Free Web NovelChapter 30: [Bonus Chapter] Odds
"Princess Cassandra, Princess Agnes is here as requested," a maid informed Cassandra.
"Leave us," Cassandra waved off the maid as Agnes took a seat on the chair opposite of her.
"Princess Cassandra, the-" before Agnes could get another word out, she stopped her.
She took a sip of piping hot tea. Almost immediately, she spat the tea out of her mouth as her expression which was calm moments ago turned into a scowl. She slapped the maid who stood next to her with the teapot, causing it to fall out of her hands.
The teapot smashed upon hitting the ground. Shards of porcelain were strewn all over the marble flooring.
"Can’t you even brew a pot of proper tea?! Do it again! If you dare bring me this bitter leave water again, I will have your head!" Cassandra yelled at the maid as she slammed the teacup on its saucer.
The maid who was slapped was stunned she could barely speak. Her cheek was beet red, stinging with pain. Even so, she did not dare to make a sound. She did not dare let a single tear flow.
She carefully picked up the broken pieces and hurried out of the room to brew another pot.
"Can’t even get a pot of tea right. Good servants are so hard to come by," Cassandra remarked as she shook her head.
Agnes agreed with her, "You would think anyone with a head on their shoulders could do this. But I guess not."
"Indeed," Cassandra glanced over to Agnes as she folded her arms, "I’m sure you already know why I called you here, Princess Agnes?"
Agnes glanced over to the maids who remained. She was not certain if their topic of conversation would be kept confidential amongst them.
"Don’t worry. These are all my personal maids and servants. They have all sworn their loyalty to me." Cassandra reassured her, "I’ll get straight to the point."
Unknown to those beyond the confines of Cassandra’s room, the attack on Sierra was planned by Princess Cassandra and Princess Agnes. Cassandra hired the men herself. She had paid them both handsomely in order to accomplish the task.
She had anticipated for them to be caught and had paid them off to keep their lips sealed. What she did not expect was for them to fail.
She had underestimated Sierra.
"What will happen to the two men? If they stay in custody any longer and are grilled for the truth, it would only be a matter of time before they spilled the beans. We can’t let that happen," Agnes urged.
She knew the implications. If either of the two men confessed and ratted them out, they were doomed. Not only would they be removed from the selection, but they would also likely be arrested too.
Cassandra chuckled, "You need not worry. The one who foolishly jumped out of the window won’t live past tonight. As for the other... I have made plans to deal with him."
"That means... we’re in the clear?" Agnes asked in shock.
She nodded in response before continuing, "I think we need to change our strategy when it comes to dealing with Sierra."
Agnes was intrigued, "What do you have in mind?"
Ever since Sierra became the thorn in her side, Cassandra disliked her. She wanted to find out more information about her in order to tear her down. Just like King Alistair and Queen Roxine, Cassandra found Sierra’s mysterious appearance suspicious.
As such, she had sent two of her servants to Sierra’s home kingdom of Cair to see what information they could find.
"Soon, we will have some dirt on Princess Sierra. When that time comes, we will bend her to our will," Cassandra chuckled with an evil grin.
Sierra was reading a leather-bound book she had found in the small well kept library in the Celestial Lodge when Myra visited her in her room.
"Come in," she said.
Her eyes did not leave the page she was reading. The door creaked open and Myra walked in. She was looking a little anxious, she was fidgeting her hands and her palms were sweating. From her hurried footsteps and inability to speak as soon as she entered, Sierra realized something was amiss.
She put down the book in her hands and looked up.
"What’s wrong?"
The worry was written all over Myra’s face. But she did not provide any clues on what the issue might be. But if her hunch was right, it must have something to do with the impending tests they need to pass.
"They just announced that we have to prepare for a ceremony that will take place tomorrow. It’s called the Resonance."
The Resonance. A special ceremony that many citizens of Drakin go through at one point or another in their lives. During the ceremony, a person would have the chance to gain favor and protection from one of the Six Patrons.
This would imbue one with powers unlike any other. Everyone’s abilities were different and depending on how well resonated you were with your selected Patron, you could unlock powers unlike any other. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"It sounds interesting, but why are you so nervous?" Sierra asked, noticing the worry that remained on Myra’s face.
"I heard the other princesses talking about it. They’re saying if you don’t get resonated with one of the Six Patrons, it would automatically disqualify your chance of being a candidate for the selection."
Myra was worried she would not resonate with one of the Patrons. It was said that a person with a strong spirit and desire would be able to receive a blessing. What if she didn’t?
"Your Highness, Princess Myra, may I speak?" Ida asked for permission.
"Of course, speak your mind, Ida." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"There’s nothing you need to worry about, my princesses. I’m sure both of you will gain the favor of one of the Patrons! Bloodlines are also taken into consideration when the Patrons bestow their gifts.
In our history, every member of the royal family successfully resonated with a Patron. A good number of nobles too!" Ida explained.
"Really?" Myra finally heaved a sigh of relief, "Phew, it should not be an issue then. Is there anything we should prepare? Or perhaps something to boost our chances..."
Sierra lowered her eyes down to the carpet beneath her feet. Ida’s words echoed in her mind. She was neither a royal nor noble.
What were her odds then?
