The Crazy Tyrant Wants To Kill Me(EDITING)

12 - Talking With Harry

As I lay in the lukewarm water, my mind began to drift away. I couldn't help but think about what happened between me and Cedric, which hadn't gone as planned. Considering his stressed and frustrated state, it was only natural that he wouldn't appreciate my constant interruptions. It was clear that I needed to keep my distance from him.

But a more pressing concern was looming over me: how could I prove that I wasn't Julia? 

A mental image of Harry flashed before my eyes. With over five years of service at the palace, he must have seen the real Julia. Perhaps, by speaking with him and the other staff members, I could gather some evidence to support my claim.

After my bath, I emerged from the washroom, my rose gold hair wrapped in a towel, and slipped into a stunning lemon yellow silk gown. Joe greeted me with a respectful bow, and I couldn't help but notice my two bodyguards standing nearby. A sudden thought struck me - maybe Joe and Logan had worked at the palace long enough to have met the real Julia. I turned to Logan, my eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Logan," I whispered excitedly, taking his hand. "How long have you and Joe worked here at the palace?

"What's the matter, Your Highness? Why are you suddenly asking this...?"

"No, I'm just wondering."

Logan's face turned bright red as he stared at his feet, looking embarrassed. "I've only been here for six months, Your Highness," he muttered. 

Oh. I quickly concealed my disappointment, reassuring him that there was no need to be ashamed. 

My attention then turned to Joe, who proudly held up three fingers, indicating that he had been serving at the palace for three years. Although it wasn't the answer I had hoped for, I was relieved to know that I still had Harry to turn to.

"Joe, that's amazing," I told him. 

"Thank you," he grinned from ear to ear.

"Could you take me to Harry?" 

Joe frowned, confused about my request. A thousand thoughts swarm in his head, probably most of them about me escaping, but in the end he said, "Of course, Your Highness."

As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was following me. I spun around, but there was no one there. 

"Your Highness, is there something wrong?" Joe asked.Joe seemed puzzled by my concern.

"No... it's just.... Is it only me that thinks someone is following me?

Joe furrowed his eyebrows, reassuring me that he didn't sense anything out of the ordinary. We eventually arrived at Harry's office, where I hoped to find some answers to my questions.

Joe rapped on the door and announced, "Harry, it's me, Joe."

 A low "Come in" responded from within. Joe pushed open the door, and I followed him into the cozy space. The creamy white walls and two bookshelves created a more intimate atmosphere than Cedric's office. Harry's desk sat nestled in a corner, near curtained windows that filtered the light.

Seated at his desk, Harry wore reading glasses perched on the end of his nose. I cleared my throat to get his attention, and he slowly looked up, his expression unreadable. But when his eyes met mine, they widened in surprise.

"Joe, what is she doing here?" Harry asked, his tone stern. "She's supposed to be confined to her chamber."

"I'm sorry, Sir," Joe apologized. "She insisted on seeing you."

I intervened, "That's right. May I have a word with you, Harry?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Your Highness—"

I cut him off, plopping down in a chair and fixing him with a determined gaze. "Please, Harry." 

 Joe exited the room, the door slammed shut behind him.

Harry let out a sigh and tucked his reading glasses away. "What do you want to discuss?"

I got straight to the point. "You've told me you've worked for the emperor for over five years. Is that correct?"

Harry nodded, and I continued, "If I told you I wasn't Julia, but a girl named Amanda, would you believe me?"

Harry's eyebrows furrowed. "Your Highness, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm not Julia! I'm not Your Highness," I snapped.

"Yes you are."

I sat up straighter. "What makes you so certain? Do Julia and I share some common trait?"

Harry's response was measured. "You share a lot of similarities, actually. Your hair, eye color, skin tone – you're identical. And it's not just physical; your personalities are also eerily similar."

I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes. "Other than similar looks, we also have the same personality?"

I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing. "So, it's not just our looks that are alike, but our personalities too?"

Harry confirmed, "Yes, Your Highness."

I furrowed my brow, seeking more information. "Tell me, what happened five years ago when Cedric brought Julia to the palace?"

Harry hesitated, biting his lip. "Where do I even start? I was in the hallway that day when the emperor dragged you into the palace. You looked terrified, pale, and trembling."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Harry continued, "You were screaming that you weren't Julia, just like you are now."

What?

"The emperor had always had a hot-temper, so he was furious. He threatened you that if you didn't admit that you were Julia, he would slit her throat."

I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.

"At last, you admitted the truth. However your behavior didn't change. You were clearly afraid. You avoided everyone, especially Cedric. You starved yourself and locked yourself in your chamber.

"One of the emperor's bodyguards, Lucas, thought that your behavior was extremely strange!" 

"Why?" 

"Because Lucas was accompanying him when it happened when you and Cedric met on the streets for the first time. Cedric fell in love with you at first sight. And.. surprisingly you fell in love with Cedric, too!"

"What?!" I exclaimed. This didn't make sense! And how did Lucas know that Julia fell in love with Cedric? Could he read minds? And would Harry stop using "you"? I'm not Julia!

"It was Lucas who told me."

If Julia did fall in love with Cedric, why did her attitude change from love to hatred?

"Is there anything else you'd like to know about?" Harry asked.

I stood up. "No, but thank you. I'll take my leave now. I need to speak to Lucas."