19 Prologue (2/2)

”Did you say engagement?” I asked. Sayaka nodded her head. I quickly stood up from the bed and was about to walk out when Sayaka stopped me.

”Where are you going, princess?” She asked. I ignored her and went out the room. Sayaka followed after me without asking anymore questions. While storming out, I realized something and I stopped dead in my tracks. Sayaka was confused by my sudden actions.

”Princess?” She asked. I looked back at her and had an embarrassed smile on.

”Where is my father's office again?” I asked. Sayaka looked at me like I was stupid. I felt like an idiot going out not even knowing where I was supposed to go. Sayaka led the way to my father's office but before we could arrive there, we were stopped by a few ladies. They don't seem to be the polite type.

”Princess Sayori, we heard that you were poisoned. Are you okay?” One of the ladies said. She had an arrogant tone to her which I don't appreciate. The real Sayori must've been a pushover but I'm not. I won't let anyone trample over the princess ever again.

”I'm fine. I bet you wished I died from that poison.” I said. The look on the ladies' faces were hard to describe. They looked offended but at the same time they knew what I said was true. Before I could answer back, Sayaka held me back.

”Be careful princess. Those are the daughters' of the other generals who have their eyes on your fiance, Sir Hasegawa Eiji.” Sayaka said. I don't even remember my so-called fiance but even so, I want to know why Sayori wanted to break off their engagement and it's too much of a coincidence that she was poisoned right after talking to her father about the engagement.

”It seems that you've become quite brave right after surviving.” One of them said. I wasn't one to back off from a fight. One of the ladies went up to me and was about to slap me but I grabbed her hand before she could touch my face.

”Getting physical, I see. Two can play at that game.” I pushed her hand away and slapped her hard. She got knocked back from the impact. She was also surprised by my actions. Sayaka immediately stepped between us.

”How dare you!” They screamed. Without another word, they fled back to where they came from. Sayaka looked at me, her eyes filled with concern.

”Princess, are you okay?” She asked. I nodded but it seemed that it wasn't the answer she was looking for. She must've noticed Sayori's change in attitude. She must've been quite different from how I've been acting.

”It's okay, Sayaka. The old Sayori is dead. I'm the brand new Sayori who won't let anyone bring me down. I'll definitely find out what happened to me.” I said. Sayaka gasped from what I said. She must be in shock. It's not easy to accept someone who changed drastically in a span of surviving a poisoning.

We continued to walk towards my father's office. He's an important individual politically. I'm hoping that he has time to talk to me despite of that. We arrived at the office. Sayaka stopped in front of the door.

”Princess, I'm not allowed to enter.” She said. I nodded and took a deep breath before opening the door. When I entered, my father was on his desk, doing his paperworks. He must've heard me come in because he momentarily looked up from his papers.

”Sayori.” He said blankly. It seems he doesn't care about what happened to me. All the more reason for me to suspect that he had something to do with the poisoning.

”Father.” I greeted. He put down his papers and stood up. He walked up to me and stared me up and down.

”I see you're all better.” He said. I stood firm on the spot and nodded.

”Yes father. Something like that couldn't kill me.” I said a-matter-of-factly. He looked at me like he knew I wasn't his daughter. I held my head high, I won't let him see me in a weak light.

”Then what are you doing here?” He asked. I took a step back and bowed my head slightly.

”I'm here to discuss with you my engagement with sir Eiji.” I said with a straight face. He took a step back and examined my facial expression. His face didn't change when I mentioned the engagement.

”What's there to discuss? Haven't we reached the conclusion that you will marry him?” He said. His voice started to rise a little and it seemed that he was starting to get irritated.

”On what grounds should I marry someone who hasn't even shown up to see his fiancee?” I answered. He was taken aback by my abrasiveness.

”You are marrying him and that's final!” He said. I was not okay with that and I'm not going to let this issue go.

”Why should I? Is it because my marriage to him has some kind of leverage on your position politically?” I spouted. It looked like he took offense to what I said. He turned his back on me and kept silent.

”I respect you Father but I draw the line here. And there's still the matter of my poisoning. I hope you've taken the right actions to deal with what happened.” I said. He still kept his back towards me.

”Rest assured, I've had someone investigate the matter.” He answered. Yeah right. I'm hoping you're not involve in this. If you are, I'll show no mercy even if you're my father. With the matters somewhat settled, I decided to go back to my room.

”I'll be leaving now Father.” I said. He didn't answer. I left the room quietly and I saw Sayaka patiently waiting for me.

”Princess, are you okay? Did something happen?” She asked. I shook my head.

”Let's go back to my room first. I'll be expecting a guest soon.” Sayaka nodded and we went back to my room for my fiance's visit.