The Princess'choice II

Witch

Annalise

After what happened a few days ago I have started to spend more time with Elidi. I wanted to believe that part of Berke was in her. She showed me her magic and told me tales of the Emelest Empire. The day Damien was about to appear approached really fast and I wanted to be able to defend myself. I hated him in the past, and something told me I won't be a fan of him in this life either. I spot Elidi on the training grounds practicing with her knives and I became breathless. The same movements, same precision. I walked to the gate of the training grounds and she stopped immediately.

- Lise! What are you doing here? - she asked cheerfully and approached me. Her brown hair was in a high ponytail, but her eyes were her own now.

- Your eyes Elidi! - I said and she winked.

- No one will notice it.

- I noticed it as well.- I teased her and she winked, when her eye was visible again , it was a normal human eye. I gasped and she laughed at tye expression I made.

- Okay, I must admit, this is amazing. - I said and she leaned against the gate.

- This is only the beginning Lise. - she looked around and shrunk her height, her hair shortened and her features changed. She looked like Conrad.

- WHAT THE HELL?! - I screamed and she turned back to herself covering my mouth.

- Magic! - she said and I was happy to see her more relaxed than ever before.

- Would you mind to teach me some self defense? - I asked and her expression changed.

- Are you in danger? - I shook my head.

- Many guests will arrive soon, precautions. - she smiled and opened the gate for me. I walked in and she handed me a small piece of leather.

- Tie your hair and roll your sleeves up! This is going to be so much fun! - Elidi said. I did as she instructed and she started to teach me just like in the old times. She was impressed by my fast learning, although I cheated. I needed some reminder and to train my muscles.

- So, Lise, if someone grabs your waist. You should aim at their elbow.

- Why? - she smiled and grabbed my wrist.

- Try it, hit as hard as you can.

- I don't want to hurt you!

- Just do it. You won't hurt me, don't worry! - I sighed and did as she said. I heard a loud crack and she immediately released my wrist. Elidi's face distorted a bit.

- Are you okay? What was that sound? - she smiled

- You broke my elbow. - my jaw dropped.

- Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I'll call the doctor immediately! - Elidi stopped me.

- Let's keep practicing.

- Are you insane?! - I shouted at her and only then noticed that she held my arm with her broken arm.

- What is this? How? - she shrugged.

- Benefits of being a monster! Okay so next. If they attack you face them and hit their chin. It will knock them out almost immediately and give you time to run. I have an idea!

- What is it?

- Why don't you twist your skirt if you feel uncomfortable with your least dominant hand and I'll come to your rescue!? Just precautions! - she winked and I hugged her.

- I'd love that!

- Will you share her with me or have you decided to monopolize Elidi? - we turned to the direction of the voice. A grinning Emmett and tired Conrad were waling towards us.

- Let's rest a bit Lise! - I nodded and headed to Conrad who almost collapsed.

- Hey! Sit down. What happened? - he tried to catch his breath.

- Your brother is trying to kill me, I'm sure about it.

- Where have you been? - Conrad laid on the ground.

- He took me to the training with the knights to be prepared for the Ball.- we looked at Elidi and Emmett. They were sparring, but their movements looked more like dancing. Their sync was simply beautiful.

- Do you think Damien will try it again? - I asked and Conrad sat up.

- Probably, but who knows. One thing is sure. This time, if they try anything, Elidi won't be in danger.

- How do you know that? - Conrad laughed wholeheartedly.

- The palace will set on fire before they could even touch any of us! - I laughed with him. Conrad was right.

- Maybe this is why we had to come back.

- What do you mean? - I sighed and watched them sparring and laughing in the meantime.

- They deserve their own happy ending. - Conrad nodded.

- I agree, but can we also agree that those two are some kind of insane animals? - I pished Conrad in the shoulder and he laid on the ground again.

- You are talking about my brother and the love of his lives! - Conrad laughed and suddenly stopped. He looked at me so differently. Conrad held a piece of my hair and looked deeply into my eyes. He smiled softly and said.

- Finally, you are alive.

- I was alive this whole time! - I said and he sat up.

- No, you were existing. Now you are alive, Anna, we got a gift, a new chance, live it! - he was right. Not only them, but we all got a new chance for happiness.

- I'll. Thanks! - Conrad grinned.

- This doesn't make you less nervous about the ball am I right.

- Absolutely! - Emmett and Elidi walked to us hand in hand and we all headed nack to prepare for dinner. I walked past Sébastien's room and heard our father. Before I have opened the door wider to greet them I heard father talking annoyed.

- Johnathan calm down please! - mom said.

- I won't! This is unacceptable!

- Father please sit down and let's discuss this calmly. - Sebby tried to calm bim but father snapped at him.

- This is your fault as well! I expect you to fix it Sébastien!

- We didn't lie father! Her name is Katherine Pearson! - I heard father furious.

- We hired a spy! She is a fraud! An the worse is that we let her in pur home! She might be already aware of your abilities! Also Emmett has clearly fallen for her. He is using you and your brother to achieve her goals, bot only the two of you but also your sister. Use your brain Sébastien!

- Father she is a good person! You were happy that Emmett found someone to cherish! Why are you determined to ruin it?!

-Because she is a fraud! And at tines of marriage we must consider the Empire's future as well in case something happens to you! - our mother started to cry at that point. Someone poked my shoulders and I saw Emmett.

- That's not very ladylike. - he said playfully but I motioned him to shut up.

- Sweetheart, please think about what your father said. You know your condition well! - we shared a confused look woth Emmett and kept listening.

- There is a fifty percent of possibility that I'll be simply fine! - Sebby said and father hit the table with both palms.

- But also that you'll die within a few years! I'm sorry son, but we must prepare for the worse. Your brother must marry for political reasons, in case he has to take our place one day. - I saw the colors running out of Emmett's face. The kicked the door open and stormed in with me in his heels.

- Emmett. - our mother said and my brother was furious. To be honest, we were all afraid of Emmett's fury.

- So, you are sick and kept it as a secret from us. - Emmett said to Sebby and his voice was cold and emotionless.

-Just because it isn't sure that I have any problems. I didn't want to worry you uselessly! Neither of you. - Sebby added and looked at me with a smile.

- Everything is fine Lizzy. - Emmett turned to our father.

- Finally I meet someone and you are planning to sell me out. Our Empire is strong enough!

- You cannot understand this. - father said.

- Please enlighten me father! - Emmett was already shouting but his tone was still calm and cold. It was terrifying. Similar to the storm when you can hear the thunder and the ground shakes, but there are no lightings nor rain.

- That lady is a fraud! She has been arrested while we are talking.

- SHE IS NOT A FRAUD! SHE IS A PRINCESS! - Emmett shouted.

- What are you talking about Emmett? - mom asked and Emmett said.

- Her name is Princess Elidi of Emelest and I'm helping her to get her throne back.

- THE WITCH?! That's even worse Emmett. - father said and I saw Emmett's hand on his sword.

- Don't you dare to call her that! Now tell me where is she? - he asked but father refused to answer. Emmett stormed out and my knees gave up. I fall to the ground and shook in my whole body. Why is this happening now?