Oblivion Of The Heart

Chapter 14 - The princess (2)

Chapter 14 - The princess (2)

Esperanza touched the mirror in her room, as she stared at 'her' reflection. Her room was filled with darkness since it was night time and she couldn't switch on the lights, otherwise, her insomnia would be exposed.

Soft, silky silvery-white hair was draped over her shoulders, all wet. Her white nightgown was dripping wet, while her luscious sapphire eyes were looking coldly at her pathetic reflection. Her body shivered without a blanket.

Sighing, she pulled her sleeves up to glance down at the wound she recently formed. A few old wounds came into view, but she ignored them. Her fingers gently traced the new cut, which was covered with a bandage. Suddenly, she realized that there was a peony symbol on the upper part of the arm, just a few centimeters below the shoulder.

So this is the symbol of the contract.

Esperanza couldn't help but let out a small, defeated smile. The first step was complete. Next was to lure the princess. Loneliness can turn a person into very foolish and desperate. How easy it would be to lure a lonely little princess who never received familial love. Even if she knows that Esperanza wants to use her, in the end, desire would overcome her. The desire to have someone by their side. 

After all, I know how it feels.

The Next Morning.

Esperanza headed to the princess's villa, wearing a light, plain green dress. Suddenly, in the middle of her way, she met her father, the duke, and couldn't help but falter suddenly. Stellina bumped her into her lady's back, and complained while rubbing her nose, "My Lady, why did you stop?" Receiving no response, Stellina looked forward and noticed The Duke. Her expression hardened.

The Duke noticed his daughter. He had just returned from the imperial palace and was returning to his office when he saw his daughter with a dazed expression. "May the Ilamas bless you, daughter." The duke's voice did wake her up.

"Greetings father, I wish you a pleasant day. May the Ilamas (Meaning; Fire) bless you." She bowed her head. The duke nodded his head and passed by without any word. Esperanza clenched her hands tight and walked away, while Stellina gritted her teeth and glared at the duke's back before following her Lady again. 

When Esperanza entered the mansion, she encountered an almost unexpected situation. The disgusting stench of rotten food had entered her nostrils and Stellina grumbled with disdain. Turns out that the chef, which was graciously sent by the empress of the demon realm to her daughter, had cooked a bowl of disgusting congee, which held an unbearable taste. The chef defended himself by saying that was the kind of food the princess preferred.

What annoyed Esperanza was not being treated as a fool, but being given flattering. She waved her hand, and Stellina understood what her lady wished to do.

"You are to be sent back to the demon realm," Stellina announced with a calm expression.

"What?" The chef asked, fazed. "How dare a little bitch as you order me around? Who do you think you are, you-"

"Enough!" Esperanza raised her voice. "How dare you swear at my people? You insolent moron."

"I," The chef stuttered, terrified of the fact that he might receive severe punishment if he failed his task. "I, My Lady, I-" But before he could continue, Stellina skilfully knocked him out.

"Allow me to deal with this, My Lady." She showed a bright smile.

"Hmm." Esperanza agreed. Stellina left her, dragging the unconscious chef with her. The maids who were sent by the empress of the demon clan to accompany the princess couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. This proved to be a warning for them to be cautious. Esperanza knocked on the door of the princess's room but received no response. She sighed, knowing that the princess was intentionally ignoring her.

She gently pushed the door open, with creaking noises announcing her arrival. The room was empty, with bedsheets arranged neatly. There was the princess, sitting on the railing of the balcony. Her raven-like hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and her eyes like rubies stared straight at Esperanza's, no longer filled with hatred. It seemed that the princess had cooled down.

The princess's position was too dangerous. With a smirk, the princess let go of her grip and raised her hands towards the sky. (A/N: Here, she's still sitting on the railing, but she's no longer holding the railing, which means that even if the slightest disbalance could make her fall.)

"Be a good girl, come here and have your breakfast. Don't worry your master." Esperanza said, placing the newly made bowl of congee on the table. The princess's smirk did not fade at the statement.

"But this dog wishes to disobey its master." She smiled. "What would master do?"

"Master will give the disobedient dog a spanking on its butt then." Esperanza smiled. The princess's smirk faded away. It was the first time she had seen Esperanza smiled and thus was surprised. Suddenly, her heart gave out the same odd, nervous and violent thumping. She lowered her hands and pressed the right side of her chest, where her heart was, feeling confused. She still didn't get what was the confusing, wonderful yet annoying feeling. But the next second, she realized what Esperanza had said. 

"You, you, you shameless, evil, vile witch!" The princess said, with her face blushing with embarrassment. The cursing words were nothing but air. She didn't mean them.

"I am a witch," Esperanza said nonchalantly. "I am vile, I am evil, I am shameless. But I'm not, you, you, you." She jested.

"You..." The princess was left dumbfounded. "Why did you reverse my words?" Dumbfounded by the fact that the girl reversed her words at her face.

"I don't have any reason, so what?" She smiled. "My dear princess, you give away yourself so easily."

So easily that I can't help but pity you while being pathetic myself.