Chapter 22

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by PhoenixCaleon

by PhoenixCaleon

The princess finally responded to the threat and was hiccupping by Kaida's side after she calmed. The other girl looked at her expectantly and I followed suit. "So... what's the plan?"

She cleared her throat, throwing wary glances at the princess as she blatantly glared at me. "Asami will take her place as princess." That made her glance at Kaida then back at me. Possessive? Are they... "I will prepare Asami with a rundown of what has happened..." She arched a brow as looked back at her.

I sighed because apparently they were all good at reading minds. "And I will prepare my people as well. We will work to ensure everything goes over smoothly on our end."

The princess huffed and Kaida gaped. "You two seem friendly."

The venom that dripped from her voice had Kaida stunned. Maybe a one sided love? "Asami..."

She raised her hand to silence her. "Sister, I would like to speak to you alone."

Kaida looked genuinely confused as they stood together and the other girl shrugged as she threw her a quick glance as they exited. "That... won't go over well."

I quickly looked at her. How much will she spill? "So... what's going on there?"

She shrugged. "Nothing."

I narrowed my eyes. "Looks like a whole lot of something."

Her expression held. "Believe what you like."

I dropped my head. "You're just like Kaida."

"Kaida... your family crest... okay then, that's what she'll be called."

My head snapped up. "What?" She looked toward the mouth of the cave, silent. "What's her real name?"

She met my gaze. "You called her Kaida, that's her name."

I gaped. "What in the hell? Even I know that isn't true." She shrugged. "Sayomi... that was her name in Shu."

She nodded. "Yes, that's what Asami calls her, so that too is her name."

I frowned. "What do you call her then?" Her gaze went back to the opening. "Kaida... Sayomi... whatever she is called is her name. I will find out what I am to call her soon, I'm sure."

I scratched my head she was talking in the same circles like Kaida would. "Okay... what do you know of me?"

Her head tilted. "You are of Wu, you traveled with the crown prince three years ago, you and he asked about the one called Sayomi."

I frowned. "You said you didn't know her."

She met my gaze again. "I do not know of the girl you were searching for. Only the one I am acquainted with."

I glowered at her. "Because that makes sense." She simply stared and turned to the bird. "Go, Taka. Find the horse driver and bring him here. He will be needed soon."

My heart sank as she confirmed another of my suspicions... well almost. "You can't take her."

Her head tilted. "No, but you can't make her stay either."

I clenched my fists. "And if she chooses to?"

Finally, her expression changed slightly as her eyebrow arched. "If you were certain she would, you wouldn't ask."

She sounded amused. "She's not safe wi-"

Her eyes saddened. "If you thought she cared for her own safety, you wouldn't question either."

I blinked. "Why are you even here?"

She sighed and watched as the doppelgangers came back. "I have one purpose and one purpose only... to protect that which we hold most dear."