We finally arrived in the capital of Zehan. On foot of course. In the first few days, it felt like I could no longer feel my feet. But then after that I think my feet has developed new and better muscles. I have already grown accustomed to it.
I just dearly hope our Princess is no longer in a walking mood. I sincerely hope to ride in a carriage on our next trip.
“So this is the capital of Zehan.” Cordelia takes in our surrounding. “Not bad for a human country.” She nods in approval.
I have heard of rumors on our way here that the capital of Zehan is really opulent. I don’t really believe that as the towns we encountered cannot exactly be called opulent, just normal towns. But turns out it’s the truth. The wealth of the entire country seems to be accumulated here.
Beautifully paved stony roads with jewels as decoration. Golden statues everywhere. No matter where you place your eyes, your eyes will be dazzled by something shiny. This makes me wonder, won’t the jewels be stolen?
This is certainly an opulent capital.
“I am hungry. Food I need food.” Cordelia quickly scans our surrounding and targets a cafe just around the corner. I just hope the cafe has enough food storage to satisfy Cordelia’s black hole of a stomach.
Cordelia is onto her twentieth pizza when she begins to slow down and notices her surrounding. She finally notices that I am listening intently to the gossip that flows to our table from the one next to ours.
“What?” Cordelia whispers. “Anything interesting?”
Definitely something of interest to Cordelia, just that she might not realize yet. The two ladies next table are talking about the Prince of Zehan. Who is the Prince of Zehan? He is the narcissistic prince in the novel ‘Princess who Conquers the World- Mermaid Princess & Narcissistic Prince’. To put it simply, the hero of this novel. Princess Cordelia’s love of her life.
I whisper back, “They’re talking about the prince of this country.”
“Prince.” She gives me her signature eye rolls I grow so accustomed to. “What’s the fuss, Ianthe? I am a princess too. You’re talking, walking and eating daily with a princess. A beautiful and powerful princess. Why do you need to go gaga over a prince? And didn’t you say you love my cousin? You switch over so quickly? To a prince you haven’t even met?”
“Princess, I have never said I l…loved Lord Valentine.” I quickly whisper back. “And I did not ‘switch over’. They are talking about this lavish masquerade the prince is throwing in honor for his birthday.”
If I remember correctly, that’s the place where the prince starts to take an interest in Cordelia.
“Now, you’re finally saying something worth listening. A masquerade ball! That’s definitely new to me. What do they do in these balls? Wear a mask and flirt with each other?”
“Well… right.” It’s basically correct, but it still feels a bit weird the way Cordelia put it.
“Sounds fun. That means you get to be anonymous and you get to do whatever you want.” An evil gleam appears in Cordelia’s eyes.
“I don’t think it’s that anonymous. You can still recognize a person while wearing a mask. And what’s so exciting about being anonymous? A disguise spell can do the work!”
“No, no, no. Where is the excitement if you look completely different?”
“Uh-huh.” I give up. “But this masquerade ball requires an invitation. Which we don’t have, princess.”
Cordelia gives me ‘the look’. The look that says ‘What are you still waiting for? Get to work!’.
“Ianthe, what are you waiting for? Get to work!” So I didn’t imagine that.
“But… princess. It’s an invitation to a royal ball.”
“So? I expect more from you, Ianthe! You’re the pupil of the royal sorcerer! And more importantly, why do I need you if you can’t solve simple things like this?”
Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm. That’s what you signed up for to get away from the underwater Kingdom.
“I’ll get on to it.” It’s just taking a look at the real invitation and then disguise a paper into one. Nothing difficult right? As if. Where do I get my hand on a real invitation?
How does Princess Cordelia sneak into the ball in the novel? With her beauty? Or Ianthe in the novel helps her?
It doesn’t matter. It’s me who have to do the work now.
Cordelia snaps her fingers at me. “What are you still doing? Get going! I’ll go shopping! Let’s meet later on. Find me.” With a wave of her hand, she’s gone.
I sigh. I am about to leave when words begin to form in water on the table in front of me.
This stops me from standing up from my chair. The elegant calligraphy I am so familiar with forms a note. A note from…
‘Ianthe, how are you? Are you still angry with me? I hope all is well. I apologize for not coming earlier, but I will be able to meet you soon! Just bear with Cordelia for a little longer!
Valentine.
P.S. To find the invitation, go to Cathedral Avenue, you’ll find the lady Cordelia saved when you two first set out. The invitation is in the pocket on the right side of her coat.’
Just what is happening?
——————-
