I gulped the coffee Von made for me and smiled looking at pieces of compiled papers where all my plans are written. The only thing that is not visible is my plan of escape. For two days, I've been making this and revising it. I have had this hobby of organizing things since before and yes, I am a perfectionist and my blood boils when I find my work untidy or not appealing.
My father taught me to be cautious about plan-making and my mother raised me to be a perfectionist. It's not that I hate it, I like it, I like clean things. It brightens my days, which is why Clara as my lady in waiting is such a pain in the ass for that lady quietly doesn't understand the word clean and the meaning of silence. She's always a mess and a very noisy lady. But what surprises me is her suitors, she has lots of men lining up on her.
She's pretty and innocent as a daisy but her mouth is like a door without a lock. A driver who doesn't know how to break. But despite that, I like her for being free-spirited and an open-minded one who always makes me laugh when I'm feeling down. If I were to choose again, I will choose her again and again. I will never replace her with someone else who only wants my power not for who I am.
I sighed in defeat. I tried to be more positive, hoping that things are not that bad when I return. Clearly, the kingdom will be in chaos but to avoid any kinds of rumors, the council and the royal couple will surely hide the fact that I was kidnapped. That's good on my part too. Traversing town to town won't be a problem for me, but of course, I still have to be cautious when it comes to the knights. They are trained to smell the fishiest among the fish. It will be hard to just hide from them, I have to stay away from them. If possible, not crossing the same path with them is the best scenario. But it seems like fate doesn't favor me this time.
A loud thud comes from the door and there the two ladies who look so pale and panting so hard show up.
"V-Vienna, hide!" Marion nervously exclaimed.
"Oh my, h-hide at the back of that table. Quick!" Lilian panicked. Seeing them acting like that is making me panic too. But without too much knowledge about what's happening. I still followed what the two said.
I hide at the back of the table and to my surprise, there's like an empty large barrel in it. I didn't imagine there was a barrel at the back of my table. I fit myself in and was about to close in when a piece of cloth was thrown in me.
"Hide our flag Lady! Don't worry, we'll somehow deal with all of this, so sit-- I mean hide well and relax." Marion stated and I nodded in response.
"I'm sorry!!" She added and close the lid of the barrel.
All of a sudden, I am forced to hide in this barrel. It's too snug for me and fortunately, there's a hole in the lid preventing me from suffocating. Bullets of sweat are starting to devour my body. It's so hot in here if I didn't hold out I might use the flag I'm holding to wipe the gallons of sweat manifesting my entire body. And it's too dark too, the table that's covering the barrel covered the wind from entering too.
I am curious about what's happening outside but based on the rough footsteps, it looks like from the people who are not in here before, an intruder. But why would they hide me to this extent? A-ah don't tell me? The Navy? If what I'm thinking is real then why would they board this ship? Did my father envoy men look for me?
Ahh, this is bad, really bad. What should I do?
For now, let's wait and stay hidden until the danger's gone. After all, I have to guarantee my safety first. But really? Does it matter anymore? I don't have the resolve to return to my old life, I just want to make sure that everything's okay and to make the kingdom great.
Dang, thinking hard makes my breathing uneven. The air entering this barrel is not enough. And curse this long hair of mine. What bad timing, today I decided to not tie my hair but because of that, it adds the difficulty of breathing. My entire body felts goosebumps when I heard muttering on the other side of the wall. I covered my mouth and control my breathing so they won't find out I was in here.
"Did you check everything?" Said the man from the other wall.
"Yeah, negative. All cleared and it seems like they are telling the truth." Replied by another man which I conclude as a confederate with the first man. Person B.
"But don't you find it weird? A caravel out of nowhere?" Person A stated. I heard person B agree.
"They said they are traveling adventurers, they even showed as the neighboring badge identification card and it's no mistake that it's the badge for adventurers. They showed as the permit to travel too." Person B added.
"Then we don't have any reason to stay here longer." Person A stated. It seems that he is in charge of this search. Though I don't know what or who are they looking for?
"But Sir, you said that the crowned princess has long hair?" Asked by Person B that made me gasp in surprise. I covered my mouth immediately hoping that they won't find me but It seems like they already noticed my existence.
"Are you sure no one is hiding in that room?" The person in charge, Person A cautiously asked.
"Yes, sir and no one is in there." He replied.
"It must be the waves hitting the ship." Person A stated, I sighed in relief. "And yes, long ebony hair almost reaching her waist and tantalizing green eyes as if it's a rare gem. When you see her in person you can easily tell that she is someone higher than every being as she holds power that no one can overcome." He added I don't think that's a compliment.
"Did you see her in person sir?"
"Of course, she was the most beautiful woman I have ever lied my eyes on. Her aura itself speaks to power, so I was devastated when I heard she was gone missing after the incident in the city of Shadense. Those crazy Pirates, I will kill them with my own hands if they are involved with my princess's disappearance!" Person A angrily exclaimed which made me shiver.
What the hell is wrong with this man? I can't tell if he admires me or is obsessed with me. I don't know but I should stay away from him for now that his objective is clear to me. He is looking for me, I am glad that someone I don't know personally is eager to find me in this vast and unknown kingdom of water. But too bad, it's not part of my plan to be captured. I have to do things first before I return. I don't want this golden opportunity to slip into my hands.
"How about the Family of Wilson?" Person B asked. Wilson? Clara? Oh god, Clara!!
"Ah, not yet. They haven't seen their lady yet." Person A responded. "Let's go! We still have to search somewhere! Our mere priority is to find our lady, let the Wilsons handle their case." He added then the footsteps became hazy.
Tears started running down my face again. I didn't even notice it. Though I promise myself not to cry anymore when it comes to Clara, I just can't control myself. I may have known as a cold princess but Clara is different. I hope the Wilsons already saw their Unica hija. I would feel guilty in my entire life if I had only survived this fight.
Damn it. Why the hell is happening to us!? Is my suffering not enough, why did they involve Clara? Damn these shitty pirates!
I thought I am done hating them but thinking that Clara died because of the fire that was caused by them in the first place, I will never let them live a life without tasting my wrath. They still haven't known my capability to fight. Just a glimpse but if opportunity strikes and fate mingles, I will have to forget I knew them from the start. That's how important Clara is to me.
And damn this hair of mine. Because of this, they will find out who I am. And curse with the rules, who cares if I cut my hair, curse that damn tradition. Do they think women with long hair are more beautiful and powerful? Hah! Then let me show them the reality.
I took my golden dagger and grab my hair and positioned it in a shoulder-length size. Fuck with the rules, fuck with the tradition. A true woman doesn't define by just mere hair!
I forcefully cut it and smirk.
Damn them all, the nobles, the royals, humans, the pirates. Curse them all! I have suffered enough.
Let me show them all how the future empress of Andra Kingdom works. I'll let them taste the wrath of the angry princess.