Page 101 of The White King's Favorite

“We will do our very best to earn the Princess’ trust again,” insisted the servants, lowering their heads even more.

Cessilia glared their way once more and then turned around to ignore the three of them. Looking around her room, she noticed the new pile of clothing they were busy putting into the wardrobe just a second ago, and the several boxes scattered on the floor too.

“What’s this?” asked Tessa.

“His Majesty offers these gifts to the Princess. Since the Princess’ belongings were... damaged, the King said it was his responsibility to replace them.”

“This wasn’t the King’s doing,” retorted Tessa. “The Yekara Clan almost openly admitted to it!”

“...His Majesty said he will make sure compensation will be received from the culprits in due time.”

“What a-about Lady V-Vena’s murder?” Cessilia asked.

“His Majesty has his suspicions, but we have yet to find the murderer. The investigation is still ongoing, and more people are still being interrogated. He asks for the Princess to be very careful until the real culprits are caught.”

“That’s easy for him to say,” scoffed Tessandra. “There hasn’t been a day without a burglary, a murder, or an ambush since we came here. Just wait until I get my hands on that damn vermin... I need something to release my nerves on.”

“...You th-three can leave,” said Cessilia. “I need t-to change.”

“We can assist–”

“G-get out.”

The triplets bowed, and quickly left, most likely to guard the room. Tessa pinched her lips. She wasn’t fond of the triplets, either, but she was a bit surprised by Cessilia’s cold attitude toward them. She crossed her arms and approached her cousin, who was still rummaging through the dresses.

“What is it, Cessi? We already established those three were spying on us for the King... is there something else?”

“They are t-trained for fighting,” said Cessilia, “b-but they aren’t g-good servants at all. They d-didn’t guard our room and b-burglars came in. They d-didn’t offer us anything to d-drink although we just c-came back and it’s hot outside, and the p-plants haven’t b-been watered either.”

Tessandra frowned and turned to the plants. Only her cousin would have noticed the leaves of the only two small plants by the balcony, slightly less green than when they had arrived. She looked around and realized Cessilia was telling the truth. It was all small details, but for someone who had lived in a palace, it was obvious. The bedsheets had small wrinkles, and there was a thin layer of dust on the columns of the room.

“Fine, perhaps they are bodyguards that have been trained to be servants, but–”

“I d-don’t think they are b-bodyguards, either. Somebody was f-following me yesterday when I was at the m-market with Lady B-Bastat.”

“Now that you mention it... I had a feeling we were being followed when we were with Sabael, but the place was so crowded, I couldn’t find who it was.”

“Ashen also knew K-Krai had taken us out,” Cessilia nodded. “D-do you remember how long it t-took us to get from the c-castle to the Outer G-Gates?”

“He arrived to save you almost right after those guys had begun chasing us... Even with a very fast horse, it should have taken longer than that. ...Do you think the triplets were watching us and tipped him off? That we had left?”

“I’m n-not sure,” sighed Cessilia, “...b-but I don’t t-trust them.”

“Well, I don’t either, but it’s rare to see you so... careful, Cessi,” said Tessandra, sitting down on the bed.

“It’s l-like you said. There was a m-murder already... We need to b-be more c-careful.”

Tessa and Nana exchanged a look. Naptunie nodded, agreeing with Cessilia. The fact that a girl from one of the most powerful clans had been murdered inside the castle itself was troubling enough already, but after the burglary and the attack, they just couldn’t act as if this was simply an isolated threat anymore. They were all impacted by the clans trying to push their candidates up while getting rid of others.

While rummaging through the dresses, Cessi couldn’t help but think she had made a wise decision, keeping her relationship with the King a secret for now...

“Nana, when will th-the next b-banquet be?”

“Oh my god, I completely forgot to tell you!” exclaimed the young woman, jumping on her feet. “I heard from my uncle that it was decided at the morning council that the next banquet will be tomorrow! Apparently, since the candidates are in danger, they all want to rush the competition. A lot of the Lords also asked to have bodyguards in the castle to protect their candidates, but His Majesty didn’t attend that council, and they just kept fighting about it, so it was dismissed for now...”

“No wonder,” scoffed Tessandra. “The King won’t accept them bringing more of their own men into the castle when they are all already busy trying to murder each other... I wonder who made him late, hm, Cessi?”

Her cousin blushed, tightening her grip on the dress she was holding. Next to them, Naptunie blushed too, and went to help Cessilia sort the dresses, clearly needing to do something with her hands.

---