CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 152: Grief

The body of the Empress and snake was soon discovered in the palace that she was kept in.

It was only because the maid did not find the Empress when she went inside to deliver the food. The Empress was sleeping in her bed peacefully.

The maid was about to turn around when she saw the droplets of blood on the floor. The maid was frightened as she walked towards the bed.

There was a slight fear embedded in her as her body trembled. The maid moved as she touched the mattress and soon a loud scream left her mouth.

Once the Empress’s body was discovered the whole Empire was in shock. No one knew how the Empress would have died. Soon the rumors started to spread that the Empress might have killed herself because she was depressed and hurt when the Emperor kept her in the palace.

The rumors started growing about the blizzard as the days passed. Some said that it was an accident while the others thought that maybe the Empress took her own life. But when a dead body of a snake was discovered near the bed, the rumors became wild. Maybe the Empress made the snake bite her and tried to kill herself or maybe she found a snake and tried to kill it but it bit her.

No one knew the real reason but it was true that the Empress was no more and the Emperor stayed behind closed doors to mourn his loss.

Only when the Empress’s body was displayed to the people, did the Emperor come out. His eyes were red as his voice trembled.

The Emperor stood in front of his people as he shared his sorrows with a trembling voice.

"The Empress has left us all. It is a great loss to the Empire and its people. I cannot even express the grief I felt. I am feeling guilty as I blame myself for this. As retribution. I would lock myself in the room till the Princess and Prince return. I am to blame that my children have lost their mother."

The Emperor did not express a lot as a drop of tear ran down his eyes. From that day onwards the Emperor locked himself in the room, refusing to meet even the Dukes.

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Princess Cassandra’s eyes widened as she saw the variety of dishes in front of her. Her tongue was dying to eat it but her body refused to move.

Seeing that the fifth Princess wasn’t moving, the Vivere Kingdom’s maids pushed Amy a little. Their eyes indicate her to make the fifth Princess eat.

Amy sighed as she smiled and walked towards the fifth Princess. "Princess?"

Hearing a familiar voice, Princess Cassandra looked towards her lady in waiting. "Amy, this?"

Princess Cassandra’s throat was dry as a stiff voice left her mouth. Amy could not help but smile. "Because of your current situation, the doctor had advised that you eat some nutritious food. This all is good for the Princess’s health. You would not feel tired and dizzy once your body becomes stronger."

Princess Cassandra nodded. She looked at Amy and then at the dishes on the table. "But I cannot eat this much. Isn’t it too much food?"

Amy shook her head as she filled a cup with the soup. Amy pushed it towards the Princess as she said in a happy tone. "This is for the Princess. Try eating first."

Princess Cassandra nodded as she took a mouthful. The taste was to her liking as the fifth Princess closed her eyes. It was something that she had never tasted before. A completely new taste that she liked.

Princess Cassandra kept the spoon down as her face became stiff.

Amy was worried as she asked in a soft tone. "Did the Princess not like it? Should I give you something else? How about some salad?"

Princess Cassandra shook her head. "No."

"Then?" Amy murmured as she asked.

Princess Cassandra did not say anything else as she looked at the other maids who were standing there like a statue and observing her every move. "I do not like being watched." Princess Cassandra whispered but the maids were able to hear it.

They all looked at one another before they bowed. "We will leave the Princess alone." One of the maids said as she looked at Amy. "You make sure the Princess eats properly."

Amy’s gaze relaxed as she nodded. She too knew that now the fifth Princess never had more energy because she is practicing.

The maids left the room as Amy closed the door. As soon as Amy turned around she saw the fifth Princess filling up two plates of food.

Amy giggled as she walked towards the Princess. "Princess is really hungry."

Princess Cassandra did not refuse as she held Amy’s hand and made her sit beside her. "Let’s eat delicious food together."

Amy, who was suddenly pushed, laughed as she refused. "I cannot do that Princess."

"Why not?" Princess Cassandra raised her eyebrows as she asked the question. Her hands that were about to eat moved down as she stared at Amy.

"That is because the Princess needs this food to gain her strength."

Princess Cassandra laughed as she touched Amy’s hand. "Are you making fun of me Amy?"

Amy shook her head as her eyes widened. "Why would .."

Before Amy’s words could finish, Princess Cassandra’s hold on to her hand tightened. "Then eat with me. We are like sisters."

"But I am your maid." Amy tried to express but Cassandra refused.

"No, Amy. You are my sister. The bond we share is much deeper than a mere master and servant. You are like an angel sent by the gods for me. Do you remember how we have helped each other? How we shared food in the Elvira Empire or how we shared one blanket in the cold winters?"

Amy’s eyes were filled with water. She nodded as she struggled to speak.

"So what makes you think that things will change when we are in the Vivere Kingdom?" Princess Cassandra asked. "How can I eat such food and let you eat the leftovers?"

"But .."

Princess Cassandra knew what her lady in waiting was about to say. "We all are going to war, Amy. Not just me but you too. So we both need strength. Let’s stay together and get out of this mess. Shall we?"

Amy could not help but feel emotional. She nodded as she took the plate that the fifth Princess gave her.

"Let me feed you a mouthful of soup." Princess Cassandra took the spoon in her hand as she took the soup and moved it towards Amy. "This is delicious."

Amy could not refuse as she ate it with love. The flavors of different herbs could be tasted as a smile formed on her face. "It’s delicious."

Princess Cassandra smiled as she saw Amy eating alongside her with a happy face.

—-----

Princess Cassandra and Amy laughed as they started talking about their old days.

"But seriously Princess, who would have thought that Duke Salvador, who everyone fears will fall in love with you?" Amy laughed as she remembered the Duke’s face when she had taken Princess Cassandra’s hand from his. "He is an extremely possessive man."

Princess Cassandra laughed along with Amy as she took a mouth full of dessert. "Don’t say that Amy. I love him too."

Amy nodded as she said seriously. "Yes, You both love each other. For a person who have not found any love yet, this is too much torture."

"Okay ... Okay .. I’ll not torture you anymore." Princess Cassandra rubbed her chin as she said in a voice filled with deep thoughts. "Should I tell the Duke to behave in front of you?"

"NO!" Amy’s tone increased in shock. Her gaze showed her true emotions that were embedded in it. Amy was afraid. Afraid of Duke Salvador’s anger. "Let’s not do it." Amy stuffed her mouth with dessert as she smiled.

Princess Cassandra laughed as she nodded. Soon the dishes in front of them were almost finished. "It truly was a delicious meal."

Amy nodded in agreement. "The doctor had specifically informed the chief and they had also asked me what the Princess likes to eat."

Princess Cassandra giggled as she rested her hand over her hands. "But why does it feel like they are feeding a pig before they plan to eat it?"

Amy giggled along with the fifth Princess. "Because it is true. You are a sacrifice that they are preparing for."

"True." Princess Cassandra nodded her head as she looked at Amy with a serious gaze. Her eyes were sharp as the atmosphere surrounding her soon turned dark. "So it is necessary that we do something."

Amy’s body stiffened. She turned as her sight locked on the fifth Princess who was suddenly serious. Amy did not know what the fifth Princess was thinking anymore. Initially, it was too easy to read Princess Cassandra’s face as she was very expressive but nowadays the fifth Princess had started becoming more serious.

[Just like the Duke.] Amy thought. [Does being in love change a person so much?]

Princess Cassandra knocked on Amy’s forehead as she laughed. "What are you thinking?"

Amy rubbed her forehead as she looked at the fifth Princess with guilt. Cassandra smiled as she said. "We both should eat and enjoy our days here in luxury."