Chapter 13: Living Hell!

Cassandra and Amy moved towards the garden.

Amy was confused but Cassandra could understand what was happening.

[How can there be the fire in the palace]

[Thank God it didn't spread towards my room]

[Why did the first Princess not suffer in it?]

[Many of Princess Valeria's maids burned in the fire, I am thankful that my maid was not near there. I wanted to send her in the same direction though.]

Cassandra closed her eyes as she tried to understand the situation. Somehow everyone knows that the fire burned some of the maids.

When Cassandra and Amy reached she saw every Princess present in the garden along with the Emperor and the Empress.

Amy saw Cassandra's gaze as she whispered, "I will ask other maids what is happening."

Cassandra nodded and waited till she looked at Princess Valeria whose eyes were red. Her body was shivering as she sat without looking up.

"Princess .." Amy returned as she whispered into Cassandra's ears. "Someone lit the fire at the first Princesses palace."

Cassandra nodded and asked, "Hmm .."

"Some of her loyal maids died. It was fortunate that Princess Valeria was spared."

"The Princess looks frightened." Cassandra looked at Amy who nodded in agreement.

"Duke Salvador's Knights were patrolling the area due to the banquet. They saw the fire break and reported it to the Duke." Amy clarified.

Cassandra was silent but her thoughts were all over the place.

'The Duke's knights reported it to him and not to the Emperor? Why?'

Cassandra's gaze shifted towards Princess Valeria whose hand was trembling as her eyes searched for someone.

[Where is the Duke?]

[Why isn't he here yet?]

[Does the powder on my face make me look pale?]

Cassandra smiled within her lips but soon covered it up with a worried expression. If the first Princess says that there was a fire breakout then there was. If she says that her maids died due to it then they did. Was there anyone else who opposed the saying of the first Princess?

"I am glad that all the Princesses are gathered here." The Empress's voice was loud and filled with command. "As you all know, Princess Valeria is suffering because someone tried hurting her."

The whispers and commotion broke. Princess Valeria was a strong fire mage. Someone being this stupid to try and harm her with fire was unacceptable. But no one dared to oppose the Empress's words.

"Duke Salvador will be investigating the matter. He thinks that the culprit is from the royal family. Right now the Duke is looking for the culprit at Prince's palaces. Soon he will come here to question you all."

The Empress's gaze glowed. "Whoever has done it will suffer the worst death. Not because they have tried to harm my own child but because they tried to harm a Princess of this Empire."

The Empress's tone trembled at the end but she controlled. The teardrop on her eyes was shining.

The silence spread through the garden as no one dared to even swallow in fear. The Empress was the deadliest when she was like this.

"Duke Salvador is entering." One of the guards announced, making everyone turn in his direction. His official uniform with a badge placed on his coat was shining against the sun.

'He did not wear that just now?'

'When did he change?'

Cassandra was confused but she swallowed her unimportant questions as one of the Duke's subordinates cleared her confusion.

[I was so breathless wearing the commander's armor]

[I survived as the Duke came early otherwise …]

Cassandra looked at Duke Salvador who looked at her with his red glowing gaze. A smirk played on his face, making Cassandra's heart beat faster.

'Please don't come here.'

'Please don't'

'I want to live.'

'Please.'

As if listening to Cassandra's plea, Aiden's footstep stopped. He looked at Cassandra's closed eyes. He looked at her but soon looked at the Emperor and Empress.

"I greet the sun of the Empire, the Emperor, and the Empress."

The Emperor and Empress nodded. The worried Empress asked, "Have you found some clue."

"No. I think we have to speak to the other Princess." Aiden looked at the Princess one by one until it paused on the first Princess.

"One of my subordinates will talk with the first Princess."

"NO!" Princess Valeria shouted as her body trembled. "I trust no one but the Duke." She tried taking a step forwards but stumbled into her maid's arms.

"They are my subordinates, Princess." Duke Salvador looked at Princess Valeria with his narrowed gaze. "I trust them with my life in the battle. Are you perhaps doubting their loyalty?"

Duke Salvador's words were said looking at Princess Valeria but his gaze shifted towards the Emperor.

"No, I would never …" Princess Valeria tried to defend but the Duke ignored her as if she was nonexistent.

Princess Valeria could not control her rage. Her hand formed a fist in rage.

[You can ignore me all you want but I will make sure that now who is that Princess that you are interested in.]

[Duke Aiden. You will talk with that girl today. Won't you. I will make sure to make her life a living hell.]

Princess Valeria maintained her face as her face showed an expression of wrongdoing.

The Emperor saw that the condition was getting beyond his hand, thus he took a stand. "Duke Salvador will investigate as he sees fit." The Emperor looked at Duke Salvador. "I hope I will get a satisfactory answer."

"Yes, Your Majesty."