The one with nothing to lose gets upper hand

Y/N:

I heard gasps around me when I removed the coat. I couldn't help but feel delighted at the queen ugly expression. "Your dress is beautiful" noble women flocked around me complimenting the unique dress they have never seen. I smirked to myself looking at the queen. Did she seriously think I wouldn't be able to handle it?

"I appreciate the concern of the queen and our benevolence for sending a beautiful dress but I am afraid I had to make few alterations to the dress" I said with sickening smile to the queen. "Did she send you this dress?" one of the noble women asked me. "The queen has spectacular taste in clothing. She has great eye in identifying a dress like this. Normal people can't wear complete black dress and make it look sophisticated like the queen so I had to add few layers to make it look presentable. I hope the queen isn't angry at me for altering it" I intentionally told them this issue so they can understand the queen bloody tricks. I am sure they understood the underlying meaning of this. Message is simple. The queen sent me a plain black dress and wanted to humiliate me.

"How can she send black dress?"

"Princess is too sharp for the queen"

"She is trying to scare the princess"

Everyone started gossiping as the queen couldn't see their faces clearly. I know no one would dare to tell to her face but rumors are enough to damage one's reputation. I looked to my side and saw the king and Prince Jin has left to attend some higher officials in the distance. "You are really talented Princess Y/n" a young lady who is of my age commented gushing over the dress. "How did you manage to make it like this?"

I smiled at their compliments. My fingers lightly grazed the beaded bodice of my gown. I have added the diamonds bodice and added layers of soft golden tulle as skirt. The bodice hugged my frame with intricate beading that reflected the light, sparkling like tiny stars. Then the golden lace material flowed like waterfall of golden color tulle which is highlighted by black color dress which clung to my body like second skin. Since it was covered with diamonds and golden tulle it didn't highlight the black color. Rather it looked like cool combination which enhanced the golden color.

"I made a terrible mistake your highness" one of the maids kneeled on the floor and hit her head on the ground. "I didn't follow your commands properly and sent wrong dress to the princess" I chuckled to myself understanding her tactics. "Punish this servant your highness" queen gently pulled her maid up. "You should be careful when you are dealing with things Katherine. Princess Y/n is kind and compassionate so she didn't mind but what if it happened with someone else"

I know what they are doing. Her maid is taking the blame of the queen intentions while the queen is making a scene to get her maid out of punishment. If I ask her to punish her maid I would look like a discourteous. Beside the queen made it seem like she is letting it go so I can't be the petty person here. "That is fine but be careful Katherine" I patted her shoulder with an icy smile. "Not everyone would be kind enough to forgive you" her smile faltered as she heard the underlying warning.

I smiled and interacted with noble ladies until someone came to me. "That was a quite show you did" I turned around to meet a man in his early twenties. "Hello" I greeted with a bright smile as he walked towards me. "It is an honor to meet you Princess Y/n"

"My name is Jimin" the man was much younger than I have anticipated. I was surprised as I was expecting someone who is to be in late twenties with mature looks and masculine personality. Standing before me is a tall man with short blond hair, a refined nose and a sharply defined jaw line who looks to be in his teenage. The only thing that aligned with my expectation is that he looks cunning like a fox.

He is wearing a black leather outfit embroidered with golden thread, it added an enigmatic charm to his classical appearance. "I have about you from Prince Jin a lot. I heard you have been the top scholar in the imperial exams this year"

"It isn't a big thing your highness. I am yet to learn lot of things before I can call myself successful" now I understand why he is favored by everyone. He has a way with words which can impress people around him. "This is the first time I am seeing her highness to be tongue tied" I smiled glancing at the queen who was now clinging to her group of lackeys. "Be careful about what you say in the palace. There is a risk of being overheard" he grinned at my warning. "I am aware of it Princess Y/n. I handle these matters cautiously" before I can say anything else I saw Prince Jin makes his way towards us. "Jimin" he patted him on the shoulder and Jimin bowed to greet Prince Jin.

"I see you already met each other" he said softly. "Have you heard the elder princess is back"

Eldest princess?

As far as I know Prince Jin didn't have sisters then who is she?

"I did, she sends an invitation to Princess Y/n and asked her to visit her place" I was stunned at Prince Jin words. No one has told me that I received such an invitation. "I wasn't aware of anything such" he glanced at me and his look clearly showed he is guilty. "It was sent in the afternoon and I took the invite as you were sleeping" I didn't replied as I wasn't available then. It is good thing he took it, if he is insisted on giving it in person it could have caused a mishap. "We will talk about it later"

Soon we heard the dinner is starting so we all took our places on the dining table that has been prepared. We sat according to ranks and I was seating near to the king beside Prince Jin on his right side. My mouth watered at the sight of different foods placed on the table. It's been too long that I had a feast like this. Ever since I came back from future I have been eating enough to survive. I didn't have time to enjoy food as I was too caught up in the situation. I think today I can eat to my heart content.

I quickly glanced around and saw everyone eating and minding their own talks. I took a piece of freshly fried fish and steaming buns from the bowl and placed it in my plate. I took a bite and instantly my eyes widened as the rich aroma of the food hit my taste buds. This is amazing.

I scooped few more pieces of boiled chicken and roasted lamb meat in my plate. I was about to take sip of special wine which has been placed in front of us in small glasses but I couldn't move my hand. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't move my hand. It felt like my hand has its own mind and acted on it. Prince Jin observed my confused look and asked me what is wrong?

"I am fine" I tried moving my hand again but it didn't cooperate. I huffed in irritation and was about to ask about Prince Jin help when I heard a voice.

"Danger"

"Don't drink it"

Hair on my neck stood as I heard a chilling voice in my ear. I looked around to see who it was but I couldn't find anyone. Everyone around me was eating casually and didn't hear anything. I touched my ear where I felt the voice speak and hissed when I found it icy. My fingers numbed in cold as I held it.

"Poisoned. Don't drink"

It whispered again making me shudder. "Who is it?" I whispered in to the thin air making sure no one heard it around me. Suddenly room got chilly and waves of cold breeze entered the hall making fire lamps to flicker in the air. Maids and Servants ushered to close the doors, in the middle of commotion I saw silhouette in white walk through the doors. I couldn't see the person face but they had long black hair which waved in the air and they looked so pale and transparent that I can see the wall behind them clearly.

Who is it?

Why did they help me?

Author Note:

Hello readers... How is everyone doing? I have read news about LA. Hope everyone is safe. 

♥♥SN_Angel♥♥