The royal family wiped their mouths cleanly after finishing their platters. The young princess suddenly looks up at her family members with a pleading look in her eyes.
"Father, please, please, please release Maya. She deserves to have a second chance! Please allow her to return to my side. I can't bear the thought of her getting punished."
Violetta starts to plead with a pained look, successfully softening the king's heart.
"My dear, I can't allow you to be with such a dangerous person! You must act harsh now or what if she tries to hurt you again? Please allow father to handle this. You must not allow her to be near you," he says sternly, but full of warmth.
'Yeah, no shiet, bro, but you underestimate me,' Violetta comments inwardly.
"Don't worry, father, about my safety! Because of what happened last time, his supremacy allowed me to take two mages to escort me by my side; I'll be super safe and healthy ! Especially also because Delta is a mage doctor!"
This successfully caught everyone's attention.
"A- a- a mage doctor? Such a powerful mage?" the King stammers, shocked and delighted.
Violetta gives a light inaudible laugh, 'A powerful one at that, the head of the mage doctor department and a successor of the council…'
But, of course, she replies innocently and sweetly, "Yes!"
Leopold's gaze sweeps towards the innocent princess while narrowing his eyes.
The King laughs loudly in contentment, "Very well, very well!"
"Amazing, sister. No one normal would be able to attack at all," Leopold gives a rare comment while studying any changes in Violetta's reactions.
As a professional, she stares back with pure eyes full of happiness from the 'praise', and Leopold rarely calls her 'sister'. However, in actuality, Violetta snickers in her mind. 'I knew there was something salty about this kid. How smart, on the cover, it seems as if he's praising me, but it seems more like he's hinting and telling that if someone wants to attack me, they should get abnormal people to attack. Too bad this only fooled one person at the table.'
Violetta turns to the Queen who is narrowing her eyes dangerously out of sight.
Violetta wraps up her act, winning the internal battle. Receiving the keys from father king, she visits Maya in the afternoon.
"Open the dungeon," she commands the guards, who respectfully step out of the way.
Reducing the group of trusted identities to only: Chris, Delta, and Kate, Violetta walks up to the locked prison and stares down at the haggard, lifeless maid.
Violetta's cold voice echoes through the prison cell, "Have you thought about it?"
A glint of hatred appears in the lifeless eyes, "About what? What is such a person doing here huh? To sneer at the pathetic me? Go ahead, laugh all you want, taunt all you want!"
Contrary to the expected looks of disdain or anger, many faces remain unchanged and some filled with pity.
"Have you thought it through?," Violetta repeats.
"What?" Maya sneers, "Concubine Lotus's trick? Emperor Damien being a playboy bastard?"
Violetta's lips curve into a chilling smile, "It seems you have, you have thought it through."
"So? What's that to you anyways? I'm gonna be here till my execution, might as well think."
"What if I will set you free?"
Maya snorts in response, "What's with this, giving nonexistent hope? Even if I do, no one will hire. Someone who was kicked from the palace, there will be no meaning to my life anyways."She shrugs.
"You wouldn't want to improve? Strive to get revenge? Or get a better life? Learn not to be tricked like that anymore?"
Maya's eyes widen with shock, and she thinks about it for a moment.
Looking up at Violetta with determination, truly believing her, she says, "Please, take me with you."
Violetta breaks into a bewitching smile and they handshake across the cage in a deal.
Violetta turns around and faces the one surprised expression, "Kate."
"You must know that what is said and seen here must not be leaked. That goes for everyone," she gives an overbearing look, looking into each and every one of their eyes.
Delta walks forward with the keys to the prison cell. Click, it unlocks and Maya walks out.
"I would like you to go with the knights to the Jun Empire tonight for preparations of my new residence. I'm expecting it to look well when I arrive."
Maya bows respectfully, "Yes, your highness."
Her back faces them as she leaves. Violetta gives a small smirk.
'I look forward to the 'show' you're planning kid~'
They walk out of the dungeon where Kate finally snaps out of her daze, her thoughts a mess after receiving all the new information.
Delta and Chris return to their quarters after escorting the princess to her bedroom, leaving Kate alone to attend to her.
Noticing Kate's bewildered expression, Violetta chuckles.
"Don't hold back, ask away," she amiably says.
"Y- y- your h-highness, a-are we going to be okay? I don't think releasing Maya is good at all. She will betray us again!"
"... I really do have a knack of finding the right companions…" Violetta mutters to herself.
"Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing. About Maya, she will most certainly betray us, but do not worry because I have my own plans. Have you heard of the saying: to use the bigger bait to catch bigger fish?"
"You mean that there's someone else behind Maya?"
Violetta smiles in approval. Though Kate looked innocent and also unknowing of the world, it was only because she never felt her curiosity filled. These types of rare people certainly don't deserve to be trapped in a palace serving the rest of their lives.
After reorganizing her thoughts again, Kate bows, "Please command me if you need anything, your highness. I'll carry out the orders secretly."
Violetta sits down on her sky blue couch, "Of course Kate. However, what I plan to do from now on is a dream, sky high."
Her gaze turns serious, different from her usual lax or uncaring demeanor, "If you would follow me for a lifetime, I'd like you to swear loyalty and prove that I can put my trust and life in your hands."
Kate's hazel brown eyes glisten, "Yes! I, Kate Everett, swear loyalty to her highness, Princess Violetta Cordova. If I shall repudiate, allow me to be pierced by a million needles."
Violetta smiles at Kate with satisfaction, "I, Violetta Cordova, accept."
"Kate, I will protect you as one of my people."