Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: The Choice

Ahcehera, pretending to be an attendant, was dumbfounded as she learned about the new rules for becoming a saintess.

It was a revelation that shook her to the core, Carmela was the one who had reset the rules.

Now, as one of the judges, Carmela had the power to choose any person to become the next saintess.

“Was she so powerful?” Ahcehera whispered under her breath, still trying to process the full weight of the situation.

Carmela, the youngest daughter of King Leminsi, had rewritten the course of history with a single decision.

The saintess selection, once a ceremony dictated by the temple’s strict guidelines, was now under her control, and the power she wielded was beyond anything Ahcehera had anticipated.

It didn’t take long for Ahcehera to finally meet Princess Carmela in person. The moment Carmela laid eyes on her, there was no hesitation.

With a practiced ease, Carmela had hired Ahcehera as her main servant and swiftly moved her away from the piercing eyes of the crowd.

The bustling market outside the royal palace suddenly felt distant and far away. Only the two of them remained, hidden from the prying gazes of the planet’s citizens.

Once they were alone, Carmela turned to face Ahcehera. She bowed deeply, her expression respectful, yet there was something unsettling in her eyes.

“It’s a pleasure for me to finally meet the great strategist, Strategist Hera, and the jewel of the Bloodstone family, Princess Ahcehera Bloodstone.”

Ahcehera was taken aback by the sudden display of recognition. Her reputation had preceded her, but this level of formality was unexpected.

“How did you know it was me?” she asked, her voice betraying a slight edge of curiosity.

Carmela straightened, the faintest smile playing on her lips.

“Your Highness, none of the princesses in several kingdoms have the same silver hair and purple eyes. My intel gave me news about you after the mating ceremony. What brought you to my humble home?”

Carmela’s tone was polite, but there was an undeniable intensity hidden behind her words.

Ahcehera took a steadying breath before answering. “I am here for you.”

“For me?” Carmela’s brow furrowed slightly, as if she was trying to make sense of the situation.

“Yes, for you.” Ahcehera’s eyes hardened. “But we have no business together, Your Highness.”

Carmela looked at her, confusion flickering in her amber eyes. Ahcehera didn’t give her time to respond, instead continuing.

“We have. We can discuss this man at the top of the priority list.”

Ahcehera reached into her satchel and pulled out a small, folded image. She held it up in front of Carmela without a word.

Carmela’s face fell as she stared at the picture.

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, Ahcehera wondered if the princess would faint right in front of her. The image was that of Abrixien, Ahcehera’s third brother.

“Do you know this man, Princess Carmela?” Ahcehera’s voice was calm, but the intent behind the question was clear.

Carmela’s reaction was immediate. Her face paled, and she seemed frozen in shock.

“How did you know him? Where is he? Take me to see him!” The urgency in her voice was unmistakable.

Ahcehera, however, didn’t flinch. She remained composed, her expression unreadable. “Let’s talk about business first.”

Carmela’s desperation only grew. “Anything! Just bring me to him!” Her plea was almost frantic, but Ahcehera didn’t relent. She kept her tone measured and firm.

“I want to negotiate his marriage with you.” Ahcehera’s words hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.

“Marriage?” Carmela’s voice cracked slightly as she processed the request. The princess hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation had taken. “But he…”

Ahcehera’s eyes narrowed, sensing Carmela’s uncertainty. “You can only see him if you marry him.”

Carmela’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Will you agree? If you do, we will leave this planet after the succession of the saintess.”

There was a long silence between them. Carmela’s expression was guarded, torn between her duties and desires. Ahcehera didn’t break her gaze, waiting for the princess’s answer.

“Is it difficult to choose between marriage and your family?” Ahcehera’s question was pointed, cutting through the tension in the air.

Carmela looked away, her mind clearly wrestling with the implications of Ahcehera’s offer.

The two women stood in silence, each knowing that the decision Carmela made would have consequences far beyond what either of them could imagine.

Would she choose duty to her family, or would she follow her heart and fulfill the bargain that Ahcehera had set before her?

Ahcehera had given her a simple choice, but the weight of it was anything but light.

Carmela’s gaze remained fixed on the floor, her hands trembling slightly as the weight of the decision pressed down on her.

The room felt too small, the air thick with the tension of what had just been asked of her. Ahcehera didn’t rush her; she knew this was no simple choice.

Finally, Carmela looked up, her amber eyes now shimmering with unshed tears. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was filled with determination. “I choose him.”

Ahcehera’s heart tightened at the sight of Carmela’s vulnerability, but she nodded slowly, as though she had expected nothing less.

“I will marry him,” Carmela continued, her voice breaking slightly.

“Are you sure?”

“I will choose Abrixien over my family. The weight of their expectations has been crushing me for so long… But this, him, this is something I can finally choose for myself.”

Tears welled in her eyes, and though she tried to hide them, they slid down her cheeks, betraying her emotions.

Her decision was final, but the pain in her voice made it clear just how difficult it had been to come to terms with it.

Ahcehera stood there, not offering words of consolation, but simply letting the silence speak between them.

She understood. She had felt the same burden of expectations for much of her life, duty to her family, the weight of being a princess.

After a long pause, Carmela wiped her tears, a soft smile appearing on her face.

“I will marry him, Your Highness. But I will not be held back anymore. Not by my family, not by this planet’s traditions. Thank you for offering me a way out.”

Ahcehera met her gaze, offering a silent promise.

But what would happen if you knew he is also a prince?

Carmela’s first concern was Abrixien’s status.

She knew nothing about him.

She thought he was a commoner.