Fatima: The Slave Princess

I suggested the idea on a whim when I was suddenly put on the spot, but I never expected his majesty to be opened to such mundane methods. Once the prince finds out I was behind this, he will certainly come after me.

"Your grace! Duke Kartier! Your grace, please wait for me!" shouted my aide Efraim as he darted towards me.

I was skeptical about his abilities when I hired him since we were the same age. However, it turns out I underestimated him. He's quite efficient, detail-oriented, diligent, and punctual. A professional through and through.

"Slow down and catch your breath, Efraim."

"Phew! Just…just a second, your grace. Ahem! His majesty issued the date of your initiation ceremony. Here's the official letter, my lord." he said as he extended a small envelope.

An initiation ceremony is an event where the emperor will officially announce the succession of an official to the people. Of course, not every member of the nobility gets to experience such an honor. However, since I'm going to fill in my father's position as the minister of foreign affairs, it almost becomes a requirement that I go through this process.

"My wedding is in two months, and the ceremony is in two weeks. There isn't much time to get everything done. Efraim, I'm afraid we'll have to work on a tight schedule starting today."

"Sir! Yes, sir!"

"You sound thrilled for someone who's about to work overtime."

"Haha! Haha…oh no…" he whimpered nervously.

It seems reality just struck him as his enthusiasm is slowly fading away.

++++++

"Why do you hate me?"

He's been asking the same question for three weeks straight. Goodness! This is so frustrating.

"As I said before, I do not hate you, Nathan. It's just that sometimes you infuriate me so much that I wish I was tall enough to flick your forehead." I sighed loudly.

"Hm…" he pondered deeply.

"If I let you flick my forehead, can you swear you won't be upset with me when we arrive in Ipera?"

Ipera? Why are we heading there, of all places?

"Sure, sure, I promise. Now bring forth thy forehead, sir Nathan." I cackled jokingly while cracking my knuckles in excitement.

I should take this chance to inquire about this trip since he's now in a good mood.

"Easy with your frail little fingers, Fati. You might break them trying to hurt me." he teased in response.

"Ha! You're awfully confident. I must warn you that my flicks are no joke, Nathan. Back in Ecchelon's ca-ahem! Anyway, let's begin."

Good grief! I almost spilled my guts yet again.

"Here you go, ready when you are."

He leaned forward as he pulled his hair back, exposing his forehead. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be completely defenseless. I hesitated and wavered because of the loud thumps coming from my heart.

"What are you waiting for?" He asked as he opened one eye and glanced up at me.

I was so frustrated that I ended up head-butting him instead which gave me a splitting headache.

"Nathan? May I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Is our destination the kingdom of Ipera?"

Ipera…A kingdom who was on the brink of collapse because of the incessant demonic beast attacks that plagued their streets every waking moment. When the emperor of Alkaraz caught wind of their situation, he quickly offered his help at the price of surrendering their kingdom to him. It was an offer they could not afford to refuse; hence they had no choice but to accept. However, that decision caused a strain in their relationship with Ecchelon who was secretly plotting a siege. Since then, there has been constant animosity between the two countries despite how relatively close their borders are. This happened over a century ago, so why can't we just settle our differences and call it quits? Ugh! This is why I hate politics.

"Since you aren't paying attention, I will stop explaining now."

"Wait! No! I apologize, please continue. Please!"

He let out a deep sigh while folding his arms across his chest with the usual scowl on his face.

"C-continue…sir…" I giggled nervously.

His expression makes me feel rather self-conscious.

"Like I said, we are merely passing through Ipera, as our destination is actually Ecchelon, your homeland."

"E-ecchelon?"

"Fati, are you alright? Your face grew pale all of a sudden. Are you feeling ill anywhere?"

Ah…I can't move my limbs, and my vision is blurry.

"Hey! Wait! Can you hear me? Keep your eyes open! F-Fati! Hey!"

As I drifted off, the last thing I remembered was him shouting in panic as he held me in his arms. Why does he look so distraught?

++++++

"Bring more towels and a change of clothes."

"Her fever has not yet subsided despite the medicines we've been feeding her. What shall we do?"

"Poor thing, she's burning up."

I hear voices, but my body feels so heavy I can hardly move. My head was throbbing, and I felt hot and cold at the same time. Am I sick? More importantly, where are we right now?

"She's awake!"

I recognized their faces. They are the maids from the delegation. They must have been worried when I collapsed.

"Do not move, miss Fati. You are currently burning up with a high fever."

"I asked for a bucket of water eons ago. Where is it?" yelled the chief maid.

"It's right next to your feet, Miss Bettie."

"Oh dear, I must be losing my mind." She sighed heavily.

They were moving about hastily yet very orderly. A sight that was rather familiar to me from my days in Ecchelon.

"Where am I?" I mumbled.

"We are currently at a hotel in Ipera, Miss Fati. You gave us quite the scare when you suddenly fainted like that. His high…I mean, Sir Nate was especially worried about you."

I wanted to ask more questions, but I was way too tired to even lift a finger. With each sentence I struggled to utter, my breathing became shorter. The room was so luxurious that everything looked as though it was out of a fairytale. I suppose this is one of the many advantages of traveling with nobility. Speaking of which, the crown prince must be furious about the delay I caused. I hear he is quite an impatient individual. I have not seen Nathan since I opened my eyes. I hope he's not somewhere being berated by the prince on my account.

+++++

"I hope the dishes are to your liking, your imperial highness. I took care to instruct the chefs to pay special attention to tonight's dinner." chuckled the king, while one of his maids dabbed his mouth with a dinner cloth.

It was the most disturbing display I had ever witnessed, which nearly caused me to hurl everything I had already consumed. His sons were treated no differently, in exception of the eldest one who was being fed by two of his women. It seems I unintentionally walked straight into a circus. Is this truly their way of showing me hospitality or are they blatantly mocking the very crown they serve?

"Please allow me, your highness." Said one maid as she approached me with a napkin.

"No, thank you. I can manage on my own." I declined with a hand gesture.

She bowed and returned to her post.

"Crown prince Kazein, I heard of an interesting rumor circulating the capital. Is it true that you are deserting the crown, your highness?" he smirked as the woman sitting on lap fed him another spoonful of soup.

"If such was truly the case, then why would I waste my precious time leading a delegation to Ecchelon, Prince Jonathin?"

Jonathin Herbert Wells, the firstborn of King Cornelius and his wife, Queen Jamifra. He was a promising child who excelled in every aspect of his education, which earned him the nickname 'inborn prodigy', just like me. An exemplary prince who won many awards, honorary medals, and titles. There was not a single competition in his kingdom that he had not won. The people hailed him as the pride and joy of Ipera. However, that was until his consort passed away on their wedding day. Ever since then, the glorious small sun of Ipera was no more. Nowadays, he spends most of his time being pampered in his harem or in one of those illegal underground drug parlors.

"If you leave the throne empty for too long, people like me and my brothers will start getting funny ideas, your highness."

His expression and tone changed as he uttered these words. His blue eyes reflected a glint of hostility as he glowered at me from the other side of the table. He was smirking haughtily, as though he had just achieved something impactful.

"Prince Jonathin." I called as I drew a deep sigh while I patted the dinner cloth over my mouth.

His father, along with his younger brothers, were sweating profusely while they anxiously squirmed in their seats. The atmosphere in the dinner hall became somber as I slowly rose from my seat and strode over to his side. The women who were surrounding him hurriedly scampered, while I leaned over, and whispered in his ear.

"A deposed prince, who couldn't even protect his position, poses no threat to me. And as for your brothers, I'm sure you know by now that I can kill them with my eyes closed."