When I opened my eyes, Dria's face greeted my sight. She was looking at me with a slight concern in her face. She's holding cotton and is treating the wounds in my leg.
I only noticed this now. The chains might've wounded my leg when I resisted. But who wouldn't? When they are on the brink of death.
"Where am I?" I inquired while wandering my gaze around the unfamiliar room. The room is not too simple-looking, but it wasn't too extravagant either. In a rating between extravagance and modesty, this type of room lies in between. The black and gold hue complements it well, making it simple but classy. Rather than luxuriousness, this room screams elegance.
"This is one of the rooms in the information guild," she responded, and I couldn't help but feel a slight amazement at that.
Just how wide is the land owned by the information guild? Does Duke perhaps have a simple castle hidden in the form of a restaurant? If so, then it's awesome.
But wait! It isn't time to admire the room that I'm currently staying in. I still need to clarify some things, and I'd be bothered thoroughly if I won't be able to know the answers today.
So...
"How did I end up here?"
To be honest, I'm still trembling in fear. I mean, who wouldn't? Especially if they narrowly escape death.
And especially if they aren't used in that kind of situation.
Never in my whole life have I imagined being imprisoned. Especially when there's not even concrete evidence to prove the crime that I was sentenced for.
Indeed. There are many things that I experienced after coming into this world.
I met a talking cat.
I met a character from my novel.
I've seen a person die, but I don't know why I am calm about it. Yes, I felt traumatized, but I don't know how it gradually vanished. Is it because of Miss Cat?
Aside from that, I had a near-death experience. That is when the duke pointed his sword at my neck. Until now, I still shiver whenever I see a sword. Because it reminded me of that memory. Also, my near-death experience made me realize the regrets that I kept on forgetting. The regret of not being able to pay back all I received from my sister. I became a pain in her ass after our parents' death, but I've never heard her complain.
And today... I experienced being used by someone, and you weren't certain who that someone was.
But if my guess is correct, then why is Dria helping me? Wasn't she also an enemy who might stab me in the back?
"You know that kingdom is in chaos right now." Dria spoke, and I met her gaze. As always, she wears a blank look. "They're looking for you and are investigating whoever your accomplices are," she continued, and I unconsciously averted my eyes.
But... "Why am I here in the first place? Who brought me here?"
I need answers so that I'll know who to trust and who to doubt.
"I brought you here," she stated. I waited for her to continue, but she just focused on treating my wounds.
Huh? She brought me here? Then... Who's that guy that I saw last time? The one with brown hair and green eyes, and looked very familiar?
After dressing the wound on my leg, she stood up and left. And it made me speechless.
Though in just a few seconds, a man entered the room where I am resting. His silver hair was moving slightly as he strode confidently across the room. His cold blue eyes scanned my situation before he sat in the chair in front of me.
"So how's your condition?" he initiated the conversation.
Uh… how should I reply in this one? Should I say that I'm fine, thanks for worrying? Or should I say, I'm sore all over my body thanks to someone who framed me.
Until now, I'm still doubting this Duke. I mean, yeah, he saved me, but it isn't enough to prove his innocence. He's maybe hiding his cunning self but prepared to manipulate anyone who stupidly entered the traps.
But I can't solely focus on the Duke. Maybe he's really innocent and is worried about his people.
"I'm alright..." I faked a smile and sat on the bed. But when I used my hand to prop myself up, pain washed over me, making me twitch. Damn, I've forgotten that I'm bandaged up in my wrist.
When I turned my head, I saw the duke staring at me intently. Or more likely the bandage on my wrist.
"I'm really fine," I assured him, and he nodded. Though his eyes are telling me that he's not going to easily dismiss the topic.
What is he doing? Acting like a concerned superior, huh? I want to roll my eyes and protest. 'If you hadn't given me that type of vial that night, then I wouldn't be in this situation!' But I held back and waited patiently for the Duke to reply.
"You should stay here for a while. It isn't safe for you outside," he remarked, and I just nodded my head in response. But deep inside, I want to tell him, 'Obviously.'
The knights from the imperial family are definitely searching for me. And I'm certain that a few imperial dogs from the aristocracy are willing to assist them. So this is the safest place for the meantime. I just hope the imperial family won't doubt the duke, or else I'm doomed.
Come to think of it, if the duke meant harm, then he won't send a rescue for me. And his reputation is also at stake.
So maybe only stupid people will doubt him. And I am that stupid person.
Am I just really overthinking this matter to the point that I doubted even those I shouldn't?
"But, I thought the imperial family would just disregard this matter. After all, they never considered nor treated the princess as part of their family," I wondered.
"That's because the nobles were pressuring the royal family. If they can't resolve this incident, the nobles might revolt at any time. Especially that the reputation of the crown prince isn't well established." The duke leaned on the chair and crossed his arms.
"Huh?" I thought everyone was satisfied with the current crown prince. I even remembered those two guys that I overheard last time. They acted like they revered the crown prince or something.
So what's this?
"I thought you knew since I told you this. If I remember it right, my exact words were 'Cullen is dancing well.' But no one knows who it was, and Qana was helpless about it.' I thought you'd understand them."
It made me ponder about that. Initially, I thought it was the name of a pet. But who would've thought that it was actually a nickname for important people?
"So, Cullen is the crown prince? Then who is Qana?"
"The Queen."
"Then, Kein is the King?" Now that I think about it, he implied that Kein is incredibly sick, as is the king, according to the rumors!
"That's right," he confirmed.
"Sooo," I stated exaggeratedly. "The crown prince was being manipulated by someone?" This made me feel intrigued. If the crown prince is being manipulated, too, then who is the reason for Princess Carina's death? For Princess Racia's death? For my imprisonment?
I demand an answer for this. And since the duke runs an information guild, I just hope he has answers for this. However, the duke just shrugged and turned to me with a serious face.
"You know, it isn't right for you to involve yourself in this matter. As it'll bring nothing but danger," he warned me.
And I can feel something scream 'Aww...' within me. Though I choose to ignore it. I've already endangered my life countless times, so Miss Cat was definitely enraged at me. I'll bet she'll nag me once we see each other again.
Well, fortunately, luck favored me during dangerous situations. If not, then I'll be like, 'Bye bye everyone, see you in my next life.'
But I shouldn't feel relieved that luck favors me. Because there's definitely a day when it'll run out, and there's no way I'll survive. So it's better to know a little than to know everything.
Some might argue that ignorance is a sin, but this time, it's better to be ignorant than die for knowing too much.
While I am lost in thoughts, the door blasted open and startled me. When I turned my face, I was greeted by a very familiar woman. Her long blonde hair was cascading down her back, and her bloody red eyes were eyeing me in a strange manner. She's wearing a pleased expression, and her eyes are slightly droopier than usual.
As she elegantly walked towards me, a few words escaped from her red lips.
"You know what? I was watching earlier from the shadows, and I couldn't believe you did that. "Your acting is so damn convincing," she complimented.
And that made me smirk.