To Be a Princess

→chapter nine

After having paced the infirmary for what felt like hours, Cassie was finally allowed to visit Leo.

"Are you okay?!" she exclaimed in worry.

"I'm fine, really. I'm just glad you didn't eat any of the muffins either, or else things would have gotten really grim. You're way too important for that."

"Could you forget about who I am for one day and actually look after yourself! I'm tired of you constantly getting into trouble for me. You could have died!" She tried to whisper, but she felt so frustrated that she might as well have been hissing at him.

"Cassie, this is my job. I know what I'm doing. I know you're scared, but I signed up for this."

"I don't care if it's your job. You're my best friend, and sometimes I'm terrified of losing you," her voice cracked. She knew she looked like a child throwing a tantrum, she knew it was silly, but she was so sick of everything.

"There's just nothing you can do about it. It's my choice. Besides, I'm perfectly fine now. I promise." Cassie sat down on the edge of his bed, unsure of what to say. Before things could get too awkward though, Leo pulled her into a tight hug. "I know you're still worried that Charlotte is behind this, but believe me, it can't be her. She's in an entirely different country right now, being watched carefully by her family at all times. I even had someone look at Ophelia's records right before you arrived. If they find anything suspicious, we'll be the first to know."

"But those take ages. If there's really something going on, she'll be able to escape before they manage to find any evidence. Anyway, she'll have gotten smarter since two years ago, she's already forged an identity, who's to say she hasn't already bribed an innocent family to be her alibi. I know you don't think that Ophelia is Charlotte, she could still be connected to her somehow. It can't be a coincidence that she looks almost exactly like her."

"Cassie, I'm following official procedures. There's nothing I can do to make it go any quicker. Please, just be patient." She was lost in thought for a few moments, not saying anything.

Finally, she let go of the hug and opened her mouth to speak. "What if something could be done to make it go faster?"

"What do you mean?"

"You can only do so much. But if I were to do something, I'd be able to get the truth out of her in no time. I can end this once and for all."

"Cassie...?"

"I know you won't like it, but it's the most effective way," she said, looking away from him.

"You can't be talking about... no you can't do that! Are you listening to yourself? That's crazy. It hasn't been used in decades, it's immoral. You can't subject her to that. Please, don't do it."

"And watch you get hurt again? I don't think so."

"Cassie, even if she is Charlotte you can't do that. Don't stoop to her level. I won't do it, I don't care. This is going too far."

"Then it's an order."

"What?"

"I'm ordering you to do it. Or did you forget your place?"

His face hardened. Getting out of his bed, he bluntly replied, "As you wish."

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"Hey, Opi, listen to me. Breathe. It's okay," May said, crouching and placing her hands firmly on Ophelia's shoulders. After she had made sure that Leo had been taken to the infirmary, she had rushed to the school gardens to get some fresh air. May had followed her in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

"But I, I nearly killed him. I nearly killed a person," she replied, burying her head in her knees.

"It was an accident. Accidents happen."

"Yeah, but he could have died. Even if it was a mistake, that's not something that can be forgiven. I'm so stupid, I should have double-checked and told them about what was in the stupid muffins before I offered them the plate."

"Then you need to go and apologise. Start from that. Then we can work it out from there. And next time, you'll know not to give them blueberries. I know that was a big shock for you, but if you don't explain yourself to Cassie she's going to think you did it on purpose."

"She's not going to believe me. And rightfully so."

"Alright. How about this. Later today, we'll both go visit her and if you need help I'll speak too. But right now, I think you need some time alone to think this through. I don't want to pressure you into doing it if you don't want to. I'm here for you whenever you need me. Alright?"

"Thanks, May, you're the best," she said, giving her a weak smile.

"No worries. Just take care, all right?" Giving her a thumbs up, she walked away, and soon the only thing Ophelia could hear was the sound of the wind blowing on the fallen leaves on the ground. The cold autumn breeze was making her shiver, but she didn't mind.

After a few minutes passed, she heard a rustling somewhere near her. Turning her head around sharply, she watched as Leo walked up to her. Standing up, she looked at him in surprise.

"Are you okay?" she asked quickly.

"Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry," his voice flat.

"Look, I know it looked bad, but I promise you I didn't mean to cause you to have an allergic reaction. I should have checked with you beforehand-" she was cute off before she could ramble any longer.

"It's honestly fine, don't worry. It was just a bit of an accident. I know you meant well."

She sighed in relief, before looking at him carefully. Something was off about him, and he looked strangely sad. "Are you sure you're okay? Even if it's not related to what happened, just know you can talk to me. I can listen."

He looked at her once more, this time a pained expression resting on his face. "I'm so sorry about this."

"What are you talking about?" she looked at him, confused. However, she was quickly caught off guard as he grabbed her hands and pulled them behind her back, as she found herself being handcuffed.

"Ophelia Heiland, you are hereby under arrest for the attempted murder of Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of Divinia."