Rejected Princess : Engaged to a Missing Man

The word of Crown Prince Adrian lingered as Viella and Marie sat in silence, for a moment looking at each other as Viella realized they were sinking deeper and deeper into a situation she should have seen coming.

The more she thought about it, the more it made her feel she was a complete fool for believing the High Lady of the Empire's words.

Do you really think, if Caspian survives, that woman would simply let you go? Someone with your talents is far too valuable to vanish into the world, never to be seen again.

His words replayed in her mind over and over again. How could she have been so naïve?

"Are you afraid?" Marie whispered as if they were surrounded by people.

"I'm… worried and anxious," Viella answered honestly. "Also guilty."

"Why guilty?" Marie asked, tilting her head sideways. She was truly an adorable little girl.

Even among the grayness of the stones surrounding her, she shone like a diamond.

"Well…" Viella started, looking away. "I guess I feel responsible not just for myself but for you too. I was supposed to lead us both responsibly, but it seems the more things progress, the worse the situation has become. Now look… we've been threatened with death, twice." Viella pointed out, shaking her head.

She knew it wouldn't be easy, but it started to feel harder faster than she had anticipated.

"Are you… feeling guilty because of me?" Marie asked, surprised.

Viella chuckled. "Of course, who else? You came with me, and I put you through this dangerous situation," she said.

Marie started to laugh. "You should have said something sooner. Here, let me help you alleviate your guilt. Almost nothing can kill me; I'm immortal," she said, which perplexed Viella.

She knew the dice were centuries old, but that almost nothing could kill her was new.

"Nothing?"

"Almost nothing," Marie said, moving so that she could sit closer to Viella, her small hand on hers.

"The fact is, for as long as I lived, I've never been kept out of my shell as long as you have kept me around. I'm only outside for as long as the battle is! No one has ever spoken to me as if I am more than just the creature that I am. Vie, you're more than just a master to me, and that's more than any other master can say!" Marie said with passion, her face blooming with excitement.

"In fact, I've never been this curious and entertained," Marie added.

Viella blinked. Slowly, her lips parted into a surprised smile. "Marie, I had no idea. I mean, maybe… I should have listened to Raden more. I mean more about you," she said, feeling glad but also a fool.

"I'm glad you didn't. So I get to stay with you as a human. I mean, everyone here thinks I'm your sister! Isn't that exciting?" Marie asked, wide-eyed. It seemed whatever dangers lay ahead of them, she was not the slightest bit worried.

"As a human? What else are you supposed to be?" Viella asked.

"Well… whatever number comes up when you throw the dice," Marie said, reminding Viella of the two dice she came out of. Suddenly, she was anxious about it.

It was in her satchel, and she didn't know if anyone had taken them.

"There are twelve numbers," Viella said.

"No. One dice is where I reside. The other is what determines the outcome. But to have me change, you have to toss both dice together," Marie said, excited to explain the rules of her abilities.

"Oh, alright. What's number one?" Viella asked, curious.

The impending threat forgotten.

"Panther. But my old master called it the Shadowclaw Ravager," Marie said, remembering a distant memory.

"Hard to remember, but it sounds intimidating. What about two?" Viella asked, wondering what kind of person took care of Marie before her.

"Snake."

"Did your former master have a different name for it too?"

"Yup, Infernal Wyrm," Marie said, this time sounding proud.

"Infernal Wyrm? Why? It's just a snake," Viella said. Marie put a finger to her lips as she looked up, thinking with a smile.

"Well, it's not just a snake, you know. These aren't just normal animals… these are ancient beasts. Do you know how amazing I look as that snake?"

"I don't, but tell me," Viella said, interested.

"I'm so big, you can ride on my back. My scales shimmer like molten lava—it's so hot I can burn anyone and anything. And my saliva ignites anything it touches. On top of that, I'm so strong, I crush almost anything," Marie explained, drawing a terrifying image of a monster Viella didn't even want to encounter in her dreams.

She looked at Marie, understanding why the dice had cost so much. It could have been used to buy land, build houses, buy livestock, and provide food for years to come. And she was worth that much. She was a dangerous living weapon.

The more Viella thought about it, the more she feared someone would try to take Marie away from her. The truth was, there weren't many dangers she would need Marie to fight. And if there was, she would be more than grateful for her help. But at the moment, Viella was conscious of how alone she was in this world. She didn't need a fire-breathing serpent. She needed a friend.

Viella pulled Marie into an embrace. "I'm going to make sure I don't ever need to expose you to anyone, okay?" she said. Marie looked up, more confused than anything else.

"Why?" she asked, childlike.

"I just don't want anyone taking you away from me," Viella said.

"Don't worry, no one is going to take me away," Marie said, hugging Viella tighter. The two girls sat in a tight embrace. And for a moment, that was all Viella could do to gather strength and courage. The truth was, she was afraid.

She didn't want to betray Caspian, but to not do so meant she would lose her life. If she told Caspian, would he believe her that she wasn't really on Adrian's side?

And what would happen if it turned into something more complicated and dangerous?

What's going to happen if she needs to be a double agent?

The Crown Prince already wanted her in his bed.

And she couldn't imagine doing that special thing with just anyone—even if he was a Crown Prince.

Then, the sound of the metal door opened once more. Viella and Marie jerked up simultaneously, looking towards the door where a figure appeared in front of the bars.

It was one of the masked soldiers she had seen before, the one who had heartlessly drugged and tossed her over their shoulder.

Now she could take a better look. They were not dressed like a soldier or a palace guard.

He was dressed in layered black garments, with a reinforced tunic and strapped trousers that held hidden pouches, while a hood shaded his white owl mask.

Behind him, the hilts of two swords crisscrossed on his back, as well as two daggers on each side of his legs.

As he raised his hand to unlock the door, his hands were equally concealed by a glossy black material, just like his trousers.

He opened it, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Witch Doctor, the High Lady of Empire summons you. Come with me, and don't try to escape. Such an attempt will be met with utmost hostility," he said, stepping aside to let her pass.

"May I bring my sister?" Viella asked.

"Yes. You may."

"Come on, let's go," Viella said, helping Marie up. The two of them walked out along the unfamiliar path, careful not to give him the impression that they would try to run away. However, the man did not walk ahead of them—he walked behind them.

The two moved on while he instructed them on what to do and what not to do, all the time facing them. Viella moved along in silence, while Marie curiously looked over her shoulder every once in a while.

"Why are you wearing a mask?" Marie asked as they reached the outer part of the underground prison. They were surprisingly close to the palace, the entrance hidden by thick rose bushes.

The soldier did not answer. Instead, he said, "Go to the double doors you see ahead of you. Don't try anything. I'm right behind you."

"We realize that. Come on, Marie, don't talk to him," Viella said, letting him lead her back past the Grand Arbiter's office once more and towards the familiar room of the High Lady of Empire.

They were greeted once again by the same personal maid, the high windows overlooking the empire, and thick drowning carpets.

"To the High Lady of Empire: the Witch Doctor, Viella Ivelle, and her young sister, Marie Ivelle," said the masked man with utmost formality.

Then, without a second's wait, he turned around, taking a place to stand in the far corner of the room, waiting.

In the center of the room sat once again the High Lady of Empire, her dress now changed into the dark red of wine, her hair gathered inside the delicate lines of a pearl hair net, her face colored gracefully with the shades of nature, while her hands were gloved to her elbows. She sat elegantly, holding a cup of tea.

But it wasn't her Viella noticed most—it was Prince Caspian, who sat in royal attire. Unlike the Crown Prince, who looked ready for combat at any time of day, he wore a black, military-style uniform, the gold buttons gleaming faintly.

Intricate embroidery adorned the high collar and chest, each golden thread catching the light like woven flames. And around him, despite having been ill for so long, was an air of quiet authority and disciplined grace. His emerald eyes were sharp as he looked at her with a soft smile blooming on his face.

"Thank you for coming," Prince Caspian said.

The High Lady of Empire raised her hand, displeased by her son's words. She looked at them with disgust, noticing their dirty faces and clothes no longer fresh.

Viella lowered her eyelids, annoyed.

"Now," the High Lady of Empire started, "let us discuss the matters at hand."