"Ah! Let's go. Calista must be waiting," Astrid broke the ice after a few minutes of silence. She wanted to know what the maid had to say, but decided not to force it out of her.
Lola nodded her head and led the way inside through the kitchen. Some maids who noticed when Lola came in along with the bizarre old woman started talking, only to get scolded by the elder maids.
After several turns and climbing up the stairs, Lola stopped in front of her lady's door. "We're here," she said and knocked. "My Lady, your guest has arrived," Lola arrived.
"Come in," Calista replied from the inside.
Lola twisted the knob and opened the door for the guest. "Please, come in."
Astrid, in her old woman disguise, nodded her head and went in. She sighed as she sauntered to the balcony where her friend was waiting. "Calista!"
Calista turned her head and frowned. She knew the other was up to something, but she didn't expect her to look hilarious in her disguise. "Now, that's funny," the lady commented as she smiled.
"Seriously! You still have the time to laugh and enjoy tea when everyone in the empire is talking about your murder?!" Astrid was frustrated upon hearing the rumors spreading like wildfire about her friend, yet the friend in question seemed not affected at all. "Are you seriously fine after all that happened?"
Calita shrugged. "Nothing really happened. I did nothing wrong, so why should I bother with those things?" She leaned back in her seat and relaxed as she looked at her friend. "Take a seat," Calista invited.
Astrid had so much more to say, but looking at how composed Calista was, she focused on more important matters. "Tell me, did you do it again last night? The ritual?" Astrid asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I have no choice…Or do you want me to watch my people die and do nothing?" Calista took a sip of her tea before jumping straight to the topic she wanted to discuss with her friend. "I need your help. If you could, please do it again for me, Astrid."
Astrid asked no more and closed the gap between her and Calista. She raised her hand and put it on her friend's forehead before chanting a spell that would help suppress the fire in Calista's body.
"You knew I couldn't leave you alone, so you keep doing things you wanted," Astrid mumbled after doing what she must. "As always, the spell would only last for a month. You're safe if you don't do it again, but who knows what could happen if you continue your strange activities? Just tell me if you want to die and I'll do you the favor!"
Calista's lips perked up as she listened to Astrid. "Do you mean it? Anyway, it's not like I'm doing it because I wanted to die. I just don't have a choice," she said, turning her gaze to her maid, whose face turned red in both appreciation and embarrassment.
"Calista, we both know…We all know that you're not the strongest. You can't do anything as you wish. The magic and spells you have learned and mastered will kill you one day," Astrid grumbled, holding Calista's shoulder as she spoke. "I don't want that."
"I don't want to see you suffer. Just because you have a lot of magic doesn't mean you're invincible. Look at yourself now," she added, gently caressing her friend's face. "Be careful. I won't be with you all the time, even if I want to. And you know what would happen if Duke La Forte finds out about your midnight rituals," Astrid continued.
"Oh, come on. Give me a break, Astrid." Calista rubbed her temples. "I know that. Just please, let's not talk about those things now, okay?"
"Fine!" Astrid slumped her body on the seat opposite to her friend, earning a crisp laugh from the other upon seeing her temper in her old woman's disguise.
"Oh, dear. I don't know what to do with you," Calista commented and continued sipping on her tea. "Did you come in a carriage?"
Astrid glared.
"Are you telling me to go back now that you've gotten what you wanted? I can't believe we're friends!"
Calista chuckled. "I heard someone say the same thing. Did that water boy rub some of his liquid on you to speak against me, huh?"
For a moment, Astrid wished she could punch Calista in the face. "What liquid are you talking about? Pervert!" Her face turned red as she looked away.
Calista seemed not to realize what she just said, which made her friend flustered in a second-hand embarrassment. "What are you talking about? I ain't a pervert," she blurted, rolling her eyes.
"I'm talking about Pazelle," Calista explained. It took her a minute to understand why her friend suddenly lashed out at her. "What liquid are you even thinking? What I was saying…Well, you know, Samuel Pazelle is a water boy. Isn't he kind of fishy, don't you think?"
"Oh, shut up. I know you think of everyone in Pazelle Duchy fishy," Astrid mumbled and grinned. "Ah, I'm exhausted. I should have not come to talk to you," she added and sighed.
"You didn't come to talk. It was for a treatment service, dear," Calista corrected.
"Whatever. I guess I have to go now or I'd end up this old for real if I keep talking to you." Astrid pointed at her wrinkled face, which made Calista laugh. "Laugh all you want, pretty face. Just don't come running to me when you need to put off your flames again!"
"Nah. It's you who come running," Calista remarked. "Thank you, though. I get to live another day, thanks to a dear friend of mine." She put down her cup and stood up.
"I'll walk you to the door. And oh, tell me if you need something in return. You know I always have what you wanted," Calista said before pulling Astrid in a hug.
"Just in case you still need a husband candidate, I can give mine to you. I haven't laid a finger on him…yet," Calista whispered. "Well, I'm not sure if others did," she added and smirked.
"No way! You are planning to break up with Duke Crown, are you?" Astrid dropped her jaw in astonishment. "How can you be so cruel? That man accepted your hand in marriage and you're going to dump him?"
Calista sighed and pulled away from the hug. "I never said that. I'm just wondering if you want him for yourself. If yes, then I will break off my engagement with him so you can have him instead. I want to pay you back for treating me, so I will—"
"Ah! Stop it, Calista." Astrid waved her hands in front of her face. "I am not interested in Duke Crown and you know why," she stated.
"Okay. Bye then," Calista retorted with a smug face.
Astrid rubbed her temple. She wanted to pat her back for enduring being friends with the 'Saintess'.
"One thing," Astrid muttered in a serious tone. "Be careful, Calista. A dead body can't talk and what happened at your party will be your responsibility. Remember that. So, stop playing a hero to your maid and do the actual work to clear your name."
Calista clenched her jaws. "I'm innocent," she grumbled.
"I know. But not everyone will believe it just because you say so," Astrid replied. "You need to prove it. You have to."
Calista didn't want to admit it, but Astrid's words were true. She could play 'Saintess' for everyone in the empire, but not everyone would take her seriously. Even as the Duke's daughter, she still received threats and sometimes, assassins were sent to her room at midnight till dawn.
She had to keep it cool all the time. Not showing her weakness was her advantage against those who wanted her down. It worked somehow until a body was found at her party and everyone started suspecting her.
"Bullshit!" Calista stamped her feet twice before pulling the hem of her skirt up and marching to bed.
"I could have killed anyone if I wanted to, but it never crossed my mind and yet they want me to come forward to prove my innocence? Ugh! This is truly a pain in the gut," she mumbled underneath the sheets with a dark expression spreading across her face.
"A dead body can't talk, huh? Well, dear. Maybe I can't make it happen, but someone should be able to," Calista said when a certain someone came to mind.
"Lola, I need to go. Prepare a horse," she ordered, stepping out of her dress to wear pants.
"Yes, My Lady."
"I'm going for a witch hunt," Calista whispered as she tied her hair in a messy bun. "But before that…Lola, I need your help," she sighed.
A smile quirked on her maid's lips as she turned her heels to go back to where her lady was.
"I'm on it, My Lady."