A WARNING FROM A SO-CALLED “FRIEND.”
--
'I was summoned?' Neirin pursed her lips. 'I can't really rest, huh?' she mumbled inside her mind while acting like none of the crown prince's words mattered to her.
She was terribly tired and wanted to soak her body in the warm water of a tub.
"Pray do tell the reason why the emperor was summoning me in such an ungodly hour?" Neirin started the conversation and expressed her displeasure. She was tired. She wanted to rest early, for there were matters that she needed to look into in the morrow.
The crown prince chuckled, not minding the disrespect he was getting. He leaned back and crossed his right leg over his left. "Are you not going to say your gratitude, duchess?"
"What for?" Neirin raised her brow. She's asking a genuine question as she doesn't know why she should be thankful.
The crown prince shrugged. "Well, if I wasn't here, the servants would be able to know that you went out. They'll report it to the emperor. Of course, my father would incur his suspicions about you, especially with the murders. I was here first, so I told the servants that we were having a secret conversation. It's up to them what conclusion they'll draw."
Neirin scoffed as she laughed. She wasn't worried at all.
"I am not fond of malicious rumors, your highness. Especially if it is between you and me. And perhaps, you are mistaken. If that's the case, I could just tell him the lies I prepared. Besides, aren't we all know that he cannot do anything about the house of the Halstead? He needs our power, especially with what is happening right now."
Neirin took a sip from her glass. The alcohol traveled from her throat down to her stomach, making her oddly courageous, as a matter of fact.
"And may I ask the reason why you are here?"
Cassius stared at Neirin for a moment before smiling like nothing had happened. His expression from before was unreadable. And perhaps it was because of the alcohol. Neirin wasn't feeling anything at all.
"It's nothing grand. I just wanted to ask the duchess to dance earlier, but you left the ballroom quite early, so I wanted to change my approach and have a conversation with you. I arrived at your room, but you weren't even there. Hence, I stayed thinking that you might be having fun and wanted to ask if you could share some?"
"Are you that free, your highness?" Neirin inquired. She was about to grab the glass she had put down earlier when Cassius poured some alcohol as he noticed that it was almost empty. She withdrew her hands, not minding the awkwardness she felt when the prince poured her a glass.
Their conversation continued. Neirin regained her composure. "No, but I am sure that whatever fun things the duchess has been doing might interest me. So here am I right?" Cassius jest.
Neirin shook her head. A smirk formed on her lips. "It's all about murders, your highness. Would you be able to bear the sight of a chopped dead body?"
"I am not that fragile, your grace." The crown prince doesn't look offended. "But I must say I find it disgusting."
Should Neirin be honest and tell the crown prince about what she had been through today? Although she has a lead, it's not still enough. She needs more if she's planning on revealing that a potential monster might appear in the future.
At this time, even a tiny simple word can cause a catastrophe if it's not handled well.
However, from a different perspective, the crown prince wasn't dumb or a fool. He's sly and cunning. Even though Neirin might not tell him, he'll have his ways.
'Let's do this in an easy way.' Neirin concluded, downing the alcohol. She felt her whole body heat up, but she was sober enough to continue the conversation. There was nothing to hide except the information she gathered about a victim turning into a monster.
Cassius was amazed. His eyes were wide and amused, seeing the duchess' cheeks turn pink.
"It's nothing grand. I am just investigating what the emperor asked me."
"The serial killings?" Cassius asked, even though he knew.
"Yes."
"Have you have any lead yet, duchess?" The crown prince seemed to be curious.
"I do not have one yet, your highness." Neirin doesn't plan on revealing what she uncovered this day.
"Then what about your plans?" The crown prince added.
"I will be thinking of it after you leave," Neirin uttered frankly. Cassius laughed. He was not offended at all.
"Are you telling me to leave?" The crown prince asked in an amused and shocked voice.
"Yes, your highness," Neirin told him quite frankly.
Cassius laughed as he shook his head. "Then, I'll be going. I have taken much of your time. Remember to meet the emperor tomorrow. He's been patiently waiting for you since earlier."
Cassius glanced at the clock. It was already one in the morning. "If there is something important that you want to tell me, please feel free to do so. Whatever your information be, it would help me decide if you are useful in the future or not."
"Please do not lie, your highness. I know, based on your actions, that you already deemed me as someone important." Neirin grinned. "Must I say that I am honored to be called as your highness' friend?"
"If that's what you think, my lady." the crown prince smiled mysteriously. He then walked towards the door.
Neirin watched his back. She stared in a daze for a moment.
"Consider this warning from a friend, your highness," The crown prince turned to look at Neirin. Neirin smiled at him, comfortably and confidently leaning on the sofa.
"Beware of those people, especially those nobles around you. Please remember that you need to succeed to the throne no matter what."
"You do not need to tell me that. I am aware." Cassius answered back.
Neirin shrugged.
"I am just telling you that some nobles have a deeper mask than what they currently have, especially those who are just a few inches away from you and the emperor. I know that your highness is someone who knows how to read people."
Cassius paused for a moment. He withdraws his hand from the doorknob. "And who is this person you are talking about?"
"Who else? The one who holds the emperor's trust."
Cassius frowned before his face lit up with a smile. His gaze kindled with a different emotion, but before Neirin could even see it, it disappeared right at the moment it appeared.
"His advisor, then."
Neirin did not answer and just gave shrugged. "Have a pleasant night, your highness."
The crown prince chuckled. "you too, my lady."
--
The moment the crown prince left the duchess room, a figure appeared from behind. Cassius, who had a serious expression, said, "Investigate everything about Edward Johnson."
The dark figure bowed. "Yes, master."
--
As the door closed, Neirin stood up and removed her clothes. She then went to the bathroom and soaked her whole body in warm water. She closed her eyes and felt the fatigue wash away from her.
Her thoughts went back to what happened today.
A monster.
A victim of murder.
A chopped body.
For what reason?
Neirin was getting tired thinking about it now.
It wasn't just physical, but it was mental as well. There have been many questionable things going around that she doesn't even know about anymore. Honestly, it made her doubt the reality she was living in.
Her memories were getting tangled with the reality she has now.
God's grace?
That was her conclusion from the start when she realized that she had returned from the past. However, if she thinks about it now, do gods even exist? Well, perhaps, In the temple with that priest who did their job praising those non-existent, because it was said in the ancient scriptures.
Neirin knew that she was aware of the future, even if there were only a few things she could use. Some memories, yes, but now? She's questioning if she really went back in time or if she had a dream about herself dying?
Neirin was happy about the second chance she had received, but it seemed that the price would be too much for her.
What will happen in the future?
Neirin, in the past, lived greedily away from people as she focused every power she had on conquering the family of Halstead. What did she get in return? Her death.
Right, everything about her death was vivid to her. Her blood pooled on the floor as she tried her best to say farewell to Vincent.
But wait…
Neirin paused as she swallowed. Water cascaded on her body as she asked the question,
'Who was the one that killed me?'
A terrifying realization hit her.
Neirin tried to go over her past memories and the things she had witnessed. However, she couldn't see or remember anything before she was stabbed!
What was the reason?
Neirin's swallowed as her heart beat faster. Fear was taking over.
Who killed her?
--