UNMASKING THE TRUTH

Heidi sat quietly on her seat, still fazed with the tournament. She looked around her and realized that most of the guests had started leaving the courtyard. She took a deep breath, adjusting her gown before walking out of the tournament ground. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, as she quickened her pace.

She bit her lips, silently praying that no one would stop her for any reason. The sound of murmurs and small talks filled the air as the guests talked about the tournament. She stopped at the garden, taking a flower from there. It was one that had blue petals like the pisali flower.

Heidi sighed in relief on finally getting to the castle. She made her way to the attic, as she had earlier decided on taking the flower before the masquerade party. She had overheard that gifts would be exchanged after the masquerade party.

Her gaze fell on the flower in her hands, the fragrance reaching her nose. She took a look around the corridors and heaved in relief on seeing no one. Most of the guests were outside, leaving the castle almost empty.

Heidi walked down the corridor leading to the attic, her heart beating with the implications of her actions. If lady Genevieve finds out about the exchanged flowers, it would cause a lot of trouble. Heidi bit her lips unconsciously, her mind racing with different thoughts.

Mrs. Doris would die without the flower, and Heidi doubted she could handle it. She had also gone through a lot of trouble acting like a noble lady, all for this moment. She took a deep breath, her fists clenching in resolve.

"I'll get the flower no matter what, Mrs Doris, I promise." She muttered silently, her gaze falling on the long staircase leading to the attic.

She placed her foot on the stairs, feeling it creak beneath her heels. She moved on, going as fast as she could at the moment. She took a shaky breath as she finally got to the top of the stairs. Her grip on her gown tightened as she walked towards the attic door.

With a deep breath, Heidi pushed open the creaky door and stepped into the dimly lit attic. The air was filled with dust and faint smell of perfumes and spices. Heidi's eyes widened a little, as she adjusted to the dim light of the attic.

Her gaze quickly fell on the long cupboard where she hid the pisali flower. She walked carefully towards it, feeling the wood creak at her every step. She then crouched down, her hands swiftly looking for the flower at the corner she had placed it.

She sighed in relief on seeing the box containing the flower. She straightened herself, her hands opening the box to reveal the blue bottle. Heidi took out the bottle, carefully opening the cap. As her fingers reached to grab the flower, Heidi felt the sweet fragrance waft through the air.

Heidi's fingers reached for the flower, but as soon as they touched the petals, a sudden, sharp pain shot through her chest. Her balance wavered, and she stumbled slightly before regaining her footing. "What was that?" she whispered, retracting her fingers from the bottle. Trying again, she felt nothing but the soft petals against her skin. "Strange," she muttered, attributing the sensation to stress.

She then took out the flower from the bottle, placing it carefully in her handkerchief. She took out the flower she had taken from the garden, putting it inside the bottle. There was barely any difference, apart from the fact that this flower wasn't medicinal.

She placed it back in the box, and then on the long cupboard, where she had seen the box. Her hands held onto the handkerchief, as she made her way out of the attic. She only had to get this to Mrs Doris and everything would be over.

She took a look around before going down the staircase. She got to the door of the staircase and made to enter the leading corridor.

"Ah! There you are lady Adelheid, I was beginning to think you had gone missing." Viktor's voice came, slightly echoing through the quiet corridor.

Heidi's footsteps halted at his voice, her hand instinctively shooting to her back. "I...um..." She stammered not knowing what to say.

His piercing gaze threatened to bore a hole into her as he stepped even closer to her. "Every single guest have all gone outside, yet here you are snooping around like a rat."

Heidi finally lifted her gaze to meet his sharp ones. His hair was combed back neatly and parted to the side. Her gaze fell momentarily on the mask on his hand which she guessed was for the masquerade party.

Heidi took a deep breath, wondering what lie would sound believable to his ears. "I-I was going to my chambers to change for the masquerade party." She muttered, biting her lips unconsciously.

Viktor arched his brows at her words, his head slightly tilting in question. "I have been away for ten years now, lady Adelheid. The last time I checked, this corridor led to the attic. Perhaps your chambers are in the attic?" He asked, drawling his words.

Viktor's gaze never left her as he followed her every movement. At his father's request, he had come to check the gifts for the celebration, only to find her down here. Something about her felt out of place to him, making him extremely suspicious of her motives. She wasn't at the breakfast table and after checking with Gideon, he learnt that no guest had breakfast in their chambers.

Heidi recoiled, her breath catching as her back came in contact with the cold walls. "I lost my way and was only trying to get back to my chambers." She barely whispered.

Viktor's gaze narrowed, his eyes never leaving hers. "Lost your way, did you?" He took a step closer, his voice low and even. Heidi's eyes darted to her side, silently praying he wouldn't notice the handkerchief in her hands.

Viktor's gaze followed hers, and his eyes landed on the handkerchief peeking out from behind her back. A small, telltale corner of the fabric was visible, and Viktor's curiosity was piqued.

Without breaking eye contact, Viktor reached out and gently grasped Heidi's wrist, his fingers wrapping around it like a vice. "What's behind your back, Lady Adelheid?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism. Heidi's eyes widened, and she tried to pull her hand free, but Viktor's grip only tightened.

The handkerchief was slowly coming loose, and Viktor's eyes locked onto it with an unnerving intensity. Heidi's face paled, and she knew she was caught. "it's only a flower I had taken from the garden." She muttered, saying the first thing that came to her mind.

A chuckle escaped viktor's lips as he raised his gaze from the flower to meet her. "I'm not a fool, lady Adelheid. I know that isn't the typical flower you find in the garden."

Heidi's fingers clenched into fists, not knowing how to escape his questions. She watched as he brushed the petals of the flower on his fingers, the fragrance filling the air once again.

"This is the pisali flower," viktor stated, locking her gaze with his. "Although, I can't help but wonder how it is in your possession."

"Unless...." He drawled, pausing to let his words sink before he finally said, "you stole it, did you?"

Heidi swallowed hard, feeling her breathing get harder. It was extremely difficult and vain to lie under viktor's watchful gaze. She also knew that lying now would bring more harm than good to her in her current situation.

"I-I needed it to help someone very special to me." She muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

A sly smile adorned viktor's lips as he said, "so you did steal it then, lady Adelheid. I wonder what punishment would befit you for stealing from the attic."

Heidi's eyes widened at his words, "forgive me prince Viktor, but she would die without the flower. I don't think I can bear the thought of losing her."

Viktor's gaze hardened, his grip on her wrist tightening a little. "We lose loved ones everyday, lady Adelheid. Did you ever consider the consequences of your actions?"

Heidi winced a little, feeling a little pain from how Viktor held her now. "W-when you love someone, nothing else matters."

Viktor chuckled, his grip on her wrists loosening a little. "You're quite the eloquent thief, lady Adelheid."

Viktor's gaze followed her brown eyes, down to her lips which she constantly nibbled at. "There is something missing from your story, lady Adelheid. You seem extremely fake for a noble lady." Viktor pressed, to see her reaction.

Heidi's eyes flashed with alarm, as her thoughts raced with possibilities. Could it be that he knew she was a slave? She doubted that, she had been very careful with her words and actions.

"W-what?" She muttered, trying to sound indifferent. "Of course, I'm a noble lady."

Viktor felt his patience grow thin as she continued trying to lie her way out. If she told one more lie, he was definitely going to snap at her.

"Then tell me, lady Adelheid. Which kingdom does your father rule? When was he instituted as a lord? How many celebrations have you hosted?" He paused, his control slipping a little, "the list could go on, but I doubt you have an answer to any of them."

Heidi's teeth sank into her lower lip, her face growing increasingly pale. "I do not know what you mean, prince Viktor. I only...." She started what was supposed to be her defence, when viktor's sudden movement stopped her.

He pinned her against the wall, placing a dagger dangerously close to her throat. His eyes were extremely dangerous now. "This is your final chance, lady Adelheid. Who are you?" He asked, his voice low and menacing.