Chapter 2
"Isabella," King Richard suddenly spoke, his voice so deep that it was almost scary. "What were you just... thinking?"
My heart skipped a beat.
[What do you think I was thinking? I just want to die! I just got here, and now I'm supposed to get sent to die? What kind of nightmare beginning is this?]
Albert's beard twitched.
Morgan's mouth twitched.
King Richard's face twisted for a moment, like he was really struggling to keep it together.
"Enough." King Richard waved his hand, his tone suddenly brooking no argument. "The marriage alliance is off the table for now. Princess Isabella is injured and needs rest. Court is dismissed."
"Your Majesty." Victor stepped forward and bowed deeply, his voice shrill. "Norland's envoy is still waiting at the guesthouse for an answer. The marriage alliance concerns the foundation of the realm. We can't afford any delay!"
[Foundation of the realm, my foot! You're nothing but a traitor, chasing glory for yourself. Just wait. When Norland tears itself apart in three months, you traitors will be the first ones to lose your heads.]
I kept going off in my mind.
Victor looked like an invisible hand had just clamped around his throat. His face went beet red. He couldn't get a word out.
Charles tried to speak, but King Richard's icy glare pinned him to the spot.
"I said, court is dismissed," King Richard said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The officials exchanged uneasy glances, but the King's stance was iron.
They had no choice but to bow and file out of the hall one by one.
But before leaving, each of them couldn't help sneaking a glance at me.
The looks they gave me were so complicated that I couldn't begin to guess what was going through their heads.
*****
They took me back to my own rooms — a remote, neglected little corner of the palace called Serenity Lodge.
There were only a few maids and attendants around, all strangers to me.
Fine by me. Peace and quiet.
I lay in bed, staring up at the elaborate canopy, trying to piece things together.
So, I'd transmigrated into a novel. And not just any role. I was the disposable princess who smashed her head against the stone wall in the very first scene.
Something was off.
The way those officials acted... it was seriously weird.
Especially when I was just thinking. Every time, their faces changed like they could actually hear me.
No way.
That was impossible.
But if that's not it, then how do you explain Albert's quill dropping, the king's coughing fit stopping mid-cough, and Victor looking scared out of his wits?
I tried repeating in my mind. [I'm a fool. I'm a fool. I'm a total fool...]
The maid who was wiping my face suddenly paused, giving me a strange look.
I was stunned.
You've got to be kidding me.
Fine. One more test. [The food from the royal kitchen tonight is poisoned.]
The maid's hand trembled so badly that she nearly dropped the basin. She stared at me in terror, then glanced at the untouched dinner on the table.
I was totally numb.
Did I... really just give myself away?
Not that I was a transmigrator, but that everyone could actually hear what I was thinking? What kind of messed-up setup was this?
And apparently, it was not just a small circle. Everyone in that hall today heard what was going on in my head. Right?
This was social suicide. Peak cringe, honestly.
Wait. Hold on.
If they all heard me... then they must've caught me ripping into Norland, calling Victor a corrupt bribe-taker, and blasting Charles for skimming off the army's pay?
No wonder King Richard had that look on his face.
Was he going to think I was possessed or something?
While I was still spiraling, an attendant's shrill announcement cut through my thoughts. "His Majesty has arrived."