45 Sneaking In

I stayed in bed for the past hours, wondering what Prince Forest might be feeling when he found out that his mother prioritized me before herself.

I don't even know what spell she cast on me, but it doesn't change the fact that she died.

I can't imagine how painful it must've been for him.

I want to run to him and give him a tight embrace, I owe him an apology for what happened. I know that it was not my choice that put an end to her, but still, if I wasn't there, then she might've protected herself.

The maids kept on knocking on the door, but I don't answer them. They'll eventually unlock the door if they have to do something in here.

I wonder where's my father. Is he hiding from the King? Is he hiding something? Maybe, since he won't show up.

After a few more minutes of calling my name, Lulu entered with the others, including a small bald man with monocles while carrying three large books on his hand.

Regin stared at me lowly as I stand up from the bed. I now get why he's like this, and I don't blame him for looking at me with such a dirty look.

I just walked towards the old man and curtsied like any lady would, leaving Granny and the maids shocked.

If I'm the reason why the Queen died, I should at least listen and obey to what everyone's telling me.

"Miss Amelia Snow," the old man looked at me from head to toe, judging my choice of dress and my appearance, "I am your tutor for the next trial for knowledge and character," he said and gave a respectful bow.

Aiven can be my tutor in this matter as well, but I ran away like a dramatic actress earlier from shock.

"Let's begin the lesson," the old man placed the book on the desk and I sat down.

He started lecturing, and I noticed the lessons are mostly similar to the ones taught in school in subjects like ethics, values, personal development and such. But the difference is that ladies are likely to follow the rules than men since they are seen as lower than the male sex.

I took down notes and did my best to keep everything in mind.

The old man left after making me repeat how a lady should act around men, which Regin seemed to entertain the most with his nods and acknowledgment as if he's telling me that I was wrong to say the words about the friendship between a lady and a man.

I walked towards Granny before she leaves, and whispered, "Can I go to the Prince?"

I want to talk to him about his mother, but since he still doesn't know that I knew who I am, I'll just ask how he is. And I want to be sure he's not angry at me, or at least, he doesn't hate me.

Granny sighed and patted my shoulder, "No, he's busy and you cannot enter the castle without any invitation."

I frowned as I walk back to my bed, Lulu and the other maids were already preparing dinner, and I'm here, stuck with the cold sensation on my chest that never ceased.

Then, a thought struck in my mind, I can run to Prince Forest's office without getting caught, right? I'm fast enough to be not noticed.

I beamed a smile at Granny, but it seems like she got what I was thinking, and she gave me a head shake and a displeased look.

If I got away from the guards, the Prince will notice, especially that he knew about my powers and he'll know that I used it.

But I miss him so much.

"Lili," another thought came to my mind, "You also work in the castle, right?" I asked.

Granny was listening to me with a creased brow, she should've left with the old man and Regin earlier, but she stayed because of my plan about sneaking out to the castle.

"That won't work, they'll notice," Lala panicked while looking back and forth from Lili to me.

Lili agreed to lend her uniform while she will pretend that she's me while sleeping.

Lulu was just listening, looking for a hole in the plan that can sabotage it, while Granny was staring at me intently.

"Please, help me. I just want to see him," I begged them.

"After finishing your dinner, I'll tell you my decision," Granny said as she gestures me to eat.

"My clothes kind of smell like sweat now, Miss, please bear with it," Lili forced a smile while brushing her skirt.

They were all talking to each other on the other side of the room while I munch my dinner. I have a feeling that Granny will let me go this time. She knows what I'm feeling, and she knows what's happening to the Prince.

After a few minutes of planning out what we'll do, Granny finally let me change clothes.

Lili is younger than me, but since I'm small, her clothes fit well with me.

Her headdress hid my hair perfectly, and now, I look like her, unless I show my face to the guards. I know they know me since my face was scattered in the kingdom when I ran away.

Lili immediately wore my nightdress and jumped in the bed and covered her whole body with the blanket just like I always do.

Lala and Lulu gave me a tray to hold with my used water glass to make it look like I'm Lili.

"Just follow me, don't look around and keep your head down," Granny ordered as we go out of the room.

Regin was the first one we encountered but good thing he was chatting to another guard, but hearing their words bothered not only me but Granny too.

"Assassins were seen before the fire started in the village. Good thing the neighbors of the restaurant were water-powered and got to put the fire out before it spread," the guard told Regin.

We continued to walk until we were in the connecting hall between the castle and the mansion.

"A fire happened?" Lala whispered to Granny.

Lulu smiled at me while I fidget with a thought in mind.

If it's fire, that means it's the Alpha Kingdom, doesn't it? But the fire is also normal here, I can't assume something just because I suspect the kingdom.

"We should be careful, the threats are starting to happen," Granny's soft whisper filled the hall, and then she stopped by a wide wooden door.

She turned to me, and said, "The castle is on the other side of the door, you have to keep your head down and walk between Lala and Lulu."

I nodded and walked between the girls.

We entered the castle, and the first thing I notice was how lively the place is.

The guards were all walking back and forth, maids and butlers walk to a room to another, serving the visitors in the castle, unlike in the mansion where the ladies are all asleep by this time.

"Ma'am Cephila, good evening. Is Miss Amelia asleep now?" A guard greeted us in the middle of the way.

Lala and Lulu whispered to me to curtsy, and we all bowed before the guard.

"Yes, she is," Granny answered.

"I heard a village captain was her master in archery, how is it going?"

"She's doing great, Mister Untzer is teaching her well."

The small talk ended and we all went to the kitchen first and gave the dishes to the washer, then we proceeded to the attendant's quarters where Lala and Lulu stays.

"Alright, I'll ask the Prince's maid to give us his tea and we'll serve it. You two can sleep now," Granny pointed to the young girls who were watching us with worry.

I know that if we got caught and the Prince will not be pleased, they will be put to danger too.

"Don't worry, I won't put you to danger," I smiled at the two.

I wonder if Lili's sleeping now? She looked happy when she jumped in my bed earlier.

"We're not worried about our safety, Miss. We're worried about you. You've been through a lot lately, and we know that you just want to see the Prince." Lala responded as she fixes my headdress.

Granny left for a while, and when she came back, she's already carrying the Prince's tea.

She told me to follow her, and as our steps echoed around the silent staircase to his office, my heart started pounding like crazy while my hands shake uncontrollably.

What if he doesn't want to see me?

What if he gets angry and granny and the others will be punished because of me?

What if he suddenly uses his power on me?

What if... I stopped walking.

We're near his office and I can see the light under the door.

Fear came like waves and now I'm drenched.

Granny looked back at me, while some guards stared at us.

"Lili," Granny called, "Come on, the Prince is waiting for his tea."

I can't look at her or else the guards will see me, but I can't move my feet.

Why did I even think of sneaking into his office?