Sweet Touch

Cassandra was in deep thoughts.

'The Empress is calling me? Why?'

'What does she want now?' Cassandra's mind was full of various visions. So many possibilities rotated in Cassandra's mind. No one could understand what was going on in the Empress's mind, not even her own children.

She nodded her head as she informed the guards. "I'll be there." 

Cassandra turned around to Amy whose eyes were also filled with questions.

[What does she want from Princess?]

[Why can't she leave the princess alone to breathe?]

[Is the Empress planning something?]

[Did the Empress find out that the Duke had called Cassandra in his mansion?]

Cassandra had the same thoughts as Amy. But she knew that their empress would not call her so politely if she knew about the conversation between her and Duke Salvador.

"Amy. Help me get ready." Cassandra said as she walked towards the mirror. "I should be presentable."

Amy nodded her head in a hurry as she got busy with work. She searched for something that could be acceptable to meet the empress. But Cassandra only had a few of them. Amy tried to mismatch the clothes as she made Cassandra wear them.

"Should we add some jewelry?" Amy asked as she took out a few earrings that she had managed to keep with the princess.

"Anything that you like." Cassandra looked at her reflection. She looked like her usual self but a little pretty with all the dress-up.

'Should I dress up more?'

'It looks beautiful.'

Cassandra touched the earrings but soon she shook her head with sorrowful eyes.

'No, I cannot.'

'If I get caught by the Empress gaze then my life would be more difficult than it is now.'

"Princess, should we get going?" Amy asked in a little voice as she looked towards the closed door. 

It was evident that the guard was still stationed outside waiting for Cassandra to come out. It was one of the empress's ways just to show off her power. It was an indication that if she wanted to meet someone they had to be there. Her decision was unavoidable. 

Cassandra nodded as she gazed towards a large mirror. Her lips were tinted red as her eyelashes were curled. 

Amy knew that Cassandra hated heavy makeup but yet she tried her best to make the princess look good with the things she had. 

Cassandra smiled at her reflection before she turned and walked towards the door. 

"Amy, thank you for making me this beautiful." 

Amy blushed at Cassandra's words. She looked at the princess with a little regret. If she had things then Amy knew that she would make the princess look even more beautiful. But it was a pity that she could not do anything. 

"Now let's go," Cassandra said as she opened the door and looked at the guard. 

She walked behind the guards as Amy followed her.

[Why do I have to come here?] 

[Why is the Empress so interested in the fifth princess?] 

[Does the Empress want to talk with the princess regarding something personal?]

[She even told Princess Valeria to go out before she called for the fifth princess.] 

[I'm thinking too much into it.] 

[Why would the Empress be interested in someone like her] 

[Although she looks pretty she is just like a doll.] 

[Beautiful yet powerless.] 

Cassandra looked at the guard as she listened to his thoughts. She agreed that she looked beautiful now and she was useless as well, so why did the Empress call her? 

That was definitely something that was bugging Cassandra the moment she heard that she was called on.

'Wait did he say Princess Valeria was with the Empress?' Cassandra thought as her eyes narrowed looking at the sturdy back of the guard. If Cassandra's assumptions were true then Princess Valeria would have talked with her mother regarding her. 

'Didn't Princess Valeria say that I was ready to get married now?' 

'Did she talk about that with the Empress?' 

'I am sure she did.' 

'But if Princess Valeria knew that I was reading books on cooking and needlework then it means that Empress knows it too.' 

Cassandra looked up in the hope to pray to God only to realize that there was a huge ceiling above her head. 

Cassandra felt tired. She was tired of all the things that were happening in her life. She was tired to see such changes in people now. All she hoped for was a little freedom. but Cassandra knew it was too much to ask for.

'I don't know if my prayers will go to you or not, but please help me overcome this.' 

Cassandra prayed as she closed her eyes before opening them again with determination.

Cassandra was walking but her eyes kept looking up towards the well-designed ceiling. 

'I'm so silly. No one can help me.'

'No matter if there is a  God or not and if he would really help me  I can help myself. I will leave this place.' 

Cassandra looked at the path they were following. They moved towards the room where Empress usually conducted small gatherings. The guard turned around to look at Cassandra indicating her with his eyes to wait here first as he entered the room. 

Cassandra stood still with Amy by her side. 

"Princess ….." Amy said but Cassandra simply shook her head. She knew what Amy was thinking. 

[Do we really have to go in?] 

[Nothing good comes when the Empress calls any of the royals in this room.] 

Cassandra knew it as well but there was no helping it. If the mother of the land wanted to meet here then she should not be kept waiting. 

Soon the door was opened and the guard came out. 

"The Empress is ready to meet. You may enter now." 

Cassandra smiled as she walked into the room. 

It was a huge room with shining chandeliers decorating the top. The paintings of different empresses over the century were placed on the wall giving it a sweet touch. The tables were beautifully arranged with different flowers and delicate worked cloth. The atmosphere was soothing to the soul and yet in such a beautiful place sat the Empress looking at Cassandra with a smile on her face.