Chapter 10 Cassiopeia: First Crime
1049 Words
Before I left the east wing, I found myself outside, looking at the garden. I hadn't been to this part of the palace before, and it made me remember how beautiful the Thyfe tribe was—the village where I was raised. The flowers, the trees, and, most importantly, the sky all looked so calming. I smiled as I headed down a small path that led to a clear blue lake with swans lazily swimming around on its surface. It felt like something from my dreams, a way to escape reality for just a second... until I noticed something crimson on the ground. My eyes widened and my hands balled into fists as I saw a pool of blood, the color growing more vivid by the second. I held my breath as my brain tried to process what I saw.
Did someone else die here? As my mind played an endless loop of possibilities, I quickly looked around to check for any sign of a struggle. My eyes scanned the entire garden, going over every inch of it. There was no one else here. I looked towards the third prince's mansion to see if anyone had come in while I was staring at the lake, but there was nothing but a sea of tulips. I took a step closer to the lake and saw the crown prince with an arrow pierced through his torso.
I was so shocked by what I saw that I fell right on my behind. “What happened?"
The Crown Prince answered me in a hoarse voice, "I was attacked from behind by a stranger who used this bow and arrow.” He is still alive but must be brought to the Royal infirmary.
"I-I need to take you to the infirmary right away, Your Highness," I said as I tried to lift him."Your Highness, I need help to carry you. Please allow me to leave first…" I said, after struggling to carry the weight of the Prince. The Crown Prince nodded his head, and blood poured from his mouth incessantly as he did so. The crown prince kept coughing blood as he pressed his hand on his wound.
I ran towards the third prince's residence and Lysander asked, "What's with your face?" "The crown prince was attacked!" I blurted, pointing my finger toward the lake. Lysander's eyes widened as he froze.
"I knew this would happen," he said in realization. The knight beside him stiffened up, and the ones following him stopped. "What's going on? What happened?" asked Cameron, who had just come out of the fourth prince's mansion, confused. "The second prince was attacked last night and now the crown prince," Lysander explained while looking into the lake himself. In my entire life, I had never seen such a scary sight before.
We hurried back to where the crown prince was. The pain was apparent on his pale face. "You, quickly! Bring me the surgical equipment!" I called out in a loud voice. The eunuch immediately ran over to remove a needle and surgical scissors from his waist. The eunuch respectfully placed them on the floor beside him and knelt to await further orders. "Let me see what I can do first, Your Highness…" The crown prince had collapsed onto the ground, his face in his hands, his body trembling and sweating profusely. The eunuch was kneeling beside him, trying to support him.I opened the Prince's suit and removed his vest so that I could apply first aid to his wound. I carefully inserted my finger into his torso and felt an opening in the wound. "Is there anything else you need?" The eunuch asked.
"Yes, bring me two more bottles of chloroform and some gauze pads! Quickly!" I commanded.
“G-gauze?” his forehead furrowed in confusion. I'm worried they might not have this thing since I'm centuries away from the present.
“Cloths! Give me anything that can stop the bleeding!” I said.
After minutes of tending to the crown prince, the Emperor arrives. As I was about to give respect to the Emperor, I saw the fourth prince standing just a step behind his Majesty— our eyes met. I did not understand what was with his unwavering look, but somehow he looked disappointed. Is he disappointed in me?
Upon seeing the situation, the Emperor immediately ordered that no one could approach the Crown Prince. The Fourth Prince withdrew his gaze with a stony expression. Is the fourth prince disappointed in me? Why would he be disappointed in me? I don't know what I did wrong, but I felt immense regret after seeing him look at me like that.
"Cassiopeia." Lysander said.
"Your highness." I was so distracted that I didn't notice they had been calling my name. I looked at the eunuch, and he gestured in his Majesty's direction, so I instantly ran towards the Emperor.
"Yes, your imperial majesty." I respectfully greeted him as I clutched my hand with some traces of blood.
"Magnus!" His Majesty called out, and Magnus stopped walking.
"Come here... my son." His Majesty added with a smile on his face.
Magnus turned his face toward the Emperor and replied with a blank expression. "Yes, father."
"I want to reward the princess. I will prepare a banquet for her tonight."
"Is that so, father?" he coldly said, "I will instruct the palace kitchen to prepare a banquet for her tonight,” Magnus added,
"Magnus, there is still one thing I want you to answer," the Emperor said. "You are my most trusted son, and I trust your judgment on this matter."
"What is it that you need of me, your imperial majesty?" Magnus asked, as he stood in front of the Emperor.
"What do you think of the princess? Is she suitable to be a crown princess?" I was shocked by what the Emperor said. His Majesty knows very well that I am married to the fourth prince. I looked at Magnus. He seemed unfazed. I felt a pang of pain right in my chest. As I was about to turn around, my gaze met Magnus' eyes, his eyes were like ice, and I could feel my heart stop beating.
"Father, she is my woman." I froze after hearing what he said.
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