"Damn it! How could my plans fail again?!"

At the back of the inn, tucked away from the entire ruckus, was Thalia. She was dressed in simple clothes, helping her blend into the background as she watched the events unfold. She chewed on her thumb, her mind racing. The last thing she expected was for Azul of all people to show up.

Why? Just what is it about that woman that makes all these men go crazy over her?!

Thalia bit down hard on her thumb till she tasted blood.

The plan had been simple. Destroy Princess Orchid’s only means of transportation, trap her here and then move. But now everything was ruined.

Thalia watched Ray scoop Anna into the air. She watched as Leon and the soldiers left, and eventually Kai and Azul left too. Only then did she step out and rejoin the mob.

A new plan already formulated in her head. That was the kind of woman she was. No matter what happened, or what adversaries she faced, Thalia vowed to have Princess Orchids beast husbands all for herself.

"Hey, Miss," she walked up to the woman Leon had strangled. "I’m so sorry for what happened to your husband," when Thalia wanted to, she could be very convincing. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down in perfect drops. Anyone would think Thalia cared about the poor woman. Deep down, Thalia was disgusted that she had to touch such a lowly commoner. But she hid it behind a smile.

"It’s that wicked princess," the woman said, thinking Thalia was a friend. "And she didn’t even take any responsibility!"

"I’m so sorry," Thalia took out some money and handed it to the woman. "The Princess ruined my life too."

The woman’s eyes widened, shocked between the money and Thalias face. "Thank you so much! This...this is too much!"

Thalia scoffed internally. Of course! I bet you’ve never seen that amount in your entire life. but outwardly, she said. "It’s nothing. Each time I see the Princess and what she’s done, my heart just can’t handle it! She disgraced my mother, all because mama didn’t agree with her!" At that, Thalia called on tears and began to sob pitifully.

The poor woman was deceived and started consoling her. "My heart goes out to you dear. But alas what can we do? The kingdom will never listen to us. Never. Not until we are al dead."

This is my chance!

Thalia wiped her eyes skillfully and looked up to the woman. "There is something we can do. Something even the council won’t be able to ignore."

The woman’s eyes shone. "What is it? Tell me. I’ll do anything for my husband."

Thalia leaned in and whispered "we can stage a protest. Gather as many people have been hurt by that wicked woman. The council will listen to us if we have the numbers."

The woman looked around at the hurt people. Then she turned back to Thalia. "That should be easy. All that woman has done is make things hard for us."

"Exactly. We can do it. But we must be careful, plan this protest properly. If we make any mistakes she will crush us."

The woman spat on the ground. "Never! She will never hurt anyone again. Even if I have to die to make sure of it!"

Thalia laughed inside her. Eat dirt, Princess. Soon you’ll be dead. And all your husbands will be mine.

The woman nodded. "Her head or nothing else."

Thalia smiled with satisfaction. "Her head or nothing else. We should become friends, what do you say?"

***

Back at the palace. Three days later.

"Your highness, please, let me call the doctor. Your fever isn’t breaking anytime soon."

Anna shook her head slowly. Lying in bed, her face and neck down to her shoulders was flushed, sweat dotting her brow and face. Even though she was wearing a light slip, she was still hot. For the past three days, since Ray had flown her back to the palace, she had a fever. It started light but gradually got worse.

"I’m just tired," she sighed, swallowing drying. Bella quickly got a glass of water for her. The water was gone in three gulps. Anna forced herself to sit up, holding her pillow to her chest. The mere feeling of her hair touching her skin made her shiver and shove it back.

Bella moved, tying her hair into a high bun, not even a single strand out of place.

"You’re so sweet, Bella. Thank you." Anna smiled tiredly, her eye lids drooping.

Bella blushed, still not used to her praise. "Your highness please, I’m worried about you."

Anna chuckled. She grabbed the pillow tighter. Even that felt like too much stimulation. Even the dress, despite being thin, felt like too much texture on her skin. But she didn’t feel comfortable enough wearing just a thin piece of clothing around Bella, even if Bella was her servant.

"I want to ask you something,"

"Anything at all!"

"Did you have feelings for Tristan?"

Bella’s smile dropped fast. She looked around, avoiding Anna’s eyes. "I..."

"I need to know, Bella. I know it’s none of my business, but I need to know."

Bella swallowed hard, twirling her fingers together. "I don’t know, your highness. I was curious about him, but with our different social standing, we could never be together. So I didn’t allow myself dwell too much on it."

Anna wiped sweat off her brow and nodded. "I see,"

"I know he’s not coming back," Bella went on. "It may sound strange, but I’m glad for that."

"Why?" Anna frowned .

Bella met her eyes. "I can’t describe it well, and you may punish me for this but—"

"Go on. Say it."

"I didn’t like how he looked at you, your highness. And I don’t say this from a place of jealousy but...I didn’t like how he looked at you. Like...like he wanted...he wanted...it’s wrong. It was wrong. I hated it. But I didn’t know how to tell you."

Anna nodded slowly. "See, did I punish you for that?"

Bella laughed nervously. "No, your highness,"

"I like people that tell me the truth, Bella. I hate liars and patronizers the most. Don’t forget."

"I swear I won’t forget!" Bella nodded. "Oh and, while you were away, the strawberry plant bloomed too much. I shared some of them with my friends."

"That’s fine. It’s better than letting it go to waste." Anna nodded, wincing as a bout of hotness rushed through her. This damn fever. Don’t tell me I’m falling sick in this rotten world.

[Beastblooms have high resistance to corruption, hostie, but their resistance to everything else is very poor. You might have caught the flu.]

"And why do you sound so happy saying that?"

[Pfft. No reason. This is going to be interesting.]

Anna rolled her eyes and rose to feet. "Get me ready. I need to see my mother."

"But your highness! Your fever is still raging high! You should rest!"

"I’ve been resting everyday for the past three days. Maybe that’s what’s making me sick."

Bella opened her mouth to argue; then nodded instead.

Anna headed to her bathroom for a cold shower.

I called the Queen my mother...fuck. I’m getting attached to this world.

Anna wondered for a moment if Azul and Kai were okay. They still hadn’t returned.

A few minutes later, Anna was dressed in a simple gown, her hair done up, and simple sandals on her feet. Bella chose the outfit to help her fever however little.

Together, they left to meet with the Queen.

Upon arriving, Bella was asked to wait outside while servants led Anna to the Queen’s private library.

Again, Anna was struck with the queen’s beauty and Orchid’s resemblance to her.

"My dear," the queen said as she hugged Anna. "You look quite flushed! Is everything okay?"

Anna nodded, pushing away the bittersweet feelings that always came up whenever she was with the Queen. "I’m doing good, mother. I’m so sorry I haven’t come to visit in so long."

Taking her hand, the Queen waved away her excused and pulled her down to sit. "Nonsense. You’ve been busy, my dear. I understand that more than anyone. Tell me, how are you? Is Leon still bothering you?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Anna laughed. It truly felt like she was with her real mother. "I’m fine. And Leon is actually why I’m here."

"What did he do?"

"Nothing much. Honestly. I just want to know, is it possible to get a permit for divorce?"

The moment she mentioned divorce, the queens face darkened. "My dear, that is not possible. Matter of fact it’s one of the reasons why we wanted the council to execute him."

Anna’s stomach flipped. "What?"

"He can’t bother you if he’s dead."

The images of the injure and dead at the inn flashed through Anna’s mind. "I don’t want anyone to die because of me. I just want to divorce him! And wake Lotus up so she can continue healing him."

The Queen’s eyes widened. "You wish to retract a royal decree? Because of Leon?"

"Yes!" Anna reached out and took her hands. "Please, mother, is it possible?!"

The queen looked down at their hands tangled together. Then she looked up and met Anna’s eyes. "I’m sorry, I’ve been thinking about this a while and I have to ask."

Anna nodded, her eyes gleaming with hope. "Anything,"

The Queen drew her hands back and folded them delicately in her lap, her eyes veiled. "Who are you?"