Fatima: The Slave Princess-Chapter 93 - 92

As a princess growing up in isolation in a place that was overcrowded with people, I often felt lonely. Each attempt to connect with my parents was often met with a cold shoulder and a dismissive glance, leaving me feeling dejected every single time. Loraine was far too absorbed in her own affairs to spare me even a moment of her day. Carlisle, however, despite his busy schedule, would always set aside the time to visit me even if it meant defying his instructors.

"Are you angry, brother?"

"No."

The terse tone he would use, coupled with his telltale facial expressions, always betrayed his true emotions, a fact which I found endlessly amusing. The more I annoyed him, the more furious he grew, but, to my surprise, he never once responded with any kind of outburst directed at me.

"Suppressing your emotions is not good for your health, Carl. It's always best to vent it out and get it over with."

"Says the one who's always pretending to be happy." He said with a chuckled sigh, ruffling my hair into a mess.

"...and who taught you such complicated words? You're but a child yet you seem to be more prosed than you let on."

It didn't take me long to realize who he was upset with. Carlisle and Loraine, though often at odds, displayed surprising harmony when the three of us played together, their usual friction dissolving into easy camaraderie. There came a time when his visits to my quarters suddenly became more frequent, his restless eyes darting around the place as if he was looking for something important.

"Promise me you will scream at the top of your lungs if Loraine does anything strange to you."

"Hahaha! Silly Carl! What could Loraine possibly do to me? She's the best sister in the entire world."

In my foolishness, I disregarded his warnings, failing to comprehend his reasoning behind such a statement about our sister. I did not know how soon the weight of my own witless words would crush me. Perhaps I suspected Loraine's role in Lyle's death all along, but my fear of solitude led me to repress those suspicions. Who could have guessed... she was indeed the actual culprit?

"Are you alright, Miss Lottie? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I'm...crying?

"O-oh, I'm sorry, it must be because of all the dust flying around." I giggled nervously, wiping the tears off my cheeks.

"Your glasses have fogged up. Here, I'll cover your head with this cloak so you can clean them up without worry."

Ulissa is so thoughtful. She must have picked up on my lie just now.

"Haha! His highness swept the ground with this McMillan fellow. He didn't even break a sweat."

"It was indeed quite entertaining to see the young lad trying so hard to land a single blow."

"At least he didn't embarrass himself like the last one. Haha!"

"I don't know. It felt like his highness was just toying with him, then resorted to wrap it up out of the blue because he was bored."

"Sounds about right! Haha!"

"What a blessing it is to be strong."

Has the match ended already? I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I missed everything that happened. *sigh* I don't know what came over me all of a sudden. Could it be because Carlisle's death anniversary is tomorrow? My heart feels heavy.

"Miss Ulissa? Why are you gripping my head so tightly?"

I can't see a thing with this black cloak covering my entire body.

"I'm really going to need your luck for my last match, princess." A familiar deep voice suddenly whispered in my ear.

"Nathan?"

*gasp* I'm not supposed to call him that in public.

"I-I mean...your highness. Could I trouble you to remove this cape from me? I can't seem to find my way out of it."

What's with his silence? And why is it so quiet all around? Not a peep can be heard in an arena filled with spectators. Something strange is happening here.

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"Everlasting glory to the small sun of Alkaraz. Greetings, your imperial highness."

Is that...who I think it is?

"Oh, and greetings to you all as well. I thank you everyone for taking such good care of his highness."

Why is she thanking us? It's Nathan who holds the position of our employer, not her. The silence following her greeting was heavy, a stark contrast to her cheerful words. I wonder what kind of expression is playing on everyone's face right now?

"What brings you all the way here, Florette? In case it's not already obvious, this is hardly the place for a lady of your refinement. Why not return to your seat now?"

He sounds especially annoyed.

"What is this strange atmosphere between those two? Aren't they supposed to be lovers?" whispered a random spectator.

"They sound like total strangers to one another."

"Maybe that's how high society's courtship works."

It sounds like she made a mistake by coming over to this side. Nathan gave her the cold shoulder, his aloofness in full display, as the commoners' gleeful gossip swirled around them like a summer storm.

"Wherever you are, that's where I'll be, your highness, because soon we'll be together forever. Witnessing your highness's prowess twice, I was too captivated to remain seated. I really wanted to celebrate with you."

Reality is a lot more painful than I imagined it would be. Her words, though cliché, resonated with a painful intensity, like a physical blow to my chest. My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill, but I blinked them back, my heart pounding with the fear of public humiliation.

"This isn't the time nor the place to discuss such personal matters, Florette."

"I'm curious, your highness. What is under that cloak you've been holding?"

He's...he's removing it? W-wait!

"Allow me to introduce to you...Lotticia Laurel, my personal secretary." He announced, slowly draping the cloak off my head.

+++

For a considerable time, I've been diligently monitoring him, and his airtight security has thwarted all my attempts to find an opening. He's always hiding in his study and almost never leaves the palace. I had hoped to use the hunting tournament as an opportunity to confront him, but he instead delegated his participation to another, dashing my plans. Has he caught on to me? It doesn't matter, since his forthcoming demise is inevitable.

"Ah! Allow me one moment, please, master."

The relentless whining of this noisy harlot is exacerbating my already sour mood.

"Ah! M-master...please!"

"You were hired to receive me in full. What's with the complaint now? How dare a filthy trollop like you order me around, huh?"

I'm completely spent; we've been doing it non-stop for two hours, and I've reached my limit. With each yank of my hair, a fresh wave of agony washed over me, his teeth like burning brands on my skin. The violent tossing left me breathless, feeling my insides being shredded. At this rate, I might die before I even get paid.

"Huh! It seems the aphrodisiac drug was indeed a good choice."

W-what? An aphrodisiac drug? This brothel does not cater to customers who are under the effects of such strong substances. How did he manage to bypass the inspection?

"There's the look I want to see. Seeing you so terrified is even more exhilarating than I expected. Brace yourself..." he said with a groan, a malicious grin spreading across his face as the deafening creaks of the bed echoed a foreboding and ominous hymn.

"...for you are in for a very...long and arduous night."

Someone...anyone...please...save me from this monster of a man.

+++

"This is the bracelet that you must wear in order to control those beasts, my lord. It is directly linked to the blue crystal on their foreheads, without which they would go into a berserk state, and attack all those nearby, his lordship included."

Despite the considerable difficulty in obtaining those beasts, it was not an entirely impossible task. With Ecchelon in utter turmoil, a whirlwind of chaos and pandemonium, slipping in and out of the country unseen was effortless. The desolate glacial village of Bassup serves as a habitat for the endangered Glacien Wolves, a species that surprisingly thrives in such a harsh environment. Their substantial size, fur as white as freshly fallen snow, and eyes possessing a depth that rivals the surrounding ocean make these beasts rather easy to spot. Though they look fierce, with their sharp teeth and piercing gaze, their nature is gentle and trusting, easily manipulated. Truth be told, when provoked, they turn into destructive forces, ravaging everything in their way until their rage subsides. Moving them to Alkaraz undetected required significant efforts and manpower, but our new ally made the task considerably easier. All that remains now is to execute our plan.

"They can also connect with your emotions through this little trinket, therefore I suggest you keep your composure at all times. With that said, my lord, you are completely prepared and ready to proceed."

"Enough with your useless yapping and move out of my way! I've no time to waste on scums like you."

Ah! My back!

"Are you alright, sir?"

"You hit your head pretty hard when you fell."

"I'm alright. *Argh* I think I sprained my ankle."

"Get ready to move out as soon as you release those beasts."

"L-lord Alexander!"

~Meanwhile, in the arena...

"Fighters! Get in your position!" the announcer shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the silent arena.

"I will not be fighting the crown prince!" Nathan's opponent bellowed, his arm raised in the air as a sly grin traced its way across his lips.

"Instead...I delegate my subordinates to take on the task on my behalf."

I'm getting a bad feeling all of a sudden.