CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX

A grand wall made of hard rocks amused me upon reaching the marvelous Calla Palace. The wall was high, it was mighty and intimidating. It was exactly what my mother described. It screamed power and royalty.

Royal guards were guarding at the entrance of the main gate and people outside it were busy. The main gate was filled with gold and silver. A large peacock was engraved at its center. Flags were also spread outside.

“Identification, please.” One of the guards asked me as I approached close to the gate.

“Faisa Montanier of Malieth, one of the newly hired cooks for the event.” I stated as I handed them the royal document that proves that I was truly summoned inside the palace, alongside with the folded apron that Kuya Zouli gave me few nights ago.

Our group scattered around, we planned to enter the palace at different times. Some of us were already inside while others were waiting for the right time. 

“Faisa Montanier of Malieth.” He read the paper then looked at me. “Are you sure you are not from a rich family, young lady?” he added.

“I-I came from an ordinary family, Sir.” I stuttered a bit. I was caught off guard with the sudden query. I didn’t expect that from them. I was told that after I gave them the paper, they would allow me to enter without further questions.

“I see. I was just wondering. You look very beautiful for a mere cook, Ms. Montanier.” He stated. I inhaled. I felt relieved by his statement.

“Thank you for the compliment, Sir.” I replied.

“You may proceed inside. Next!” he informed.  

As my right foot made its first step inside the palace, a feeling of longing pinched my chest. This was my parent’s home. The every corner of this place witnessed how great their love was.

A pathway leading to the main building greeted me. Large topiaries were decorating the whole hectares. A fancy fountain at the center was giving a majestic vibe. The architectural structure of the buildings was breathtaking. The idea and details were skilled. A masterpiece, indeed.

“Gather up! The celebration will start hours from now!” a woman holding a list was guiding the new comers. It was four in the morning and the sun was not yet completely awake.

“Hurry up!” she ordered again.

We immediately followed her steps. She led us to a backdoor and let us in according to our assigned work. The apron fitted on me nicely.

A hectic kitchen welcomed me inside. No room for resting and hesitating. Workers were kept on moving from one place to another.

“Somebody, chop the onions!” someone exclaimed. The place was filled with smoke both coming from the newly cooked food and the fire, and a mixture of different aromas was also filling in.

I mingled around and did some cutting. And when I found a way out, I immediately grabbed it.

Holding a tray of pastries, I went from walking to half-walking-half-running when a loud sound of gong wrapped around the whole palace. It was a sign that the celebration just started.

Group of servants were also on their way to the celebration. I followed them until we reached a huge hall where rich people were gathered and were enjoying the luxury that power and wealth gave. They were wearing expensive clothes and shiny jewels.

“The princess is in the second floor, third room from the left.” Amethyst went to me. She helped me put the pastries on the buffet table while trying to give me some information.

“Alright. I’ll go.” I said and handed her the tray.

“There’s a stair all the way to your right that leads to the second floor.” she informed me before I went straight to where she instructed me to go.

We planned to get the princess and make her our hostage. We need her to threaten Augustos. He has an army of hundreds or even thousands, and we can’t just fight with that huge number of royal guards. And as much as possible, we don’t want bloodshed in my parent’s home.

“Third room from the left.” I mumbled to myself after I reached second floor. I saw no one in the floor, but I never let my guard down.

I crouched down to get the hand blade that I was hiding under the hem of my pants before I twisted the knob of the princess’ door.

“Who are you?” the princess said. She was sitting in front of her dressing table and was looking at me through the mirror.

There was no sign of surprise in her eyes. Something was off.

“You are Princess Zahriya Calla, am I right?” I asked her. It was the first time meeting her and seeing what she looked like. She was beautiful with her red-wine ball gown. And at the top of her braided long hair was a crown. It was lovely and it shone every time light crashed into it.

“Yes, you are right.” she proudly said. “And who are you? What makes you think you can barge in here like that?” she exclaimed.

“Maids!” she shouted but no one came.

“I won’t hurt you if you do what I say.” I said as I showed her the weapon that I was holding.

“W-What do you want?” she stuttered, still looking at me at her mirror.

“Stand. Don’t even think of fighting. I am trained to fight.” I said trying to scare her.

When she stood up, I immediately went at her back. Grasped a little of her gown and pointed the tip of my blade on her waist, enough for her to feel its sharpness in her skin.

We started to walk out of her room. The farther we walked away from her room, the louder the noise I heard.

“W-What’s happening?” she mumbled.

People were screaming. Metals were scratching other metals. The war was starting. Then at the other end, I saw one of our members.

“They are in the royal court.” he informed me before leading the way to where everyone was.

“Walk.” I commanded to my hostage.

This would be the part where I will face the members of the royal court and announce my return as King Fairoz’s lost daughter.

But to my surprise, our plan flipped to the wrong side of the way. Augustos was sitting at the center of the court, where the royal judge sits, smiling from ear to ear.

“It seems like you’re the one who’s surprised with your surprise visit, my dear little niece!” he said with his terrible voice. So this is what he looked like.

I scanned the room but all I could see were Augustos’ people.

“Looking for someone?” Augustos asked, still grinning. “I am sorry to stay that you just missed the members of the royal court, my dear. They are attending a meeting far away from the empire. So sad, right?” he then added teasingly.

My hands started to tremble. I couldn’t believe they succeeded on deceiving us. Our spies lied, they turned their back to us.

Right at that moment, I heard Master Dante’s voice. He was pressing on his left arm. It was bleeding heavily. I suddenly felt weak.

And before I could even react, the princess made her way out of my grip.

“I couldn’t believe my acting was superb!” she said with all the enthusiasm in her body.

And the next thing I knew, her face was starting to change. I didn’t know. It was like deforming or something. Her nose became larger than normal. Her hair became curly and stiff. Her eyebrows grew thicker and it even met at the center of her face.

I knew I wished for this when I was little. I couldn’t believe I was seeing one, my most hated villain.

“Y-You are a w-witch.” I said, surprised of what I just witnessed.