101 Ways To Tame The Emperor

Chapter 10: Entangled

(Sabina)

I WOKE up with a searing pain in my head. I opened my eyes and was shocked to find out that I was inside a moving carriage. The elegant interior with the logo of a wolf, the smell of citrus inside, and the black leather seat indicate that someone from a very high status owns it.

What in the world am I doing in someone else’s carriage? I rolled up the curtain, looked outside the window, and found out that the carriage was about to leave the Capital.

“Good evening, Lady Catherine. It’s good that you are finally awake. I am Doctor Luis Alcantara. General Montebello assigned me as your attending physician for today. You are out of danger now. I have already dressed your wound.”

General Montebello. I subconsciously look straight at the Doctor’s eyes while racking my brain. I think I heard that name somewhere although not from Matilde. But I gave up after a few seconds of thinking. My head aches the more I try to remember.

My voice was hoarse when I spoke. “What happened, Doctor Alcantara? Why am I here? And where are we heading? Forgive me but I don’t remember meeting the General that you are talking about.”

“I don’t know the complete details as well, Lady Catherine. The General brought you to the hospital where I was working. The Doctors were alerted because it was the first time we saw him looking so frantic. We found out from the soldier who was with him that someone spiked your drink with an aphrodisiac in the tavern you went to and you hurt yourself by accident. But everything had been settled now. General Montebello did not stop until he found the culprit. It turned out that Sir Leo, young master Lancelot’s friend and the owner of the tavern was behind it. Both of them had already been arrested.”

I froze. I remember where I heard the General’s name now. It was back in the ladies’ room at the tavern. So he was the guy who approached me when I was at the most embarrassing point in my life. I can’t believe that I kissed him so wantonly and without anything but my underwear on. I can’t remember his face clearly since my head was hazy while doing all that. I only remember some of the shameful things I did, but not everything.

I don’t even remember if the General said something or if he wanted to send me to prison for attacking him like some p*****t.

Thankfully, he seemed like a gentleman. Aside from the headache and from the pain in my hand, I don’t feel anything weird in my body which means that he did not take advantage of the situation.

I hate perverts. But that’s what I have become. And worse, it was the General who was there with me in that situation, for crying out loud! My whole face flushed. What did I just do? I’m doomed. Am I being sent to the dungeon now? But… I’m a victim so that isn’t possible, right?

Even if the culprits had been arrested, I could never forgive them for what they did! “I can’t believe the owner connived with someone to do that to me. I just saved one of his employees. What an ungrateful bastard!” I exclaimed out of fury.

“General Montebello personally investigated the matter while you were unconscious in the hospital a few hours ago. He made sure that you will get the justice you deserve, my lady.” The Doctor said. “The owner begged the General for forgiveness and said that he was threatened by young master Lancelot’s friend. He said he had no choice but to do that since that was the only way he could ensure his family's safety. He was tasked to bring you to Sir Leo’s place. But he failed to take you away the second he noticed General Montebello inside the tavern. As far as I know, the two men lost a couple of their teeth and suffered a few broken ribs before they were sent to prison. They were bleeding a lot. That was how furious the General was that’s why everyone around him earlier felt like walking on a thin ice because of his temper.”

“Of course, the General would be mad. I… I think I kissed him and more when I was still under the influence of that darn drug. It must have been a very revolting experience for him.”

Luis smiled. Under normal circumstances, I think we could be friends and I would have appreciated his smile more. This was the first time we meet but I can tell immediately that he was trustworthy. I think he was about my age and he has a really charming smile.

“I assure you, the General does not feel that way about you. No one would find it revolting to be kissed by you, Lady Catherine. To be honest, to be kissed by a very lovely and compassionate maiden like you would be any man’s greatest honor. The soldier told me what you did at the tavern. And that was dangerous but really admirable. Besides, you must be someone very special to General Montebello for him to act the way he did.”

I glanced away. “I doubt that. It was our first time meeting today. I don’t even clearly remember what exactly happened when we met. But thank you for your kind words, Doctor Luis.” My hands fidgeted on my dress. That was when I noticed that I was wearing a different dress. It was a long and beautiful peach dress made of silk. I turned towards the Doctor, wide-eyed. “Who changed my clothes?”

“There is no need to worry, Lady Catherine. It was the female nurse who helped you change your clothes. Right now, we are heading towards the Imperial Castle. Please don’t ask me why. I don’t know the reason, too. I am merely following instructions. But maybe it’s because The General did not know where to send you since you did not have any proof of identity with you. He left an hour earlier than us because of personal reasons. But he left his two Knights to escort us, especially you. They are the ones driving this carriage.”

I gasped. We are going to the Imperial Castle? So that explained the logo on the seat. It did not sink in when I woke up because of the throbbing in my head. If this carriage belongs to the Imperial Castle and the General could use it, does this mean that the General was close to His Majesty?

Oh, no.

This was not the right time to meet the Emperor. I am not yet prepared. I don’t have my weapons with me. If there are people who would suddenly attack me there, I would not be able to defend myself well. I’m still weak right now. My hand is injured, my head is aching, and I am exhausted physically and mentally. Once I get inside the Castle and they discovered who I am, I don’t know if I can get out unscathed.

All of the potential brides of the Emperor had died. They say the first one died of suicide. The second died while her envoy was on her way to the Castle. Her carriage was attacked by some unidentified men who had not been caught up until now. The other two died a few days in an accident after entering the Castle. One was because of food poison and the other got drowned in the lake. It made the officials hesitant in sending their family member despite the glory it would bring to their clans because of the chance of becoming an Empress the moment the Emperor took a liking on her but they could not object since it was a direct order from the Imperial Castle.

My original body would have handled things better but Catherine’s body will take time getting used to my daily activities as a previous soldier. I have only started training this body last week. What happened today must have been too much for this body to bear.

“What time is it now, Doctor?”

“It’s past six in the evening.”

“It’s a little late. I need to go home.”

“I understand but we will have to ask for the General’s permission first. Don’t worry, Lady Catherine. The General will certainly send an envoy later to your family to inform them about what happened today. For the meantime, we must follow the instructions and-“

“Can you please sit beside me, Doctor? My hand really hurts right now. Can you do something to ease the pain?” I flashed my sweetest smile. I have no time to hear any more excuses. Just thinking of Baldy’s anger was already giving me the creeps. His assistant told me to go back before eight in the evening. I can’t believe I wasted so much time without exploring much around the Capital.

Luis’ ears went red when I caught him staring at my face. It was a little fun to watch. It was rare to meet shy men in this world. He cleared his throat as he sat beside me. But he made sure to put a safe distance between us. He was such a gentleman.

“Please show me your hand, my lady. I will check your wound and-“

“Thank you, Doctor Luis. And I’m sorry. Kindly extend my gratitude to the General.” Before he could say anything more, I extended my index and middle finger and jabbed him on the neck to knock him unconscious. I made sure that the kind Doctor was sitting comfortably before I took my pouch beside me. “I am really sorry for this, Doctor.” I whispered before I opened the door and quietly jumped out of the carriage.

I ran back to Runako’s and was glad that it was still open. I bought three different daggers before I went to the same bakeshop I visited earlier and quickly bought something for myself, for Matilde, and for the two guards who went with me today.

And then I ran back to the parking area for the carriages. I was relieved when I saw the guards there. I waved at them when they saw me. They looked tired as if they had been searching for me for the past hours. I was not sure what to say. They seemed really concerned and it was surprising.

Ah, maybe it was because of Baldy’s possible wrath since this was a very crucial time for the House of Peiris. They cannot lose me right now. I am their tool after all.

“Hi!” I said softly. “I’m really sorry. I have no plans of escaping the Capital, believe me. I did not want to make you, guys, worry. I just strolled around but I got lost. Please forgive me. I bought something for you two. And please don’t report this to the Count.”

The two men are still quiet. So I rushed explaining while using the same expression I used to Baldy this morning, hoping that it will work its magic again. “Look, I’m safe. Nothing happened to me. Next week, I’m still going to the Imperial Castle as planned and I will do what the Count commanded me to do. I guess I just wanted some time off for myself before I enter the lion’s den. I thought I better enjoy myself today since I’m going to die soon anyway.”

One of the guards suddenly looked fired up. “That is not going to happen, my lady! I will protect you with my life! I will volunteer to be your escort. I will make sure that you will safely arrive at the Imperial Castle.”

“I will do the same, too, my lady.” The other guard said. “So please, don’t think about that anymore. We were so worried the whole time you were away but that was only because you are not familiar to this place. We thought something bad had already happened to you. We would have asked for the Knights’ help if you did not show up. We are so glad to see that you are safe. Have no fear, my lady. We understand the situation. We will not report this to the Count.” He smiled appreciatively at my dress. “You look lovelier dressed like that, my lady. No wonder so many people are looking at our direction right now.” His smile disappeared upon seeing the bandage in my hand. “What happened to your hand?”

“Nothing. I just got unlucky.” I lifted the two boxes filled with macaroons to divert their attention. “This is for the both of you.”

They blushed again. “Y-you didn’t have to buy something for us, my lady. We are merely your guards.”

“And I am merely among the Count’s servants just like you.”

They looked at each other before they immediately took the boxes from me and smiled as if they were trying to comfort me. “Thank you for your kindness, Lady Catherine.” They said at the same time.

“We promise to serve you with our best abilities from now on.”

I smiled. “Thank you very much. I appreciate that.”

It was still too soon to know whether the two guards had become my ally number three and four. But if they do really request to become my escorts at the envoy next week, there could be a chance. One of them offered his hand to me to assist me as I went in the carriage. We headed back to the manor afterwards.

I leaned on the chair and closed my eyes. The chair was different compared to the imperial carriage. I’m just sitting on a piece of wood without cushion that’s why my ass sting especially whenever we are passing by the humps. But this was better than walking all the way back to the manor.

I feel really drained and frustrated. Catherine… just had her first kiss today. I’ve had two relationships back in my world. But both did not last.

“I’m not just your friend, Sabina! I’m also your lover, for crying out loud! But you never made me feel that way, not even once. When you said ‘yes’ to me even if you didn’t love me, I thought it will be okay as long as I have you. I thought my love would be big enough for the two of us. But I can’t go on like this forever, Sabina. I need assurance from you, too. But you are not giving me any… because we don’t share the same feeling. You are not in love with me. I don’t think I can ever get pass the thick wall that you built around yourself. I’m sorry. Let’s just end this.”

Those were Paul, my first boyfriend’s parting words to me. I could still remember it very well because it haunted me for quite some time. Paul and I lasted for almost two years while my second relationship lasted for only six months. My relationship with the second guy went smoother than the first because I tried working it out, believing that I had already learned my lesson. I tried to become a better girlfriend but when he asked me to get married, that was when things went down the hill. I chickened out.

After what happened to my parents and what I experienced while growing up, I did not think I was cut out for marriage. Maybe I dated because I just sought for company, for someone to be with me during my day-offs. Because day-offs were the loneliest days for me. When I’m doing nothing, it was so easy for my mind to wander back to the past, back to the things I wish I could forget.

Paul was right. The problem was me. My relationships failed because I could not give them more of me, more of myself. I could not give them the love they deserve because that was something I never experienced. I could not promise them something that I don’t believe in… like marriage, that was why I ended up hurting them. And to avoid hurting more people, I stopped getting entangled with any man.

But I keep getting myself entangled with people in this world.

After my encounter with Lancelot and the tavern owner, I feel like I understand Catherine better now. I understand why she had to resort to that dangerous spell even if it meant dying. She was smart and foolish at the same time. She did not want to die in vain so she sent me in her stead.

This world was full of wild beasts. To defeat them, you have to become one of them. But… was that really the only way?

Today is only my eighth day in your world, Catherine. And I’m already going nuts.