"Flawed as it may be, but he was one of my own," she says.
Hesitation bites the inside of her cheeks, as she stirs away.
"I am not even sure what happened. But I, even as a 'lowly person' can tell you that you cannot dwell on the past. However closer to home it hits," I said, settling on the bed next to her.
Duke Canton.
He had always been a complex character. Even for the story.
Perhaps, when you are left to fend off on your own for too long, you do end up becoming something like him. Closed off. Selfish.
"I am not going to fool you, it turns out," a sigh escapes her lips.
"No, you are not. All I don't know about is being a male. Or how you live your life.
But I know a few things about you. And one of them is that you are an emotionless prick.
Would it really kill you to have a family with Vanya when she was still around?" I chided.
"What do you even know about her?" She scoffed.
"She loved you," I began.
"She loved the throne. She was Versailles' bait. I know she was in love with Theodore," her voice dipped.
"That was before she met you.
The story, I know about...is a love story.
You did have a fair chance at a happy ending. And you did get it.
But now, look at us," I sighed.
"I won't worry about that.
The Council meeting is set up for your failure.
On my way to Gaskoff, I got a raven delivering me a word from North.
Things aren't going to get sunny for you, just because you behave differently," she cleared her throat.
"You do know that I cannot do anything about the situation.
The High Priest will likely tell us more about the Golden Order, but I couldn't possibly shake off the duty I have here.
Though, I would appreciate help-"
"Don't even think about it. I am not going to help you while I am trapped in a woman's body.
They will make it impossible for me to live," she argued.
"I don't want to rule your Kingdom.
I am aware that you are supposed to take on a consort if you want to sit on the throne.
I cannot even pee, it's safe to say I don't know what to do with my dick. And a woman would notice," I tell her.
"So far, I agree.
Now then, let's get going. The rune's waiting for us," she says.
"Rune?"
"A teleportation rune. It will take us right to the other end of the rune.
We can go to the High Priest...
And maybe," she hesitated then.
"Yeah?"
"Nothing. Get dressed," she instructed.
"About that... I have no idea where they keep my clothes. It's my first day here," I shifted uncomfortably.
"Just what sort of an idiot are you? You don't even know half of the things around here.
I cannot even guarantee if you'd make it another day here if you weren't in my body," she furrowed her brows.
"Stop being mean and rude!
You have no idea! Where I come from, clothes are not five hundred layers of silk trying to choke you in daylight.
And we have water flowing in pipes, at our disposal to clean out bodies.
I haven't bathed in so many days. I seldom have an appetite here.
I am trying my best to keep my head above the water," I sighed.
"Is that why you stink so badly?" She looked at me with disgust.
"The High Temple won't let you in unless you are purified!" She said, her arms crossed in front of her.
"I am going to fetch you some clothes from the West Tower," she tells me.
"But how would you-"
"No more questions. You can walk in the maids chambers and ask them to prepare a bath for you," she instructed.
"Why can't I be more discreet? They are probably sleeping," I said.
"They are paid to serve you. Oh, and you'll be surprised to see how that goes," she tells me.
"Then why can't I ask them to bring me clothes too? Do you have to leave?" I had half the mind to argue. Maybe, tell her that maids are humans too. And how weird it is for someone to draw a bath in the middle of the night.
"Please. I don't want you wearing those robes. They would be laced with poison.
Just the way they were when Father was around," she hesitated.
"I know all about him. Do you still not trust the fact that I am stuck here and am looking for a way out?"
She turned away.
"I'll see you here when I am done. Make haste. It takes too long to fetch the water.
We have a journey that awaits us.
And if they don't find you in your chamber, they would spread all sorts of rumours around.
Some might slander your reputation to immeasurable extents," she purses her lips together.
"Alright. But how would I know-"
"Keep walking to the right. You will notice the flailing trinkets and sound of the flute.
Hana plays it throughout the night to restore calming mana around the place," she informs me.
"Doesn't Hana get sleepy?"
"I know you are curious, but when you see it, you will understand not to ask many questions.
Whatever you do, do not get lost.
The palace uses the Mages' spell to lure people who are not familiar with it into dangerous doors," she says.
"And how would I not get lured-"
"I hate people who are dense. You should know by now that flutes' rhythm should be a guiding harmony for you.
You are in a Dragon's body. The Spell isn't strong enough. But your soul is humane. And you are a weakling," she brushed off my concerns.
"That's diabolical, but fine. I don't exactly enjoy being rolled around like that.
Hopefully, you shall learn grace and manners on how to talk to people.
Women are far more polite," I turned around, slipping out the door. Snobby little bitch.