She was taken aback by that. Is this guard coming here just to nitpick on her? "I am a princess. I can do anything I want."
"If you're on a battlefield, you would have been dead already with that temper."
"Yes, ogre, I'm just a delicate small flower you need to protect. And I don't see the part where the king told you to insult me or critique me."
"I am not, I am just telling the truth, your highness." Krajner winked, "I'll change you, princess, so you can be someone more patient."
She could just judge that her relationship with her new guard is not going smoothly. "You're too confident for a bodyguard."
"Of course, I'd rather be on the battlefield than guard you." Krajner said and Asteria scoffed.
"Do you hate me that much?"
"Yes."
She smiled fakely, "Good, I am glad we are feeling the same. The. I'll ask the king to change you later. Now go and pack your things."
Krajner shook his head, "No, princess. I'm afraid that won't be happening. The king trusts me to guard your life."
She looked at him disgustingly which he returned with a smirk, "I am looking forward to our future endeavors, princess."
She rolled her eyes, he must be sarcastic now.
Princess Asteria decided to go out and breathe some fresh air for a minute, managing to escape from Krajner's clutches.
She stopped when she smelled a foul smell from nearby. Slowly walking to it, she saw a dead black cat on the ground.
The cat seemed familiar as there have not been many black cats in this world.
Her brain processed it a bit when it occurred to her, realizing it.
Wait…it's Lucia, her talking cat! Her guide to this world!
Who in the monster of a beast could do such a thing and kill a cat!
It felt like her breath was being sucked in. Ever since she got into this world, she really believed that her way out is Lucia!
Now, she's lying there, lifeless. She has vanished for days and Asteria thought that it was normal, and seeing Lucia now, she felt guilty, for not looking for her earlier, and for not taking care of her properly.
She swear that whoever killed her cat, will really get to taste his own medicine, whoever he is.
Damn, how in the world can she get out of this world?
All her escape plans vanished right there and then. Hope is gone now. There's a chance she might even be forever living here!
Suddenly, a hand stopped her from hyperventilating and she looked behind to see it was Prince Griffith.
"Are you..alright? you're shaking."
She gulped…"I'm fine.."
He nodded, looking at her suspiciously but didn't ask more, which she is grateful for.
"I uhm…came here to tell you, something princess…"
She nodded, irritated that he decided to get here at the wrong time when she was grieving for Lucia the cat.
"I am leaving, princess."
She blinked.
"Yes. I had already informed the king. I'll be backing out from the contest."
It's not like she wanted Prince Griffith that much but…it now narrows down to Lord Eros and Prince Galician fighting for her tomorrow at the competition…
Plus, she hasn't seen Lord Eros lately…he just disappeared.
If this will continue, there is a chance that Prince Galician will win.
And she rather has Prince Griffith and Lord Eros compete for her…
"Why?" She asked.
"I have been away for a week. I need to get back to my kingdom." He said then looked at her, "But I…love the stay I had with here." He licked his lips, his eyes sincerely gazing into hers. "With you, even if it means it was only for a short time."
She gave him a long stare, "So that means, you're just letting the other suitors win me?"
He gritted his teeth, "I honestly don't want that to happen."
"Then stay."
He paused for a bit, hesitating but then seemed to put his mind already, "I can't."
Checking to see if he was really giving up, she sighed in defeat, "Alright, I won't force you, Prince Griffith."
"Then before I leave, let me give you this." He handed beautiful lilies, "Lilies remind me so much of you. They are beautiful.."
She smelled the rose and breathed deeply, "So this is where we part?" Just like that?
He nodded.
"But what about Duchess Vienna and the duke?" She decided to ask.
"They still have some matters to address with the king, his majesty. They'll stay here for now."
Prince Griffith noticed the sad expression in her face so he kissed her hand, "We may see each other. If you decide to visit my kingdom then I'll gladly accept it." And he got on his carriage, leaving her in the gardens.
***
It is competition day and we are on the lake by the forest. It will be underwater and they have to find the mermaid shells hidden below with corresponding points.
The one who collects the most will win.
Yet Lord Eros is gone.
Going outside to find him, Asteria passed by the streets, a stranger with a cloak, walked past her and handed her a book, and said with a deep masculine voice.
"Keep this. And give this to Duchess Vienna."
Duchess Vienna? Who is this sketchy man and how does he know the duchess as if they are close? "Who are you?"
"It's not important. Just tell her it's a gift from Alexis."
That was all he said before leaving, and she didn't have the chance to ask a question.
Krajner suddenly appeared, huffing as he seemed to follow her. "Where have you gone, your highness? Your maid asked me to get you and have you prepared for the competition."
Asteria ignored him, raised her eyebrows, but still accepted it, to see letters and written there was a novel. A story?
It looked old, but once she read inside, it contained something different. Her name was on it on the first page.
She instantly ran back to the palace and find Duchess Vienna who was having a meeting with her father.
The door to the meeting hall was locked but there was a silver-haired and purple-eyed man guarding outside.
"Your highness," he greeted.
Asteria recognized him as the duchess's guard. "Excuse me, but may I talk with the duchess?"
"The duchess is in a meeting with his majesty the king." He said.
The door opened and Duchess Vienna came out, "Oh, Princess Asteria, what are you doing here? You need to prepare for the competition-"
"I want to talk to you," Asteria said.
Titus grabbed his sword in a defensive stance, "You are not going to talk with my lady."
Duchess Vienna stopped him, "Let her."
Asteria then showed her the book, "Someone asked me to give this gift to you."
Duchess Vienna raised her eyebrows, looked at the book, and yelled, "Who gave you that book? Tell me?"
"Someone named, Alexis."
Duchess Vienna looked around and grabbed her hand before dragging her to a nearby room and locking it.
"Throw that book away. Don't burn it" The duchess ordered, her tone was sharp and she was panicking. "Now."
"What? Why?"
"Or you'll end up like me. Thank goodness I survived that. But you, you touched that book. It has a curse. Years ago Alexis came to me too and gave me this book containing my life story. I already destroyed this last year. Why is it appearing to you?"
Asteria can't help but ask, "Who is that Alexis?"
"That darn man. He's the strongest mage we have in our kingdom. He preys on some desperate royals who want his magic and curses them. No, he can't be found. He appears whenever he wants and right now, he seems to want to destroy your life." The way the duchess says that with so much hatred in her tone caught her attention.
"Why? Why me?"
"You must have something he finds entertaining."
My spirit magic? I have to ask Lord Eros. He must know him!
Duchess Vienna looked at the book, "I'm done with that. It's your journey now. It's given to you, so it's your journey now."
Her mind wandered, but one thing remained in her mind, "This curse you're talking about, The mage you talked about is Alexis? So that means it's because of him, I need to see him so it can-"
"No! I'm warning you, princess, do not ever, meet him. That darn sick psycho bastard will only make fun of you. He will make sure you are powerless in front of him, entrapping you like a rat in a cage."