"A wind that kept blowing scared me — if perhaps it is meant to enjoy or to fear the storm."
"For what reason, if I may ask?"
I asked in a calm, firm voice. Hadia looked me in the eyes at my question and then just smiled — an ironic one. The door that had just opened was now closed, and all the maids stood by Hadia, waiting for her to give some command... Only Sara stood by on my side, some feet away.
The old attic room, that had become dustier with the wind, and the windows that were creaking with each blow, only served as evidence that no matter what Hadia does here, she will not be questioned.
Hadia took some steps forward, coming near. She still hadn't given me a reply.
I watched her as she closed the distance between us slowly, like she held the most power in this room. Sara tried to move in front of me, but I stopped her with the signal of my hand.
The moment she was right in front of me, her hand collided hard with my left cheek, and I fell on the floor. Sara screamed as she jumped in front of Hadia.
"Dear Head Maid... How will she represent the Baron if she is injured!!
Please show mercy, dear Head Maid!"
Sara cried out as she trembled in front of her.
I touched the place she just slapped, and some drops of blood designed my fingers... Her nails had pierced my skin.
"My lady, please don't get angry with me or feel wronged... It was you who stepped out of the boundaries."
Hadia said, her voice held mockery, and her eyes blatantly showed her excitement.
My shoulder had hit the floor in the wrong direction and now was displaced.
I passed Hadia a smile as I stood up. The face that was showing excitement a minute ago now held anger and confusion.
I had... always tolerated every single thing the people of this barony did to me... But not now... Not anymore when I have already grabbed the hand of someone... Not now, when I have decided to become someone worthy.
I grabbed the candlestick by the table with my left hand and slammed it on the side of her neck.
She fell down with shock, unconscious.
The maids... No, my ladies-in-waiting gasped in horror and stepped away.
"Sara, you will help me prepare, along with two ladies from there...
NOW MAKE HASTE."
Sara nodded and picked two ladies among the maids Hadia had brought with her.
"W-we need to leave for the royal palace within two hours, my lady... The doctor will take at least one hour to come by..."
Sara stuttered as she gazed at my arm and cheek.
I let out a sigh and told the other two maids to come help me put it back in place. Horrified as they were, they couldn't dare refuse after seeing what happened to Hadia.
I rotated my arm, put it back in its place, and pushed hard on the wall for it to go back as I hissed in pain. Sweat trickled down my face, and my breathing became haggard.
Just thinking of one hand that could throw necks for me... brings me such strength and calmness that I am becoming scared of my own self...
I wouldn't want to be pulled up from drowning in a river just to be thrown in the sea.
Sara rushed forward and helped me to take a warm half-hour bath. The moment I stepped out, the maids had gathered my dress, heels, and other accessories.
I slipped into the dress as fast as I could... My shoulder still throbbed, and the pain was contracting my neck and back, but we didn't have much time.
The maids tried fixing the wound on my face, but I asked them to leave it as it is. I had disinfected it and put a cold compress, but there was not much I could do.
Wearing my heels and leaving my hair open, I left the mansion and stepped into the carriage with the help of the butler and Sara.
Standing in itself had become hard. My weakened body was giving up and burning in fever, but if I didn't arrive at the Palace on time, I would be punished severely or worse, hanged for treason.
The ride was at least three hours. I had asked Sara to bandage my arm in the carriage and do some light hairstyle as well as makeup — just enough to hide the bruise from getting more attention.
Today, I hadn't worn a flashy or revealing dress... but a dress that I liked. My mother's dress... Light yellow and skin with pearls, that she wore when she made her debutante — she stole the spotlight that day.
I remembered how Father smiled whenever he mentioned Mother.
He had truly loved my mother against all odds...
I let out a sigh as a hiss with each shake of the carriage. The night was already getting darker, so the coachman was hurrying, for it will be dangerous if we go through the forest roads after these hours.
Sweat continuously trickled down my face, but I tried maintaining my composure, and soon we were entering the Palace... with tons and tons of carriages standing, waiting to be entered... The security was tight.
I stepped out of the carriage with Sara, and it would be the fastest way to enter. After going through security, we entered the royal hall as we were instructed.
I could pass out any moment if I just relaxed my body and closed my eyes.
The hall was filled with every aristocrat of the Kingdom... Only calling ladies was a lie.
People were rushing from here to there and whispering all sorts of stuff... Trying to find their links in case things get out of hand... But between all this, I couldn't find my father. Nor the Royal family, Emperor, or Imperial guards.
"Don't tell me they wish to gather us all here to kill us?"
A man whispered, tension, uneasiness, terror, and confusion apparent on his face... Perhaps he was specifically involved in some illegal business.
People like him were causing panic and unsettlement among the nobility, and soon they started causing havoc.
Trying to leave the hall or abusing and forcing the guards to let them leave.
Among all this, the hall silenced down, and everyone froze as the guards announced the entrance of the Emperor, followed by the Royal Family and the twenty main families involved in the defense of the Kingdom.
As Baron Zakir was one of them, he too entered the hall with a pleasant smile.
I could tell one of his suggestions was praised and accepted, for he was smiling like the idiot he is.
The silence of the hall and the heaviness of air could cut through necks... The Emperor's eyes traveled all over the people... like he was judging them all one by one, remembering their faces.
Some even looked down or tried hiding behind the others.
No one knew what was happening or what was the reason for this call.
Why had they gathered here...
After a long time of silence, the Emperor raised his hand, and his guard came forward, giving the Emperor his ear. He then said something, and the guard nodded.
Walking forward, the guard started the announcement.
"The Emperor has arranged this banquet for all of you to know about his arrival and that — to promote harmony among the people of this Kingdom."
In between his speech, the Emperor had walked down from his seat and was now walking among the crowd... rather going towards someone.
People stepped away, making way for him, and my heart was beating louder and louder with his each step as he was getting closer and closer.
At one point, I had stopped breathing, and just when he was right in front of me, I stepped away to give him way in case he was going somewhere else — but no... He stopped and extended his hand.
"...And that — he himself will open the celebration of the treaty with the first dance!"