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Bella helped me get dressed quickly. From the purple gown, I was wearing into an all-white gown. She changed the hair accessories in my hair from gold to silver. She carefully tinted my lower lip before standing back and nodding.
"All done, miss."
I nodded.
We walked swiftly to the Queen's Courtyard. I noticed the girls in training glancing at me in shock as I walked passed.
"She's returned? How is that possible?"
"She's licked the shoes of the queen to let her come back!"
"....."
There were three girls, but one didn't say anything. My footsteps paused as I glanced over.
Two of the girls quickly looked away, hiding their guilty faces from me. The third girl just stood, looking down curtly.
"Miss Charlotte. Correct?" I spoke up. The other girls glanced at me in shock. It was most likely the first time they had heard me speak. She girl walked up to me before bowing.
"Lady Black Jade, it is an honor to meet you. Please ignore the thoughtless words of these girls. They truly mean no harm." She said. Her voice was smooth and collected, her face was the same as when I saw her the first day here. I continued to stare at her.
'The original female lead…' I thought.
She must be connected in some way to this change in events!
"Miss? We must hurry if we want to meet the Queen. We should not waste time." Bella's words snapped me out of my trance. I nodded before giving a toothless smile to Charlotte.
"Although we must leave now, I'm sure we will meet again." I said slowly. She slowly rose.
"My lady? What do you meet by-"
"I shall take my leave" I quickly interrupted. Bowing slightly towards her, Bella and I continued on the way to the Queen's Manor. As the distance between the three girls and us grew further, Bella spoke up.
"Miss? Did you know that girl?"
"In a way, yes."
Bella didn't ask anymore questions. We quickly arrived at the Queen's Manor.
I instantly noticed the new faces. Did the Queen replace the sisters? I had forgotten their names already. As we got closer to the Manor, the Queen's new maids bowed respectfully.
"Miss Black Jade has arrived." They said.
"Let her in. Quickly!" I heard the Queen beckon. They opened the doors for me as I walked in. The second I passed, they closed it. I walked towards the Queen, who was sitting in her chair, versus last time where she was still on bed rest, she looked much healthier. I quickly understood why the Queen was favored by the King.
Her rosy complexion and glass like skin was something that many could only dream off. Her features were unrivaled. Naturally red lips with piercing eyes and a perfect v-shaped face. Her eyebrows were sharp and exact, her nose was small yet added to her icy gaze. However, her eyes that were once dull and lifeless contained the smallest amount of vigor. I couldn't help but smile.
I quickly bowed.
"I am thrilled to see Her Highness looking much healthier." I said. Even as I was walking into her Manor, the dark and gloomy atmosphere was slowly becoming more sophisticated. Fit for a Queen.
"Please, sit." She said. I bowed once more before taking a seat across from the Queen. She waved her hand, signaling her maid.
I noticed she had changed this one as well. All three of the girls had been switched. I remained silent.
"Bring snacks and tea. After leaving us to discuss." She said. Her voice also had some strength behind it. The maid bowed before quickly leaving the room to complete the Queens order.
"If I may be so bold," I started. "I've noticed you've changed your maids."
The Queen glanced up at me before looking down at her hands. Scanning her nails lazily.
"They betrayed me. Giving information to the 1st Concubine." She said. I was shocked that she told me the truth so easily but quickly composed myself.
From the side of my vision I caught a glimpse of pride flash across Bella's face after hearing the Queen's words. This explaining her attitude towards the maids the last time we saw them.
'Bella is truly a solid supporting cast!!'
"How are you feeling, your Highness?" I asked softly. She flipped her arm around slightly, causing me to flinch at the sudden movement. She glanced up at me noticing. I pursed my lips and bowed my head apologetically.
"Check." She simply said.
'Sh*t' I thought.
I could barely read pulses, let alone someone else's heath! Nonetheless, I stood, slowly making my way up to the Queen.
As I walked, I noticed the energy around her. It was much stronger than last time. But still, faint. I retreated my hands as I stood by her side.
"There is no need Miss. you're recovering well but you still need to be careful." I paused. "Whatever was inside of you is not as simple as I assumed. Your body is still fighting it off." I explained. She glanced at me skeptically.
"And you know that, from simply standing next to me?" She asked. I could hear the slight astonishment in her voice. I was weirded out as well.
I could never do this before, was this some sort of power level up??
I smiled curtly at the Queen before bowing. I turned to return to my seat before pausing. Slowly, I turned back to the Queen. Something wasn't right. My gut told me to check again. I bowed once more.
"Just to be sure of your Highness, may I check?" I said. She glanced at me but slowly extended her hand nonetheless. I placed my fingers on her hand like last time, focusing on the feeling of her heart. Slowly, I closed my eyes to focus on the feeling.
That first time when I did it, I felt a ball or some sort of clot on the edge of her heart. It interrupted the peaceful sound of the Queen's heartbeat. Now, the irritating loud vibrating sound was replaced with a small humming sound. Almost like a bee, or fly. I then noticed something.
Before, the so-called tumor was slowly increasing. I didn't notice it then, I thought I was only imagining things. But now, it was barely the size of a small rock or pebble, getting smaller.
'This doesn't make any sense. If the Queen had a tumor, surely it would have been gone by now, but if not… Why was it still attached to her heart? I noticed how every second, the humming sound would move in synchronization with the queen's heartbeat. My eyebrows furrowed.
I quickly opened my eyes. Understanding what this was. I turned to the Queen.
"Your Highness...are you sure you were not poisoned?"
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(Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.)