Chapter 28: Just How She Liked
"I'm not―" Soleia's eyes widened with alarm, and she immediately denied the old woman's words.
Her palms hit the armrests as she attempted to stand to her feet, but strangely enough, she felt her body stiffen before going limp. Instead of standing up, she crashed straight to the floor, the legs of the chair scraping against the wooden floor as she collapsed in a heap.
"What..." she said with a gasp. She could barely feel her feet and legs, and even her fingers were starting to grow numb.
Her eyes fell onto the half-empty teacup on the table. The realization sunk inside like a stone in a river.
"You poisoned me," she gasped out. Instinctively, she desperately reached into her pockets, trying to reach for her tiny weapon. She just needed to draw it out, but her clever hand which had always done her mind's bidding when it came to crafting wild inventions was wholly uncooperative.
It hung weakly at the hem of her dress, and Soleia could only groan weakly in dismay.
"Poison is such a dirty word. This is nothing more than a mild sedative, just a little something to make you more cooperative, dearie," the old woman said.
While her tone was apologetic, Soleia spotted no remorse in her eyes. Her pupils glinted with unconcealed greed.
"You ran away a little too quickly the last time. We hadn't the chance to talk yet. It was a surprise that you visited me again so quickly, and I knew I needed to treasure this blessing."
"You..." Soleia's head was spinning, and her voice grew softer. "Why? What do you want from me?"
"Why dearie, that's something you can figure out on your own based on what I mentioned earlier. I was told that Princess Soleia was more intelligent than her peers," the old woman said with amusement.