Queen of Mean

CHAPTER 12

TORI GLARED openly at the second prince below her before she went inside her room, not bothering to look back as she closed her doors that connected to her balcony. She pulled the rope to ring the bell, a few minutes later, Lily came in. The latter's handmaiden uniform was wrinkled and her hair was not properly kept, a contrast from what she was used to. But Tori did not mind the slightest.

"Give a hand to the second prince," Tori commanded Lily as she sat on a chair. "And prepare me some Chamomile Tea."

"Yes, Lady Tori."

Lily immediately trotted away from her mistress' room. Tori crossed her legs and arms as she waited for Lily's return when a warm whisper startled her. Her hand automatically moved. She grabbed the nearest quill and she sharply turned to stab the person's neck who was so near to hers when a pair of golden eyes met her ruby ones.

Sneaky bastard.

"I never knew you have a talent for opening what's supposed to be locked." Tori relaxed as she subtly let go of her quill back to her desk.

A serious-looking second prince walked inside her room. He did not answer her. Instead, he proceeded to lock the room's door before he came back in front of her. He was sitting comfortably on her bed while Tori was sitting a meter away from him. The whole time, Tori's eyebrows were knotted as she observed his homey attitude inside her room as if he knew the place like the back of his palm.

Her train of thoughts was interrupted when Prince Corean spoke. "It was you, right." His tone was a statement.

So you already heard, huh. I thought that you'll be the last one to know. After all, you were preoccupied looking after Tessa who you just found near the Back Alley.

Tori let go of Tessa as her purpose was finally finished. She got no interest in the latter after learning what her role was in the original plot. Tessa simply existed to kill the second prince. But what is Tessa's context? She is both a commoner and a breadwinner in her family of nine. Thanks to my vassals, namely the two crown princes and one young duke, I cornered Tessa.

Anytime now, she will be leaving this country with her family, forever. And again, that's thanks to Duke Rowan who will ship them across the borders of the empire while Crown Prince Yei Lin will be waiting in a ship along with the Ming Country's envoy that will reroute to the Kingdom of Monakre.

"I believe I am not following you well, your highness." Tori offered Prince Corean her best innocent smile. It was always fun for Tori to pretend stupid and weak in front of everyone.

Tori's smile slipped when Prince Corean was giving him a no-nonsense look. He was fuming mad, as always. She did not want to admit but sometimes, Tori would remember the second prince's smiling face out of nowhere. "Okay fine. I planned the accident for this afternoon. No one died so why are you fuming like I killed someone?"

I saved your ass. Thank you very much, you jerk.

A knock interrupted the second prince. "Lady Tori, I could not find what you are asking. Should I inform the knights?"

Tori replied immediately, "No need, Lily. You can go now. I won't need the tea, thank you."

"Good night, Lady Tori."

The moment they heard Lily's footsteps walking away from the door of her room, Prince Corean continued.

"Where is she? If you can control a country like the Ming Country easily without leaving your room, it will be a piece of cake for you to dispose of someone you hate the most. Hate me Lady Victoria but don't touch Tessa. She's under my protection."