than she trusted anyone, was it because of his strength? Or his unmistakable emotions?

A part of Sara was questioning her about her latest decisions, including the plan she and the shadows’ lord prepared to put an end to the riot, and about her willingness to cooperate with her enemy, however, That part was directly silenced when she thought of what is coming if she didn't make any move, the people's lives would be at stick, her nephew, if born, will grow up hated and rejected just like herself, she knew what it was like to grow up that way and she didn't want it for anyone, especially not her nephew.

Opening the door to her room, Sara knew her desire for a good rest had to wait, for Nara was sitting on the bed with her arms placed on her lap and a distant look in her eyes, her hair wasn't yet done or decorated, and was simply falling on her back and shoulders, forming big and natural red curls, uncombed and untamed, her dress was one of the simplest she owned, a plain beige one made of silk with white embroidery on the waste and shoulders, Sara found the look to be so serene, allowing Nara's beauty to show instead of hiding it under the shiny dressed and jewelries.

"My Princess..."

"Where have you been?!", Nara's voice wasn't angry nor was it hostile, it was instead tired and drained, making Sara's heart throb with worry.

"What is wrong, my Princess?"

"I asked you a question.", Nara said after clearing her throat making her voice stronger and more present, the distant look on her face was replaced by an authoritative one which didn't faze Sara at the slightest.

"I was strolling the streets hoping I might find some inputs about those who are feeding lies to the people.", Sara said without changing her expressions nor her tone, she was too tired to deal with any one at the time, especially Nara with her weird and skeptical behavior.

"Is that so?" Nara asked with a hint of sarcasm in her tone, " And what did you find? "

"I am guessing it has something to do with the remaining priests, they are the ones with the best interest in this whole ordeal, not to mention a man with a tattooed face was spotted on the crowd, He was the one asking those provocative questions.", Sara stated her facts with some twisting while studying Nara's expressions carefully, her sister remained silent for few seconds, an obvious conflict going off inside her head before she nodded in agreement. "I see..."

"Now if you may excuse me, Your Highness, I am very tired, I would like to have some rest if possible." Sara was indeed in need of rest, but from what she saw, Nara wasn't bulging.

"Have you forgotten your duties? Or maybe, you forgot your place and who you are speaking with?" Nara asked in an aggressive tone that took Sara by surprise.

"I haven't, Your Highness, I also haven't forgot that not a week ago I was poisoned and nearly died, but instead of giving my body the rest it needed to heal, I have been running erands here and there and investigating the riot, I can’t go like that any longer" Sara replied with a slight tint of anger in her voice, she didn't know what was wrong with Nara but she hated being addressed that way, the disrespectful way, No matter who was the one addressing her, she made sure they do it with respect.

“Well, it is your duty! You have sworn an oath to serve me, even if it cost you your life!” Sara almost coughed blood while hearing those words, unable to believe her ears, she narrowed her eyes as she asked for confirmation.

“You want me to die, Princess?”

“I want you to remember who you are and what you are here for, I want you to remember your duties and I want you to stop acting as you please all the time, remember, I am the princess, and you are my servant, it is about time we both start acting accordingly!” Sara stared at her sister with wide eyes and shocked expressions, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth, but the princess didn’t stop there.

“And this, I am all tired act, don’t you find it very unconvincing that even when you were ‘poisoned’, you still managed to take strolls in the streets.”

"Just so no one else has to, Your Highness..." Sara threw her sister with a pointed look, making her gulp and shift her weight from one side to the other, the impact of words hitting her right where it hurts, but Sara didn’t care, she was too angry with her sister and hurt by her words to care about the princess’ feelings.

"Very well then, a will let you rest for a while, but make sure you wake up before noon as we have important matters to discuss with Henry."

"Important matters?" Sara wondered what was there to discuss, maybe the king had some luck with his investigations about the culprits raising chaos, if his men were making half the efforts they did while digging up her past then they should at least figure out who was behind all of this.

"Yes, About all of this riot matter, And, about a possible alliance with the shadows’ lord."

"Isn't he already an ally?" Sara asked while walking to her bed where she took a seat and began to remove her boots.

"I mean a stronger and more permanent alliance, one that is sealed by marriage..." Sara stopped what she was doing abruptly and snapped her head at Nara, barely daring to ask the question, not that she needed to as her sister immediately finished.

"And the bride would be me..."Sara stared at her sister with shock evident in her eyes, she didn't even bother to hide it or mask it any longer, marriage? With Eren? Whom she was just with?

"You look surprised." Nara stated simply as if she didn't say what she said seconds ago, her eyes searching her advisor’s eyes and face.

"that is because I am surprised, when was this decided?" Sara quickly regained her composure, she didn't know what game Nara was playing nor did she plan to fall for it, not as easy at least.

"This morning, it is still on the table though..."

"I see, whatever you see fit, Your Highness..."

"So, you don't mind? Our engagement?" Nara asked, not sure of her knightess latest response as if she was waiting for something different.

"The only reason for me to mind this alliance is your indifference, if your heart belongs with someone else then I shall help you marry the one who has it, I want you to do the things you want, My Princess, and marry the one you love, and not for some alliance as if you are a broodmare..." two can play this game, Sara told herself.

"You..." Nara almost fumed but stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath, she looked at Sara right in the eyes, daring her to stand up for her words

"What if I told you that my heart belongs with Lord Eren? Since the very first time I saw him, he managed to make me feel things I never felt before..."

"Then I shall congratulate you, My Princess, and I will keep on supporting you and protecting you with my life." And maybe kill your future husband if this whole ordeal was meant to be true.

"Right after your nap though?" Nara, for some weird reason changed back to her kind self which surprised Sara, she was standing with a smile on her face, as if they didn't argue a few seconds ago, the change was too fast and, strange, too fast for the raging anger in Nara’s heart to subside, making it all feel as I the princess just changed masks.

"I will come to check on you later, Now, off to bed...", Nara said while walking toward the door with her smile still plastered on her face, leaving behind a wary Sara, once the door was closed behind her, she dropped the smile, sighing deeply before heading toward her room.

Sara, on the other hand, heard the sigh, she knew Nara was faking everything, both the smile and the alliance, but she couldn't understand the reasons for her actions, was she really that deep in love with Eren? She barely even knew him, Sara scoffed internally, she knew the shadows' lord had his charm but this was a little overboard, it was stupid and unreasonable from her sister's part and she didn't plan to simply sit around and wait as she sees her sister walk the same dreadful path she did a couple of years ago.

He is not the same though! He is a changed man, a better man, he is now almost the same as he pretended to be, a small voice whispered inside her, making her heart twitch, for she knew it was true, she knew he wasn’t going to harm the princess and that the alliance would indeed be strengthened this why, but the pain in her heart never stopped.

Sara didn't know when she fell asleep, but when she woke up, she noticed the clock didn't move that much, her body was still aching and the clothes she was still in didn't help either, unable to go back to sleep, Sara removed her clothes and walked towards the bathroom, letting the tub fill out with hot water, she stared at her naked body in the mirror, thinking back about Nara's words.

Her place, she thought to herself, how sad was it to be asked that by her own sister, Sara wondered if this was going to be her life, two years ago she would not even care but at that moment, she desired to be loved, and not for her deeds only, not for her mask but for herself, For Sara Yoren...

Touching her scars, Sara let her strong facade slip as her face contoured with sadness, feeling yet again supremely lonely and abandoned, disposable even, Nara's harsh words kept on repeating in her head as she immersed her body in the hot water, the heat slightly burning her face, she stared at the roof from under the water before letting out a muffled scream.

NOTE: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NARA'S BEHAVIOR, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HER?