The Courtesan

Chapter 86

“Welcome to the Cathedral, your highness. We did not know you were coming this early or we would’ve come out to welcome you.”

“I don’t mind. We have a lot to discuss so I came to have an early start.”

“Would you like to have a cup of tea, your highness?”

“No, I won’t. I didn’t come here for formalities.”

The more I listened to her voice, the more it was familiar to me. I stood behind Kalvin the whole time, half wondering who she was and half listening to their conversation. At some point, the other men left and it was us three in the room. Kalvin pulled on my sleeve and guided my hand until I was seated. I felt her stare on me.

“Is there anything more you would like to know, your highness?”

“No, but there’s something he would like to know.”

I stood up and walked up to her. In a swift motion, I lifted her veil, shocking the both of them.

“I was right. It was you the whole time, Noelle.”

“Noelle?” Kalvin asked, confused.

“The wife of the Prince of Perimas. That Noelle.”

“Wife? You regard me highly,” she snorted.

“Wait, you’re not denying it?”

“There is not one person who knows my identity nor my existence in Zerramond. Why should I deny it?”

“So, are you the real Saintess or the real one is hidden away?”

“Unfortunately I’m the real one. I am here because the Crown Prince was coming. That man over there is very hard to fool so I had to step in.”

“So, the one giving the speech that day…”

“Oh, you mean the one that was attacked? That’s my doppelganger. Even the executives of the church do not know the difference between the Saintess. Only the Pope knows but our dearest prince has him in prison. That attack almost made my doppelganger quit.”

I always believed Noelle lived the fairytale life when she became the wife of the Prince of Perimas. Who would’ve known she was the daughter of King Mival, a marriage transaction and…..a Saintess? She was beginning to look like an all purpose spy. It reminded me of someone else; Andrella.

Kalvin suddenly burst into laughter. We both turned to him, looking at him like he was crazy.

“I didn’t want to believe you but you really were right. Perimas has a hand in this. They really were trying to take over Zerramond.”

“I thought you royals knew and were trying to tread lightly.”

“No, my parents really were fools and fell for your religious schemes. I couldn’t care less because I was stuck looking for my wife. That’s why we let the situation get this bad. Before I knew it, burning people was as common as buying commodities in the market.”

“For the record, the lynchings weren’t my idea.”

“Now that everything's out in the open, would you mind telling us the truth now, Princess Noelle?”

Noelle tossed the veil and leaned back with a smirk. I finally took a seat beside Kalvin. I quickly realized his calmness was a facade.

“Prince Kalvin, I can’t just tell you everything. I am a spy. I’m supposed to pick death over telling the truth.”

“Why?! You don’t have to listen to them! In the first place, you are…”

“Hmm? I’ve been wondering since earlier but you look familiar. You also know who I am. So, who are you?”

“I... don’t think that is necessary.”

“No, I think it is. Even if I die here, with your help, the truth would be uncovered sooner than later. So, here’s what I’ll do. Let’s trade information.”

“... You don’t really care about Perimas’s plans, do you?”

“No, not really. My wish, Prince Kalvin, is to see the world burn. I hate Perimas, I hate Casella and I hate Zerramond. I hate Uramuth, I hate this continent and I hate the entire world. I would much rather the world burnt than anyone get the upper hand.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because the world is unfair and I’m going to make it fair.”

Kalvin laughed again but this time, malice was threaded deeply in his tone.

“You must’ve think you’ve suffered in this world. Who hasn’t? I don’t think you know how dangerous the road you’re treading is.”

“So? Once a person has found their ideals, they must pursue it till they die. If I die on this journey, so be it.”

All the time I lived with her, I never realized Noelle was that dangerous. She always looked kind and amiable, it wasn’t apparent how much darkness she hid inside.

She was just like me.

“Okay. Let’s exchange information. But, you talk first.”

“That’s not a fair trade.”

“I won’t run away. I swear on the graves of my fathers.”

As a fellow citizen of Casella, this was one of the highest oaths we can offer. Her eyes widened and I could see her putting the facts together.

“I’ll accept your deal. You were right, Perimas is trying to conquer Zerramond. So is Casella. So, they came up with this plan. I have the vague idea that they know Princess Ariana is alive. They used that to distract you and once you were distracted, the royal family was too. It was a brilliant plan really. I liked it until I discovered I was to be a part of it.”

“If Casella is trying to conquer Zerramond as well as Uramuth, does it mean King Mival is trying to conquer the whole continent?”

“Perhaps. I think it’s a pipe dream but that man is really pushing it. The resources of Uramuth are too extensive for them to fall soon. He would most likely be exhausted if he tries to extend it for a long time. I think his plan is to pull all the continent into the war and gain victory in one fell swoop. It’s really ingenious.”

“So there was no escape in the first place?”

“I never pegged you to be indecisive, Prince Kalvin.”

“I am not. I am just uninterested in being drawn into someone else’s conflict. My anger is immeasurable to find out I’m already neck deep.”

“Now that you know, you can take measures. But, that’s all I will be telling today. It’s time to make do on your part of the deal.”

I took a while digesting the information. I couldn’t even say I was shocked. Just how much further would he have to go to make his goals a reality? Just how much more lives would he ruin? He is even more than willing to ruin the life of his children to reach his goal. King Mival was a terrible man.

“I’m still waiting on your reply.”

“... Which one of my identities do you want? The one you are familiar with or the one you know but aren’t familiar with?”

“Ooh, this is interesting. I see I have met a kindred spirit. Please, do tell me the one I’m familiar with.”

“Very well then. I am Elayne Greycastle, your beloved junior.”

The smirk on Noelle’s face fell. She sprang up, rushing to me. Before she got to me, she was blocked by Kalvin.

“Go. back. and. sit. Down.”

Hearing the threat in his voice, she reluctantly went back to her seat.

“Elayne? What are you doing here? I thought you were…”

“He brought me back.”

“Then your other identity… mother was right… you really are Princess Ariana…”

“Yes, I am Princess Ariana.”

“Isn’t this Ironic? I’m sure even my father wouldn’t have seen this coming.”

“Your father?”

“Yes, my father. King Mival. Weren’t you aware, Prince Kalvin?”

He looked at me and I nodded. Noelle’s smirk was back and even more sinister. I could tell she was cooking something up. In some ways, she was proving to be a more troublesome opponent.

“I think this game has become even more interesting. I’d like to see just how far this would go. And don’t worry Elayne, I won’t tell anyone about you. It’s not yet time for your appearance. So, till we meet again, I hope you’d become even more impressive, my dearest junior.”

“And I hope you would get better Ideals, Senior Noelle.”