"Calm down..." Francheska smiled. "This is a secret pathway. I don’t usually take the major ones as I don’t like to talk to other people. I chose the smaller pathway where no one but me would use."
"A princess who liked to avoid people."
"I prefer books to people," Francheska said. "I usually take these to the library."
"Well... I understand why you prefer books to people who live in this place."
"I have heard stories that you are very blunt and confident," Francheska said. "Smart and scheming too."
"And that’s why I was able to seduce your brother,’ Ava finished her sentence.
"Yes. Well... not exactly that but... you can say it like that."
"You sound different," Ava said.
"Different?"
"You don’t talk like Matthew and the others."
"Oh... that must be because I spent a few months outside."
"You did?"
"I had to watch an opera in London and some musicals. It was a dream of mine."
"Oh..."
Soon, the two of them arrived in a garden full of yellow flowers that Ava haven’t seen before. They sat in a shaded area in the middle of the garden.
"I hope you will like the food. These are— I mean I got the recipe from some shops in France and the tea from China. Though, I haven’t been to China or any Asian countries before."
"But did you want to go? Someday?"
"Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I honestly don’t think that’s possible, given the current atmosphere inside this place."
Ava nodded at that. She understood what the Princess meant. This place looked beautiful. Yet... something about it feels dark and gloomy. It was like watching a new horror movie where a family moves to an abandoned house. That feeling that someone was always watching you is always there.
"So... why’d you take me here?" Ava asked.
"As I said— "
"I don’t believe you."
The smile on Francheska’s face vanished. She sighed.
"I thought you were interesting."
"Hmmm." Ava examined the pastries and picked one. Then she smelled it and enjoyed its sweet, chocolatey mixed with vanilla smell. It was still hot and smelled fresh.
"I used to have a witch like you too," Francheska said. "She— didn’t last that long."
"What you do mean?"
"People who ask questions usually get their answers and sometimes... the answers that they get isn’t that favorable, sometimes the answers that they get could get them in trouble."
"So she died."
"I would rather think that she left and one day, we would meet again."
"That’s an interesting way of thinking." Now that Ava had a closer look at the woman, she immediately noticed her resemblance to the King. Silver gray eyes, attractive tall nose, and high cheekbones. They practically look like models, except they have this noticeable sharpness in them.
It was like looking at a sharp and beautiful knife.
Something about Francheska’s very own beauty reminded her of Matthew.
The thought of Matthew made Ava frown. She wondered if he was able to get what he needed. He promised to come during the event and for some twisted reason, Ava started to think about the time when he would come in an expensive dark suit and walk toward her.
That would be a sight to see.
"The Royal Family isn’t as forgiving as you might think," Francheska said after she took a sip of her tea. "The reason why they have been lenient with you is because of Matthew but he could not protect you all the time."
Francheska took one of the pastries and bit into it, her hands graceful and her actions looked elegant. Ava started to wonder how much training would she need to look like this.
Was this because of their genes?
"So, you came to warn me?" Ava smiled. The last Royal who warned her was Kieran and now... he is in the Pits, hiding from these people until everything calms down.
"Not like that. I know you could handle yourself."
"So?"
"I just thought it would be nice to talk to someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
"Someone strong enough to say no to Ulva? Someone strong enough to stand her ground?"
Ava nodded. Now, she could feel the woman’s jealousy. Francheska must be jealous of her circumstances. Perhaps, she was jealous of Ava’s freedom? Or her guts. Sadly, Ava couldn’t determine the woman’s real intention just because she could sense jealousy from Francheska’s emotions.
"You just said it... people like me usually don’t last long." Ava said.
Francheska nodded but then her lips twisted into a weird-looking smile.
"Well, it has been years since this Kingdom had someone like you. I am certain that your presence would soon cause some entertaining stuff."
"So, you are saying that everything has been boring and my presence could change that very soon," Ava seamlessly interpreted the Princess’s words.
This time, Francheska didn’t deny that. Instead, she finished her tea and poured herself a new one.
Then Francheska said, "I’ve heard about what you did to the knights that were assigned to follow Matthew around." Francheska changed the topic.
"What about it?"
"Munoz, the one that you fought has finally regained his strength after being in a coma for months."
Ava pursed her lips. She could barely remember the man.
"I heard you made a bet with him?"
"I did."
"Are you certain you are going to let him follow you around?"
"Why not? A Lycan servant would be very good too. They are strong and pleasing in the eyes." Ava winked. "Especially when they are shirtless."
Francheska’s eyes turned wide before her ears turned red. Then Francheska cleared her throat.
"I didn’t think you would be this blunt."
Ava only scoffed in response.
"But I understand your point. Still... Munoz is one of the King’s men. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?"
"I do," Ava beamed at her. "But... playing it safe would only make things boring."
"You really are different from everyone else."
Ava smirked in response. "What do you mean your highness? This lowly servant is nothing but an orphan who never had a proper witch education."
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