I opened the letter, and its contents began to unfold before me:
"Princess, I hope you had a good night's sleep last night."
Yeah, of course I had a certain one.
"But we were unable to talk properly last night. So I want to have a pleasant conversation with you again, if you give me the permission."
Again? Why?
"I'm aware you can't trust me, but I can assure you I can fulfill all your wishes if we could meet once more."
All my wishes? Is he a wish-fulfilling genie or what?
"So, I will be waiting at the Red Wine Hotel."
I closed the paper, or more like I burned it. The confusion filled my mind. Why is he insisting on helping me? What benefit is it going to bring him?
"Princess," Misa interrupted my thoughts.
"The Baron Lady Jessica Atreides is here." Another headache came for me.
"Okay, I will be there in a minute," I said and walked toward the waiting room.
I don't know what I'm going to decide, but for a while, my thinking side waited while my brain started focusing on this woman named Jessica Atreides, who was hanging on my throat like a burden. I couldn't swallow nor throw her off. So many complications.
I pushed the door open and saw her calmly having tea. She didn't even stand up to greet me, exuding arrogance.
"Greetings, Princess," she said, but her words were hollow.
"Greetings, Lady Jessica," I replied and sat in front of her.
"So, what made you come here so early? Do you have anything to say?" I asked.
"Of course. I'm here to congratulate you for the reconciliation between you and the Crown Prince," she stated matter-of-factly. It appeared that not only the Duke had mentioned it but the announcement was already made.
"What if I say I'm not part of the reconciliation?"
"What if I say it was only a reconciliation between the Duke and the royal family?" I attempted to act tough.
"What are you saying, Princess? How could you not be aware it is about your marriage? How could you not be aware you are the saintess of this empire? How could you not be aware that you are the future mother of the empire?" she said, pressing all the wrong buttons.
"But why do you sound so happy?" I shifted the focus.
"Happy? Of course, it is a very joyous occasion for me. You are finally going to marry my childhood friend," she said, taking it calmly.
"Really? You and him are just friends?"
"What do you think, Princess?" Her intense gaze bored into me, provoking me.
She was trying to get under my skin, and she was succeeding. She had come here purposely to assert her influence, to make me feel powerless. But why? Why was she so intent on my marriage to the prince when she could easily have him if I resigned from my status? What was her ulterior motive?
My head was spinning with confusion, and her words echoed in my mind, driving me to frustration.
"What do you think, Princess? What do you think I am doing?"
"You should already be aware of many things, being the saintess."
"You should already know when God favors you the most."
"Then why can't you be aware of what I am doing?"
"Tell me, Princess!!!!" She pressed me.
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.
"What?" she asked.
"I said, shut the fuck up!!!!!!" I shouted.
That was where I made a grave mistake. My outburst triggered her, and I could see a sly little smirk growing on her lips, which crawled under my skin like a bug. Her words were like a poisonous sting, far more potent than those of the Duke and Duchess.
"Oh, Princess, did I offend you?" She mocked me again.
"I deeply apologize if I offend you. Or do you want me to touch your feet like last time?" I retorted, meeting her gaze.
I didn't say anything further. She began walking toward the exit door but stopped and looked at me one last time. She mouthed something, a single word, and it cut deep.
"Witch."
My head started to spin. The word 'witch' reverberated in my ears, and it was as if the entire empire was now chanting it at once.
"She is a witch."
"Behead her."
"She doesn't deserve to be the saintess of this empire."
"Kill her!!!"
"Kill her until there's no blood left in her body."
"Yeah, do it."
"Kill her."
"Burn her."
"Cut her body into pieces and throw them to the hungry animals. That's what she deserves."
"Stop it!!! Stop it!!! I don't want to hear any of this anymore. Please stop it!!! I beg you!!! Stop it!!!"
No matter how many times I screamed for it to stop, the chants continued, and I felt like I was losing my mind.
"Princess!"
"What's happening?"
"Princess, can you hear me?" I could hear her voice, but I couldn't respond.
The word 'witch' was all I could hear. It was disgusting, unbearable, suffocating, and it filled me with anger. My entire body felt like it was burning.
"Come meet me one more time. I will fulfill whatever you desire."
The letter's contents brought me back to reality.
"Misa."
"Yes, Princess."
"Prepare the carriage. We are going to the Red Wine Hotel," I said and picked up my cloak.
"As you wish, Princess," she bowed and left.
If he could fulfill my desires, then I wanted it. I wanted whatever could make me forget my worries.
"I want to unravel the mystery of this lady. I want to understand the sudden transformation of the Duke and Duchess. I want to know why everyone is so insistent on marrying me off to a fool who doesn't even deserve to rule the empire. I want to know every single detail, including the enigmatic person who is extending their hand to help me, even when I don't fully understand who I am."