CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 137: Desert in the Forest
Duke Salvador looked down at the ground where it was written.
[Lord Bentham had taught the Princess how to communicate using thoughts. He knows her mother. And Princess Cassandra is feeling the air element.]
As Duke Salvador read it he looked up at Amy, who moved her hands and the ground became flat again.
Aiden was confused. His mind was telling him that whatever the fifth Princess was doing was right but his heart was not ready to accept it.
Aiden carried the baskets as he looked at Princess Cassandra walking side by side with Achard. The uneasiness spread again through his heart. Aiden tried controlling his anger.
’Princess Cassandra is only with Lord Bentham because he knows her mother.’
’Yes, there is nothing more to it.’
’I should not think any further.’
Duke Salvador shook his head as he walked behind Amy.
’If Princess Cassandra could feel the air element here then I need to help her. The faster she absorbs the element the faster we will leave this place and Achard behind.’
Duke Salvador’s eyes narrowed. But even though his thinking was right, he could not find a way out. Aiden could only do the things he was most comfortable with. Taking matters into his own hand.
—------
Princess Cassandra was walking around with Lord Bentham as she followed Princess Teimei and her fiance.
Cassandra’s sight was looking everywhere near, pretending to take the scenery in.
"Look, a waterfall." Princess Teimei looked back as she smiled at Princess Cassandra. "Why don’t we go there?"
Princess Cassandra followed Princess Teimei’s gaze. The waterfall that Princess Teimei was talking about was looking dazzling under the sun. Cassandra could even see some small animals coming at its bottom to drink water.
A spotted deer held Princess Cassandra’s gaze. The deer blinked at the Princess before running off into the forest. Cassandra could not help but smile. "Yes, Let’s go."
Princess Teimei was silent as she accompanied the fifth Princess whereas Lord Bentham and Princess Teimei’s fiance waited at a distance talking.
"How are you feeling here Princess Cassandra?" Princess Teimei asked as she looked at the fifth Princess silently through the corner of her eyes. "Isn’t it refreshing here?"
Princess Cassandra looked at Princess Teimei for a split second as she could sense the unasked question lingering in her words.
"I have never seen a waterfall in the Elvira Empire as I was always in the palace but this looks beautiful." Princess Cassandra said in a low tone.
Princess Teimei was hoping for a different answer but she could not get one. Princess Cassandra was tight lipped. Princess Teimei did not know if it was because Princess Cassandra was truly not feeling anything or was she pretending.
Princess Cassandra observed the surroundings with care. She could sense some pure source but it was not concentrated.
As they reached the bottom Princess Cassandra touched the water as though it crossed her mind.
’The source is scattered because it is air?’
The air is a free flowing entity that could not be enclosed in anything.
’but then how can I absorb the element?’
Princess Cassandra’s mind was in chaos as she tried to find a way out. But Cassandra’s worry was useless as her guard came in with a smile disturbing it.
"Princess." Duke Salvador said in a hushed tone.
Both Princess Temie and Princess Cassandra looked back. "Ed?" Cassandra said in a small voice as if she was confused.
"You called for me Princess." Duke Salvador said in a confident tone. There was a playfulness in his gaze that did not escape Princess Teimei.
Princess Teimei looked at Princess Cassandra as she said. "You should not be calling your guard by his name. They think they are equal to you."
Princess Cassandra smiled as she replied innocently. "How could that be? Ed is one of my friends." Without waiting for Princess Teimei’s reaction Cassandra moved towards Ed. "I need to explore the surrounding areas. Protect me."
Ed nodded as he waited for the fifth Princess to come. But soon Princess Cassandra’s hand was held. "I will come with you." Princess Teimei said.
Both Princess Cassandra and Ed looked at Princess Teimei and none of them responded. All three of them started walking towards the forest.
Princess Cassandra wanted to be alone with Duke Salvador. She could sense that the Duke had come her way so he must have some trick to absorb the pure element.
Princess Cassandra looked back as she tried finding someone who might help her. Cassandra’s lips curled up. She communicated with the Lord using her thoughts.
[I want to explore the forest alone. Please take your cousin from here.] Princess Cassandra’s words ran through Lord Bentham’s mind. He looked in the direction of the fifth Princess as he thought.
[What if I do not?]
Princess Cassandra smiled as she said in a playful tone. [I will tell Princess Teimei that you had told everything to me and that you are planning on returning back to Elvira Empire]
[Like she is going to trust you?] Lord Bentham asked.
[Do you want to try?] Princess Cassandra asked in a serious tone. But Lord Bentham had already denied the possibility.
As they took some more steps, they heard a word called Princess Teimei.
"Lord Bentham?" Princess Teimei looked back as she raised her eyebrows.
"The Duke is waiting for you. I can accompany the fifth Princess." Lord Bentham smiled as he said.
Princess Teimei looked back as she saw her fiance looking in her direction. Princess Teimei nodded as she started walking back before saying to the Lord. "Pay close attention to her."
Lord Bentham nodded as he walked towards the fifth Princess. "Should we continue?"
Princess Cassandra nodded as she started walking alongside Ed and Lord Bentham into the forest.
As they covered a significant distance Princess Cassandra stopped as she looked at Lord Bentham with a serious gaze. "We will walk from here alone."
Lord Bentham smiled. "How is that possible? I cannot let you go deep into the forest on your own."
"I am not alone. I will be with Ed."
"More reason for me to accompany you." Lord Bentham tried to take a step towards Princess Cassandra as he extended his hands, but before he could do anything Duke Salvador pulled Princess Cassandra into his arms as he pulled his sword out.
Lord Bentham looked at the guard who was brave enough to disrespect him but soon a smile formed on his face. Lord Bentham took a step back as he said. "Looks like you don’t need my help anymore."
Lord Bentham can feel the burning rage from the eyes of the guard. [I have seen him somewhere.]
As soon as this thought reached Princess Cassandra’s mind she rushed out of the Duke’s embrace as she turned around. "I will meet you here soon."
Without waiting for any response, Princess Cassandra started walking further. Aiden on the other hand kept the sword as he followed the fifth Princess without turning back.
When they were away from everyone, Princess Cassandra asked Duke Salvador. "What should we do?"
Duke Salvador who was still in a dilemma whether to attack Lord Bentham or not was suddenly brought back to reality. His eyes were wide as he looked at Princess Cassandra in confusion.
"Hmmm ..."
Princess Cassandra blinked as she tried to move towards the Duke. She could sense that he was still angry regarding Lord Bentham but Cassandra had no choice.
Princess Cassandra touched Duke Salvador’s face as she smiled. "I apologize for not telling you things before I act but now is not the time. Princess Teimei is desperate to know if I have sensed the element here or not."
Duke Salvador nodded his head as he touched Princess Cassandra’s hand. "I understand." Aiden removed the cloth that covered his face.
Aiden did not wait for Princess Cassandra to react as he moved down and pressed his lips against her. Princess Cassandra was filled in a warm embrace as her breath was robbed from her. Cassandra was struggling but soon she gave in.
Princess Cassandra knew that she had to make Duke Salvador’s mind rest. She needed to make him feel secure. Cassandra rested her hands around Aiden’s neck as she pulled the man closer to her, kissing him back.
Duke Salvador was happy as his hold on the fifth Princess tightened. But soon he could feel that Cassandra was struggling to breathe. Although Aiden did not want to stop he pulled back giving Cassandra space.
Duke Salvador rested his head on Princess Cassandra’s forehead before kissing it lightly. "Let’s concentrate on the element."
Princess Cassandra took deep breaths as she nodded her head. Once her heartbeats were under control, her cornflower blue eyes looked into Aiden’s red gaze. "How do I absorb it?"
Duke Salvador held Princess Cassandra’s hand as they ran into the forest. "I have an idea. Let me show that to you."
Before Duke Salvador’s voice died out, they were standing on a piece of land where no vegetation existed. A place that looked like a desert in the forest.
