Fatima: The Slave Princess

It was only after undertaking this task that I realized how truly cumbersome and difficult it was to tap a sword onto the shoulders of multiple people, each time reciting a short phrase. The initial intrigue faded, leaving me bored, until the emperor's sudden entrance electrified the atmosphere. His unanticipated appearance, a stark contrast to his earlier refusal of my invitation, startled everyone. His abrupt and unannounced strides into the ceremonial hall provoked a wave of quiet murmurs among the attendees.

"Watch your steps, my lady."

It appears they have returned.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the time you afforded me today your highness, it was truly an honor."

She sounds exhausted.

"I was merely upholding my duty as your escort, my lady. I shall have your belongings brought to your room momentarily."

He made a fuss when I assigned him to escort her, yet he sounds as though he enjoyed it.

"Y-your highness. Could I request you keep what transpired this afternoon a secret for now? I do not wish to cause his imperial highness any unnecessary trouble."

I guessed correctly, after all. An immediate urge to rush to her and seek answers battles with my body's undeniable preference for the comforting warmth and soothing steam of this bathhouse, leaving me momentarily conflicted.

"Greetings, young one."

Where…am I? What is this dark, glum, and chilly place, where the air hangs heavy and damp, and a cold wind whispers through the shadows? An unnerving silence hung in the air, and there was absolutely nothing in sight. How did I get here?

"Do not be afraid."

Even with its frightening figure and foreboding low tone, I sense no animosity or ill will. Despite my conscious efforts at resistance, his undeniable force propelled me to this place, thus revealing the full extent of its exceptional power.

"You have quite the discerning eye, young prince. I am indeed powerful, but I assure you I mean you no harm."

Its voice is echoing inside my mind…

"Certainly, for that is the only way to communicate with me. My name is Elaphel, and I am an angel of misfortune."

It's true, there is absolutely no sound emanating from my mouth at all. Incredible! But…misfortune? Might your presence here signify an impending malediction?

"I merely wish to introduce myself, since we strive to protect the same sacred treasure."

Sacred treasure? I have no such thing in my possession.

"Oh, but you do, young prince. You seem perturbed, but you will come to understand what I mean soon enough. This concludes our brief exchange for today." His voice rumbled as he raised his silver staff in the air, the small bells adorning it echoed in my ears.

"Any longer, and you might fall into a three-day slumber, plagued by vivid, terrifying nightmares that would leave you disturbed and exhausted upon waking. Should that unfortunate event come to pass, she will most likely cry tears of blood, a sight that would cause me considerable pain and distress. That said, off you go, young one."

Wait! I still have more questions-

My eyes snapped open, the weight of the water pressing down, a suffocating silence broken only by the gurgle sound of me trying to breathe, as I realized I was face down in the center of the bathhouse. I was sitting near the edge before, but somehow, I ended up in the middle. How did that happen? Well…that isn't important right now. I must find out what that dream was about. Hm? Whose feet are those-

"Fati?"

-Moments Earlier

After confirming Nathan's absence with the maids, I decided a nighttime soak in the empty bathhouse was just what I needed after the day I had. I could already imagine the steam and the soothing heat penetrating my aching muscles.

"Your highness hums quite beautifully." Celia said with a gentle smile.

"My late brother taught me this lullaby. The hushed melody of his nightly songs, a secret serenade only I could hear, would lull me to sleep the moment he started singing."

"He must have meant the world to you, your highness." She muttered with a melancholic smile.

"He was my entire world actually." I giggled in response.

"We have arrived, your highness. I'll stand watch, so you can take as much time as you need."

"I truly appreciate your help, Celia."

The typically dense fog, because of the water's elevated temperature, had significantly dissipated, suggesting recent activity in the area. In the process of securing my hair before entering the water, a large, inanimate form became visible to me, drifting passively atop the water. I took a closer look and realized it was Nathan, his face buried in the water, a sight so shocking that my shriek brought Celia running from the doorway. The moment of panic caused me to forget my inability to swim, and as I fought to save him, I began to drown.

"Your highness! Take my hand!"

I was incredibly lucky to be close enough to the edge that Celia could reach and pull me out of the water, and together we ran to get help. As luck would have it, we were fortunate enough to find Chamberlain Leonardo while he was conducting his rounds nearby. However, by the time we went back in, Nathan was awake. A wave of relief washed over me, and I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, my shoulders shaking.

"All of you, go back to your posts. I shall take the princess to her room."

"Yes, your highness."

Under normal circumstances, she'd be wriggling and protesting in my arms, but surprisingly, she's currently as calm as could be, perfectly content and docile like a lamb. She still seems quite shaken.

~The Next Day

When the shop owner referred to her as a princess in front of those ladies, I thought it was in relation to the prince. The fact that she is actually a crown princess, and a Sant is quite remarkable. I'm still struggling to understand all the details of the story. However, one fact remains undeniably certain…

"Were you planning on hiding such an important piece of information from me, Jonathin? Perhaps a reminder of the entity to which you pledged your loyalty is in order."

"Not at all, your highness. For this reason, I decided to disclose the truth without regard for the-"

"Spare me the useless prattle, will you? Given that I was privy to your conversation, your admission of guilt was unavoidable."

He saw right through me.

"Where is that woman?" he asked menacingly, as he slowly rose from his seat.

"She's in the imperial interrogation room, your highness. However, she is still refusing to divulge any names. She claims innocence, yet-"

"Innocence…" he scoffed while draping his cape around his shoulders.

The unexpected burst of laughter from him was enough to send shivers down my spine; it was a sound that was both startling and deeply unsettling in its intensity and suddenness. I know very well that he wasn't the least bit happy about this situation. This is all my fault. If I hadn't left her alone at that moment, none of this would have happened. I was so captivated by that woman that I felt compelled to initiate a conversation.

"My lady, could you wait here a moment? I won't be long."

A disturbance suddenly erupted outside while I was in the store, quickly diverting everyone's attention to the clear glass window, where they could see what was causing the commotion. The woman's face was a mask of fury, the knife a terrifying extension of her seething rage, aimed at Lady Lottie. By the time I made it outside, she had already subdued the woman, pinning her to the ground and simultaneously securing the hand that clutched the weapon.

"Let go of me, you wench!"

"You will only hurt yourself if you keep flailing like this."

The crowd of onlookers watched, their jaws dropping in amazement as they cheered enthusiastically and marveled at the extraordinary spectacle. As I moved in to apprehend the woman, Madam Dupree efficiently dispersed the crowd that had gathered to make my job easier. Despite my relief at finding Lady Lottie safe, the gnawing guilt of my negligence persisted, a constant reminder of what could have been a tragic outcome.

"My! I have never seen a noblewoman move like that before."

"The speed at which she assertively took hold of her was mind-blowing."

"She was amazing!"

"She is clearly not from here. No noble lady of Alkaraz can defend themselves this boldly."

"Haha! You're right, Sir Kazo! They're all teacups and gossip! They can't even stand the sight of a rifle."

*End of flashback*

"According to reports, she was under duress to complete the task in order to keep her family from harm. My observations suggest that one of the young women in the shop is the perpetrator; however, I remain-"

"Was there a woman with brown hair and purple eyes among them?"

How does he-Did he tail me?

"Judging from your reaction, it seems I'm right. Did anyone see princess Charlotte's face?"

"No one aside from Madam Dupree and I saw her face since she never removed her hat."

It is imperative that her identity remain undisclosed for the time being. Either way, I must deal with that woman before I investigate Florette. How dare she raise a weapon to my princess?

"Lead the way to the investigation room, Jonathin."