CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 132: Honey-Coated Knives

Princess Cassandra walked into the garden when she saw Princess Teimei coming her way.

Cassandra did not want to give any reaction but she still smiled so that Princess Teimei would not be suspicious.

Princess Teimei, who had no idea what was going on in Princess Cassandra’s mind, laughed as she held her hand.

"You are here alone today. Where is your lady in waiting or your guard?" Princess Teimei’s voice was small but she still managed to look curiously behind Princess Cassandra. She always felt that the guard ’Ed’ and the lady in waiting ’Amy’ never left the fifth Princess alone. They were like soldiers always protecting her.

Princess Cassandra’s lips twitched but she still maintained her calm self. "Amy is bringing me some refreshment and Ed is running some errands."

"Errands?" Princess Teimei’s eyebrows rose as her voice sharpened. She did not understand what errand would an Elvira Empire’s guard run in the Vivere Kingdom. "If you needed anything then you should have told me. The soldiers of the Vivere Kingdom would have done the work more effectively."

Princess Cassandra knew what the hidden meaning in Princess Teimei’s words was. "Ed went to search for some crystals for me. I heard they are trending in the Vivere Kingdom."

Princess Teimei’s eyes widened as those words came out of Princess Cassandra’s mouth.

"What are you talking about .." Princess Teimei ran her hand through her hair. Her voice was trembling as her gaze shook. There was a slight shock on her face as if a secret was spilled by mistake.

[Why is Princess Cassandra searching for crystals?]

[Does she know something?]

[This is not possible.]

[I should not panic. It might be a mere hobby of hers.]

Princess Teimei’s thoughts were running wide. For once the Vivere Kingdom’s Princess forgot that her thoughts could be read by Princess Cassandra.

Princess Cassandra on the other hand wanted to know what the Vivere Kingdom’s people were planning. Cassandra could not help but giggle as she touched Princess Teimei’s hand lightly like a feather.

"I heard crystal jewelry is a trend in the Vivere Kingdom and I wanted to see them myself so I asked Ed to get me some." Princess Cassandra’s tone was filled with playfulness as she looked straight into Princess Teimei’s eyes. "Why are you looking so pale? I shouldn’t have asked him to?"

Princess Teimei shook her head in denial. "If you needed something, you should have asked me. We have a lot of beautiful jewelry in the royal treasury."

Princess Cassandra shook her head. "How can I ask something like this from you? I would not like you, a Vivere Kingdom’s Princess giving her jewelry to me, someone who is your enemy. What might your Kingdom’s people think?"

"I never thought of you as a Princess from the Elvira Empire. You are not our enemy." Princess Teimei tried to tell but Cassandra only smiled.

Princess Cassandra knew very well how the Vivere Kingdom’s royalty was treating her. She was a sacrifice for them and yet they coated their words with honey while talking to her.

’They truly hold honey-coated knives behind their back.’ Princess Cassandra thought as she walked deeper into the garden with Princess Teimei following her.

The garden they visited today was covered by beautiful flowers. They had fields of roses and daisies. Butterflies and honeybees hopped from flower to flower in search of nectar as a refreshing breeze passed from time to time.

Princess Cassandra looked up as she saw the clear sky. The white clouds were floating in the light blue sky. Cassandra smiled unknowingly. She loved to look at nature. After all, it was the only relief mechanism she had when she lived in the Elvira Empire.

"The sky here is much brighter." Princess Cassandra murmured as she looked down. A butterfly flying around caught her attention. It had vibrant pink wings as it sat on a yellow rose making it a sight to behold. "And it’s very colorful too."

Princess Teimei smiled. She followed Princess Cassandra’s gaze as she said. "Do you like nature?"

Princess Cassandra nodded as she looked at Princess Teimei. "I live it. I feel connected to nature."

"The Vivere Kingdom has many mountains and valleys. There are waterfalls and snow-filled mountains as well. If you love nature so much, why don’t we go and visit a few places?" Princess Teimei offered.

"Will you? But I heard that as a Princess you are quite busy." Princess Cassandra asked curiously.

Princess Teimei smiled. When she had walked towards Princess Cassandra, Princess Teimei was clear with her mission. She needed to convince her to visit places where she could absorb the elements.

Princess Teimei knew that they do not have any elemental mages here but they had two elements that were in their pure form. Earth and air. Maybe that was the reason why their habitat was blooming so much.

"We can always go there. Mother had asked me to show you around. It will be a little change for me too." Princess Teimei smiled as she waited impatiently for Princess Cassandra’s response.

Princess Cassandra on the other hand was enjoying the situation. She knew why Princess Teimei was so eager. Cassandra also needed to visit the place that Princess Teimei wanted to take her to.

’The elements told me that the Vivere Kingdom’s people will take me to visit places soon.’

’They are in a hurry.’

’They want me to absorb the elements soon.’

Princess Cassandra’s eyes sharpened but she rubbed her fingers over her chin as if in deep thoughts. Cassandra was enjoying herself as the look on Princess Teimei’s face kept on changing.

’I should stop now.’

’It looks like Princess Teimei would lash out at any moment.’

Princess Cassandra sighed as she continued in a dull tone, "Okay. I needed some time outside the palace walls too."

Princess Teimei took a breath of relief. Her face turned smiling as if she had finally achieved her goal after struggling a lot.

"I will inform everyone. We can leave tomorrow morning." Princess Teimeio said as she left the fifth Princess alone, in fear that if she stayed longer then maybe Princess Cassandra would change her mind.

Princess Cassandra smiled. ’You think you have achieved your goal? No Princess Teimei. I have achieved my goal.’

—----------

Princess Teimei was happy as she walked towards her room but soon her steps stopped.

"What are you doing here?" Princess Teimei asked in a sharp tone.

"Why am I not invited here anymore? Cousin?" Lord Bentham folded his hands as he leaned on the wall.

"I never said that." Princess Teimei folded her hands as well as she smiled. "But you never came to meet me before."

"There is always a first time to everything." Lord Bentham laughed as he moved past Princess Teimei. His voice was low as he continued, "I have been away for so long. Why don’t we bond?"

Princess Teimei took a step back as she chuckled. "You want to bond? That is something new. Why don’t you tell me the real reason you are searching for me?"

Lord Bemntham’s eyes narrowed as he laughed. "I cannot hide anything from you cousin."

Princess Teimei waited for Achard to continue. Her eyes were showing her true feeling which was not missed by Lord Bentham.

"You never changed even after so many years." Lord Bentham smiled as he continued. "I heard you are going on a small trip tomorrow."

"The news spread faster towards your ears even though you were not here for so many years." Princess Teimei complained as her eyes turned sharp. "I wonder who your informants are?"

"Why? Are you jealous?" Lord Bentham’s voice turned playful. "I am the son of the Grand Duke. His loyal followers are mine too."

Princess Teimei’s lips twitched. She did not want to agree but she had no choice. Princess Teimei knew how strong her uncle’s influence was in the palace. It was a good thing that the Grand Duke was not interested in the power or the crown but Teimei could not be sure if it applied to Achard as well.

Princess Teimei narrowed her eyes as she said in a sharp tone. "Let’s get back on topic. Why are you asking me such things?"

Lord Bentham moved back as he ran his hand through his hair. His gentle eyes showed an unknown emotion in them. It was difficult for Princess Teimei to understand what Lord Bentham was feeling.

"I do not want to trouble you at all, cousin. You should not be so cautious of me." Lord Bentham smiled suddenly as if he meant no harm to Princess Teimei. "Didn’t I tell you I want to bond, so let’s just spend some quality time together?"

Princess Teimei raised her eyebrows not buying Achard’s words at all.

Lord Bentham sighed. "I want to accompany you and Princess Cassandra on your little adventure." Lord Bentham said.

"No." Princess Teimei refused it mercilessly.

"Think again Teimei." Lord Bentham’s voice turned sharp. "I can just ask Cassandra as her fiance."