It seemed to Kaena that she had heard something wrong.
— What... What did you just say?
— Don't worry! — The girl repeated, — You can be sure that while you are here, no one outside the estate will know about this.
While the noblewoman was smiling broadly at her, the Crown Princess couldn't believe what was happening. Her hand, which was reaching for her neck, involuntarily froze in the air.
Does this woman really know who she is...?
And still saved her? Why?!
Meanwhile, Camilla interpreted the action on Kaena's part as a desire to take her hand. This behavior involuntarily touched the girl. She grabbed it first and confidently declared:
— It looks like you've had a hard time... But now it's all over! I will help you start a new life and leave the past in the past.
Kaena was stunned and stared at the duke's youngest daughter as if she were a city lunatic. Only a man more insane than she could have taken such a desperate step. After all, who in their right mind would save a man whose mere existence poses a threat to the entire empire?
— Do you really want to help me...? — Kaena's voice became a little hoarse with excitement.
— Of course! When I saved you, I took responsibility. So, I will carry it to the end.
— ...
At that moment, the princess suddenly realized that she did not understand what she was thinking at all. For the first time in her life, Kaena met so much... A strange man.
The Princess cleared her throat.
— Since you know everything, you should also be aware of the dangerous situation you are in? — The girl asked coldly.
Camille nodded vigorously.
In the end, after the words of the family doctor, I was finally convinced that that skirmish in the forest was not an accident. Such a rare poison couldn't have come from nowhere. This meant that someone had deliberately sent people to kill the girl.
Thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that a commoner was probably targeted by some powerful aristocrat.
That's just it... Why? What did she do that was so bad?
Perhaps the commoner stole some valuable thing from him or even committed a murder.
Although, looking at the completely harmless expression on this girl's face, I couldn't believe any of these theories. Most likely, she was wrongly accused.
It's a pity that the commoner doesn't remember anything at all. Otherwise, if she had committed some minor offense, I would have been able to help her. At least scare that aristocrat by using his family's name.
However, after a while, he will probably calm down himself. Maybe he'll decide that the commoner is already dead. The best thing for her would be to stay at my estate for now. After all, I didn't think anyone would think of looking for her here.
Anyway, this girl has already been on the verge of death. I barely managed to save her with the help of a valuable frost mushroom. Of course, I couldn't let my efforts go to waste.
In this situation, I'm the only one who can protect her.
So...
Seeing that Camille's expression did not waver at all, Kaena felt hesitant for the first time in many years.
Usually, the only emotion she saw in people's eyes towards her was either fear or disgust. No one has ever behaved as casually as this woman. Obviously, this confused Kaena.
For the first time in such a strange situation, the princess even forgot that she was actually going to kill her.
"And how are you going to help me?" — She decided to ask.
— Maybe my status is not high ... — the lady thought, — But I think that the guards will be able to protect the estate in case of anything.
— ...
Kaena was silent for a while, not taking her eyes off her, and Camille was about to wave her hand in front of her to make sure that she was still there. Suddenly...
— Why are you doing this? — this question sounded very cold.
— Eh?
— Risking your life for someone you don't even know, — she said, — I want to know why you're doing this.
— I think I've already answered this question...
— So you're really willing to put your life on the line for money?
Camilla had to restrain herself from laughing.
It seems that she took her words about "investing" too literally. Of course, the duke's daughter did not expect that this commoner would ever be able to thank her. And where would she get the money from? It was just an excuse so that the girl wouldn't feel too obligated to be here.
But as an answer, she nodded in the affirmative.
Kaena was surprised. This woman had many ways of earning money, but for some reason she chose this one. Wouldn't it be easier to get a reward from the imperial family by giving them her head? But for some reason, the noblewoman preferred all this trouble with saving her life.
Maybe she thought Kaena would be able to pay her more? But even for a lot of money, no one would dare to take such a step as saving the princess of the monster. Just this strange woman...
On her way, Kaena de Ronan met many people for whom money was more important than family and reputation. But not that much...
— For safety's sake, I think as few people as possible should know that you're here, — she continued thoughtfully, — try not to leave this room, okay? Then I'll help you get out of here unnoticed.
While the princess was confused, Camilla took her hand again.
— I know it's been hard for you. But in order to survive, you better listen to me, okay?
Kaena frowned. "Obey?" The word was unfamiliar to her.
And yet this brazen woman dared to make such a request to her!
Contrary to all the rules of etiquette, this noblewoman also continued to behave extremely familiarly. Not only did she address the Crown Princess without an official title, she also calmly touched her. This annoyed Kaena.
It seems that for some reason this woman is not afraid of death at all.
As they talked, the thought of Camilla's speedy repose haunted the Crown Princess a thousand times. And yet she held back.
"Perhaps now is not the right time for hype..."
In the end, not knowing what it would lead to, Kaena decided to play along with her. This woman was lucky that she didn't want to kill too much today.
— All right, — Kaena agreed reluctantly.
Camille smiled happily.
"Fortunately, this commoner turned out to be more accommodating than I expected. I think I should reward her with something."
Since the girl had been unconscious for more than a day, she must have been terribly hungry. So the first thing I decided to do was feed her something delicious.
I took my favorite honey cake from the tray that Elisha brought me for tea. Then, without further ado, she put it in her mouth.
***
The news, which raised the whole empire, did not leave anyone indifferent.
Only recently, the largest celebration of the decade took place. When suddenly an event occurred, no less grandiose.
Mad Crown Princess Kaena de Ronan died during a failed coup attempt. If the second Princess and the Imperial Army had not arrived in time, it could have turned into the fall of the entire state.
But, fortunately, Jerica de Ronan managed to prevent the tragedy.
After her death, the Crown Princess was accused of her many crimes, and her body, mutilated during the battle, was buried in an unmarked grave.
The villainess, who has been threatening the safety of civilians all this time, has finally lost her influence. In terms of significance, this event was even more triumphant than the anniversary of the founding of the empire.
Even at night, information about this leaked to the highest circles of the nobility. And by the middle of the day, every maid in every manor felt it her duty to discuss this sensation. The Duke de Walt, of course, was also one of the first to find out about this incident.
Together with the eldest son, they, as usual, had breakfast in the dining room while the man read the latest correspondence. No matter how you look at it, all the news headlines today were just about that.
When he reached the last line, the Duke exhaled loudly and put the newspaper aside.
— Father, you were right. This crazy woman really lost.
Yufil recalled their recent conversation with his father, in which the heir to the duchy questioned whether the victory was really entirely on the side of the imperial family. But, as it became obvious now, his fears were in vain.
— Of course, — the Duke replied calmly, — who would have thought that Her Highness would be so short-sighted as to arrange such an obvious ambush...
The man looked slightly displeased. The battle began as suddenly as it ended. None of the highest nobles had time to find out about it — and the rebellion was suppressed solely by the forces of the Imperial Army. The Duke was disappointed that he had missed such a great opportunity to glorify their family.
— Well, if that's the case, we'll have to work our way out on our own.
Yufil nodded in agreement, scooping up the soup with a spoon.
— Big changes are coming to the government. I have already received an invitation to the coronation of the new Crown Princess... And I decided that I would take you with me.
— what?
The young man was visibly surprised. It was the first time his father had taken him to such an important event as a visit to the imperial palace. Besides, it was the coronation of a princess...
Unlike her predecessor, Jerica enjoyed the full support of the people. In a few years, it will not be difficult for her to ascend to the throne.
— You're about the same age. I hope that you will take this opportunity to make an acquaintance.
— Father, do you want to...?
— Making connections is your first duty as the heir to the family. If you can win the princess's favor, then you won't have to worry about your future.
Yufil de Walt swallowed. From time immemorial, the nobles have sought to get to the unattainable peak — the imperial family. Given that the country maintained a totalitarian monarchy, their position among ordinary mortals could be compared to the gods. Any subject, regardless of his status, was obliged to obey the imperial word.
It was not easy to become an intimate or even a trusted person of this cell of society. And it is almost impossible to become a direct part of it... Jerica de Ronan, the second princess and the nation's favorite, was considered the most enviable bride of the Empire.
Considering that the girl had not been engaged to anyone until now, hundreds of marriage proposals were received daily at the palace. But Jerica didn't seem to be paying attention to them, concentrating entirely on fulfilling her duty as a captain of the Imperial Army.
Of course, the Duke de Walt did not expect that he would be able to marry his son to the princess. It would be enough if these two manage to establish a good relationship. While the "new" crown Princess had not yet definitively consolidated her position in society, it was quite possible.
Now every noble family of the Empire will fight for the opportunity to take a place next to the future Empress.
Yufil dutifully accepted his father's will and promised to show himself in the best light. The coronation will take place in a month, so they still had time to prepare.
The father and son continued their meal, when suddenly a noise was heard from the upper floor. It seemed like someone was screaming.
The Duc de Walt frowned and raised his head.
— What's going on?
The rumble that rang out was like the sounds of a struggle. Yufil immediately guessed that the noise was coming from the wing of the estate where Camilla lived.
— That girl...! — he hissed angrily, — she must have done something again!
They remembered the existence of their younger sister and daughter only when she clearly made herself felt.
— It looks like something has happened, — Victor said suddenly, — we need to go check it out.
Yufil was not too enthusiastic about this idea, but he had to obey his father. They went up to the floor where the girl lived. Before that, the Duke knocked on the door several times.
But there was no response.
— I'm coming in, — he warned loudly.
The door swung open, and both witnessed an unexpected scene.
The only lady of the ducal family was lying on the floor, while a strange woman was looming over her.
Yufil and the Duke froze in shock on the threshold of the room.