Chereads / Fatima: The Slave Princess / Chapter 48 - Chapter 47

Chapter 48 - Chapter 47

"Welcome to our humble abode, your imperial highness. I trust our hospitality will meet your standards, my prince."

He's not even trying to hide his rudeness. I came with a large crowd of escorts, including four of his kins, yet he was only addressing me.

"Your seat is over here, your imperial highness. Please follow me." guided one of his men with a smile.

Lively music filled the air as the dancers performed at the center of the lofty banquet hall. Each guest had their own table in front of them, filled with scrumptious dishes and alcohol. I came here to acquaint myself with the homeland of those powerful warriors, who swept off demons as if they were mere dry leaves on the battlefield. Yet they were humiliating them instead of celebrating and honoring their valiant feats. I don't know how much longer I can take this.

"Loosen your expression, your highness. Your discontent is showing as plain as day." Whispered Leo.

It's difficult to remain calm when my people are being mistreated right before my eyes. 

"Now that our guests of honor have arrived, let the party begin!" bellowed the chief cheerfully.

On the left and right of him were his six sons, and his wife and daughters gracefully sat behind them. I must say, he looks mighty powerful in this setting. All the while, the quadruplet brothers remained on their feet in a secluded corner of the room, excluded from the festivities as if they were invisible.

"Chieftain Ulsef, may I ask why there are no seats for my men who are standing at the corner over there?" I pointed with a scowl.

The entire banquet hall gasped in shock as they whispered among themselves. The chief was staring at me as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. However, he quickly recomposed himself while awkwardly clearing his throat.

"Oh my, it seems we have shown discourtesy to our esteemed guests. Please accept our sincere apologies, your imperial highness. We shall have the extra seats brought in immediately."Answered his wife with a bow.

"Very well. I will take your word for it." I replied nonchalantly.

His highness looks especially scary when he's exercising his authority. Now that he's a full-grown man, the aura around him feels entirely different. I can hardly wait for Miss Bettie to witness the radical changes that have taken place over the years.

"Wipe that grin off your face, Leo." He sighed frustratingly.

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'Little rats run fast yet can never escape the fate of being devoured by the ravenous cat. Enveloping yourselves in the cloak of obscurity but the putrid stench of your sins keeps leading me right to you. Since you are the reason I missed the banquet, I shall take my time dissecting your demise.'

"Ah! I should become a singer at this rate. The maidens would flock to me all day long."

Ever since I became a vassal of the crown prince, my powers have grown significantly. As a Sant, I was born with the ability to see, smell, and touch what normal humans can't. However, my powers were deficient since birth, and no matter of training seemed to have been effective. My father became irritated to the point he contemplated passing over the throne to my younger brother. However, thanks to my mother's intervention, he reluctantly granted me the title of crown prince. I'm sure he was more than elated to dispose of me when I handed him the opportunity.

"There you are!"

It's no use entertaining these useless thoughts. I left, and I won't ever return.

"Who goes there?!" shouted one guard.

He apprehensively approached me with his lit torch and his sword drawn forward. I specifically told them not to roam around alone. Why is this one all by himself? Man, these new recruits are quite the headaches.

"Oh! Your highness, Prince Jonathin! Hello, sir!" he saluted loudly.

"Keep it down, lest you awaken the entire city. At ease."

"Sir! Yes, sir!"

The stragglers that infiltrated Lithiar before the beginning of the war have been running amok, attempting to escape their due punishment. Thankfully, I can literally smell them from miles away, which has been making my job easier. However, there have been times when our men would fall victim to their attacks, especially when they patrol alone.

"Call the rest of your team and clean up the mess behind me."

"Right away, your highness, Sir!"

I wonder if they are faring well at the banquet. Knowing him, he'll probably make a mess of things right off the bat. Hehe! I'm rather sad when I think of all the fun I'm missing out on.

++++++

Fortunately, I didn't drink myself into a stupor or else I certainly would have fallen for this trick. When I entered the room, she was already inside, silently waiting for me. Though, she claims to have come here of her own accord, she seems to be reluctant in her actions. It's obvious what the old man is planning. Touching even a single hair off her head in any kind of way will cause an irreparable misunderstanding. Should I shout for the guards and treat her like an intruder? No, that would be like paving the way for malicious rumors to arise. Perhaps I should fling her out of the window. No, she could get hurt. 

"Um…y-your highness, please be gentle. I have never done this sort of thing before, you see…" She whined while removing her garments.

It doesn't seem like she truly wants to do this.

"Your highness." Called a familiar voice from the open balcony.

His tone was low, almost like a whisper, yet I could hear him as if he were standing right next to me. For some strange reason, I've only been able to decipher others' conversations based on their tones alone. Whereas Leo, Fati, and princess Loraine's voices are always one hundred percent audible. 

"I can sense an intruding presence in your room. If you are in the presence of dangerous company and require my help, please remain completely silent for the next sixty seconds."

Some time later, a strong wind suddenly blew and ruffled the curtains on the balcony. Leo was already inside the room, pinning her to the floor with a dagger against her neck. She was so mortified that she instantly started crying. 

"What is your name?"

"U-Ulissa, your highness." She sniffled.

She was quivering in fear, yet neither one of us showed a shred of concern. We knew that one wrong move, and this precarious ordeal would blow off on our faces. This is a situation that does not allow us to be lenient in whatever way. Hold on-Ulissa? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere.

"The deposed crown princess of Lithiar, Ulissa Tuto." Said Leo in a dark tone

Ah! That's right, I've met her once before. No wonder she seemed familiar. What is this about her being deposed? 

"Hold on a moment. When did they get divorced? They were married last year when I visited Lithiar."

"She was tossed aside when crown prince Sion claimed to have fallen in love with the second eldest daughter of Count Mesulac.As a result, he divorced her, sent her back to her father, and remarried shortly after."

All this occurred in one measly year. I would bet he was cheating on her the entire time. Although, if I think about it carefully, I can now see why the Uluka tribe took their sweet time responding to Lithiar's request for manpower. Her father must have felt bitter about the way things ended between the two. The humiliation must have grazed his ego.

"If my hunch is right, her father planned on using your highness to restore his family's honor. What are your orders, my prince?" 

Having her shame laid bare in front of people she barely knew must have put a dent in her dignity. She wouldn't stop wailing in Leo's grasp.

"Take her back to her abode safe and sound. Ensure that no one sees you."

"I shall do as you command, your highness." responded Leo as he hauled her to his side and quietly jumped off the balcony.