Kaena de Ronan woke up early in the morning from the rays of the dawn sun. Her head was still a little foggy, but otherwise she felt quite fine. Honestly, the Crown Princess was very surprised to still be alive.
After that battle in the forest, she thought she would never wake up again. The poisoned dagger had been a big surprise for her. Despite the fact that bastard was already dead — Kaena still felt annoyed.
Because of this incident, the Crown Princess found herself in such a vulnerable position for the first time in nine years.
Even if she hadn't died in the forest, someone else would definitely have "finished her off" during this time. In her life, Kaena had made many enemies, and each of them was just waiting for a chance to get even with her. That's why she was so surprised when she opened her eyes again.
"Wasn't I supposed to die?"
But this place didn't look like heaven, or rather hell, where a place had long been prepared for her. Looking around a little, the Crown Princess was surprised to find that this was the most unexpected location she could have imagined.
Since she was still alive, Kaena came to the logical conclusion that she had been kidnapped.
But... This place didn't really look like a villain's lair. It wasn't even a dungeon or a prison.
A cute little room in pastel and pink tones, where even the air smelled of violets. It most closely resembled the chambers of a lady from a noble family. There wasn't overly expensive furniture or decorations here, so the girl assumed that the person who kidnapped her didn't have much influence.
Kaena frowned. Why was she being kept in such a strange place? Was a woman behind the kidnapping...?
Still feeling a slight weakness in her body, Kaena could already move. Perhaps her current strength wouldn't be enough to conquer an army, but for self-defense it was quite sufficient. Not knowing where she was, the Crown Princess intended to get out of here.
The girl began to wander her gaze around the room in search of a suitable weapon. After all, she wouldn't want to get her hands dirty without unnecessary need... Strangely enough, but squeamishness and bloodthirstiness coexisted in her simultaneously.
Especially since the blood of some people tasted and smelled like rotten fish. Getting dirty with such, the girl wanted to change clothes as soon as possible. In modern realities, this would be called "mysophobia."
But, to her disappointment, nothing suitable was found here. Moreover, Kaena discovered that her hands and feet were not tied at all. She really could get up at any moment. For the first time in her life, the girl encountered such a strange kidnapping...
Munch. Munch.
Kaena's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly she realized that she wasn't alone here. In the same room, only in another part of it, there was another girl. Apparently, this was the kidnapper. What struck the princess most was — that this stranger dared to turn her back to her.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
No one had ever shown such recklessness in her presence before. The entire empire knew that the Crown Princess possessed not only an unbalanced temperament but also terrifying abilities. Kaena could easily take a person's life even with her eyes closed.
Knowing this, how could this girl remain so frivolous?
Kaena was genuinely puzzled by this.
"Maybe she's just a fool? Or overly self-confident?"
Remaining completely defenseless before her, the girl could have said goodbye to her life dozens of times over. This unusual behavior intrigued Kaena deep down, and she didn't decide to attack her immediately, simply observing from the sidelines for a while.
For the first time, the Crown Princess had such an "easy" victim. It was like warning a mouse in advance that the cheese would be in a trap. So predictable that she involuntarily doubted.
Watching the noblewoman consume a portion of food disproportionate to her body, muttering something unintelligible, Kaena decided to attract her attention.
To do this, she coughed.
"Kha..."
At that very moment, tearing herself away from her thoughts, the girl turned towards her. Kaena saw her face for the first time. Wheat-colored hair framed the doll-like face of the young noblewoman. Mentally, Kaena imagined how her head would look on a pike.
"I wonder, should I cut off her head immediately, or would a painful death be preferable?"
The Crown Princess's inspired thoughts were interrupted by an exclamation. The noblewoman, seeing that her "charge" had come to, immediately rushed to her. Kaena was stunned when the stranger's warmth enveloped her cold hands.
Her large hazel eyes showed neither fear nor disgust. On the contrary... It seemed to be concern?
This was a very strange reaction to a person whose death the entire empire craved.
For the princess, this was such a surprise that she almost pulled her hand away.
"What does this mean?"
While Kaena watched her warily, the blonde began spouting some nonsense. The Crown Princess frowned.
"Phew... It's so good that you woke up! It seems your health is no longer in danger."
While the girl continued to talk about something of her own as if nothing had happened, Kaena tried to understand her intentions. In the end, she found only one logical explanation for what was happening.
Any normal person in her place would have long been trembling with terror. But this girl looked completely unruffled. She must simply not realize who is before her.
Kaena deliberately lied about her amnesia to test her. But the expected reaction on the girl's face, the princess did not see. Did she really not recognize her...?
The Crown Princess frowned, as she had encountered something like this for the first time in her life.
Well... It wasn't so important. At least this fool's naivety saved her life. Kaena didn't care about the rest.
The princess smirked inwardly.
More than anything in the world, the girl now wanted to get even with her family. Her stepmother must have completely lost her fear to dare such an open attack.
"Stepmother, I suppose one arm and one leg will be quite enough for you. I will also do you a favor when you can no longer speak with that filthy mouth."
Of course, depriving the Empress of life immediately would be too disappointing. Perhaps the princess would leave her alive for another couple of years. Tearing piece by piece from the woman, Kaena intended to fully enjoy her suffering.
As for the other members of the imperial family... They didn't interest her as much. A quick death by burning at the stake or bone crushing would be sufficient for them. Just the thought of it brought Kaena such delight that she could barely contain the emotion on her face.
Well, she shouldn't delay the realization of her grand revenge.
First of all, Kaena would kill this noblewoman and her family. After all, she didn't need extra witnesses. After that, the Crown Princess would find a way to contact her people and organize an uprising.
Only one step remained.
A thin neck, breaking which would be as easy as snapping a bird's neck, was right before her. Kaena looked at it with a greedy gaze. Her hand involuntarily reached in that direction.
But...
Unexpectedly, this girl also leaned forward and took her hand. The Crown Princess was speechless when their eyes were level.
"What is she up to...?"
Suddenly, the following words completely stunned her.
"Don't worry," the noblewoman whispered a millimeter from her face, "I won't tell anyone you're here."