Kaena thought she had misheard something.
"What... What did you just say?"
"Don't worry!" the girl repeated, "You can be sure that while you're here, no one outside the estate will know about it."
While the noblewoman smiled broadly at her, the Crown Princess couldn't believe what was happening. Her hand, reaching for the neck, involuntarily froze in the air.
Did this woman really know who she was...?
And still saved her? Why?!
Meanwhile, Camilla interpreted Kaena's action as a desire to take her hand. This behavior involuntarily touched the girl. She grabbed hers first and confidently declared:
"It seems you've had a hard time... But now everything is behind you! I will help you start a new life and leave the past in the past."
Kaena was stunned and stared at the duke's youngest daughter as if she were a town lunatic. Only a person crazier than her could dare such a desperate step. After all, who in their right mind would save a person whose very existence posed a threat to the entire empire?
"You really want to help me...?" Kaena's voice became a little hoarse with emotion.
"Of course! When I saved you, I took responsibility. That means I will bear it to the end."
"..."
At that moment, the princess suddenly realized that she completely didn't understand what she was thinking. For the first time in her life, Kaena met such a... Strange person. The princess cleared her throat.
"If you know everything, then you must also realize what a dangerous position you are in?" the girl clarified coldly.
Camilla nodded energetically.
After all, after the family physician's words, I was finally convinced that the skirmish in the forest wasn't an accident. Such a rare poison couldn't have come from nowhere. This meant that someone had deliberately sent people to kill the girl.
Thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that some powerful aristocrat was probably targeting the commoner.
Only... Why? What bad thing could she have done?
Perhaps the commoner had stolen some valuable item from him or even committed murder.
Although, looking at the completely harmless expression on this girl's face, I couldn't believe either of these theories. Most likely, she was wrongly accused.
Too bad the commoner doesn't remember anything at all. Otherwise, if she had committed some minor offense, I could have helped her. At least, scare that aristocrat using my family's name.
However, after a while, he would probably calm down on his own. Maybe he'd decide the commoner was already dead. It would be best for her to stay in my estate for now. After all, I didn't think anyone would think to look for her here.
Be that as it may, this girl had already been on the brink of death. I barely managed to save her using a valuable frost mushroom. Of course, I couldn't let my efforts go to waste.
In this situation, I am the only one who can protect her.
So...
Seeing that the expression on Camilla's face didn't waver at all, Kaena experienced indecision for the first time in many years.
Usually, the only emotions she saw in people's eyes regarding her were either fear or disgust. No one had ever behaved as casually as this woman. Obviously, this confused Kaena.
Finding herself for the first time in such a strange position, the princess even forgot that she was actually going to kill her.
"And how do you intend to help me?" she decided to ask.
"Maybe my status isn't high..." the lady mused, "But I think the guards can protect the estate in case of anything."
"..."
Kaena was silent for a while, not taking her eyes off her, and Camilla was about to wave her hand in front of her face to make sure she was still there. When suddenly...
"Why are you doing this?" the question sounded very cold.
"Huh?"
"Risking your life for a person you don't even know," she uttered, "I want to know why you are doing this."
"It seems I already answered this question..."
"So you're really willing to stake your life for money?"
Camilla barely restrained herself from laughing.
It seemed she had taken her words about "investment" too literally. Of course, the duke's daughter didn't expect this commoner to ever be able to thank her. And where would she get the money? It was just an excuse so the girl wouldn't feel too obligated while here.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
But in response, she nodded affirmatively.
Kaena was surprised. This woman had many ways to make money, but for some reason she chose this one. Wouldn't it be easier to get a reward from the imperial family by handing over her head? But for some reason, the noblewoman preferred all this hassle of saving her life.
Maybe she thought Kaena could pay her more? But even for huge money, no one would dare take such a step as saving the monster princess. Only this strange woman...
On her path, Kaena de Ronan had met many people for whom money was dearer than family and reputation. But not to this extent...
"For safety, I think as few people as possible should know that you are here," she continued thoughtfully, "Try not to leave this room, okay? Later I'll help you get out of here unnoticed."
While the princess was in confusion, Camilla took her hand again.
"I know you've had a hard time. But to survive, you'd better listen to me, okay?"
Kaena frowned. "Listen?" This word was unfamiliar to her.
And yet this impudent woman dared to address her with such a request!
Contrary to all rules of etiquette, this noblewoman also continued to behave extremely familiarly. Not only did she address the Crown Princess without an official title, but she also calmly touched her. This irritated Kaena.
Apparently, for some reason, this woman wasn't afraid of death at all.
While they were talking, the thought of quickly dispatching Camilla crossed the Crown Princess's mind a thousand times. And yet she restrained herself.
"Perhaps now is not the right time for a commotion..."
In the end, not yet knowing where this would lead, Kaena decided to play along with her. This woman was lucky that today she didn't feel like killing.
"Alright," Kaena reluctantly agreed.
Camilla smiled happily.
"Fortunately, this commoner turned out to be more compliant than I expected. I think I should reward her with something."
Since the girl had been unconscious for more than a day, she must be terribly hungry. So first of all, I decided to feed her something tasty.
I took my favorite honey gingerbread from the tray that Elisha had brought for my tea. Then, without further ceremony, I stuffed it into her mouth.
***
The news that had stirred up the entire empire left no one indifferent.
Only recently, the biggest celebration of the decade had taken place. And suddenly, an event no less grandiose occurred.
The mad Crown Princess Kaena de Ronan died during an unsuccessful coup attempt. If the Second Princess and the Imperial Army hadn't arrived in time, this could have resulted in the downfall of the entire state.
But, fortunately, Jerica de Ronan managed to prevent the tragedy.
After her death, the Crown Princess was accused of her numerous crimes, and her body, mutilated during the battle, was buried in an unmarked grave.
The villainess, who had all this time threatened the safety of peaceful citizens, had finally lost her influence. In significance, this event was even more triumphant than the empire's founding anniversary.
By night, information about this had leaked into the highest circles of the nobility. And by midday, every maid in every estate considered it her duty to discuss this sensation. The Duke de Walte, of course, also learned about this incident among the first.
Together with his eldest son, they were, as usual, having breakfast in the dining room while the man read the fresh correspondence. No matter how you looked at it, all the news headlines today were only about this.
Reaching the last line, the Duke exhaled noisily and put the newspaper aside.
"Father, you were right. That crazy woman really lost."
Yufil recalled their recent conversation with his father, in which the duchy's heir had questioned whether victory was entirely on the side of the imperial family. But, as was now obvious, his fears were groundless.
"Of course," the Duke replied calmly, "Who would have thought that Her Highness would be so shortsighted as to stage such an obvious ambush..."
The man looked slightly displeased. The battle began as suddenly as it ended. None of the high dignitaries had time to learn about it — and the rebellion was suppressed exclusively by the forces of the Imperial Army. The Duke was disappointed to have missed such a wonderful opportunity to glorify their family. "Well, since it turned out this way, we'll have to pave our own way."
Yufil nodded in agreement, spooning his soup.
"Big changes are coming in the government. I have already received an invitation to the coronation of the new Crown Princess... And I have decided that I will take you with me."
"What?"
The young man was noticeably surprised. For the first time, his father was taking him to such an important event as a visit to the imperial palace. Moreover, it was the princess's coronation...
Jerica, unlike her predecessor, enjoyed the full support of the people. In a few years, it would be no trouble for her to ascend the throne.
"You are about the same age. I hope you will use this opportunity to make an acquaintance."
"Father, do you want...?"
"Establishing connections is your first duty as the family heir. If you can win the princess's favor, you won't have to worry about your future."
Yufil de Walte swallowed. From time immemorial, nobles had strived to approach the unattainable summit — the imperial family. Given that the country maintained a totalitarian monarchy, their position among ordinary mortals could be compared to gods. Any subject, regardless of their status, was obliged to obey the imperial word.
Becoming a close associate or even a confidant of this cell of society was not easy. And becoming its direct part was almost impossible... Jerica de Ronan, the Second Princess and nation's favorite, was considered the most enviable bride in the Empire.
Given that the girl was still not engaged to anyone, hundreds of marriage proposals were received at the palace daily. But Jerica, it seemed, paid no attention to them, completely focused on fulfilling her duty as Captain of the Imperial Army.
Of course, the Duke de Walte didn't expect to marry his son to the princess. It would be enough if those two managed to establish a good relationship. While the "new" Crown Princess hadn't yet fully consolidated her position in society, this was quite possible.
Now every noble family in the Empire would be fighting for the chance to take a place next to the future empress.
Yufil humbly accepted his father's will and promised to show himself in the best light. The coronation would take place in a month, so they still had time to prepare.
Father and son continued their meal, when suddenly a noise came from the upper floor. It seemed someone was shouting.
The Duke de Walte frowned and looked up.
"What's going on?"
The crash that sounded was like the sounds of a struggle. Yufil immediately guessed that the noise came from the wing of the estate where Camilla lived.
"That girl...!" he hissed angrily, "She must have done something again!"
They remembered the existence of their younger sister and daughter only when she clearly made herself known.
"It seems something has happened," Victor suddenly said, "We need to go check."
Yufil wasn't too thrilled about this idea, but he had to obey his father. They went up to the floor where the girl lived. Before this, the Duke knocked on the door several times.
But there was no answer.
"I'm coming in," he warned loudly.
The door swung open, and both witnessed an unexpected scene.
The only lady of the ducal family lay on the floor, while some strange woman loomed over her from above.
Yufil and the Duke froze in shock on the threshold of the room.