Chapter 43: A hidden room

When they arrived in the castle, Vanessa and Candice were sitting in her room, both of them fast asleep. Vanessa sat on her reading chair and Candice knelt beside the chair, her head placed on Vanessa's laps.

Erica smiled, remembering that in one iteration of the future, Candice would die and Vanessa would spend her entire life, haughty and cunning just for the sake of survival. It made her feel a sense of appreciation towards whatever goddess had answered her prayer.

"I will go freshen up," Loki whispered to her. She nodded. He began to walk away when she instinctively stopped him by grabbing hold of his hand.

He stopped for a second and looked back, an innocently curious expression on his usually blank and sturdy face. The expression burned a little part of her soul away. "Huh?" he said.

Erica smiled, and leaned forward pecking him on the cheeks and hugging him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered into his ear.

"Any time," he whispered back and they released each other. He tiptoed across the room, trying not to wake her two maids up.

Erica also took off her clothes and went to take a bath. The bath was a long one. As she tried washing imaginary blood stains off her hand. It was the first time she was alone since she murdered someone.

She sat on the bare floor, and started to reminisce lots of things from the past few days. Meeting her family was the memory that brought her to tears. It only unearthed stuffs that she had buried deep in her. Even though she'd tried to act like she'd gotten over their deaths but deep down she knew she hasn't.

She missed them so much, more than she expected in fact. She knew sooner or later she'd have to try and stop burying that emptiness in her. She got up and decided to confront it all today. She needed her head clear for tomorrow. Though she doubt the council had any new ideas, she still would feel better not underestimating them.

She washed up quickly and was about to switch off her shower when two voice shouted from outside. "Who is in there?" they said. "Whoever you are come out now. This isn't a joke."

"Did you call the guards?" she heard them whisper to each other.

She slid open the glass door slowly, her towel wrapped around her body. Then she stuck a finger out of the curtain, and another. She could feel them stiffen with fear. Suddenly she opened the curtain and screamed. "Boo!"

They screamed and Vanessa hurled a brush at her, which fortunately didn't hit her square in the forehead.

"You majesty is back?"

"Yes." she smiled. "Sorry I kept you waiting."

The moment she stepped on her mat they were on her, taking up dressing her, they didn't give her a chance to argue. In a few minutes she was done and Vanessa started to make her face up. "You need to look your best," she said. "The entire castle noticed your absence."

"Did anyone ask of me?"

"Ronald did." Vanessa said with a bit of indignation.

"You don't like Ronald?" she asked in curiosity.

"Your majesty… I"

"Don't play games," she smiled. "Be truthful with me"

"No I don't," she said.

"Why not?"

"I… can't say, yet!"

"Why is that?"

"It might jeopardize my position and also ruin what you have. And all I have is barely a hunch, so please, do not mind me."

Erica smiled. She was being thoughtful, even though she might be friendly with them she was still the Luna. She could as well kill them for any missteps. In fact, Erica knew she was feeling like she'd talk too much currently. Only if they knew this man gave her a double dose poison to end her life.

"No matter," Erica said.

Soon she was done with her dressing. They'd dressed her up in an Asian attire. She was literally wearing a kimono. Her hair had been folded behind her and two hair pins had been used to tuck them in.

She felt glad, like an actual royalty. Just ss she was done, a knock landed on her door.

"Come in," she said.

Reynolds walked in, his face a little weary. He looked so tired and old. "How do you sign all those papers every morning?" was the first thing he said.

"You will be fine," Erica replied.

He bowed to her but, she stood up to pull him in for a hug.

"How is Beatrice?" he asked.

"Mild injury. She is awake now. She should be alright in a week,"

"Good."

"Any reports?" she asked.

"No. Nothing new happened. Though council members had a personal meeting yesterday."

"What for?" Erica inquired.

"No clue i wasn't invited."

Erica nodded. "Okay. There is something i need to do alone, to get my self ready for tomorrow." she said. "Help me put any file I'd need on the table."

She then walked back and opened up her drawer. Bringing out three separate keys. She handed one to Vanessa and one to Reynolds.

"That's the room key. Remember to always lock once you are done."

Reynolds nodded.

She smiled at them and then walked out. To which they quickly followed her. She locked the door behind her and they all went their separate ways.

Then she heads d down the corridor. She met Ronald on the way, but dodged him. Soon she was in her family's old quarters. She pushed open the door to her parents room first. The entire room was covered in cobwebs and filled with different untouched boxes of clothes and books.

"I am here now, she said to no one in particular.

She glazed over the room, checking old pictures and reminiscing. Then she remembered the casks of wine her dad always told her not to touch. She rushed to the casks. She brought out one bottle from the rack and tries checking its name, but it had no label. She placed it back into the cask when suddenly a little grumble sounded and the shelf shifted opening up a hidden room.

"Oh Gods!" she exclaimed.