Part II

Seeing Jacob there surprised me, as the garden wouldn’t be the first place to look for a prince any kind.

“I hope the garden is not a restricted area.”

He smiled genuinely, making my heart stop for a second. Jacob was not as attractive as Romuald both in terms of background and physical appearance, but his presence was much nicer. His main rival liked to show off his dominance and tried to charm everyone with a charismatic and strong aura. It impressed me, I had to admit that my father made a great choice with Romuald as his descendant. As for me it felt like a good one too, but I was afraid that he would try to suppress my character sooner or later and I would fight for the rest of my life for the things I care for.

After losing my brother to love, when seeing his beloved didn’t even care that he died, I assumed that it wasn’t worth it. I didn’t want to truly understand or wait until this amazing experience, like some said, would finally hit me, so I was not really happy with whatever Jacob was doing with my heart. At the same time, he was the only one who could make me feel anything and that fact was hard to ignore.

“No. It’s still a part of a castle, it shouldn’t be hidden from a future owner. What are you doing here?” I asked, sitting on a bench next to him. He seemed relaxed, exposing face to the sun.

“Just getting a bit of fresh air. The masculinity level was getting too toxic for me.”

“What are they doing?”

“Arm wrestling to determine who the strongest is.”

Jacob answered in such a serious tone, that I burst into laughter. He knew already that it wasn’t the characteristic I cared for.

“I would run away too.” The sun was really warm, so I closed my eyes and exposed my face to it.

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?” I felt he was looking at me and sounded really worried.

“I have a lot to think about, and my father was nice enough to remind me that I am just a mere woman, who should be happy that I can choose the husband on my own, instead of him doing it.” The frustration got so high that I couldn’t hide it in my voice.

“That’s so nice of him.” Jacob commented with a small doze of sarcasm, seeing how I would react to that kind of comment about my father.

“Honestly I feel I could do as well as his descendant even without the husband.” I casted a glance at him, he still wasn’t bothered by my presence and words. My interlocutor was able to catch my eyes, locking them with his for a short moment, which seemed like an eternity to me. It felt weirdly disappointing when he turned again to the sun.

“I agree.” He announced. “I think that women are better in many aspects than men, when it comes to power, whoever gets it can take either good or wrong path. Want to know my secret?” His voice went to whisper, so I leaned closer to him. “Honestly, I am afraid of women.”

“You can’t be serious.” I almost hit his arm, but stopped myself at the last moment, regretting that I didn’t use that chance with that little amount of physical contact.

“I am.” He smiled and asked me to lean closer again. “I think they are more dangerous than men.”

“Why?”

“Because they use different weapons than men and they can do it in a more sophisticated way. When someone is going at me with a weapon in his hand I know it’s not for a hug. However, when a woman is talking to me, I cannot be sure if she is not manipulating me and when giving me the glass, if it’s not poisonous.” His explanation gave me a lot to think about, but I smiled to show that it still seemed a bit ridiculous.

“So why are you taking the risk?”

“I try not to get on their bad side.”

That conversation didn’t let me sleep for a few nights, but the plan started to crystallize in my head bit by bit. I didn’t even realise when it was complete, still had to make sure it was possible at all. The rumour was going around the city about an old woman, witch even, like a lot of people though, with enormous knowledge in herbalism. I sneaked out from the castle, hiding my face under the mantle’s hood. The help working at the kitchen loved to bring all kinds of news from the city. I easily got all the information where to find that mysterious person. She was surprised when I knocked on the door, but the whole situation amused her.

“What an honour to have such a lovely face here. How can I help you, my beautiful princess?” Her energetic moves and wide smile baffled me.

“You know who I am, so I want to know if everything I say here won't ever leave this room.” I whispered, noticing that I was actually trembling.

“No need to lower your voice. I know how to make a business and keep my customers' secrets safe.” The old lady giggled. “Spill the tea.”

The herbalist was the first person whom I told about my plan aloud and when I finished it started to sound ridiculous, so to explain myself I vented for a long time about all the fairness I was dealing with, only because I was born as a girl. She even made me a tea, a really tasty, fruity one, so with every sip sharing everything was much easier.

“I didn’t expect such a splendid story. I may have something perfect for the execution of your plan, but I would have to give you away all of my resources, so I want you to be sure of what you are going to do. Come back here in three days if you decide to become a fatal princess.”

She showed me the door, leaving me a bit confused, but with the most important information. My plan could be carried out, all I needed was the right people. I spent the time the herbalist gave me to check who out of the help would be the most trusted ones. I had to carefully choose those who would become loyal to me and hate my father so much that his disappearance wouldn’t bother them at all.

I couldn’t say that I have no feelings towards my father. I must have loved him somehow, just not in a way to let him live if I were going to execute my plan and not in these circumstances. He would never understand or second me, because I became a mere woman without a worth outside the right marriage in his eyes. It was so easy for him, he already had a power and I wanted that too. For a while, fairly proving that I am not worse than what my brothers were and with me inheriting the crown, our kingdom could have a great future. He didn’t even think about that option. The more my father was showing me that I can’t have it, the more I wanted it. I wished it could go the other way, but there was no going back for me. I deserved it!

“I had no doubt.” The herbalist smiled at me, when I came back. “I like that something in your eyes princess.”

“Is everything ready?”

“Of course.” She showed me a vial with a clear liquid. When it was moving, led by her hand I was getting hypnotised. “There is one fascinating thing I love about herbs. You see princess, with a right dose the potentially deadly herb may cure you, but a little bit more, shaking hand, lack of focus and ups the patient is sent to the other side. The same with this beauty. One drop, light symptoms but you feel better after a few days, two would put you to bed for months, three will kill you in a few hours. More the faster effect, I think for your plan the five would be the perfect amount.” I tried to reach it, but the old lady quickly hid it from me. “Under one condition.”

“What it is? I can pay you more.”

“If you are about to reach for power, at least do it with your own hands.” Her challenging gaze was piercing right through my soul.

“With pleasure.” I said with a confidence I have never felt before.

I was absolutely aware of what I was going to do, and yet not feeling any remorse. The circumstances made me go that way just to get what’s mine. I didn’t ask all those young men to fight for my hand and being intrusive to the point that spending time with them was just painfully uncomfortable. And I had to pretend that I didn’t mind. I felt just sorry that Romuald or Jacob can’t both make it through.

There were just a few steps left to make, one of them was talking to my father in private.

“Tell you you've decided already,” he murmured when I stepped into his office.

“Not exactly, but I have an idea to finish all this contest.” He put the document off and was finally ready to listen to me. “I want to have an engagement party, let’s just gather them all and I will present my decision there. Let’s finish it pompously.”

“Let’s say I like the idea, but I don’t have any strength left to organise it.”

“Let me do it. After all I need to practice, as a woman and a future queen I will have to hold a lot of things like that.” I smiled and I knew I already got approval.