CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE 'Disguised'

Violet's room was huge with a table and bed in the middle of the room. The room curtains were red, stimulating the peach colour on the walls. She headed to the bathroom and was convinced, it was pretty good.

The bath was already prepared and it had rose petals in it.

She sighed. Maybe it was an opportunity for her to have a bath with roses in it for the first time.

So she took off her clothes and got into the bathtub, enjoying the warm sensation on her skin. It felt amazing that she nearly cried. Since young, she craved bathing in waters with rose petals but she couldn't but now..

After a few minutes, a knock on the door brought Violet back to reality. 

“Who is that?” She asked seriously.

“Uak! Your highness, it's me I'm here!”

Violet rolled her eyes, “Come in.”

The door opened and Uak entered, hands filled with several bags containing clothing. She placed the bags on the bed and said, “I went out for a quick shopping and I bought several dresses, tanks and leggings for you.”

Violet smirked and got out of the bathtub, curious to see what Uak got her. As she slid on her robe, she felt a strange sensation on her skin. She brushed the feeling off and went to the room where Uak was waiting. 

“Your highness, you're here. You look unexpectedly rosy.”

“Eh?” Violet raised an eyebrow, “Rosy?”

She went in front of the mirror to look at her reflection. Unexpectedly, what she saw next was not what she expected. Her face was a bit pink and her cheeks look flushed and soft. Was that her reaction to the rose petals? Was she still allergic to the rose petals? The answer was very clear. Why didn't she feel itchy and uncomfortable though?

She stared at her arms and legs. Her scars seemed to be fading..

She was stomped. What the hell was in the water she used to bath?

She never felt this clean in her entire life. This wouldn't do. She had to see the woman that prepared her bath.

“Uak,” She said. “Did you see the woman that filled the bathtub?”

Uak shook her head in confusion. “No.. but shouldn't it be the housekeeper? Why do you want to see her?”

Violet had a premonition but she dismissed it. She would have to see the housekeeper herself. She had deep scars that she knew would never be cured but they seemed to be fading after just some minutes bath. She immediately got dressed in one of the dresses Uak got her then she went to the counter and asked for the housekeeper.

“Why do you want to meet the housekeeper?” One of the workers asked.

“Well.. She arranged my room way better than expected. I would like to thank her in person.”

The worker smiled, impressed. ”Miss you're so kind! The housekeeper only did her job, you don't have to thank her in person!”

“I insist!” Violet said, “I can't just ignore how good of a job she did in my room.”

The worker sighed, “It's a pity. The housekeeper last job was your room. She left thirty minutes ago.”

“When will she come back?”

“She won't be coming back, she quit.”

Violet felt something in her chest churn. That was not a simple coincidence.

Today alone, she killed a man, later, someone paid for her meal and now.. The housekeeper put something in her bathtub that cured most of the scars and she quit. Wasn't that too coincidental. Also, she expected the guards in Lagsu to start looking for her because she killed a man but no one was even talking about the incident. It was too weird.

The only person she could think of who had guts to do this was Jade. After all, the waiter said he came to Lagsu. What if he was still here?

She shook her head. It didn't make sense. If Jade was here then.. wouldn't he make sure she was caught and killed? Also.. he wasn't a simp. Why would he send her flowers?

She exhaled. She would have to let go of the thought for now and investigate slowly. Right now, she could control her powers so she could protect herself and Uak if anything went out of hand. Without another thought, she went to her room to meditate.

“YOUR HIGHNESS! YOUR HIGHNESS! YOUR HIGHNESS!”

Violet eyes crept open by Uak's loud noise and she felt her ears ringing loudly.

“What?!” She snapped, irritated.

“Your picture has circulated the whole of Lagsu. The army, state guards and the parents of the man you killed are looking for you.”

Violet exhaled. Now she had nothing to worry about.

“The man you killed is the son of the general of Lagsu army.”

Knock! knock! knock!

Uak let out and gasp and looked at Violet desperately, “What to do?” She whispered.

“Nothing.” Violet said with a grin. She removed her dress and Uak eyes widened, “What are you doing?”

“According to an investigation, there's a murderer in this inn so please, open the door and cooperate with us while we check.”

“I'm afraid that can't do!” Violet said in the sweetest tone she could mutter. 

Uak eyes widened as Violet kept removing pieces of her cloth untill she was left in her undergarments.

“What do you mean, lady? If you don't cooperate, we're going to barge in regardless.”

A soft male voice said to the gruff one, “Why don't we wait, the lady might be in an uncomfortable position to answer the door.”

“What uncomfortable position?” The other one said said gruffly and kicked the one open.

What they saw next was not what they were expecting.

A petite woman in her undergarments, holding a thin robe over her chest. Her black hair was wet and they appeared messy all over her beautiful face.

The two men in army attire froze and their cheeks went a deep shade of pink. Hastily, they bowed their heads and slammed the door shut without saying another word.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Uak stepped out of the closet with her eyes wide open, “Your highness, what happened? They saw you but they didn't say anything.” Uak whispered.

Violet smirked as she put her clothes back on. “Isn't it obvious? I changed my appearance. No one but you can see what I truly look like.”

“What?” Uak's mouth was agape.

“Three people from this inn has actually seen my true appearance so we have to find another inn. I'll have to burden you with this task Uak.”

Uak's mouth was still agape. Just how powerful was Violet that the army couldn't notice her appearance? It was quite daunting. Even she had to be extra careful not to ruffle Violet's feathers.

“Uak.” Violet said and Uak snapped out of her thoughts.

 “Huh?” She answered.

“Let us go.” 

Uak nodded and grabbed Violet's bags containing all her things, then she went to her room to grab her things as well. Luckily she hadn't unpack.

“See you again!” The waiter waved goodbye to Violet. He'd convinced her to stay for a while but when she mentioned she was going to find her father, he let her go and wished her all the best. 

“Master, are we really going to find your father?”

Violet chuckled, “No! Did you really believe that? In the past, I joined Keitan's killer association and the leader of the last mission I took was Poison. One night, I lodged into that inn with old friends. The next day, Poison was making a fuss. I didn't want the inn workers to misunderstand so I told them he was my father.” Violet smiled at the past encounter with her old friends. She wondered if Piggy was alright and that Saintess of Musa.. Did she come back? She would have to find out.

Uak felt her heartbeat fastened. “You knew POISON?!”

Many people knew Poison for his ruthlessness and intense strength. He was rumoured to wipe out a whole village by himself.

“Of course. And he's exactly as everyone paints him to be.” Violet mind went back to the past scene when her aunt Thea passed away. She clenched her fists, “RUTHLESS!”

“Everyone!” A government official stood in the middle of the road, causing traffic on the road. As a government official, no one could easily push him over. Especially when he was no ordinary government official. This one was a special person from Lagsu district. He was the chief executive of Lagsu district, Phalan.

Violet remembered his relationship with the Saintess clearly.

Maybe this was her sign to find out more about Musa.

“We're doing everything we can to ensure stability in Lagsu. Yesterday, the prominent son of the general of our army has been killed. Sources say the murderer is a spy working for some territories that is eyeing our state. Starting today, anyone that is not from Lagsu will be arrested and taken down! No one will be allowed to leave either. A serious investigation will begin and the army, state guards and other divisions will start investigation on every single person so please, cooperate for your good. If not, I can't guarantee your life. Back to the son of the general's case, a portrait of the killer have circulated through the entire town so if you see a witch with purple hair and eyes, make sure to report to the guards you see.”

Phalan collected the paper from his guard and showed the guard.

On the paper was the drawing of a youth with beautiful face. Except that her hair and eyes were painted so horridly.

Violet scoffed, right now, she no looked like the girl in the paper.

“Anyone that harbours the witch in their vicinity shall be killed along with their families, publicly.”

Violet was perplexed. She didn't think Phalan was that cruel..

She punched herself mentally. For Phalan to abuse even a Saintess, what else was he not capable of doing?

“Now, today, we're going to publicly punish the spy's helper, Colin.”

Murmurs arose from the crowd.

Colin was from a declining family that used to be prominent back in the days.

A lady was dragged out from the carriage and forced to stand next to Chief Phalan, to face the crowd. Her face was swollen and red. It seemed as though she had been punished privately before now. 

Violet clenched her fists. It was the lady that was harassed by the fat man. Why was she on stage?

“This woman here seemed to have bewitch the general's son so her acquaintance will get the chance to kill him. What should be her punishment?”

“Rape her to death!” The men in the crowd chanted while the women, covered themselves to avoid men's gaze on them.

Chief Phalan chuckled, “She seduced the general son. Why don't we show her what it feels like to be betrayed?”

The crowd cheered and Phallan guards grabbed the woman and started tearing pieces of her clothes. 

Violet was angry and Uak knew that.

“Master, please don't intervene. We don't know many things about Lagsu strength but they do seem capable enough to fish out information. If your identity is linked to Thestryn, they'll be trouble.” Uak whispered.  

Violet sighed. She'd promised Dinah.. Now was not the right time to strike but she couldn't watch that woman get raped publicly. The women were obviously very weak and with no one to stand for them so they could only carry the shame.

Judging from their demeanor, it wasn't rare for a woman to be publicly humiliated. 

Just then, someone wearing black assassin clothing emerged from the crowd with a light silver sword.

Uak gasped as the person immediately went to grab the lady standing next to the chief. However, the situation looked hopeless for the assassin. Even though he or she had killed the guards holding the maid, she was surrounded by many more guards. 

It seemed the assassins wanted to save the lady so Violet decided to give her a push. 

She snapped her finger and the guards froze, unable to do move an inch. The assassin immediately looked in the crowd and made eye contact with Violet. By the time the assassin was running away with the maiden, Phalan was pissed.

“What is wrong with you fools?! How can two people disappear right under your noses? Find them!! Who knows if that assassin is the one that killed the general's son.”

“Assasin!” The guards yelled and started to chase after the assassin and the lady.

They didn't understand why the couldn't move previously but they assumed it was fear or cowardice. Right now, they were filled with energy. In order not to disappoint their master, they had to bring back the lady and the assassin.

“Everyone!” Chief Phalan yelled in front of the crowd. “If anyone sees that young lady that was just taken today, report her immediately. Anyone that is caught habouring that assassin and the lady will be sentenced publicly along with their families!”

Murmurs of fear arose in the crowd but it did nothing but boost Phalan ego as he was taken by to his residence by carriage.

“Let's go.” Violet said, turning to the path different from the one Uak had in mind.

“Master, where are we going?”

Violet did not respond and kept going causing Uak to let out a sigh and continue following her.

“Are we going to look for the person that adopted the lady?”

“Yes.” Violet replied. It was a simple answer.

Uak did not try to convince her either. She carried all of their heavy bags and followed Violet into the darkness. The most that could happen is her dying and she wasn't afraid of death. She only wished Violet could be less impulsive and focus on her tasks instead of mediating from it. The Lagsu people did not deserve her kindness.

If they found her today, they would readily sell her out to save their lives.

But she did understand how Violet felt. She'd only defend that lady and get her in trouble. Of course, any reasonable person would try to mend their mistake. Unfortunately, Uak wasn't a reasonable person and she didn't deem herself as one.

Uak originally decided to shut her mouth and just follow Violet into the dark woods but it was getting close to midnight and she was feeling a bit tired. 

“Master, do you even know where we're going? How can you find that lady without even knowing what she looks like?”

Violet scoffed, “We're almost there. I could've just transport to her house directly but I was trying to help them get rid of their scents. There are magicians in Lagsu that can smell her out and even see through my disguise.”

Uak eyes widened, “Then that is not good news for you. What if they see through your disguise?”

A smirk spread on the corner of Violet's lips, “There aren't many that can see through my disguise. Even if they can, they won't sell me out that easily.”

Uak tightened her fist, “You can't be that sure, Master.”

Violet smiled as she pointed to a cottage in the middle of the woods. Without thinking, she ran towards it and knocked madly on the front door.

“Open the door! I know there's someone in there!”

The cottage was silent but she could hear the breath of two people in the room.. No, there were three different breaths.

“Don't worry,” She continued, “I'm not a sell out! I'm a friend!”

A footstep from inside the cottage started to head towards the door. Violet grinned. Finally.

Uak finally caught up to Violet and stood next to her, “Master, I'm really tired.. Can't you at least hold the bags?”

Violet turned to look at Uak and the door busted open, revealing a man with a mask on. He was holding a two edged blade. Judging by his posture and the way he was holding the sword, he wasn't a rookie and he also wasn't the one that rescued the lady from before.

He raised his sword to attack but before it landed on Violet, it froze and he was also unable to move it. Violet grinned, walking around the man, taking in his appearance. Then she ripped the mask off his face and felt he was familiar.

Slender face, puckered lips and cute nose and round eyes.

“You're not the one that saved the lady from earlier, aren't you?”

The man groaned and tried to move his sword that was hanging in the air but he couldn't. Instead, he placed his hand inside his pocket and sprayed a white powder in front of Violet's face. She only blinked and snapped her finger, making the man unable to move his body.

Then she dragged him inside and urged Uak in. 

“Come out! I know you two are inside.”

Without hesitation, two people with feminine figures stepped into the living room holding a lantern. Violet eyes nearly popped. So the person that saved the other lady was a woman?

The woman held out a sword and looked Violet in the eyes, stepping into her peripheral. “Who are you and why are you here? Let let husband go. He has nothing to do with this! Even if you're going to arrest me—”

“—Musa?” Violet eyes gleamed. The sword that was pointed to her was the one her aunt specially made for. In the past, she'd given it to Musa as a token for her promise. How could she not have noticed the sword before?

Musa furrowed her eyebrows, “Who are you and why do you recognize me as Musa? That name no longer needs to be tied to me!”

Violet stared down at her feet, then back at the sword. “My name is Yak Ann Sinora but many know me as Violet.”

Musa held the sword closer to Violet's face. “Who are you? I've never heard the name before and I'm pretty sure I've never seen you before.”

Violet snapped her finger, changing into her true appearance.

Musa stumbled backwards, frightened. “You look hideous! how could I know someone like you?!”

“Wait a moment, honey.. Her name sounds familiar.”

The man struggled to move but he couldn't so he asked gently, “Are you the second princess of Thestryn, Violet?”

Musa eyes widened, “Huh?”

“Yes, she was indeed the second princess of Thestryn.” Uak stepped into the situation, angry.

How dare the tiny woman look at her master and call her ugly?!

The man let out a gasp, “Then forgive me, your highness! We didn't know it was you!”

“Who are you?” Violet asked the man while Musa just stood there, puzzled.

“In the past, I disguised as Piggy to protect you. In fact, my real is Timi.”

Violet eyes widened. She had indeed never seen how he truly looked, she just didn't imagine his true appearance would be so little..

And also, that time, his mission was to take Musa to safety. How come she called him her husband?

“Dear, please put the sword down. Look at Violet carefully, you know her. She threatened you back then to give up your sword in exchange for hers.”

“If I remember correctly, I didn't threaten you to give up your sword. You did it willingly. Now that we're acquaintances, why don't we sit down and talk properly?” Violet asked.

“Sure.” Timmy answered as Violet removed the magic she imprinted on him.

“No.” Musa said loudly, “I will have no assassin and murderer in my house.”

Violet was perplexed. Why was Musa being so rude? This wasn't how she Imagined their reunion to look like.

“How dare you!” Uak roared loudly, “My master is kind and thoughtful towards people like you who don't deserve it, how could you call her ugly and a murderer? And you,” Uak sent her gaze to the lady Musa saved earlier, who kept her head bowed. “How can you just stand and watch while someone insult your saviour?”

Violet raised her hand, shutting Uak up.