Maria, god of misfortune by Leandra A. (little bear else holmelund minarik txt) 📕

Hmm...She nodded, but...I

General Shin! One of his men came interrupting them; I have confirmed that they are already on the north side of the city; the man whispered to him and then gave him a piece of paper.

"A shadow is lurking around the black snow prince...Maria" He opened the folded paper and sees this message sent by Kai.

“Little one I have to go now”; he crumpled the paper he is holding and then turns his back to her.

Wait! She grabs his hand and stops him from leaving, “L...Later I want you to be my escort”, she hesitantly asks him.

At night the kingdom will have a grand ball as a celebration and a welcome ceremony for their guest of honor that will be coming today. Everyone is anxious to see the man that holds their kingdom future.

“I'm sorry but I have something I need to do first tonight and I might be late for the party, just ask your brother to be your escort”, he pats her head and then leave looking preoccupied.

“You always made me look at your back, leaving me behind”, she muttered and just clenched her hands as she watches him leave her alone while having a disappointed look in her face.

“Miss Lian the queen is looking for you”, her servant who was frantically looking for her said.

“My mother is looking for me... What is it this time?” That’s what she thought as she follows the servant who guided her in one of the rooms in the palace where the queen was waiting.

“I've heard you called for me”, she said in a low meek voice as she enter the room and saw the queen sitting with her hands clasped in her table, looking all serious as she always been.

“Have a sit, the queen pointed at an empty chair in front of her table. “I won't beat around, you should probably heard about the prince of Arias who is coming today, right?”

Princess Lian lowered her eyes and takes a deep breath before she answers her mother, “Yes, I am aware of it my Queen”. She knew where this conversation will go to. With the current situation and her mother who wouldn't even care to look for her when she escapes last time suddenly wants to talk to her, it's obvious that they are planning to offer her to Arias.

“Then I supposed you understand your responsibility to our kingdom”, she stands and move closer to her, then tap her shoulder lightly.“Make sure you dress up well and make yourself prettier tonight”; she whispered to her and then walks away the room, leaving the mortified princess alone.

Elle find herself hidden in one of the chamber maid's room as she pants from running when she escape General Leone's grasp. "Urk...T...That lunatic general...H...How dare him to do that" Elle hissed as she wipe her mouth with her hands, disgusted with the kiss General Leone just gave her earlier.

She open the door slightly and peek to see if no one has followed her."I guess he didn't came after me", She breathe out a deep sigh of relief upon seeing that the general and his men didn't bother to came after her."What should I do now..." Elle muttered as she close the door and lean her back on it.

"Kai would surely get mad at me if he found out that I sneak my way here" She bites her thumb finger nail and her face grimed as she imagine what would Kai do if he found out that she sneak inside the Hellas palace. "He will definitely kill me!".

Several hours before, Kai told her that he will need to go outside the city to run some errand for General Shin and will be away for quite some long time. And Kai knowing Elle's character thought that she would definitely would want to come and follow him."I'm warning you, don't try to follow me and just stay here in General Shin's manor" He told her.

"YES...I know!" She answered him, shouting. 

But just like what Kai has predicted, she escape and sneak inside the palace, disguised as one of the palace maid."I can't just sit around and wait for him" She muttered.

She then heard voices from afar that seems to be coming closer. She open again the door slightly and peek whose coming. "It's that bratty princess" She gasped and see Princess Lian, together with her servant who look nervous and restless while standing in front of the door of a room that was adjacent from the room she is hiding right now. 

"What's going on?" She thought, curios on why the princess look pale and nervous as she enter the room. "I think its better if I'll move closer to that room", Elle then wait for the servant girl to leave first after the princess enters the room.She then lean on the door and tried to see if she can hear what the people inside are talking.

She could only hear murmurs inside so she gave up on the idea in trying to listen what the are talking inside. Instead, she get back in the chamber's maid room and wait until the princess gets out of that room as well.

After a few minutes, she saw a stern looking woman who left the room. " What a scary woman" Elle muttered and then waited until the princess get out of the room as well. Its been more than an hour already but there's still no sign of her getting out."What's taking her so long in there?" Elle thought, so growing impatient, she move closer and lean again to the room's door to check what's going on.

"What the hell is she crying?" Although she can barely hear anything inside, Elle could hear sobs coming inside the room. She tried to lean closer and move forward, when suddenly the door opens and made her fell on the floor.

"What are you doing?" The princess ask her sharply.

"N...Nothing,I... I'm just hear to clean the room" Elle stammered, but quickly gets up and then bow her head in front of the princess.

The princess just stood there in silence, "I don't know what you came here for, but you better leave now before my stupid brother finds you" The princess sighed.

"H...How did you know?" Elle asked.

"I saw your rendezvous act with my brother earlier" She smirked.

"Please don't misunderstand, I don't plan getting involve more than this with that pervert brother of yours!" She frowned."Anyway its not for me to meddle but It just got me curious, what could have happen for a bratty princess to cry that hard to the point your eyes become swollen like that?" Elle asked her.

A blank face then follows "I...I hate my life so much!" The princess suddenly burst with tears, like a child who suddenly throws her tantrums. Elle was so startled seeing the princess like this and so she grab her hand and then close the door immediately.

"I...I've been living my life like a puppet that was stringed and being led always by my mother, who seems to hate me from the very beginning" The princess started talking to Elle, who just stood still and watch her as she vent out her frustrations.

"Are you talking about that stern woman who came out first earlier?" Elle ask her. Innocently.

The princess nodded "She wants me to make sure that the prince of Arias would notice and like me" she told her and at that point stopped crying. "Why am I telling you these things" The princess gave her a soft laugh and then remained silent for awhile.

Elle look and pitied her, "Hey, do you want me to help you escape for a while" Elle ask her and grabs both of her hand then smile at her. "Sometimes you just need do breathe in some real air" Elle grinned.

"Pfft...Breathe in some real air... huh" The princess chuckled and then shook her head.

 "Its fine, I've been used with it and I know its my responsibility being a mere woman who can't fight in the battlefield.So things like being married off to some prince to maintain peace is all I can do" She told her in a low meek voice.

Elle raised an eyebrow "What the hell are you talking about? How did it became a common knowledge that just because those old people can't think of a better solution, you'll have to shoulder and save their asses!"

"Hey, I have a plan that can benefit both of us" Elle suggest her with her eyes getting bigger all of a sudden. She then move closer and then whisper something on the princess ears, which made her gasp and they both just stared to each other and gave a nod.

The princess called in her most trusted servant and ask her to do something for her. The servant followed her orders and then came back with the things the princess ask her. The princess ask her to go and bring her a dress and wigs colored black and sliver white.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" The princess ask Elle.

"Don't worry this is just so you can escape the palace for a while and experience a normal life outside" Elle said to her,"You look like your about to collapse anytime and break down, so a little rebellious act will be helpful" She told her and  gave her a wink.

They just both laugh and then began dressing up and wear each other disguise. Both of them can't believe the resemblance of their faces and their look at glance. "I can't believe it at as well but I guess no one could tell as a part if we look like this" The princess muttered.

"This might actually work!" The princess told her excitedly and then hold Elle's hands together."Thank you for this" She said and gave her a smile.

Elle was taken a back on the princess action "Y...You don't have to thank me, Its for my benefit as well!" she shouted, embarrassed by the way the princess act in front of her.

Deep inside Elle thought that by disguising her self as the princess, eventually she might see Kai often and be able to help him in some ways, if she stay beside his enemy.

"They finally entered Hellas city front gate" Maria muttered as he look the horse-drawn carriage arrives in the city. The large yellow and blue flags flapped against the harsh wind, bearing the image of a Lion, The Kingdom of Arias symbol."But why a person with such importance would