10

That night I saw the bloodlust in Emperor's eye, I barely sleep, hoping that the curse won't lift, and wishing that he will remain under my curse.

I have a lot of plans, for my safety, because from Drivike until here at Gribe, I can't feel at ease. That at any moment, the nobility will attack me once Emperor Blake is not around. I have to talk with the emperor, but I have no courage at all, when I feel his presence I instantly feel trembling, and my whole body will collapse anytime.

I watch the sky, and the cold breeze on my terrace is helping me to relax. The trees are moving due to the sudden strong wind. I accidentally saw a man who is sitting on a large branch of the tree.

I just ignore it, because I'm just overlooking the tree, I went back to my table and lit up the lamp, but a strong wind entered my room, suddenly, I feel a strong presence behind my back that made me look instantly.

To my surprise, I saw a man who is wearing a hood and looking straight into my eyes. I don't have a chance to blink or close my eyes, he looks like an assassin in my eyes.

He went closer to me and I continue to walk back until I fall to the edge of my bed.

"The future empress has a breathtaking beauty, the emperor has a good eye for women huh." He touched the hem of my hair and smell it while looking straight into my eyes, I didn't break my gaze to him, and caught me off guard.

Claiming every part of my lips, and biting my lips, making me produce an unknown sound that I heard for the very first time.

His hands are touching my hair in a very careful way like I am fragile.

He breaks the kiss and distances himself. "The princess's lip is so addictive, makes me forget that I will assassinate the emperor." He caressed my cheeks and finally move away from me, he sit on the ledge of my terrace and place the small knife beside him.

"Who are you, do you know what kind of sim you just commit now?" I said and wipe my lips, his smell lingers in me, and I cannot be swayed by his actions.

If he is here to kill the emperor, he can also kill me anytime, it's a pity that is not affected by my eyes, I am defenseless now.

I know that the guards are still outside of my room, but once I done one mistake, I might die before sunrise.

"It seems that the princess is planning something that I didn't like." He stood up and close my eyes.

"Just don't come closer, you just touched me without my consent and I don't want to cause any trouble." I massage my forehead and when I open my eyes, he is standing in front of me now. Looked at me and lay his body right next to me.

"You smell nice, and your skin and hair look perfect, I have no intention kill an innocent woman," he said while his eyes remain shut.

My voice become calm now and seems comfortable in my bed. "I want to inform you that I will kill your fiance, anytime that I see an opportunity." He finally opens his eyes and looks at me, a quick scare makes me twitch at the moment his blue eyes locked on me.

When he is sitting on the ledge, I just saw his nose and lips, because he wear a hood, I want to look close to his face, so I went closer to him and remove his hood, he didn't stop me and allowed me to look at his face.

"Did you find me handsome or planning to replace your fiance once he is dead?" he joked and I lay down beside him, still looking at his face.

"Just do whatever you please," I said and he chuckle, what a deep voice of him. His facial expression was soft, but his words are brutal.

"You didn't care even though I kill him?" he asked me and I look away. He is doing me a favor if he will kill the emperor, but what will happen to me once he has done that?

"Just let me marry him first before you kill him." He reached my hand and placed it on his cheeks, he show how cozy his place was.

"You captive me heart, princess." He said without hesitation and placed my hand on his chest. "You feel how my heart beating wild, just because you look at me and I touched you." He closed his eyes, and it seems that he is about to fall asleep.

"Don't sleep here, my servants might see you." I withdraw my hand and he is not afraid to show his disappointment in my action.

I know that what he is saying is just empty words, and he might have a better plan to execute me once I am off guard. I need to stay alert, or maybe he was sent here to kill me, by the other nobles.

"Who is your master, if you're going to kill me just do it," I said bluntly, and he scoffed at what I said.

"You have no idea that I guarded you better than those useless knights behind that door." He went closer to me and whisper to my ears. "The nobles of Gribe didn't like you, especially the archduke, but don't worry. I will handle it better than your useless fiance." I squeak when he licked my ear and chuckle, he is playing with me!

"I hope the sun won't rise, so I can stay here much longer." I sat down and lean back at the headboard. Still nervous at every move he did beside me.

He looks defenseless when he placed his head on my lap, looking straight at my face, and seems he is admiring every part of my face.

What I am doing, this man is dangerous, even his looks are drop-dead gorgeous, he is an assassin!

"I will be back here, and when I am gone, that means my mission is over." His face is getting closer, and claiming my lips for the second time. But now, my lip responded to every kiss that he did.

I am lost by way the way he touched my nape, I heard a soft knock and he instantly stand up. "I'll be back, soon." He said and jumped to the terrace.

I act like I am still sleeping when I heard the door open. "Her royal highness is still sleeping, lady Critesa." It's Julie, and I heard lady Critesa's response.

"It's alright, please prepare the drawing room, and asked for lord Francis and give this list of books that the princess needs." The door close and I remain in my bed, didn't move an inch and I heard a footstep.

I glance secretly and Critesa is looking around my closet and accessories, get some paper and write down. She looked displeased at my old dresses and shoes.

When she is about to come near me, I sit down on the bed and look around. Brush my hair using my hand and she bows.

"Good morning, her royal highness, I am sorry if you saw me lurking around your room, I just made a list of the things that you need, after you have breakfast, you will have a meeting with the designer, jewel maker, and shoemaker, you need to update your dresses." I smile at Critesa and I saw her cheeks flush.

"And your silk eye cover, we will make sure that it will be the most expensive silk in the continent." I stood up and look at the terrace, the sun rises and Critesa is behind me.

"Please take care of me, I am hoping for your loyalty, and I hope I won't become a burden for you." She smile at me and bowed her head when I look where she is standing.

"It's my honor to become a lady in waiting of the future empress of Gribe." Critesa placed her hand on her chest while saying it.

It feels good, to see someone who is bowing their head for me, so this is what my family sees every time people bow their heads.

I know that I cannot fully trust the woman that is kneeling at me, maybe I will test her loyalty because if Critesa is not loyal to me, I have no choice but to replace her, I don't want to see people who are looking for my mistakes and use it in the future.

Sometimes, I think about the power, I am the princess of Drivike and even though it's a title, I still have the privilege, but now that I am at Gribe, it's like I have my second life, and the emperor of Gribe is under my control, I can do whatever that I want.

But I don't want to become like my father, he is drowned in his greediness.

I know that I can do better than any of them. And I won't waste the opportunity that I have now.

"You may rise your head now," I command and she rise her head, but still paying respect even in small gesture.

"I have a few questions, regarding to this country, since I am a foreigner here." I stood up and look around the room.

"I will do everything that I can to help you, your highness." I smile politely and remember my medicines and books that I brought from Drivike.

"First, my stuffs. I need them to organize on the way that I'm used too. I am very organized type of person, I want to see them neat." She nod slowly and I paused for a while.

"Second is my wardrobe, I have no idea at the trend here at Gribe, that's why I am open for your suggestions, but at the same time, I'll also accept some help from other nobility." Criseta nod once more, listening to very words that I'd said.

"Lastly, if I discover that you're lurking around my place, feeding information from other people, I won't hesitate to cut off your head, and present it to your family." I said it, but I didn't see fear at Criseta's eyes.

Is she trained to become a spy, or maybe she's just loyal to her new master.

"I remember everything that you said, your highness, I'll assure you that my loyalty belongs to you, even if the time will come that I'll have to choose between you and my family." She kneel once more and it warms my heart.

I hope that she's really loyal.

"Thank you so much, your highness." She stand up and I get the book that is related to the empire of Gribe.

I have no idea on thia empire, but at the same time. My father threw me here, disposed me and used me as a tool for his motive at this country.

He's indeed a greedy man. Drivike is already a strong empire, no one wants to become the enemy of Drivike.

If I have a choice, I want to become a normal citizen, live in harmony and hope that no one will find me.

A normal person, and I will find a way to undo this curse. I don't want to live in this kind of life, this isn't the end. I know that I can live in peace.

"I have one mission for you," I said to Criseta, and I took a deep breath.

"Find a way to undo this curse." I heard her gasp when I said it, and close her eyes.

Even I, I'm surprised that I am still hoping that this curse is curable.

I want to see people to see me harmless. I hate the feeling that they're afraid of me.

I want to walk and live like a normal person.

"I will do my best to become useful to the future empress of Gribe." Criseta said before leaving the room.

I also hope that I can escape this country, and live on my own will.

"I wish."