"I won't let you stab me again," I cried.
"I won't.
I am a woman. At least for now. But that doesn't make me an idiot!" She shot back.
"Fair," I said. "Do you mind if I just wash my hands before you tell me about the important things," I said, and she frowned.
"Your mannerisms of speech are so absurd," she points out.
That's true. I had struggled to sound archaic. And I was emotional on more than one occasions. And I got killed.
"I am not used to being a Duke, or being in someone else's body, for one. You cannot blame me," I sighed.
"Who are you? I have asked you umpteenth time, but you have a way with not answering important questions and pose as a brave coward.
You come across as a woman very passable.
Despite now alluring and magnificent my body is, it all becomes irrelevant," she narrowed her eyes.
"Duke Canton," I began.
"It's complicated. And if I tell you, you might not even believe me," I sighed again.
"Whether you understand or not, but I am very open minded.
And I too am stuck in a body that doesn't belong to me," she cussed.
"Very well then. This...all of this is a story that I was trying to write.
And I, have accidentally ended up in your body.
Do I think it's crazy? Sure as fuck.
Do you think I am crazy? Maybe, maybe not.
I am tired of this life already. I would do anything to get my body back.
Or, just become another girl.
All men here are mindless idiots, and you're welcome," I turned breathless by the time I was done.
"You sound frustrated," she scoffed.
"And your point is?"
"You should not be. Being a Duke is something people die for!
Do you even know how difficult it is for a woman in such times?
War threatens our horizon, any minute now.
Since you know the story, I'd think you know what becomes of a kingdom when the Dragons come for it," she said, her voice grim.
I shuddered. This was scary.
"Which is why, I want you to get back into your body as soon as you can.
I cannot fight ants. Dragons are a big no," I was on the verge of tears again.
"Which is why I am here! I am going to take you to the High Priest in North.
He would know what kind of magic has caused this anomaly.
Before dawn, I might end up in my own body, and you shall go back in yours," he suggested.
"That's a brilliant idea.
Except, I died the last time I was in my world.
And from what I presume, you died too.
This isn't some curse. Or some magic.
Did you not hear the eerie voice in your head, where some one tells you something about the 'Golden Order's' wish?" I questioned.
"Do you think I am a fool?
I know about it, of course," she shifted uncomfortably.
Wiping her hands on her cloak, she laid upon the bed.
"You should find another place to lay down on.
I have been sleeping there for a while.
It's not appropriate," I narrowed my eyes.
"I have had my share of worries. Can't I rest them someplace while I sleep for a bit?
I am sure you have been enjoying luxuries so far," she sighed, turning over her belly.
"What impudence!
You think I have been enjoying it this far?
I watched your friend die. Joel's probably molested by your whore of sister in law. And the wound hurts.
I haven't been able to catch a wink fo sleep," and just like that, I was crying again.
"What are you talking about? I don't have friends," she chided.
"Sir José. Is dead."
She sits up straight. Her eyes growing wide with emotions.
"You better not be lying, you low life.
Sir José cannot be dead.
He is an invincible warrior.
He fought many wars, alongside me and emerged victorious.
So, you better not be lying," her jaw clenched.
"I am not.
At Versailles Estate, probably he refused to help Joel because of you. And your stubbornness.
Joel was enraged. She killed him in retaliation," I said, as tears slid down my own cheeks.
"No- No," she wailed in disbelief.
"God. Sir José. José. My friend," she shut her eyes for a while. Strangely, no tears evaded them.
"Hey-" I whispered softly.
"I am not happy about it either. It was just as upsetting even for me.
I cannot even begin to understand what you are going through," I said, walking closer to the bed.
"I will avenge his death," she said.
"That's folly. If anything, Joel didn't kill him. His stubbornness did.
Then again, do they not teach all knights to save a lady when she is in a state of despiar? And she was but a little girl," I said.
"Oh, save the words. What do you even know about this world?
You'd think that the innocent are weak, and the stealthiest ones are corrupt but there's no telling.
Betrayal is etched in blood.
Trusting a witch's words over someone who's supposed to be one of your own?
I brought Joel. Took her under my protection, and asked only thing of her. To help me find Theodore," she spitted.
"Enough!
That wasn't a fair trade. Versailles stole her dignity, and you didn't bat a lash.
Do the problems of others turn pale in comparison to yours?
Do you only see your own suffering?
What wretchedness has possessed you, even when, you, as a Duke, were well versed in what women need or want?
Or am I to assume that the wars have built you too rouge that you cannot understand what's it to be softer?
Or is that you are nothing but a selfish, pompous Prince who only recognises his own troubles, before others?"
I was angry. And I was burning.
Our eyes met for a moment. And there it was. A single drop of tear running down her cheek bone.