- I can’t believe he’s bossing me around! - She was indignant, sitting down on the bed and crossing her arms over her chest, expressing dissatisfaction. – I know better that I’m already feeling well.

- But he’s right, your body still hasn’t healed from your injuries and your bones still haven’t healed.

She glanced briefly at the bandaged arm Dexter had broken for her and grinned–did he feel guilty? She realized that she was gloating at the thought that Dexter might have a guilty conscience.

But this was just another mistake, because there was little that could touch the heart of this man who had gone through too much and seen so much blood and death along the way that a simple broken hand did not bother him.

After the details of the announcement in the walls of Abion Castle of the ghostly soul of the late Artemis, who took possession of the body of the young Riliya princess, became clear, Dexter urgently convened a council and immediate preparations for war were announced.

Despite the fact that no one had set any deadlines, it was clear that every minute did not count. The witches came too close, and Raphael, on the contrary, was too far away to come to the rescue in time. That was why he had to make every possible attempt to protect the kingdom.

During the few days that Artemis and her companions were in the infirmary, Milos and his soldiers managed to evacuate most of the country’s population with everyone’s efforts.

It turned out that they were too blind when witches destroyed entire cities on the outskirts of Abion, not even sparing children.

As a result, the castle was plunged into a chaotic chaos from the newly arrived people. Abion’s castle had not seen such a large number of people even in the most illustrious times, until Raphael closed it from the eyes of the whole world under the dome of illusion.

Giselle stood with her trembling fingers clasped together, biting her own lips. Her nervousness could be felt with her fingers. But she could only wonder why they had decided to bring her here so unexpectedly. She was silent, afraid to ask, afraid to utter a word, only occasionally sighing softly. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Gathering a little imaginary courage, she looked up from under her brows, faced with the coldness of dark eyes framed by thick eyelashes. She swallowed slowly, feeling prickly goosebumps on the skin of her back.

- It is not shameful for a person to feel fear. - Dexter said dryly, noticing Giselle’s trembling.

- Of course, if you want to save your life with all your heart. - She replied softly.

- Do you think they took you out to kill you? It’s too expensive. It would be easier to leave you there and not feed you. - He chuckled.

- Then why am I here? Have you decided to give me back my freedom? - A spark of hope sparkled in her eyes.

- Someone wants to see you. - He answered and turned his back on her, opening the heavy wooden doors leading to Raphael’s private office.

With hesitant soft steps, Giselle followed the duke, rustling her dress, which should have been replaced with a fresher one.

She walked into the center of the large room and stopped when Dexter hurried away and closed the doors behind him.

In front of her stood a petite, fragile girl of incredible beauty. Her whole being seemed to cry out for strength and nobility. She felt it in every cell of her body... strength and unbridled energy.

Long brown hair lay in soft waves, thrown over one shoulder, the precious metal of the crown glittered in the sunlight, and the brown eyes looked at Giselle so intently and at the same time inspired a slight note of alarm.

The girl in front of her was too beautiful, but the unwavering facade of her face warned that this would not be a fun conversation over tea.

Who was this girl and why did she call Giselle? He had never seen her before.

- You must be thinking about who I am and why I called you? - Artemis chuckled. - I can’t read minds, but it’s written all over your face.

Giselle silently lowered her head, twisting her fingers on her hands.

- You look different than the last time I saw you. -She lost even more weight and completely lost her arrogant and arrogant appearance. - It’s worth noting that even this seedy dress doesn’t spoil you at all.

- Have we met before? - Giselle found her voice again.

- Yes, that was when you tried to marry my husband. - Artemis smiled tightly.

- What are you saying? This is nonsense. I’ve never... - She fell silent under the pressure of a hard, burning gaze. - I... I don’t understand.

- My dear Rafael has always been a naughty, flighty boy who likes to play games that only he understands. It’s probably a pity that you fell into his net, trustfully taking everything at face value. But you behaved extremely rudely and boorishly, claiming your rights to him, while he is still actually my husband. - She spoke so slowly, drawing out the words, being in a moment of memories of her own wedding.

Giselle couldn’t find an answer to that, because her mind was screaming that a real crazy woman was standing in front of her. Perhaps even one of Raphael’s fans. After all, everyone knows that Rafael was not married. What was this woman talking about?

- My appearance may puzzle you, but I had to borrow someone else’s body. Dear Thea was too kind to disrupt your wedding. But if only I could have taken over her body earlier, I would have done it even with my eyes closed. - She fixed her with an icy stare. – I don’t like you at all.

- Thea? Taken her body? What are you talking about? - Giselle almost stuttered.

She had already learned a lot about this world, which had been hidden from her for two decades, but the revelation that someone could get someone else’s body scared the hell out of her.

- I’m Artemis de Mourey. The legitimate wife of King Rafael de Mourey of Abion. Nice to meet you. – She came up and stopped one step away from Giselle, holding out her hand to her.

It was a moment that completely eclipsed the mind of the Adamanian princess. She bent down, taking Artemis’s hand and leaving a kiss on it, after which her consciousness returned, as if she had come out of oblivion.

- Did you just make me? - She was stunned.

- I doubt you would have done it of your own free will. - She chuckled.

- What about the Riliya princess? How can you even occupy someone’s body? How is this possible?

- This is a mutually beneficial symbiosis, you don’t need to know more. Anyway, I called you here to run an important errand. I’ll let you go....

Giselle’s eyes lit up with hope after hearing these words.

- But if you get scared and run away, I’ll find you and kill you. - Her sweet smile screamed that her words were softer than the actions that followed them.