Chapter 4

-Back when you were arrested, I was away on business. When I found out that you had been arrested, I immediately knew something was amiss. And then I realized there was no evidence against you. Just the testimony of a drunkard who saw a red-haired woman conducting a deal on December 23rd, - he spoke in a different tone.

-That can't be. I was sick in bed with a high fever and tonsillitis, - I faked a cough.

-Then I'll try to find that vagabond, unreliable witnesses - a crime. Now I want to get to the bottom of all this, especially given the events of not so long ago, - of which I had only limited knowledge.

-The Pleiades' Imperial Family Extermination, - I said calmly.

-Finish your breakfast, and then come to my office," he said. "And what will happen there? - I raised my eyebrows playfully.

Maybe he didn't want to tell me, but I was determined to find out sooner or later. All secrets become clear, no matter how hard we try to hide them. I quickly ran to my room and retrieved a sheet of paper from a book cover before heading to his office. I knocked softly and then opened the door. It creaked. He raised his eyes, and I handed him a doctor's note.

-Is this a medical certificate? You could have forged it. But in the documents it was said that you went to the city in spite of her,  -  he said without taking his eyes off the documents.

- I had something urgent to do. I couldn't drink room temperature water and only ate porridge. I could barely force myself to get out of bed. But they decided that a woman with bone pain, a weak voice, and barely able to walk to the kitchen a few meters away could calmly leave at 10 PM in freezing weather and escape over the rooftops when the gendarmes tried to apprehend her, - I ran my finger over one of the lines, - And they ignored the request to have a witch tribunal hearing. They made a scapegoat out of me and the company, all with the big boss's involvement, including his son from his extramarital affairs.

-So the case is more complicated. Was there a lawyer? -  he asked.

-Yeah, in our strange the justice system it was all honest on our side, - I said, pretending not to understand.

-Then there are more violations of your rights than evidence of your guilt. But I'm working on something else related to your case, - he slid a letter towards me, - I tried to warm it up, but then I decided to try something else. Your father lived in the north.

-And you mentioned ink that appears in the cold and how a midnight magician simply cooled him with his magic, - I nervously reread the letter. It wasn't written by the emperor but by his friend's wife, Maria Lekmeyer. She wanted to get rid of the elder son and his twin sister. They found him, but they never found her.

-Do you mean he's involved?  - he asked.

-Absolutely. If we find the rest of the correspondence, we'll shed light on your namesake's fate, - he said, no longer paying attention to me, -As for our engagement, I plan to announce it at the ball in two weeks. Do you want to go down to the city with the governess and buy some new clothes? You've been wearing the same dress for a while.

- I wouldn't mind some fresh air. When will I be needed? - asked I some calmly.

- You will call me when you need me. I want to be some times alone. Time seems to pass differently with him around, - I blushed, and my cheeks burned.

I went downstairs, and after a few minutes of conversation with the girl, I quickly went to my room in search of my fur coat. There was a brand new one on the chair. There was a note on it: "My dear, your old coat was full of holes, so I bought you a new one. The measurements we took during your arrest were quite helpful. Adrian." He had written it quite seriously. It didn't seem like his usual style to me.

I quickly went back downstairs and met with the assistant. She was rather silent. The weather was good, the sun was shining. It seemed like there had been a storm yesterday. We quickly arrived in the city center. Why was everyone looking at me like that? It was only when I shifted my gaze to them that they tried to appear friendly. The city was beautiful but somehow strange.

-Miss, why are they looking at you like that? - the girl asked anxiously, looking around at the passersby.

-Because they're afraid. I'm a witch who specializes in curses, - I replied nonchalantly,  - Understand, if I want, I can send them all friendly to the other world.

-I'm sorry, - she lowered her eyes.

-What's your name? -  said I and think, why doesn't anyone here say their names?

-Nora, Miss, - she curtsied.

We left the carriage and stepped onto the street. Everyone stopped and stared at me. I nervously adjusted my hair. Then I felt someone approaching. I started to gasp for breath, but the girl quickly pulled me away from the crowd by my sleeve. Away from the crowd, I still felt nervous, but my assistant tried to calm me down by shaking my shoulder.

-Miss! It's all right. You just caught a cold, - she said anxiously, trying to bring me back to my senses.

It was only in those moments, as I was moving like a doll, that I had a vision. A woman with black hair was placing children in crates. The Empress... it was definitely her. The second wife. After the death of the Crown Prince's mother and his sister. She was definitely guilty. Someone was approaching. I began to gasp for air, but the girl quickly pulled me away from them by my sleeve. Away from the crowd, I still felt nervous, but my assistant tried to calm me down by shaking my shoulder.

-It's okay, it's not real. Don't be afraid, -  he said, and an odd me some strange feeling.

-It's all right now. I apologize for making you worry, - I tried to pull back, but I couldn't.

-What did you see? - he held my hand.

-Your theory was correct. But we need more substantial evidence, - I replied, looking at him, - as for our engagement, I plan to announce it at the ball in two weeks. Do you want to go to the city with me and buy a dress? You've been wearing the same one for quite a while.

-On the one horse? - I was surprised, and then a note of dissatisfaction crept into my voice.

-What's the problem? - he asked.

-I'm with you... on the same saddle. Together?! - I stammered in embarrassment.

-I've conquered many women like this before...- he whispered.

-But I'm only engaged to you by contract, - I said, - I've never seen the imperial family. So, I don't know what I've done.

-Maybe you know too much, - he replied - You'd better sit quietly in my mansion for now. Your safety is important.

-I want to do something. I'll put a seal on him. He won't escape, and if he tries to lie, it will be hellish, - I said.

-Give me the relay, the lover of looking at men's abs, - he whispered in my ear. My breath caught.

-Yes, he's yours, - I replied, still shocked.

He grabbed the man by the throat and lifted him off the ground. The hired killer was shorter than me, it seemed. His eyes opened. He said something to the one sent by the crown, and he suddenly turned pale. My fiancé was lucky. Scaring a hired killer who had probably caused quite a lot of trouble in this miserable life, and whom I had probably seen many of, was enough. This frightened man...

-I can turn your heart into ice, or I can make the water in your body tear you apart, - he said, squeezing his fingers even tighter around his throat, - tell me what you wanted to do with my fiancée, or I'll show you something that will make hell look like a resort.

-Fides futuri quod non est verum, inducit ad dolorem pejorem quam maledictionem tuam," he croaked and released his grip.

-Is there a necromancer around? - I grabbed his shoulder.

-Nothing will work. That's tatu, and it's a seal. You won't get anything from the other world, - he said, stroking my hair, - The important thing is that you're safe.

We were walking back in silence. Maybe something had happened there. Like sparks between us. He wasn't very well-liked here. But they looked at him with respect and fear. So, who was he here? I needed to find out. A Crown Prince wouldn't be involved with a regular wizard. He was definitely an aristocrat. So, what was I doing here? Maybe I was the princess he was looking for.