Almost having to drag Madam Murphy, who was trying to dissuade her, Kathia insisted on going to the trial.
After almost starving for the past 10 days, she staggered out of the detached palace onto the path towards the imperial palace, using her own feet.
“Look over there. My god. She’s the one who…”
“You’re right. Pink hair and blue eyes. Is she the imperial princess from those rumors?”
“A kind of beauty even well-to-do aristocrats would give up everything for, just to be with her. It’s so true.”
Every corner she passed, there were such whispers and stares as if it was obvious.
Instead of Kathia, who had no strength to even bother to care, Madam Murphy glared at those light-mouthed servants, then the commotion finally subsided.
Just because the servants and maids worked at the palace, they were not of the same rank.
To be bestowed with titles such as Lord Chamberlain or lady-in-waiting, or other high-ranked servant and maid titles, one needed to come from a reputable aristocratic family.
Even Madam Murphy, who was following Kathia, was from a prestigious family in the northern region.
“Ah…”
“Please be careful!”
As soon as Kathia misstepped due to not enough strength, Madam Murphy pulled her up.
Madam Murphy holding the fragile Kathia who almost starved for 10 days suddenly thought back to the time when she truly started to take care of Kathia well.
For her, she wasn’t always close with Kathia and Hannah in the beginning.
Although she swore to live with regret for her past, she herself was born as a proud aristocrat growing up.
But then, she was ordered to call these people from common blood ‘masters’. How humiliating could this be?
As they talked and lived together, she couldn’t help but grow affection for Kathia and Hannah. They were beautiful, good-natured, and lovely.
At the same time, she felt sympathy towards the mother and daughter.
Especially when Madam Murphy took care of Kathia, every time, the bottom of her heart ached. The young Kathia didn’t know how to cry nor throw a fit.
And now, it felt as if they went back to that time.
“Princess, your Highness… It’s for the better if you head back now.”
Madam Murphy uttered, choking up.
It was a trial for none other than the Crown Prince’s murder case, one all the other imperial family members would attend, but no one would dare judge Kathia for not being present.
Today, Hannah was sure to receive the verdict for execution. Kathia need not be present at the scene of such tragedy.
“It’s alright. I told you, I’m OK.”
Kathia pushed Madam Murphy away stubbornly. She was well aware of what Madam Murphy was concerned about.
No, Kathia, in her state now, would there be anything that she does NOT know?
The true colors of this world. The secrets of many. And what’s to come in the future…
She even knew the fact that she could ‘overturn the story.’
***
At this point in the original story, the Imperial Crown Prince didn’t die yet.
The story already began to change.
Because of that, Kathia couldn’t sit around waiting.
Whatever it takes, I need to reconstruct this damned story. Quickly. By any means…
She stood up.
Kathia halted in her tracks. She couldn’t process what Madam Murphy was saying.
The truth of the matter was she needed to do something, but she didn’t know what, even a while ago.
But now, I know for sure.
What my only lifeline is.
“Your Majesty…!”
Disregarding Madam Murphy’s call, Kathia started to run.
As if in the deep sea she was sinking in for the last 10 days, she bolted forward, swinging her arms.
At the end of her desperate paddling was a boy of black and white.
Eyes and hair as dark as impenetrable by light. They contrasted his beautiful facial features on top of his fair, white skin.
A boy who has a soft smile but was unable to mask his icy aura.
Deon Arc del Brezina.
The protagonist of this world.
“Help me.”
Kathia spat out in a cracked voice as she grabbed onto Deon’s sleeve.
Slightly widened in shock, his black pupils met hers.
“Help me. Please, I beg of you. Help me. Help me.”