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The next morning I woke up hastily and got ready with the help of Bella. I did not want to spend any more time here in this stupid palace!! As I was adjusting my dress in the mirror, Bella cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Miss, if I may ask, what happened yesterday..?"
"Nothing important, make sure you pack everything," I said. She bit her lip and bowed.
"Yes, miss."
As she collected the last of our things, she glanced back at me, before quickly looking away.
"Miss, I know we must leave soon, but are you sure that you should be moving around right now? And you barely ate anything last night, I'm worried that-"
"Bella." I cut her off. "The sooner we get out of here, the faster we can worry about my health." I said. My hands remained on my collar as Bella watched my movements before finally looking away with a sigh.
"I understand, Miss." she said. I nodded.
"Miss, the Advisor of the King informed us where we will be staying. They have already sent people to clean the manor. The carriage will stop in between so you may rest." She said. I nodded.
"Alright, shall we leave?" I said. Bella looked at me, trying to hide the pity in her eyes before nodding.
"Yes, yes Miss."
***
"Has she already left?" I asked Bo, standing with my arms behind my back, gazing out of my window. Bo scoffed and crossed his arms.
"Why do you still care about that bi*ch?!? She used you my highness-"
"Watch your lip." I snarled at him. He gulped and quickly bowed.
"Sir… but-"
"Regardless of our relationship, she still holds the status of a Reincarnation. You'd be wise to hold your tongue." I said sharply. He remained quiet and bowed. I heard the door open and someone walked in. In hushed voices, Bo talked to the messenger. I then heard the door close.
"Sir.. The servants have just seen her walk out the front gate-"
"Prepare a night carriage immediately!"
"Y-yes sir!" Bo bowed deeper before turning around and rushing towards the door. I looked down at my clenched fists. My jaw tightened.
"She truly..tch." I spoke in a hushed voice.
***
The carriage trembled once more. Bella held my wrist as she shook with it. She turned to me worried.
"Miss, we have already been on the road for so long! Why don't you rest? I will wake you up when we arrive at our first stop." Bella urged. I shook my head and continued to stare out of the window.
"I am still alright Bella, I was able to get lots of rest last night." I turned to face her. "Why don't you rest-"
Bella has already dozed off on my arm. I smiled softly at her.
'Throughout all of this… Bella was still able to stay strong.' I thought. 'When I have the chance, I will properly reward her.'
Just as I was about to pat her head, the carriage shook vigorously. I hissed as I was thrown against the wall of the carriage. I opened the curtains covering the window to see the ruckus. The guard guarding the carriage turned to face me and bowed.
"My apologies! We are almost at our resting point. The carriage will stop shaking soon." He spoke. I only nodded before closing the curtain. I sighed. Looking back at Bella, she had shifted from resting her head on my arm to my lap. I smiled once more.
Even in my own world. I never had someone to look after me like Bella has, although it might just be part of her job, somewhere along the line, I guess I started thinking of her more as a sister than a servant. I scoffed at my own thoughts.
How pitiful. I was so lonely my own maid became my only friend! My mind traced back to the 4th Prince. I gulped. My final words to him made my heart tug. I could feel the pain bubbling up to my eyes. All of the emotions I had suppressed until now, they were catching up to me.
Almost like lightning, I felt my throat start to close up. I placed a shaky hand on my chest as I tried to calm my breathing. But it was too late. I had already gone into a panic attack.
For the next couple minutes, I sat in the shaking carriage, my hand clutching my chest as I tried to clear my thoughts. I cursed under my breath.
'Damn it!! Why am I so useless???? I can't even help myself… how do I intend to clear the 4th Prince's name?' I thought to myself. Suddenly, I felt a warm heat radiate from my shoulder. Or rather- the mark.
My eyes widened as the feeling grew. It didn't burn, only leaving a warm feeling In my chest. Focusing on the feeling, I felt my throat expand as I could finally breathe. Taking several deep breaths, I quickly composed myself. My vision came back into focus as the tears in my eyes faded. I almost completely lost my train of thought. I sat in the carriage and blinked dumbfounded.
"What...what just happened?" I said. Pulling the top of my dress down, I scanned the mark on my shoulder.
The mark was radiating a dim white light. As I kept my eyes on it, the light dimmed.
"Black Jade… I'm the black jade." I spoke softly, reconfirming the answer that should've always been clear.
"All this time, I have been trying to avoid all these problems… I kept trying to take the easy route. I was given such an advantage.. the power of the Black Jade! Yet I still doubt myself." I slapped my cheeks and sighed frustratedly.
"How stupid can I be???? I became one of the most annoying characters in the show." I scolded myself. I then heard the carriage come to a halt. The clinging of the guards' armor stopped as well.
"Miss, we have arrived!" The guard yelled from outside. My heart dropped in realization.
"No...no! I'm too late." I whispered underneath my breath. I clenched my fists.
'There was truly no backing out now.' I thought to myself.
"Miss? Are you there?" The guard yelled again. I bit my lip harshly.
"Yes, I am coming." I said softly. I gently woke up Bella and we quickly made our way off the carriage. With every step I took off the carriage, I felt my destiny become more certain. In the morning, I would not be able to turn back, we will be sent to the manor. I turned around to Bella.
'Bella... she had followed me all this way, but now because of my poor decisions, she will be losing her only chance in living a good life. Bella stood behind me as I walked off the carriage. And soon, there was one step separating me and the ground, facing the Inn. I froze. Maybe it was just my imagination, but the sound of another carriage was getting closer. The sound quickly faded in my mind as I remembered my situation.
"This..this isn't what I want." I said softly. Bella tapped my shoulder.
"Miss?" She asked worriedly. "Are you alright?"
I gulped. In the end, I led to my own poor ending. I closed my eyes tightly. The sound of a carriage could be heard again.
'This couldn't be the end! Please, gods of this world, give me one more chance!' I begged.
"Miss!" Bella's yelling shook me out of my trance. I looked back down at the ground. I took a step down. Bella rushes in front of me after getting off the carriage. Concern written over her face.
"Are you alright? Did you not sleep in the carriage?" Bella asked worriedly. I smiled softly and shook my head.
Whatever happened in the carriage during my panic attack, made me feel better, and definitely helped my sleepiness. On the other hand, I felt mentally drained. I sighed and shook my head again.
"Let's just… go into the Inn." I said. Bella nodded. With each step we took in the direction of the inn, I felt my nerves rise.
'Is this… truly the end of my time here?' I thought. We took more steps towards the inn, the sound of a carriage grew. When suddenly, the guards turned back to the road.
"There is a royal carriage!" One of the guards yelled. Quickly, they all lined up at the side of the road, to bow at the approaching carriage. My eyes quickly dulled, the carriage reminded me of the 4th Prince. As well as the pain I caused him.
"If only...that was him in the carriage." I spoke hushedly. Bella grabbed my arm.
"Miss! " she whispered. " the carriage is coming closer! We must bow!" She said. I nodded and followed her lead, bowing at the carriage. I saw the wheels stop in front of us as we remained bowing.
"Greetings, your highness." The guards echoed in unison. Hearing them only made me more discouraged.
'Gods, I asked you to send me a lifeline. Not a going away ceremony!!!' I cursed internally.
"Rise."
I stood up, ready to turn around and walk back to the Inn. I would rather accept my fate then loath in front of another Prince-
My eyes widened as I saw the person looking back at me. He was staring right back at me.
"4-4th, Prince?"
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(Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed.)