āOh, my headā¦did I fall asleep? Priestess Louise?ā
Clutching her temples, Celestine didnāt immediately understand what had happened. It seemed she had mistaken Annette for Louise, dressed as they were in the same robes. Calmly, Annette removed her mask, suppressing a tremor in her hand.
Celestineās eyes widened. Annette felt immense satisfaction at seeing the shock in her face, as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Smiling, she sat down across from Celestine.
āItās been a while, Celestine. Or should I call you Your Highnessā¦?ā
āWhat the hell are you doing? What are you doing to me again?!ā
Instantly. Annette was appalled. She had never done anything to Celestine, and had suspected that Celestine had planned the kidnapping herself, to get Annette out of her way. Wasnāt Celestine avoiding her because she felt guilty, or was afraid of Annette openly accusing her?
But Celestine made a convincing victim, recoiling in fright so hard she nearly fell out of her chair, her whole body trembling. All Annette needed was for the future Crown Princess to fall and break her neck. Quickly, she grabbed her arm.
āCalm down, youāll hurt yourself.ā
But as soon as her hand touched her, Celestine shook her off hysterically and fell off the chair onto her backside rather than on her head. Rapidly, she crawled away, as if she hadnāt even noticed the hurt.
āDonāt touch me! Get away from me! What do you want, havenāt you already done enough? Help me! Is anyone there? Help!ā
She screamed so loudly that Annette rushed over to cover her mouth, her heart racing at Celestineās disgusting exaggeration. Frozen, she turned to listen to see if anyone was coming. It didnāt seem the guards outside the room had awakened.
āHmmmm!!!ā Celestine struggled against Annetteās hand. The two women were of similar size, so it was not easy for Annette to subdue her. Conversation was impossible while she was panicking like this, anyway.
āShhh,ā Annette said, trying to calm her. Her voice was soft. āIām not going to do anything to you. I just wanted five minutes to talk to you alone. Iāll leave as soon as I ask you a few questions, I promise.ā
āHmm!!! Hm!!!ā
Celestine did not believe her. Well, who would take the word of someone who had infiltrated a Temple in disguise, and somehow managed to put everyone nearby to sleep? Celestine would have to be an idiot to not be suspicious.
Annette jerked back as the frightened woman bit her hand so hard, it hurt even through her gloves. Annette was confused. She had never expected Celestine to react this way.
āListen to me, Lady Keers,ā she said, thinking quickly. āI swear in the name of Odessa that I will not harm you. Iām a believer, just like you.ā
Again, she thought, shine with all her might, bringing the bright light to her hand. The bracelet had certainly come in useful today. As she saw the divine glow, Celestine stopped struggling. She really was a devout believer. Hesitantly, she removed her teeth from Annetteās hand.
āThank you. Iām going to let go of you now,ā Annette said. āI will never hurt you, so please donāt scream. Like I said, I will leave as soon as Iāve asked a few questions.ā
Celestine nodded a little, though she was still trembling. Slowly, Annette removed her hand, prepared to clap it over her mouth again if Celestine tried to scream. A piece of her glove came loose, bitten through, but Annette didnāt bother to retrieve it. She had been cautious enough to wear cheap gloves, easily acquired, which no one could trace if they were found.
For a moment, Annette eyed the other woman. She didnāt scream, but her face was pale, and her teeth were clenched. Her fear looked utterly genuine.