The woman in a strange dress who was covering her mouth with a mask took her mask off.
"Kristen! Wait...what happend to your eyes?!?" saying this, Yuri was frightened.
"My eyes are okay Yuri. You don't have to worry so much about me. it's just that my vision isn't completely back yet. One of the nurse's cat died and the cat's eyes were transplanted to me and-" before Kristen could finish her words, Yuri pulled her closer and held her tight. She was speechless.
"Awwww...How cute! I'm gonna throw you two's engagement party myself!" said Fedyenka with her teasing voice.
"Ahem. Yuri...WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN FRONT OF THE PRINCESS OF TERRE DE COVENS ?!? It was disgraceful." said the woman named Kristen with a raging voice.
"Ah you and your 'grace'...Can you not be romantic-" right when he said the last word, Kristen punched him lightly on his belly to stop him from saying anything.
"Your Highness, I sincerely apologize for his behavior. I am Kristen Koshkin the last werecat. I am by born, from your nation. I later got adopted by the Duke of this nation, Alejandro Gomez. I still call myself a Koshkin because it bears my bloodline's name. I am also the bodyguard of Sabio Tenth."
"I see...Well, since you are from the same nation as mine, I think we'll be good friends." said Fedyenka.
Yuri walked to the room on the right of Fedyenka. Before going, he told them to begin the important conversation after he comes and that he won't take much time. In that time, Fedyenka asked Kristen some questions.
"Why were you following us?"
"My Master, Yuri Lewis ordered me to follow you, Ma'am. I hope you understand the reasons. Even though you are only fifteen now, no one is trusted at the moment. I would take care of it if you had any backup for ill intentions toward master Lewis. Master told me that if you had any ill intentions, you'd do it when you found him alone. Since you didn't, you're trustworthy in my Master's opinion"
"Oh? Your tone changed. Anyway. does my family really seem like the culprit to you? Be honest."
"Your family is one in a million. Your father, His Majesty is both demonstrative and clever. He is also the one with most allies. A single incident changed everyone's view on him."
"Can you tell me a bit about your Master? Is he like a close friend to you?"
"Yes he is."
"Okay...Mind telling me a bit about your race?"
"My race doesn't have any legends and myths like yours. It is even said that my ancestors are human-cat breed made in a lab."
"I think all of our ancestors were made in labs. I don't find the legends and stories reliable."
"Hehe. Maybe. Even though I am not sure about it, I am certainly sure about one thing. The Echinda damaged my eyes because she felt an enmity toward me, not because she had to escape. The amount of venom she sprayed at me was huge. Echindas and Werecats have always been enemies.
Yuri came with three cups of tea. Fedyenka in all of a sudden, sipping her cup of tea rose the old topic,
"We aren't done with the relic yet. Has anyone found any clues about it?"
Kristen said, "I heard the nurses talking about something. The cat that died this night was killed and got his blood sucked from his body. They were saying that maybe Echindas have entered the palace. I think it's the same Echinda that escaped tonight."
"Tell us in details." said Fedyenka.
"The nurses also mentioned that they saw a snake in the left alley of the Palace of Egret."
"The Palace of Egret? That's the palace where my room is. Maybe someone's keeping an eye on me." saying this Fedyenka was thinking in her mind, "Why didn't the name pop up in my mind before?...How did I know that name?"
"No doubt that someone's spying on you. But I can assure you that you are safe here."
"How so?"
"This part of the Palace has a small portion of a certain barrier. The nation of humans was once ruled by giants who perished humans in their feet. The giants used to use a barrier so no humans could pass the gates of the palace. Some of it still lies in the eastern and northern part of El Palacio de Los Mortales. This Palace was named like this because humans were considered mortals for their short lifetime."
"I see...You are very informative indeed."
After finishing Fedyenka's tea, she said, "Farewell for now. It's been a long time since I came here. My brother is probably waiting for me in the faculty."
They bid farewell. Fedyenka was heading back to the faculty. After heading back she looked for her brother. She saw a maid passing by and said, "Excuse me, did you see Prince Felix?"
"I did Ma'am. I can lead you to him."
"No thanks. Just tell me where he is. If it seems like I cannot find him by myself, I'll seek assistance."
"He is at the left alley of this part of the palace."
"Alright. Thank you."
Saying that, Fedyenka left the faculty. It was almost three O' clock. She saw Bella on the way.
"Why are you still awake Bella?"
"Your Highness. I couldn't sleep so I am here getting some fresh air."
"Okay...Can you lead me to the left alley?"
"Sure, Your Highness."
Bella led her to the left alley. They couldn't have a conversation like they did two hours ago. Fedyenka's mind was stormed with questions and thoughts that time.
"Your Highness, we are already there."
"Oh! I was lost in thoughts. Thank you again Bella. You've been a great friend."
"Oh my!...F-Friend? Do you consider me as a friend, Your Highness?"
"Yes I do! Hey...wait. I can't see my brother here. No wait there he is. But..."
She saw her brother with Sabia Third. They were laughing and talking about something. With a bit of fear, Fedyenka went toward them and told Bella to leave. Bella left with a smile saying goodbye. But, the warm goodbye couldn't refresh Fedyenka's stern mood.
"Sabia Third. May I ask you what you are doing here in the middle of midnight?"
"Ah, It's our Princess Fedyenka. Why is your mood so stern, Your Highness?" said Sabia Third as she laughs.
"It's about your maids Sabia Third...They were Echindas!"
"Wh-What? My maids were Echindas? Aren't they extinct? And what do you mean by 'were' Your Highness?"
"Among them, Mona was killed by a tiger and Moco fled. Mona and Moco tried to attack me. I know these seems unbelievable Sabia Third but-"
"But Your Highness, they are extinct. Maybe you are a little sick because of all these bloody fuss. I'll take you to a doctor, he'll know what to do."
"No Sabia Third, I'm not sick. Maybe those were mere hallucinations. I don't remember anything after that anyway. By the way, Felix, I've been looking f- Ahem...Brother, I have been looking for you for ages. Where have you been?"
"I should be the one asking. Where were you?" said Felix.
"I ran toward snake Moco and then...I can't remember anything else...Where are Mona and Moco now, Sabia Third? said Fedyenka.
"I cannot summon them either, Your Highness. Where could they be? Before that, Are you feeling any discomfort? You said that you can't remember anything after the incident you stated, Your Highness."
Fedyenka was surprised. Sabia Third's words are sweet but the plot she is making in her mind must be unimaginably bitter.
"No, I don't feel any discomfort Sabia Third." said Fedyenka looking at the Sabia.
"Your Highness. If you don't mind can I tell you something?"
"Yes, please proceed."
"Would you mind to call me Aunt Charlotte from now on? If you keep calling me Sabia Third, it makes me feel distant from you."
"Sure thing! Sorry if I sound informal."
"No problem My dear Highness."
They both were conversing in a friendly way while both of their minds were filled with hatred. At that moment, Felix had no choice but to see their drama. Soon, he told them that he'll be going and he left after bidding farewell.
"Aunt Charlotte, How did Echindas go extinct?"
Right when Fedyenka finished her sentence, Sabia Third looked at her like how a Hawk looks at one's prey.