The idea of escape, which had previously seemed completely insane to me, took on new colors in my head.
The imperial capital, like the entire territory of the empire, was like an open book to the Crown Princess. Covering my tracks in these places was simply impossible. However, the matter took a different turn when it came to the north.
The northern region — the only area of the empire not subject to control by the imperial family. Thus, if I were to run, it would have to be there. I ran through my memories to know for sure if there was a place suitable for hiding in the novel. And only the north came to mind.
Well, it seemed I had no choice.
If I could lie low in the northern lands for a year or so, the main villainess might possibly forget about me. I was more than sure that I was just a toy in her hands. And when I disappeared, a new one would simply appear in my place. At least, I desperately hoped that's how it would be.
Attending Jeremy's wedding ceremony seemed like a good reason to go north. The problem was the following. Could I get there? Obviously, I could only do this with the Crown Princess's consent. Otherwise, I would just put myself in harm's way and die in vain.
When I first arrived here, I noticed that this place was well guarded not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Servants guarded the floor I lived on, including the entrance to my room. So I almost immediately dismissed the pathetic idea of a direct escape.
I had to resort to a more cunning course of action.
And that turned out to be no easy task... because I'm not very smart. As a result, I spent half the night thinking over an escape plan.
The mental shock and confusion accumulated over the past time, combined with taking a warm bath, eventually turned into the fatigue that crashed down on me.
Unable to fight the drowsiness any longer, I fell asleep without even noticing. Then came my first morning at the main villainess's residence.
I woke up, moved to sit up, then looked around. Everything was still quiet. I sighed with relief.
"My Lady, are you awake?"
I heard the maid's voice as the door opened.
The servants helped me with my morning routine. By the time one maid finished doing my hair, another came to help me change. In her hands, she held several magnificent dresses.
My wardrobe was filled with expensive dresses and jewelry I couldn't have dreamed of before. However, putting on one of these outfits, I felt not a sense of delight, but rather suffocation. Moreover, my mental equilibrium was shaken even more when it turned out that the Crown Princess had invited me to have breakfast with her.
"Don't you like it?"
Noticing that I had been staring at my plate for too long, the villainess asked me this question.
The table was laden with all sorts of delicacies I had never heard of before, and as soon as the plates were even slightly empty, servants brought new dishes. And, of course, the reason for my poor appetite was not this at all. It was just that I felt like I was going to be sick with anxiety.
"N-no, the food is very good."
I tried my best not to let my secret thoughts show on my face. "Good. Then eat up."
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The villainess smiled at me and continued the process of cutting the meat that lay on her plate. Swallowing, I finally picked up my utensils and helped myself to the first seafood salad I saw. Continuing to feel her intent gaze on me, I slowly began to eat.
Meanwhile, thoughts swarmed in my head about what pretext I could use to go north.
Could my friend's wedding really serve as a valid reason? Or would it not be enough? In any case, I was afraid she wouldn't even listen to me.
And then I really wouldn't know what to do. This thought made me more and more nervous.
Without realizing it, I fixed my gaze on the table. "Do you want to try this dish?"
A deep voice abruptly pulled me from my thoughts.
Had she decided that I was staring at the plate in the center?
The next moment, a huge piece plopped onto my plate. It was lamb stewed in wine. Since it was already hard for me to digest food because of my worries, I shook my head.
"Eat."
"I'm really... full."
"Just one more piece. I like watching you eat."
I was bewildered, but reluctantly opened my mouth. Okay, the main villainess had just told me to eat. If I refused, she might use it as a pretext to trap me. Since I had no choice, I began to eat the meat.
At that moment, while I was quietly focused on eating, the princess suddenly called out to me.
"Camilla." "Y-yes?"
"I'm sorry... I haven't been able to find your brother yet."
After her phrase, uttered in a guilty tone, I nearly died from the piece of meat that threatened to get stuck in my throat.
"I have sent soldiers throughout the Empire. I also ordered them to comb the borders. But so far... We haven't been able to pick up his trail."
After the Crown Princess's brief report, I barely recovered enough to chew the meat and swallow it. Honestly, I didn't know what emotions I felt from this news. Relief, or indifference... By and large, I didn't care what happened to him.
But still, the villainess's next words made me tense up.
"Don't worry," bloodlust was evident in her tone, "Sooner or later I will find him, and then that bastard won't go unpunished. When he dies, I'll send his body to the incinerator. He'll turn into the unsightly ashes that he is."
The fork fell from my hands. A servant quickly came over and handed me a new one, although it probably wouldn't last long in my hands either, because they were shaking badly.
Well, okay... This was too much.
First of all, I needed to calm down. I had to somehow change this horrific topic.
Pulling myself together, I pretended that everything was fine with me and replied in an even voice:
"Oh, is that so..." my voice trembled slightly.
"Camilla, you can leave all worries behind," she declared softly, "I'm here, so don't worry about anything."
"That's why I'm worried..."
The Crown Princess stared intently at me. I felt uncomfortable under her gaze, which seemed to follow me always. I became so uncomfortable that I completely lost my appetite.
But instead of shrinking in fear, I still decided to make an attempt to start this conversation:
"U-um..."
"Yes?" the villainess immediately responded, "Do you need something?"
I involuntarily swallowed from nervousness. And yet, there was no turning back.
"I... if you don't mind. I would like to attend my friend's celebration. He's getting married soon. He invited me, and I... I would like to be present."
When I finally voiced this request, I nervously sucked in air. "Hmm..."
Having listened to me, she closed her mouth and stared intently at me. Her gaze was so intense that for a moment I thought I had made a fatal mistake. For someone who had been kidnapped, it was too audacious to ask for something like this.
"It seems I messed up..."
While I lamented my carelessness and patiently waited for my death, contrary to all my expectations, the Crown Princess asked:
"Where will the ceremony take place?" Her tone sounded surprisingly soft.
I hastily uttered:
"Th-the... The Northern Duchess's Duchy, Edelweiss." "When is it?"
"In fifteen days..."
I was somewhat bewildered, but hastened to answer all the questions that followed from her side.
"I see," the Crown Princess replied calmly after a short pause.
Hearing the clink of cutlery, which meant the villainess had resumed cutting her steak, I sighed with relief.
Good, it seems I dodged that bullet...
Dealing with the main villainess was terribly destructive to my nervous system. I just couldn't wait for this breakfast to end.
But I had barely had time to rejoice that death had passed me by today, when a new shock befell me.
"Since you say so, I suppose I can go with you to this event," the woman declared, staring straight at me.
I dropped the fork I was holding for the second time. "But that's... but that wasn't part of my plans at all!"
While I was on the verge of my first heart attack, which happened to occur at such a young age, the villainess watching me couldn't hide her smile.
"I'll have to postpone some of my affairs, but nothing can be done." Kaena de Ronan thought about this with a smile on her face.
Who would have thought that this woman would be so happy?