NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: Trailing From Behind
Saturday came without giving a warning notice, and so I will have a total rest from school but not with my responsibilities as the fake prince or the 'impostor' as what we all know these past few weeks that I have been to this place.
The rest of the day has been bizarre actually. Training sessions with my mentors have taken place at the prince's office, where no official would dare to bother us. Then in the afternoon, there was an unfortunate incident wherein the prince's annoying fiancee, Princess Marionette of Cordova, had made her royal visit and pestered me to take a walk in the palace gardens all afternoon.
"Isn't it a lovely weather we have for today, my prince?" the princess chatted to start this awkward conversation.
"Yes, it is, my princess," I responded, giving my sincere smile-- or at least, I tried to.
Under the princess' command, we were left alone in the garden by both of our entourage and were left waiting for us inside the castle. Flowers of different sizes, shapes, and colors made the princess' round eyes sparkled in delight as she looked at them closely.
I assume she must have liked flowers. I can't help but smile at the thought.
'Perfect timing!' my mind rejoiced. I have developed this floral spell that is just right for the princess. I hope she likes it.
"My princess…" I suddenly called out her attention which made her head look at me with such curiosity.
"What is it, my prince?"
"I need you to watch this trick that I am about to show you,"
I smiled at her for a while before gathering all the mana that I will need with this basic floral spell that I am about to make.
"Et florebit quasi lilium flores!"
In just a few seconds, numerous petals seemed to have fallen out of the sky with different colors and sizes that made fall a bit too early than it should be. My heart was filled with joy when I saw the pure smile of the princess blossomed along with these flowers around us in the garden.
"Wow! This is beautiful! Thank you, my prince!"
Out of joy, Princess Marionette suddenly decides to jump towards me which caught me off guard, making the two of us fall right into the grassy fields with her on top of me.
O...kay. This is really awkward on my part, especially seeing the princess stared into my eyes and I don't know what to do next.
I am sure as hell that Princess Marionette is about to kiss me right this instance, for her head is slowly leaning in towards mine that sent panic through my head. But before I would let that happen, I made sure to stand up immediately and help her get back to her feet once again while trying my best to act normal and pretend that it did not occur at all.
"Isn't it a bit late already?" I said to change the mood around this place. "We must go back inside. I also have some paperwork to take care of."
I saw Princess Marionette frowned with my sudden reaction, her eyes filled with hurt in just a blink of an eye that made me sad as well. That made my chest tightened as well. As much as I would like her to be happy, deceiving her like this wouldn't do the trick.
Boy, my conscience sure starts to kick in right now.
"Sure… No problem." she tried her best to plaster a smile on her face, but I know that is not a genuine one anymore compared to earlier.
Later that day, we said goodbye to each other and watched her step inside her carriage. A few minutes from now, the charioteer started to hold the steeds that connect to two of the black stallions in front, and afterward galloped their way away from here.
While looking at the carriage that is now making its way out of the castle, I mouthed my apologies to Princess Marionette sincerely.
Now, off to my second mission for today.
It was six in the evening when we had our dinner together with my three mentors and some handmaidens inside the dining table. Lancelot had to send them away later for he has something to announce later on.
"Gilead Academy will hold its annual Foundation Day in the next few weeks after the event of announcing of your new wizard ranks this Monday. Are you aware of that?" the archbishop asked when he made sure the handmaidens are officially out of here.
"No, not at all." I reluctantly said.
Well, I must admit that I am always behind every school update whenever there is something new going on around the campus. And I hate rumors by the way.
"You should try to read the announcement board in school sometimes." Alex scowled while he slices the steak from his plate.
I decided to ignore him.
"Anyway, so the prince needs to make his traditional appearance during the opening of the Foundation Day and gives his speech, as usual." Lancelot continued.
My eyes widened. No, it can't be! As my true self, I need to be present at the said event, or else, I would get a deduction from our adviser.
"I know what you are thinking right now, Krisella." Lucas chimed in all of a sudden. "You are concerned regarding your academic performance in case you will be absent for that day, am I right?"
I nodded silently.
"Hence, we will excuse you from your class on that day, by writing a fake excuse letter. Does that somehow suffice?"
"I don't know if the school buys my alibi though," I said. "But it is better than nothing."
"Alright then. Problem solved."
After our dinner and brief discussion for the future event that I will need to attend as the fake prince, I immediately went to my room to plan out my next mission… and that is to know what Alex is up to.
These past few nights, I have been sneaking upon that lad for two days straight, wondering what the heck is he doing during past bedtime. And every time I try to follow him, I always lose sight of him-- as if he knows he is being watched.
Thus, I devised a plan to catch him in the act for whatever he is doing, and I hope it is not illegal.
Yesterday, I brought glow in the dark powder to this small shop near our school that sells magical tools and equipment and spread it on the hallway where he usually goes without anyone noticing.
And now comes the moment of truth.
I purposely waited until eight in the evening for me to go out of the prince's chamber and went back to that same hallway where I spread the powder. Since the lights are out in this area, the lad's footprints in green light are now faintly glowing in the dark that will make it easier for me to know where he went.
Slowly, I followed these footprints and I am sure that it leads me to the east wing of the castle… but specifically, where to?
That question of mine was then answered when I was led to a dead-end in this narrow and dark alleyway that I need to produce fire to serve as my light.
I stared into this concrete wall in front of me. What the heck will I do next from here?
Out of instinct, I pressed my right hand on a lower part of the wall without even thinking about it much. Then, I heard a not-so-loud thud coming after my random action before I saw the lower part of the wall flipped and creating a small opening for me to enter.
Seeing how spooky it is inside, I had second thoughts about it for a while. But since my curiosity is stronger than my fear of dark and spooky places, I managed to squeeze myself in and be alert on what might happen next at the same time.
In just a few minutes, I finally arrived at the end of that small and narrow entrance without expecting to fall several inches from the ground in the process. As I landed on the concrete ground- butt first, I took my time first to groan in pain and to complain how it made me dizzy but soon I was able to overcome it and get back to my feet once again.
A pair of astonished jet-black eyes were the first ones to catch my attention as soon as I stood up, making me stunned for a bit. Uh-oh… I never knew I would be caught this fast.
"Krisella?!" Alex said in bewilderment, like I wasn't supposed to be in this place. "W-what are you doing here?!"
I did not respond to that immediately but chose to return the question to him.
"I believe… I should be the one asking you that, Alex."