Her trifle with Seryn was not known the castle, they acted like they were two good friends outside but Kaida knew how much they hated each other.
"She's quite a hated character. That Seryn.."
The lingling in Kaida sighed, but that was no problem. She would kill herself anyways.
It was how to avoid being framed for her death was Kaida's only issue.
"Alright. I've decided to integrate myself in Kaldora's business sector."
The original Kaida had wanted to start a sector where she could train women at had been divorced, discarded and exiled. She would give them a second chance and prepare them for a new life.
The women who resided at "The Mourning House" which was what Kaida had named it.
We're trained in etiquette, politics, espionage, and negotiation, becoming a formidable force in the kingdom's high society.
She had another cover busines before the mourning house, which she called "Beauty in Silk" the women who worked at the mourning house also worked there as their daily job.
The job of Beauty in Silk was to gather and share information between Nobelwomen.
The dresses are highly sought after, not only for their beauty but also for the power and influence they represent.
The stores clients were willing to pay a premium for these exclusive garments, which became a symbol of their status and cunningness.
"I guess I'll have to meet….my father for money, but I'll discuss the layout secretly with the builders…can't have them telling him.."
She paused when she saw a figure by the rose bush.
Of course it took her a while to recognize the person there, he looked to be about 196cm in height.
The only person in the novel to have that height in the royal family was the one and only Thane Blackbell.
Lingling sighed, Kaida's conversations with him were usually one of flirting X serious. But she didn't have it in her to be flirty with him.
After all it was the real Kaida who liked him.
"Oh Kaida, I see you're here again. I was wondering when you'll drop by to cause trouble again.."
Kaida walked towards, stopping three steps away from him before bowing.
"It's nice to see your again, your majesty. Are you well?"
Thane blinked, your majesty? This was the first time he was hearing these words from Kaida's mouth.
"Are you okay?" He asked back, taking one step towards her as she took one step away from him.
"I'm well. I stopped by to pay a visit to uncle. I shall be taking my leave soon."
"…"
Thane couldn't believe his eyes, this was the calmest Kaida had been around him.
"Where's Seryn?"
"…"
Thane couldn't help but scoff lightly, Seryn was like a huge horn in his back. He had thought of many ways to get rid of her but he hadn't found the one where he wouldn't be found guilty.
"You two are no longer friends, why do you care?"
"Because she's your wife, you're supposed to be together in a place like this…having tea.."
".."
Thane eyes narrowed, as he took a step closer, he continued until he had corned her against the wall.
"You of all people know…Seryn and I are only married in name. You've been asking for my hand in marriage since you were 5. What happened now?"
Up close, Thane was incredibly handsome, beautiful emerald eyes, sharp jawline, in the novel the author said, his smirks and the way he looked at the one he loved was to die for.
Now seeing up close, she felt her legs turn to jelly.
"Maybe I got tired. 14 years is a long time. Please maintain your distance, it would be bad for my reputation.."
".."
Thane scoffed, what reputation could she possible have.
"We both know you have to reputation to up hold.."
"…"
"Kaida Everard is all things but a home-wrecker. Now if you excuse me, I'll be taking my leave now."
She bowed slightly before heading out of the garden.
Thane clenched his fists slightly, she had left without resisting today, she didn't flirt with him or telling him to leave Seryn.
Had she finally fallen out of love for him?
"Can't help but admit I miss her smell. She smells so dangerous, it's enticing.."
Kaida walked steadily out of the garden, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, posture perfect. She didn't dare look back, even when she felt Thane's gaze burning into her spine.
The old Kaida would've lingered, would've tossed a flirt over her shoulder or tried to rile him up with a smug comment about Seryn.
But this Kaida—her—was done with the theatrics. Or at least, she needed him to believe she was.
Inside, Lingling stirred, a small chuckle echoing in her mind. "He looked like a kicked puppy."
Let him. It's about time she stopped playing the fool who fawns over him…
Still, her heart beat too loudly for comfort. The way he had leaned in, close enough for her to smell the subtle spice of his cologne, to see the fine curve of his lips—those small details were dangerous.
Thane Blackbell, crown prince of Kaldora, he wasn't just a man with a reputation for charm.
He was the object of the original Kaida's unwavering affection.
Years of obsession, carefully stored memories, even her childish declarations of love, they all still clung to him, like static in the air.
Lingling exhaled slowly. Not mine, she reminded herself. He was never mine.
He was the real Kaida's foolish hope.
Her heel clicked against the cobblestone as she walked through the eastern corridor, the one only servants and minor nobles used.
Her mind drifted back to his words—"You've been asking for my hand in marriage since you were five."
The fact that he remembered made something tighten in her chest. But she pushed it down.
There were more important things to deal with. Like making sure her father didn't question why she needed money.
Or that no one tied the layout of The Mourning House back to her name.
She made her way down to the stables. She couldn't risk being seen requesting a carriage, not after such a conspicuous encounter.
She needed to leave quietly. Besides, the city was only a half-hour ride from the castle, she could use the silence to think.
Meanwhile, back in the rose garden, Thane stood unmoving for a long moment, green eyes narrowed at the space she had disappeared into.
"Since when did Kaida Everard ask for permission to leave?" he murmured to himself.