Now I'm in this damn carriage, slumped like a sack of rice that's been dropped too many times. Why? Because my doom—yes, doom—is real and sitting somewhere back there at the palace, probably sharpening a sword with my name on it.
My life sucks.
I leaned back, dazed, trying to process what the hell just happened back there.
The blue panther, who had somehow claimed the entire carriage as his personal lounge, stretched out beside me like he owned the place. His tail lazily flicked against my leg, his smug face looking too relaxed for someone who had just caused a royal uproar.
"Hey, master." His lazy voice cut through my misery. "You dead or what?"
I wanted to tell him to shut up, but my soul had already left my body. "...No energy. Leave me alone."
And of course, he didn't listen. "You wanna talk about how you landed in that guy's arms in front of everyone?" His voice was practically purring with amusement.
"...I didn't land, I tripped."
"Like a sack of potatoes?" he said, smug as ever.
I sighed, long and loud, and slumped deeper into the seat. "That's not the point."
"Oh? Then what's the point?" he asked.
I turned my head toward him, dead tired, and just stared.
No words.
No energy.
Just a blank stare.
Turning back to the window, I muttered to myself, staring out at the night sky. "The point is that the rude, handsome crown prince is my doom."
Of course, his ears perked up. "What did you say? Say it louder, Master!"
I ignored him. Obviously.
But then my mind started spinning again, pulling at loose threads that made no sense. Why did I remember that specific part of the novel? The one where the crown prince threw Cecilia—me—into a dungeon? It didn't feel like a random memory. Why did i only remember when I fell into Crown Prince Rahegar's arms?
I sighed again, rubbing my temples. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe the stress of tripping in front of everyone had fried my brain.
Still, I slumped deeper into my seat, muttering under my breath, "I really need to remember why the hell Cecilia got tossed into a dungeon in the first place…"
The panther yawned lazily beside me.
***
Arlen Mansion, Later,
As soon as we reached the Arlen mansion, I could feel the eyes on me. Not dangerous, no, but curious stares from every servant in the place. And why wouldn't they stare? The Blue Panther wasn't walking beside me—no, he was ramp walking, swishing his tail like he owned the entire mansion.
The servants whispered to each other like I wasn't even there.
"Is that… the sacred beast?"
"Did Lady Cecilia tame it?"
"Look at the way it walks!!"
Sigh...
Then, the Grand Duke and Duchess stepped forward, their faces a mix of awkwardness and pride as their eyes darted between me and the panther. The Duke cleared his throat and said, "Take a good rest, dear. You must be tired."
"Thank you, sir," I replied politely.
"What!" The Grand Duke's voice echoed like a thunderclap. The entire hall went silent, even the whispering servants.
I blinked.
Oh, right. That.
Smiling awkwardly, I corrected myself, "Good night, father."
The Grand Duke's face softened into a proud smile, and he gave a satisfied nod. The Duchess followed him with a quiet chuckle, and Lora—who had been lingering awkwardly—slipped off to her room.
I sighed. Why does calling him "sir" always flip his switch? Whatever, I'm too tired for this.
"Let's go," I muttered to the panther.
But before I could take two steps, I heard it.
"Miiiiiiiiisssssssssss!!!"
I froze and looked up just in time to see her—Mina, my personal maid—running down the stairs like she was auditioning for a soap opera. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears, her arms open wide, her skirts flying dramatically as she stepped down.
"Oh, wow, what an entrance," I heard the panther mutter.
"Miss!" she wailed as she threw herself into my arms, hugging me like I was a soldier returning from war. "Miss! Are you okay? I heard… I heard you were lost!"
I blinked, my arms awkwardly hanging by my sides. "I wasn't lost. I was just… late."
Her tear-streaked face didn't relax. "Did you get hurt? Are you injured? Were you attacked? Did you—"
I sighed deeply.
When did this tiny maid turn into a one-woman drama festival? Was she like this with the real Cecilia? Forget it. I'm too tired to think.
"I'm tired, Mina," I said flatly.
"Oh! Oh, yes, yes, miss!" She jumped back, dabbing at her eyes with her sleeve. "Let's go, let's go! You need your rest."
As soon as I dragged myself toward my room, my eyes landed on him.
Tristan.
"He's still here?" I muttered under my breath, shooting him a side glance.
The guy had this guilty expression plastered on his face. But guilty for what? No clue, and honestly, I was too tired to care.
"Whatever, not my problem," I mumbled, yawning and stretching wide.
Without even sparing him another glance, I shuffled toward my room. The blue panther, of course, was tailing me like my overly confident bodyguard.
"Miss, should I arrange another room for the sacred beast?" Mina asked, poking her head out from somewhere.
"Do whatever you want," I said, waving her off. My legs felt like bricks, and my brain was already half-asleep.
As I climbed the stairs, I could still feel Tristan's eyes boring into the back of my head. Seriously, what's his deal? Guilt or not, it's not my problem.
I sighed, letting out the kind of groan that screamed, I've had enough of this day.
"Let's just sleep and forget about all this crap," I muttered to myself, pushing open the door to my room. "I will sleep for a whole day tomorrow, peacefully."
That's what i thought....
I thought I'd sleep the whole day after the hunting festival. Seriously, Cecilia's body is weak, and let's be honest, I'm lazy. Extra lazy. All I wanted was sleeeeeep.
Sweet, uninterrupted peace.
But no.
Fate had other plans...
And now? Here I am, sitting all dressed up like a proper royal lady in the morning in the freaking waiting room. Mina's serving me coffee like this is some kind of casual tea party.
Guess who's sitting across from me?
Yep, that rude, handsome Crown Prince Rahegar. The guy's casually sipping tea like he didn't choke me once in some distant memory. And then there's Tristian, sitting right next to me with his arms crossed, shooting invisible daggers at Rahegar like he's some jealous older brother in a K-drama.
"What's wrong with him?" I muttered, glancing at Tristian.
Of course, the blue panther is here, too, sprawled out like he's the main attraction.
"Does the sacred beast drink tea too?" Mina asked, her voice casual, like this is a normal day in the mansion.
"Just give him snacks," I mumbled, sipping my coffee
Rahegar's eyes flicked up to me. No words, just one of those raised-eyebrow looks that screamed, Seriously? Snacks for a sacred beast?
Meanwhile, Tristian let out a loud, irritated sigh. If he glares any harder, his eyes are gonna shoot lasers. I took another sip, ignoring both of them. Honestly, this whole situation feels like I've walked into the wrong scene of someone else's drama.
Act calm, act calm, I told myself.
He's the one who's supposed to throw me in the dungeon, so let's not provoke him… yet.
I put the cup down with all the grace I could muster, plastered the fakest, most cheerful smile on my face, and turned to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, Crown Prince, may I know how I could assist you in this early morning?"
For a long moment, the guy didn't even flinch. Still sipping his tea, still staring straight ahead, all arrogant and calm like he was the king of the world.
Then, with the patience of someone who has all the time in the world, he finally spoke.
"It's not early morning, Lady Cecilia. The sun has already risen."
Bastard.
I swear, I could punch this guy in the face right now. Look at him, all sarcastic. He really knows how to push my buttons.
I bit back a groan, keeping that smile plastered on my face like it was my job. "Ah, yes, Your Highness. Of course. My mistake."
Inside? I was about to scream.
Tristian sat up straight, looked all serious, and said, "Still, Your Highness, if you've come here without any prior notice, it must be some urgent matter, right?"
I was dying to know why the hell this guy was here, too. But Rahegar? He didn't flinch. He just looked at Tristian with that icy, soulless stare. Then, in that way-too-calm voice of his, Rahegar dropped the bomb. "It wasn't that urgent."
...Wait. What?
Tristian and I froze for a second, blinking like we'd both been hit by a damn lightning bolt. Not urgent? Then why the hell are you here?
"Not urgent? Then why—"
"Merely a casual visit." Crown Prince Rahegar cut him off with the kind of deadpan tone that only a royal prick could manage.
"Casual visit?" Tristian mumbled.
Tristian looked like he wanted to launch himself across the table and smack Rahegar right in that perfectly chiseled face.
Yeah, me too, Tristian.
Same here.
Casual visit? My foot.
There had to be some ulterior motive behind this visit, some kind of scheming in that shiny head of his. The room went completely silent. It was like the whole place held its breath. And the atmosphere? Well, let's just say it was as awkward as a family dinner with your ex.