Loyal To The Crown

Cassandra was deep in her thoughts

The Empire had four major Dukedom. They were the four most powerful mages. Crawford - the wind mage, Bentham - the water mage, Garfield - the earth mage, and Salvador - the fire mage.

These were the four pillars of the empire. The most powerful of all in their respective powers and loyal to the crown.

Cassandra had heard about Duke Aiden. The strongest fire mage. Many of the princesses were crazy over him, including Princess Valeria. But Cassandra herself had never met the Duke in person.

'What is so special about him anyway that makes everyone go crazy over him?' Cassandra thought.

'Maybe I will know soon when the time comes.'

Cassandra walked around her room to do something when she saw her lady in waiting, Amy working on her dress. "Why are you so focused? It's just a gown."

Amy smiled as she ignored the Princess and concentrated on her work.

[I have to make it beautiful. All though everything looks beautiful on Princess, but I cannot let Princess Valeria win.]

Cassandra laughed at Amy's thoughts as she walked past her into the open courtyard. Birds were chipping over flowers as the mild breeze brought a chill along its way.

'How fun it would have been if I could read those birds' minds as well.'

Cassandra emerged in her thoughts when she heard Amy's cry. "I forgot about the hairpiece. I have to get it."

Cassandra looked at Amy as she waved her hand. "It doesn't matter."

"No. It is a formal event. You have to tie your hair. I should get one from the treasury."

Amy tried standing up in a hurry, but Cassandra stopped her in time. "I will go. You continue."

"But Princess."

Cassandra shook her head as she walked towards the door. Unlike other Princesses, she had only one lady-in-waiting. She could not let her do everything alone.

Cassandra knew things were never in their favor. She did not have a mother who left her with gems and diamonds, thus even Princesses including Cassandra could get jewelry from the treasury. But they had to return it back once they had used it.

'This will be painful.'

Cassandra stood before the guide as she said softly. "I would like an audience with the Empress."

The guard looked at Cassandra before he went inside to get permission from the Empress.

Once the permission was granted, Cassandra was allowed to enter. The Empress palace was huge and spacious. The walls were decorated with precious gems as bright silk curtains flew along with the wind.

"The fifth Princess greets Empress." Cassandra bowed before the Empress and her voice turned soft.

"Fifth Princess. What brings you here today."

[Do you also want jewelry? A low life like you still dreams to look beautiful.]

Cassandra stood straight as her lips twitched. She knew the Empress hated her but listening to her thoughts directly hurt her a little.

'It is not like I am dying to stand in front of you.'

Cassandra thought, yet she kept her eyes glued to the floor and asked with a trembling voice. "Well … I wanted a hairpin for the victory banquet …"

The Empress laughed as she looked at Cassandra's pitiful appearance. Even if she was the Princess, she did not dress like one. Her clothes were the dullest of shades as her confidence was low.

[It is your luck that you don't have a single drop of power but what about that face?]

The Empress was deep in thought before she said, "Don't you have one?"

Cassandra was silent as she refused to speak. She was busy listening to the Empress's voice.

[I cannot let you have one. What if you attracted Duke Salvador's attention.]

[No one can look more beautiful than Valeria.]

"If I remember correctly. Didn't the Emperor give every princess one?"

Cassandra wanted to sigh but she controlled herself. The Emperor did give every princess one hairpin but it was two years back.

'Do I have to bring such things to your notice too?'

'As an Empress, you know what the Emperor had given to whom.'

"Fifth Princess. I know what the rumors are saying. They called you an unfavored one. But you know that is not true." The Empress smiled.

[You are still alive.]

"It is not that I don't want to give you one from the treasury but I feel the Princess should wear the one that the Emperor had gifted you. It will block everyone's mouth, and restore your reputation."

As Empress continues, Cassandra closed her eyes to control her rage. "Yes, I understand."

Cassandra wanted to leave the Empress palace soon. She did not know why she always felt an uncomfortable feeling creeping through her whenever she was with her.

But the Empress had other plans. "You should try to dress up more. You are a Princess who is of marriageable age."

"Yes, Empress."

"You may go now. And don't forget to dance a few times around. Get to know people."

Cassandra nodded. She would have thought the Empress care for her if not for the voice she could hear clearly stating the words, Empress mouth did not speak.

[Just dance a few dances, marry and then leave the palace soon. Should I arrange a non-influential family for her.]

[Even though she does not have any power, I cannot afford to keep her in the palace.]

Cassandra bowed before she left the room in silence. She was now used to hearing all the noises. Initially, when Cassandra was young and didn't understand anything, she would just lock herself in the room to avoid people. All the voices were haunting her, not letting her sleep even in the morning.

But now, Cassandra has mastered the art of mind-reading. She had worked hard to learn how to focus on one voice and eliminate others. But she could not find peace of mind. The voices never stopped and her mind was always occupied with things or rather voices of the surrounding people.

"Princess, you are back." Amy got up in a hurry when she saw Cassandra's face filled with irritation. Seeing the hands of her master empty Amy knew what might have happened.

[Did the Empress refuse to give you some jewelry.]

[She had so many. What is she going to do with it? Wear it all herself?]

[What should I do now?]

Amy was worried for Cassandra. The Princess was docile yet she was treated like a nobody. It hurt Amy. All Amy wished was to see Cassandra happy, as her lady-in-waiting and her friend.

Cassandra's eyes softener. She laughed thinking how Amy will feel if she knew Cassandra could read her mind.

'She will be shocked.'

'Maybe scream in her mind as well.'

Cassandra smiled as she walked towards Amy and sat beside her. "I have some old jewelry that I haven't worn yet. Anyways, what are you going to wear?"

Amy blinked as her throat trembled. The feeling of helplessness filled her heart. "I have a dress."

"But how can you wear an old dress? Wear one of mine. It is not new but it will look good on you. Why don't you wear the green one, I haven't worn it yet. It is a party and you should enjoy yourself too."

Amy's eyes were filled with tears. She knew her master did not have many dresses to wear. She was always the last one to be offered the clothes. But Princess Casandra still offered Amy her dress.

[She is my master. My friend.]

Cassandra smiled as she touched Amy's hand. She knew Amy would reject it, but Cassandra didn't want to give her a reason to. "You have a crush on someone right? He will be there as well. You should dress up a little. Who knows what might happen at the party."

Cassandra winked as she laughed without waiting for Amy's reply. "I will leave the dress here. You can adjust it and wear it. I do not attend events where I had to wear it anyway."

Amy was silent for a minute before she nodded. Amy knew Cassandra the best. If the Princess wants to achieve something, she will.

"Princess, but …."

"Amy, how long will you take to make the dress?" Cassandra changed the subject skillfully, making Amy flicker as she concentrated on her work.

"It will be ready soon. You will look beautiful in this."

Cassandra smiled as she looked at the hairpin placed in a drawer. It was the one the Emperor had given her. But the only problem was the same hairpins were given to all the princesses.

'I will be laughed at tomorrow as well.'

'Cassandra prepared yourself to be ridiculed.'

Cassandra told herself again and again, as she calmed her mind.

"Oh, Princess. I just remembered. The Emperor has informed everyone that the Royal family will enter the banquet together tomorrow."

Cassandra was confused. Why would her father give an order like that? What was he planning?

'How important is this Duke Salvador?'