As always, Princess Daniella watched. Like when she was at her mother's funeral and when she was beside her sleeping father, she watched.
She watched the empress's fancy conference room.
The envoys were furious. They nodded and criticized the vampiress's family as if you fed bananas to a bunch of monkeys. Ella was not surprised by the servants of the goddess of mercy and purity discussing the execution of another person. At the very least, they could pretend to be exorcise Azalea.
Daniella's first impression of Azalea has not changed. In many ways, she was Ella's reflection. Maybe that was why she was still looking out for her. Or was it because of that man? Her so-called brother?
Daniella scoffed inwardly.
The noise that helped her to think disappeared all of a sudden. She looked around. Everyone has taken their seats as the empress and Daemon held their head high. "Sir Henley, what is the status?" Daemon asked, hiding his headache.
Kyle, who was already standing, began to speak with a grim look on his face.
"According to the evidence, we found in the temple ruins, and the witnesses we questioned, we concluded that the Avalonian armies are responsible for the attack. We have arrested three spies who survived and were going to return to their country. And the sinners who poisoned the saintess is still unknown."
Amidst the murmuring, a priest from the holy island shouted, "Are you saying that she was poisoned by the goddess or what? For two days? What were the knights doing?" He jumped up, hoping for an answer.
"I deeply apologize for our incompetence," Other than that, Sir Kyle Henley did not have anything to say. "I would punish whoever is responsible for her pain... regardless of their status," His glare shot at Prince Daemon.
Even though he was famous for mistreating the princess, the grand duke was the emperor's right hand. Regardless of the crown prince's personal feelings, "The Sinner" could escape the punishment. If the crown were to spare the sinners, Sir Kyle was willing to do anything for the sake of the saint's life, His saviour's life.
This cocky brat!
"And about the sinners?" Daemon asked, pressing his burning forehead. He nodded at Tommy to bring some painkillers.
"After the confirmation of the saintess being poisoned, we questioned all the suspicious people, and there was a witness. The maid called Anna has put the poison called black powder into the saintess tea leaves under the crown princess's orders. After her confession, we searched for Princess Azalea's premises... and we found the rest of the poison in her closet,"
"How brazen! As expected from the monsters! I apologize for being rude, but I advised Your Highness not to get closer to the Carmillion family. His Majesty could handle the-"
"High priest," It was a voice like the calm, deep ocean. On the surface, she was the embodiment of all the beauty in the world, yet she could swallow you until you lost all limbs, bones, flesh, and soul. "Are you implying that my son is still lacking even after all these years?" Sable-haired Empress Edna asked, looking straight at the head of the envoys.
"How could someone like me... that was not what I meant, your Highness," His saliva dissipated along with his confidence. Her cerulean glare bowed his head down to the ground.
She hated the holy island the most. When Daniella's mother, Queen Dalia was alive, she used to jest with Ella saying, if Empress Edna were to find a dragon, she would immediately release it to the holy islands. The reason was infamous. They said that the Holy Islands forced her marriage to the emperor when she was already engaged to someone else.
But anyone who loved their dear life did not talk about it out loud.
"Indeed." She said. "How could someone like you judge the future monarch, priest? To be honest, before Azalea, I would search their premises if I were you, Sir Henley." As a champion of the turning table, Edna said nonchalantly. Even though the envoys were nervous, she did not let them speak. "Has she confessed?"
Daniella saw the wrinkles appearing on Kyle's lowered forehead. "... No, Your Highness. She has not,"
"Well, then, what are you going to do? The same maid can plant the evidence in the princess's room. Have you considered that?"
Oh! Look at her. Still trying. As far as Daniella saw, the empress hated as much as she favoured the princess. She wanted Azalea to marry his son, at the same time, she wanted her to suffer because of her son. That was why she let Daemon flirt with the saintess as much as he wanted.
But...
Even though she hated to admit it, her son needed Duke Carmillion.
"We hope to question her further," Sir Kyle got away.
"Do that immediately," Daemon pressed between his eyebrows. "And deploy knights to find a physician out of the capital. We can't lose our blessing after all." He let Sir Kyle walk away and turned to the envoys once again.
"I found it rather suspicious, priest. You organized a blessing in such a rush, and I gave permission, considering the well-being of my people. And the temple crumbled down. Saintess is dying. And my dear war-mongering brother has lost his battle in the borders. It was only an hour I heard about this."
Daniella shot her eyes at Daemon, hearing about the lost battle. Is he dead? Is Ezra dead? Her gasp mustered with the other gasps and mumblings while her heart began to thud on her rib cage.
How could he say that in such a relaxed manner?
What is going on?
"Is it true, my prince? What a disaster! This is the goddess's wrath! We should punish the sinners!"
"Silence!" Tommy blared.
"Currently," Leonard opened his mouth finally when they settled. "Avalonian army was on their way to the capital from the southeastern, slaughtering our innocent people. And our armies will face them in an hour. I hope you all will be safe in your quarters, and the imperial knights will protect you from any harm," When he dropped the bomb, Daniella went deaf.
The people running around her became ghosts. She did not feel her limbs. A horror that buried deep within herself scratched her insides. If it were Avalonian armies, it would be better if she killed herself than-
"Ella!" She snapped and looked up. The empress glared upon her fan that etched pink roses. "Oh! Dear. Do not look at me with that face. Help her, countess. She would be stepped on if she were to pass out here,"
"...Mother," Ella mumbled, getting up with the help of the countess. She was not sure if she hallucinated, but she knew the knight, Jeremy, very well.