I woke up in the morning with a book in my hands. I had fallen asleep at the most interesting part. So, I decided to continue reading. The last words I read were about a woman who hadn't seen her own death but was considered dead, a woman who had never used love spells. It was perplexing. All the pages beyond that were blank. I quickly hid the book under my mattress out of frustration. Today was the day of the ball.
Nora rushed in immediately after my call. I was already nervous, and even with my feigned confidence, the maid could tell. Though I had learned everything from Madame Frost, starting from ballroom etiquette to how to behave in a duel, she had even enthusiastically explained how to challenge someone to a duel and what to do if I were challenged.
-Miss, you seem a bit nervous, - she observed.
-Oh, is it that obvious? I never thought... - said I and shrugged, took a deep breath.
-Calm down, the master wants you to come down for breakfast, - said she quietly, she curtsied and helped me get dressed.
-At last. I might go down naked, - said I and think, sarcasm, dear, sarcasm. You should know that.
-Perhaps not, - she replied, - What could possibly happen?
-Don't worry, I'm just joking, - I burst into laughter, a bit too gullible.
As I descended the stairs, I was in good spirits, but something was definitely amiss. Someone with powerful magic was here. Someone different. Someone who felt as dead as a necromancer. A woman. Her energy was dark and impenetrable. I could only recall one witch with such rare power, Keira Darling. She was two years below me in school but five years older than me. Well, we were friends of sorts. I supplied her with answers to homework. Everything would be fine, I hoped.
But things always turned out worse than I imagined. Or I brought trouble. Blood. What happened there? And security was trailing behind me. There was definitely something amiss. If nobody was killed, then why the precautions and the necromancer? And she's his nephew's wife, for goodness' sake. That insufferable man must be here, too. And with his amulet; strangely, I couldn't hear it.
-Konstantia, my unruly flower, - he said, kissing my hand, causing Adrian to bristle.
-Go to hell, idiot, - I retorted, throwing him onto his back, Arian's eyes flashed menacingly.
-What do you think you're doing? - His voice only amused me.
-What disrespect! But I allow myself no more than you do. Now, go to sleep, - said I and fastly sent him to slumber with a flick of my finger.
I glanced at their surprised faces, rolled my eyes, and sat down. I hadn't had breakfast yet, and here was this drama. And I had no intention of removing the curse; he could leave on his own. How could he be so audacious? He was married, and yet he clung to me. I wish he'd drop dead. Fewer problems with a corpse. I placed the amulet with his name on it, took it far into the woods, and buried it.
-Well, at least he quieted down. He was buzzing in my ears, - said Key annoyed , - Oh, your Konstantia is getting married, and she's so beautiful. She even danced with me at the prom, so she should be mine.
-What? - said I and looked at them in surprise.
-Ritual murders, several of them. Seven in the capital and six here. What's worse is that they seem somehow connected to the empress, - Adrian said it strangely.
-She's obsessed with him, - I added, - Someone should finally take him away, - said I irritabely and pointed my thumb at Karl, - His face is infuriating.
-Yes, so what's going on here? - Keya asked, looking bewildered.
-I'll eat first, and then I'll try to bring you up to speed, - I said, And you, too. You look as thin as a stic, - said I, - Corpses can wait, I want to eat. I'd even eat in front of them. They're dead; they won't starve.
I ate with a hearty appetite. Strange feelings surged within me, but above all, there was fear. You must remain calm; these are just murders. Serial killings, related to the attack on me. It's okay; I'm resilient. This will be quite interesting. I never liked the Empress. She was strange, always trying to push me. She knows I can send her to the other side.
-Let's begin. At the very least, my father is not mine, and God only knows where he got me from. And the royal executioner tried to kill me too. Does that interest you? - asked I werry crossly.
-When did you get called to marriage? - asked she.
-The story is long. I can only say that I was imprisoned. But I won't go into details now. What did you want to discuss? - I answered calmly.
-And you're here for two weeks? That's what we were given for this segment. The Council approved it, half of which insisted that you take part, - said she.
-Thank you. And it's definitely not for my lovely looks, - she replied.
-Before that, they wanted to get rid of me. It's illogical, - said I, - I don't understand those old farts.
The day passed surprisingly peacefully. But something inside me felt suffocated. It seems I was simply afraid of the future that loomed ahead of me. Something doesn't add up. If the Council sent me to investigate the murders rather than sweeping it under the rug, it's very serious. This means they don't suspect the Empress's involvement. Or, conversely, the entire Council is against her. But they're a bunch of superficial idiots, and they couldn't weave such intricate intrigues.
-Miss, please step outside; the master wishes to speak with you, - said I, What now? I've just figured out something very interesting.
Why do they all want something from me? I already understood that something bad was coming. Murders. The Empress. And the situation with me. Where did he get me from? If I were an orphan, the documents would be different. And my father would have told me. But why did he try so hard to prove that I'm his daughter? And he couldn't have been with that woman. Then where did these jewels come from, the letter under the bottom of the box?
-You could be in danger, - said I, so what? I understand that. Someone from the imperial family wants to kill me, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. What did you want to talk about?
-What's going on between you and him? - asked he, And you don't like him either.
-Karl? I can't stand him. He's like a splinter in the ass. A womanizer and a scoundrel. I'd better not say anything. Once he got it into his sick head that I should become, quoting him, his lover in the future. He's so sick that even banishment to the woods didn't have any effect on him, - said I.
-I don't understand him, married and sticking to other women. They would have challenged him to a duel at the ball. I would have gladly sent him away from here, - said he calmly.
-Especially to the other world, - I laughed sarcastically.
He smiled and looked me in the eyes, what is he doing? I left. As I returned to my room, someone slammed the door shut in front of me. He abruptly turned me around and began sniffing my hair and skin. I tried to break free from his embrace, but he wouldn't let go. Karl. This dandy. His eyes burned with a strange emotion.
-My unruly flower, - he said, still reaching for the laces of my corset. Gathering my strength, I freed my hand and grabbed him by his black hair.
After he squealed like a girl, I struck him on the head with a candlestick. When he fell like a sack of potatoes to the floor, moaning and speaking incomprehensible words, I kicked him several times and pressed my heel against the floor. Oh, how I wished I could slit his throat and send him to the ancestors. When the commotion brought the security running, they dragged him away from me. Beast. I hate him. Even more now.
Nora was braiding my hair, and it felt strangely empty. I'm starting not to understand myself. What's happening here? Maybe I'm not who I think I am, maybe my name isn't what I believe it to be. Am I stealing someone else's life, or has there been an intrusion into my own? My thoughts are piecing together like a puzzle, but only its outermost part. The dress, just like in the vision. The jewelry, the hairstyle. Is this still me, the way I used to be, or not? Even my gaze has changed. Strength, not just cunning and seriousness, which I used to feel, but also a sense of my own worth. Life as a future aristocrat is changing me.
A portal. Darkness. I feel it all around me. Enveloping. And terrible. Almost demonic. I nervously surveyed this magnificent hall, the frescoes, and paintings, every tiny detail. Scattered light, whose source I could not discern. Dozens of exquisite gowns, elaborate hairstyles, and shimmering jewelry. In the center stood an incredible and majestic pedestal. On it were several occupied thrones, except for one, adjacent to the crown prince. That was her throne. And only she would sit on it.
-The Empress is here, and there seems to be a reason for this darkness around her. Her pale pink dress, barely visible through this black fog, thickens near her heart, and violet lightning bolts flash within it, - I spoke. This is bad, no, it's terrible. Maybe I used to think we'd just find the princess, bring her back to the family, and everyone would be happy.
- I forgot something, - Adrian said, slipping a ring onto my ring finger.
-I won't hold my breath for romance, - I said playfully, as aristocratic ladies often did, rolling my eyes, but it still sounded offensive.
-Unfortunately, I'm not good at this, - he replied, taking a sip of wine, but to me, it felt like an act.
- You were boasting earlier about being skilled at it, - I said skeptically, but maybe I shouldn't have played this game.
- Then I'll try harder. It's just that it's difficult for me to understand you, - he said. I'm sorry, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to play with you, but I just wanted to survive. I'm sorry, I didn't know everything. I barely held back my emotions.
-Why? - I asked, or perhaps there was something between us...
-You're different to me, - he said, and yes, he was confessing his love.
Yes, everything is going well. Constance, don't be afraid, I've rehearsed this in my head many times. I was scared. His eyes, in the distance. They pierced me with their gaze. Something inside me screamed to run away. And he left me alone, talking to someone. The crown prince, with black hair and green eyes. Our faces were so similar. He resembled my brother. But it couldn't be. Maybe I was some illegitimate descendant of the emperor. Logically, my father found me somewhere, realized who I was, and decided to present me as the lost princess as soon as I came of age. But the old lady with a scythe got to him first. Well, the case is solved.
-Miss Calabrio, is that you? - said a friendly gray-eyed blonde woman who started the conversation.
-Lady Laurent, I'm very happy to see you, - I said, and to my immense relief, Nora had told me everything and even showed me the faces of those I needed to know.
-For you, Patrizia, you know, I'm surprised you got such a fiancé, - she said. Nobody had ever mistaken me for him, I hadn't participated in the selections, but that was all.
-Where did you find out? - I asked, lowering my eyes.
-Your ring. It means you're not an ordinary companion. You're different from the rest. Stay calm, but not haughty, - she said, as if she, too, knew that the person for whom life had been unfair and difficult would never try to be above others.
I wonder, the dance will start soon. Don't be afraid, everything will be fine. I've never felt such warm treatment towards myself before. They always considered me cursed from birth, but she only saw goodness in me. She didn't see the person they were afraid of and hated. The Empress moved with a man to the center of the hall; the ball was beginning, and Adrian was already here, as always. I question my life and how I've reached this moment.
These eyes, these beautiful blue eyes. They surveyed my face and even lowered to my décolletage. How can you allow yourself to do this? The costume was slightly wrinkled, and it immediately caught the eye. When he was out of my line of sight, something happened there, as if a duel had taken place. I would have definitely found out about it. But no, there was no trace of blood. But he undoubtedly possessed magic. I just feel it. Even his hair was slightly disheveled, as if after using magic.
-Shall we dance? - he said, not waiting for my response, and pulled me into a waltz.
-Is Kay here?" -I asked anxiously, drawing unwanted attention.
-Yes, she reports to them," he said, pointing at them, - I hope she won't spill our little secret.
-What secret? About her Highness, or... - I began to ask, but he abruptly spun me around.
-Both of them are better off not knowing, - he replied, and as we danced, don't worry, it was just in the vision, and I know you're skilled in that department.
-Especially about our fake marriage, - I said, wondering if he didn't feel the same way anymore.
-I'm not so sure about that anymore. You mean more to me than the rest, - he said, and my heart skipped a beat, my thoughts became tangled.
-I don't understand, - I said, my voice trembling, and my heart pounded in my ears. Only our voices remained as the sounds faded away.
-I don't either. When you appeared, I stopped understanding myself, - he said, his grip on me loosening, leaving only warmth.
The dance ended, and we separated. My cheeks burned, and my heart raced. I leaned against the wall, my legs barely holding me up, and I sank into a chair. After sipping a glass of champagne, I noticed my old friend. Then everything came rushing back. Memories flashed before my eyes, one after another. An evening. I was fifteen years old. We sat in front of a mirror we found somewhere in the academy. I stood before it, and its dark surface rippled. There, in the reflection, was another me in a beautiful wedding dress. And he was there, reflected in the mirror.
-It's not fair! - Charlotte exclaimed, jumping up and grabbing my sleeve, -Remember, little one, you can forget my name, and even what I look like. You were my closest friend, but now it's all over.
-Because of a simple prophecy, - I shouted back, and the younger me looked at her in disbelief.
And now she stood before me as Lady Faustas. Nothing remained of her former simplicity. The anger and resentment that shone in her gray eyes didn't remind me of the kind girl I once knew. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun, and dark sapphires emphasized her sharp appearance. The dark dress made her pale skin look slightly bluish, making her resemble a corpse.
-And you're here, I see you have a fiancé to match. Arrived from the frozen lands? - she said, and I instantly thought, You bitch on heels, let's settle this in a duel.
-No more so than you. And you, I see, - I replied, giving her an appraising look and glancing at her attire, - come from the land of the dead. You know that during this month, beginning with the north, you mustn't wear purple nails, or else restless souls from the realm of Lelneco might drag you into their world, taking you with them, - I finished, and my eyes menacingly flickered, growing darker.
-And my husband is better than your future one, mine is smart and wise, unlike yours, - she said in her haughty voice, trying to appear superior to me, slightly tipsy as I was.
-He's the Emperor's brother, don't dare to speak to me that way, my dear, - I replied, - I forgive you your foolishness, but I want to remind you about tact. You see, we grew up in different social circles, and my solutions to the problems you pose to me may not sit well with you. For instance, a duel, - I said, and it scared her, as I was always stronger.
Fortunately, I was pulled away from this unpleasant conversation when a servant accidentally spilled a drink on her, provoking laughter from the onlookers. Behind her displeased back, her ungrateful husband was already generously rewarding the servants. You have to know how to manage your own wife, because she turns out to be a real wicked woman, and with such an outfit and a fur shawl from a dead lynx, she's scary in everything.
-I see you're having fun, my beauty, - he said, helping me up.
-Not really. Old acquaintances won't leave me alone, and I can't forget them, - I replied, sadly lowering my eyes.
-Let's go, - Adrian said, and gently led me as far away from everyone as possible.
-What do you want from me... - I whispered.
He led me to a balcony, and we were alone. This moment felt like an entire world to me, simple and free from everyday worries and constraints. Together, we began to dance, he held my waist, and we moved even faster. Then we took a little pause. He cupped my chin in his hands, looked into my eyes, and gently touched my lips. A kiss, a storm of emotions between us. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I embraced his neck, my thoughts entangled, but all that remained was the warmth of his lips, filling me with happiness.