The Masquerade Actress — Himari

We were now prisoners of Kingdom de Fleuve…

What a plot twist! Heroes at first, now captives.

However, we aren’t exactly treated as prisoners; we're more like guests, which is nice! The only downside is that we can't go anywhere beyond the castle walls until Meilin hands over her wish orb, which she is unwilling to do at this moment.

Meilin had better think of something as an alternative to giving the wish orb soon. I don’t know how long the Queen would let us enjoy life leisurely in the kingdom before threatening to chop our heads off! Eek!

But from the looks of it, the Queen looks like a decent person. Not evil at least. I can’t quite explain, but it’s like she’s a pretty painting at first glance. Unapproachable to most. But looking closely, there’s almost a hidden sadness behind the dramatic actions.

I could almost feel her misery.

She’s like me—a weak person who can’t be herself. People will only like the artificial side of you, and weaklings are obsessed with how others perceive them. We believe our insides are so ugly that we have to wear masks and fit into the crowd. Blend in. But that makes us excellent actresses.

I could sense that the Queen is hiding something.

Now that I think of it, the people from the city all seemed like hired actors. There’s no way the warm welcome is also orchestrated by the Queen, right?

We were having breakfast with traditional Fleuve pastries. Meilin’s mouth was watering, and her eyes were gleaming as the plates were served on our table. My ability to cook and use food to charm her was an advantage I had in winning Meilin over, unlike Mister good-looking, who has nothing to offer but his handsome features.

“Himari?”

“Yes, Meilin!” I looked over at her enthusiastically.

She stuffed a big piece of bread in her mouth and chewed slowly, “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“Of course! Anything for you.”

“Please ask Queen Josephine for her wish. Perhaps we could pass this place if we fulfill her wish.” She said with her mouth full, which only made the request even more ridiculous.

The Queen isn’t someone you could walk up to and ask a question! “Well…” I fiddled with my fingers, “I’m not sure—”

Meilin leaned in and pressed her finger to my mouth, “Please.”

“U-uh—”

“You’re the only one I have, Himari.” She stared at me with large, pleading eyes, “The only person who can help get us out of this kingdom. This is the least you could do for me. Please?”

I can feel my face getting really hot. Jianyun and Haruki were paying no attention, but Ms Yulan was looking at me with somewhat concerned eyes. If there’s nobody here who could help Meilin, I suppose I could. Wait. That means Meilin doesn’t rely on Jianyun! I was the first person she reached out to!

I shot a triumphant look at Jianyun and grinned, “I’ll do it.”

Ms Yulan sighed and looked away. Meilin gripped my hands tightly and shook them up and down, “Thank you, Himari.”

I felt my heart flutter in glee. But something deep inside was wrestling this joy relentlessly. What if the Queen orders my execution? But if I back out, Meilin will turn to Jianyun!

I dragged myself out of the dining hall and made my way to the Queen’s chambers.

My leg feels…heavy.

It’s almost like I’m refusing to take another step.

But this is for Meilin, right? I’d do anything for her. Anything.

“What are you doing?”

A voice called out from behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

“I-I was j-just…” I spun my head around and saw a well-dressed lady, around the same height as me. Her hair was let loose, and beautiful blonde curls, fading into blue, dangled behind her back.

“That’s the Queen’s quarters back there. Normally, you won’t be able to go there, but—” She leaned in close to my ear, so close that her strong perfume attacked my nostrils fiercely. “You’re Miss Himari of the hero’s party, aren’t you? I’m sure you have some reason for looking for Queen Josephine.”

I gasped. Is she actually gonna let me talk to the Queen? From the looks of it, this lady is of high rank, perhaps a relative of the Queen? Her eyes sparkled like sapphires, with such a fiery ambition resembling the Queen’s. She wore an elegant tiara and walked with a carefree yet sophisticated air.

Could she be?

“I’m Princess Elizabeth. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me. Her majesty is rather busy at these times, so it would be better if you asked me.” A huge grin was written on her face. Despite being a princess, she dressed modestly and didn’t have servants accompanying her.

Princess Elizabeth led me to her chambers and asked one of the servants to prepare tea.

“Now, now, what is it that you had wanted to ask?”

“If you don’t mind, your royal highness.” I cleared my throat while the Princess gazed at me with an unnerving smile. “I was wondering what the Queen had wanted to do with the wish orb.” I clenched my fists, hoping the question wasn’t disrespectful. Don’t they say wishes mustn’t be said or they won’t come true? Oops! I shouldn’t have asked.

“Oh! Good question.” Princess Elizabeth stroked her imaginary beard. “I don’t know.”

Ah…

She continued sipping her tea and frowned as if in deep thought. “Hold up, her majesty wanted the wish orb?”

“You didn’t know?” Sweat was dripping off my forehead. I have a feeling I’ll discover something I don’t wanna know. Whether Princess Elizabeth is another good actor or genuinely doesn't know, I have no idea.

“Normally, she would tell me everything. I wonder why she hid that from me.” The Princess pouted, twirling her curls. “Just like she hid her arranged marriage from me until the day of the wedding. Now that I think of it, she seems to be avoiding me lately.”

“Wait, wait, marriage? That means there’s a king, right?” Would the wish be related to this?

“Yep. King Victor. He’s a really nice person, though he comes from a distant kingdom.”

This is going nowhere. I have no remarkable instinct or a sixth sense that helps me solve these puzzles; choosing me to do this was a horrible idea—No, no! Meilin told me to do this! That means she believes in my ability! Ugh, my brain is fried.

“How about we pay a visit to the Queen? I had been planning to meet her anyway. Maybe I can ask her about this whole ‘wish orb’ thing.”

“Really?” I banged my hands on the table, startling the Princess. “I mean, thank you so much, your royal highness!”

Princess Elizabeth chuckled and skipped away with her poofy dress bouncing up and down. “Let’s go then, Miss Himari!” She tugged my hand and hurried towards the Queen’s hall. Sometimes I wonder if she’s actually a princess…

“Greetings, your majesty!” Princess Elizabeth barged into the room, and the Queen, with an exasperated expression, glared at her. “How many times do I have to remind you to knock?”

The Queen was wearing a much less extravagant gown than before, and now, with the sisters side by side, the resemblance is truly remarkable. But…I looked down at the Queen’s shoes; she isn’t wearing high heels today. Now her majesty is of an even more diminutive stature than before. Next to the Queen, Princess Elizabeth looks like a giant.

“O? Thou hast brought a guest?” The Queen’s sharp gaze landed on me. In her hands, she was holding…a masquerade orb? Now that’s weird.

“Your majesty.” I did a small curtsy while the Princess had already helped herself to the comfy couch. “So, your majesty, you haven’t told me about this wish orb thing yet.” Her eyes were kind, but her tone was laced with suspicion.

The masquerade orb’s appearance was altered, probably to ensure others don’t recognize it. But with the hints of power it’s omitting, I’m sure it’s an orb. I’m glad Haruki had taught me so much about magic!

“Whatever do you mean?” The Queen's gaze was distant, as if she wasn't focused on us.

"You cannot keep having secrets to yourself, dear sister."

The Queen froze. The masquerade orb cracked.

From what Haruki had told me, the masquerade orb enables a lie to become a reality. But once the lie is discovered, the orb breaks, and the truth shall be uncovered.

The cracks…that could only mean—

The orb is breaking.

What secret could the Queen be hiding?