Chapter Twenty-Nine

Special mass release of Easter Day!

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"SO, PRINCESS, WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?" Now Kate's tone wasn't that of mockery, but of curiosity instead.

"As I've said before, I can't let my family know about any of my investments, that's why I created the identity of Hana Wildflower," by how she seemed disgusted, I believe Kate didn't like the surname I choose. "Have a problem with it, Kate?"

She didn't hide her annoyance. "It's just that Wildflower is a stupid surname in my opinion, and I, personally, don't think it suits you at all, Princess. If you had discussed it with us, maybe we could have chosen a more pleasant one." Uh?

I can't wash away this awkward feeling I'm getting from Kate. She seems strange and off. Was she always like this and I never paid enough attention to it like I'm doing now? Is it because I'm way more conscious about the people around me than I was back then?

Maybe I'm overthinking things. I'm still too shaken from having been manipulated, tortured, mutilated, beheaded and kind of reincarnated... that's probably it. "And it's exactly because it does not suit me at all that I chose this. You have to think of the big picture, Kate. It's not good if you keep restricting your understanding of things like this. No one would ever believe that the daughter of the prideful Grand Duke Nicholai is using such an alias."

"I agree," Ash exclaimed. "You chose right."

"Thank you! Now, back to the important point- I need to find a way to win more money without any other Nicholai getting involved. Because only using my allowance won't be enough. Furthermore, I'll already use that money to do other things," now they realized what I mean by that. "And that's why I'm trying to find ways to win a lot of money."

She appeared a little baffled. "But where are you going to hide all that money, genius?" Now she's being sarcastic.

"That's why we'll go to the Mage's Tower and I'll use my false identity to create a bank account in the International Bank. It would be foolish of me to go to any of the Empire's banks when my family has a lot of influence over them, as do House Caspien." I bit my bottom lip and looked at the view in front of me. "And then it shouldn't have to be mentioned to any of you that, outside of wanting to stay away from my family, it is most important that I have to stay as far from Emperor Handrixander Caspien's family as I can."

When it comes to Empress Francesca, 3rd Prince Christopher, and 1st Queen Olivia, it's obvious that they all want me dead, are with Dalilah, Octavian, and my mom, and I don't know if I would be able to hold in my desire to kill them. Which is something I absolutely cannot afford doing it now. As for the Crown Prince... I have no idea who he is, which makes him a fucking dangerous person, so I just don't want anything to do with him.

The only three things we seem to have in common are: I may not know the reason but I'm certain that there's a huge animosity between him, his mother, his younger brother, and one of his stepmothers; I'm sure he didn't kill his mother back in the first timeline for nothing. Second of all, we both are private and avoid being in social gatherings, although I have a reason to do so, I'm not introverted as he seems to be. Lastly, we were both manipulated by Dalilah, but her was able to stop her somehow and regain his control shortly.

Regarding the 2nd Queen Zara and the other four children of the Emperor... 2nd Princess Adelyn, 4th Prince Donovan, 5th Princess Evangeline, and 6th Princess Annelise, I don't have pleasant memories of them. Likely because they didn't like Dalilah, and as I was her shadow, they ended up not liking me either, but still. The animosity is still fresh in my memory. And so, I want them far from me as possible, and of Val too.

When it comes to the Emperor himself, I just don't like his way of doing things. He was always neutral, never picking a side and consequently turning a blind eye to the mean actions of both sides. Besides, he never seemed to be very friendly with me, and although I never heard him saying anything behind my back, I don't feel like he considers me a good person either. And he's the damn Emperor after all.

I have no idea how is he my father's best friend. Moreover, I never saw what he looks like, which to me automatically makes him untrustworthy.

They never paid attention to me either way, so why would I waste my time on any of them? Not worth my time. And when you die and get a second time to live, you learn that time is literally precious.

"We don't like House Caspien either, Nat," Asher pointed, bringing me back to reality, and Kate agreed with him. "So, enlighten us, little dragonfly. What are you planning to have more money?"

"I'm thinking of a very practical way," then I turned my attention to Kate and bit my bottom lip again. Despite your disapproval, I'm letting you know that I am going to do it anyway, even though you won't appreciate it."

Her eyes narrowed in frustration as she heard my words. "I won't like it? Is that so? Then are you planning to go to that damned place, Princess?" And to my surprise, her tone was like she was daring me to say it.

Please, enlighten my mind, Mikla. I don't want to misunderstand Kate. Not her of all people. Let me stop being so wary of her words. She's not the type of person who has secondary motivations to do things, and she loves me.

She must just be worried. Like a mother. Not that I know much about that.

Is this how it feels to have a mother?

"I am."

"What place?" Asher questioned looking from me to her with a confused gaze. "You are putting me aside, that's not fair. Come on, spill the tea with me too!"

"Her Highness is planning to win money by going to casinos!" Kate spoke irritated. "You can't go there, Princess. It's dangerous. Moreover, if anyone was to see you there, they would recognize you and your reputation would be ruined." Okay, now she's losing her cool. "Especially now that you are in marriageable age after menstruating. Do you want to disappoint your father?" Ha... is that what she thinks?

Asher stopped her from saying anything else. "Kate. Enough. That's enough."

"But-"