I had a feeling that if we stayed here now, the consequences for us might be too terrible.
"No, why did the atmosphere suddenly become like this?"
Watching the two of them face off, Jeremy and I felt confused. No, rather, we were stunned.
— Duchess, I suggest you think carefully about which side you're on.
When I heard the ominous voice that sounded like a warning, my stomach turned over.
"Oh, don't tell me there's going to be a fight here?"
After that, the cold voice of the northern Duchess sounded.
— Your Highness, as I have already said, the North's position on this issue is adamant.
Kaena chuckled, not taking her gaze off her.
— After I ascend the throne of this country, every noble will have to kneel before me. May I regard your refusal as an act of disobedience?
— ...
Since none of us expected this development, Jeremy and I were extremely tense. The situation was becoming more and more dangerous. On the other hand, it seemed that the expression that no wedding is complete without a fight justifies its meaning. Although we didn't want to witness it at all.
The Crown Princess stood up and noisily pressed her palms against the table. Following her, the northern Duchess did the same. The two exchanged murderous glances. And then the villainess said with a sly smile:
— Well, if you are so adamant in your decision, maybe I should make more efforts to convince you?
— Try it if you can, Your Highness, — she replied.
At that moment, Jeremy looked at me desperately. He made a gesture with his eyes, and I understood my friend without words. We decided to work together to save ourselves.
— Oh, what is it, it seems that the sauce for the meat was served less than usual today! — The guy exclaimed with mock annoyance.
— Indeed, — I supported him, — There is clearly something missing here. How can we enjoy food without this ingredient?
The servant standing nearby paled at this remark, as in his opinion, the food was served as usual today. Had the cook really made a mistake? He was about to rush into the kitchen to get an extra portion of sauce, but Jeremy stopped him with a gesture.
The new prince of the north smiled and said kindly:
— Well, if that's the case, then there's nothing you can do. I'll have to personally go and fetch it.
The servant gaped in surprise when his master showed such an unfathomable intention.
— My lord, you don't have to go after it yourself! Please stay here, I'll get everything myself.
But Jeremy shook his head emphatically.
— No, why all this extra trouble? I'd better go and get the sauce I need. You stay here and continue serving.
— ...
The servant couldn't make sense of his master's words. Going to the kitchen wasn't that burdensome for him, after all, it was his job. Especially since there were other servants staying here.
But before he could come to his senses and protest that this was not a burden to him at all, my lord and the guest were getting closer and closer to the exit.
— It will be difficult to carry the sauce alone. I'll help you, Prince.
— Ah, thank you, Lady de Walt. You are so kind!
«.....»
The servant stared after them in disbelief.
As soon as Jeremy and I left the dining room and went out into the quiet, deserted corridor, we both breathed a sigh of relief. Well, that seems to be it. At least the two of them seemed too caught up in their confrontation with each other to even notice our absence. This played into our hands.
After using such a meaningless excuse, of course, we weren't really going to go to the kitchen for this sauce. Instead, we found a secluded spot on the landing where no one was. We finally have the opportunity to talk to each other.
— So, tell me, — Jeremy turned to me seriously, — how did this happen?
I took a deep breath before starting to recount the events of the last month of my life. As soon as I informed Jeremy about what had happened at my house, he exhaled sharply, as if he was deeply shaken. Of course, it doesn't look like I've been through something like this and still remained sane.
— Wait a minute... Are you saying that this woman is the main villain in this novel? — he asked uncertainly.
— That's right.
— And she took you hostage?
I nodded, my expression grim.
Jeremy, still stunned by what he had heard, couldn't find the right words.
Unlike me, who knew the world of this novel inside and out, Jeremy couldn't boast of such an arsenal. All he knew was the title of the book and its description, which he had only glimpsed and barely remembered. Having a basic understanding that this is the universe of a fantasy novel, he adapted to it on his own. And, of course, the memories of the previous owner of the body played an important role in this process.
As in any work, there were main characters and villains here, but for the time being, the guy somehow didn't really think about it. After all, there were plenty of their own problems. Moreover, since he was an extra, he didn't have to worry about it.
And, of course, he couldn't have expected that his girlfriend, who was just as insignificant a character, would be able to get mixed up with someone like the main villain. I was embarrassed to tell him about the circumstances of our acquaintance, because it would only emphasize my worthlessness once again. Instead, I just said that for some reason this crazy woman was interested in me.
After listening to me, Jeremy bit his lip worriedly.
If before he considered himself the most unlucky person in this world, now everything looked less clear.
— So that means you're in danger? — He summed it up seriously.
Jeremy came to this conclusion when I described to him in vivid detail the nature of the main villain of this novel, who was an obsessive psychopath with manic tendencies.
— Sure, — I confirmed grimly.
Until now, I thought I was only alive because the main villain had made me her toy. However, I could not foresee the moment when she would get tired of playing with me and I would lose her favor. In this case, my fate will really be unenviable. Kaena de Ronan wasn't the type to just let me go when she got tired of me.
It is possible that then I will end up in prison and be subjected to the worst imaginable trials...
While I was vividly imagining this in my head and drenched in cold sweat, Jeremy, noticing my pallor, readily responded:
— I won't let you die! Tell me what needs to be done, and I'll do my best to help you.
I looked at him intently. I was touched by my friend's sincere intention to help me, but at the same time, I didn't want to risk the lives of others to save my own. Too many people have already died because of me.
— I'm afraid nothing will help me anymore.
— what? — His eyes widened.
— If I manage to escape, it will be on my own, — I said, — you know that there is hardly anyone in this empire who has enough influence to stop it.
Jeremy, who at first wanted to argue with me about this, stopped short. He suddenly smiled bitterly. "Indeed... What did I expect by offering my help?"
Although he has now become the consort of the northern princess, but, in fact, nothing has changed in his position. All power and control over the north was still in Selina's hands. Therefore, even if the guy asked the Duchess to grant Camilla asylum in their lands, who could guarantee that she would not refuse this offer, risking spoiling her relationship with a member of the imperial family?
Lamenting his own helplessness, Jeremy involuntarily dropped his hands.
— Don't worry, — I tried to find encouraging words in this situation, — I'll try not to die soon. At least... I'll do my best.
Jeremy pursed his lips. At that moment, he suddenly looked at me strangely.
— Listen to me...
— Hmm?
— What if the Crown Princess really likes you? What are you going to do then? — he suggested cautiously.
As soon as I heard this terrible thought, goosebumps ran over my skin.
Do the main villain like me? As soon as I tried to imagine such a thing, I almost suffocated.
Trying my best to suppress my excitement, I answered him anyway:
— That's impossible... But even if it can happen, it's even worse.
If the Crown Princess really likes me, it will be even more difficult for me to get out of this situation. After all, psychopaths take special pleasure in killing and torturing people, using the most sophisticated pretexts.
At that terrifying thought, I shuddered again. I couldn't help but think of her last words about our wedding. Although I wasn't sure if her intentions were really that serious, the fact that she said it out loud alerted me.
"No, seriously, just why would I do all this?"
When I calmed down a bit and tried to pull myself together, I stated it with all seriousness:
— No, that will never happen. I'd rather die than marry the main villain.