To Avoid

Amy looked at Cassandra with a sigh.

"Princess, shouldn't you be getting ready?" Amy asked in a lower voice as she came near Cassandra with the clothes.

"What would I need such large clothes for? Do you think I am going for hiding?" Cassandra asked in a gloomy voice. She could not understand what was happening. Why would she agree to meet the Duke in the library?

Amy was smiling with extreme enthusiasm which irritated Cassandra.

'Do I really have to go?'

'Will Duke Salvador bother Amy if I didn't go?'

Even though Cassandra was thinking so she knew that she had no other choice. When Duke Salvador said that he wanted her to show the book, Cassandra knew that she had no other choice left.

Cassandra could feel it in his eyes that the Duke didn't trust her. maybe he was still thinking that she was telling lies.

But Cassandra knew in order to survive, she must gain the trust of the man who will free her from this castle.

'I have to talk with Duke Salvador about one of his soldiers.'

'I have to convince the Duke to allow me to marry one of his people.'

'Yes, I can do this.'

'I have to do this.'

Cassandra nodded her head in confidence. She knew that she could not do it right but Cassandra also felt that she have to take a step forward.

'If I do not do it, things might get complicated along the way.'

Cassandra was silent for a long time as she looked around the room.

Amy was waiting there with the clothes in her hand. Cassandra sighed as she indicated Amy to give her the dress.

"Are you sure this does not look suspicious?" Cassandra asked in a dull voice.

"What are you talking princess? Of course, it is not suspicious. You go like this in the library all the time." Amy smiled. "Are you nervous to meet the Duke there?"

Only the princesses and princes were allowed to go inside and if they wanted to take their attendant with them, they had to have a particular authority in the palace. Thus Cassandra could not take Amy with her. Amy usually waited outside in a quiet place for the princess.

Cassandra smiled gloomily. Even though Cassandra knew that Amy like to read she could not help but feel sad for her.

'I wish I could take Amy with me.'

Cassandra looked at Amy who arranged her clothes trying to make the Princess look more beautiful.

"Are you sure nothing would happen?"

Amy said in a slow voice. "I mean the Duke wanted to meet you there. Usually, other people apart from the royals do not come in the library but if the news spread that the Duke is going to be there ..." Amy sighed. "The situation might be different." Amy's voice was low but her words were sharp.

"I wish to disappear," Cassandra murmured.

What Amy said is true. If the news did spread, the library would be full of paper today.

'What if Duke Salvador tries talking to me?' Cassandra wondered.

Cassandra wished the Duke would avoid her in front of everyone. But Cassandra knew that she had no other choice, she can only be silent, keeping her head down, and try to ignore the man as much as possible.

'And I have to tell him my conditions as well?'

Cassandra walked towards the library with Amy following her. The distance was huge as Cassandra's room was situated at the very end. It was a huge contrast from what Cassandra was living in.

Cassandra's room was on the darker sides where the sunlight did not shine so brightly but the main castle where she was walking right now was all white and bright in daggering gold around.

Cassandra always felt like she had come to a place where she did not belong as if walking from a dark painting towards the light.

"Princess I'll wait outside," Amy said in a trembling voice as she looked at Cassandra. The guards stationed outside the library were staring at her.

Cassandra nodded as she took a deep breath as she stabilized her mind.

'I will meet the Duke today.' Cassandra said to herself before taking a step inside the library.

But Cassandra did not go inside the library. She took U-turn as she walked towards Amy. Amy was confused as she saw Cassandra standing in front of her in a daze. But the Princess refused to say anything.

"Princess?"

"Princess ..."

Cassandra ignored Amy's words her ears were focused on the thoughts of others.

[Why would Duke Aiden wanted to be in the library?]

[Is he here to meet his lover? The infamous lady in red?]

[No, if it is true. I have to find her.]

Princess Valeria's words came into Cassandra's ears. Her breathing increased drastically.

Cassandra's thoughts were scattered.

'Why is the first Princess here?'

'Will she find out that I was the one?'

'No, I cannot let that happen.'

'I have to go. I cannot be here.'

Cassandra's breathing increased. She decided to move out, away from the first Princess's gaze. But soon her mind cleared as Amy held her hand, bringing Cassandra back to reality.

"Princess, are you okay?"

Seeing the worry in Amy's eyes, Cassandra nodded.

"The Duke will be here soon. If you want to avoid him ..." Amy's voice was low. "You should enter before the Duke."

Cassandra knew that Amy was right. She had to go inside. If the Duke knew that she was not there and had ignored his command, the Duke could make Cassandra's life hell, more than it really was.

'Who knows if Duke Salvador had people following me.' Cassandra knew that it was true.

"I will go now," Cassandra said silently as she entered the library with a shivering gaze.