Two Faced Princess

Chapter 13

While lying on his bed, Apollonia recalled Petra's first suggestion. Apollonia clenched her hands together in her lap. Apollonia has tried. Really trying. However, during these 7 years he always failed.

Then what's the follow?

The answer turned out to be easy. Now Apollonia must think about it. A complicated idea.

He was sure of his determination. His reddened eyes glistened in the darkness, his breathing was calm and slow. Mind clear.

For Apollonia the last 7 years have not been in vain. Apollonia recalls second suggestion Petra “Do not save anything valuable for yourself”. Fortunately Apollonia never followed that advice. Because there are many precious things that belong to Apollonia. He would no longer let them take away his precious things.

……………

Gaius and Petra thought they knew everything in the palace, but they were wrong. The late king used to be a man full of secrets.

The first palace where Apollonia lived had a secret function that they did not know. 

Apollonia originally did live in the main building of the royal palace, but after Gaius' ascension he did not want to stay in his old room. Instead he lived alone in the star palace. 

The Star Palace was located underground of the royal palace, but it was very far from the royal palace. The building was built as a guest palace during the reign of the late king. However, it is not as people know that the palace was actually built to hide the king's secrets.

The Star Palace had many secret passageways leading outside the palace, to other palaces, even leading to secret chambers in every corner of the royal palace. Secret streets were built to protect the royal family from attacks as well as hiding places for treasures and royal archives.

Apollonia used all the relics to hear from outside the palace, especially the news about the Liefer family. Of course she could not ask Petra or her husband directly, but she could still figure out Petra's movements by deploying some loyal spies.

Second, what Gaius and Petra did not know was that the many servants in the Star Palace served Apollonia.The servants were chosen by Sid Bian himself.

Sid Bian is the chief steward of Star Palace who was once the leader of the royal knights and the right-hand man of Almarhumah the king. Because of his achievements in the military he was given the title of count and his own land when he was young. His influence was powerful and not even Gaius could touch him.

Apollonia told her the secret about Gaius and Paris 7 years ago. Sid had sworn an oath of allegiance the day Apollonia was born and Apollonia trusted him deeply. After Apollonia moved to Star Palace Sid instantly filled the Star Palace with loyal servants. 

Of course it is not easy to completely cover up Petra's influence, but at least Apollonia's food is safe (not poisoned). The people in charge of providing Apollonia food were not those who were easily affected as Petra pawns.

Sometimes when Petra's servants at the Star Palace tried to get close to Apollonia, Sid and the other loyal servants made excuses and drove them from Apollonia's side.

Those are all things that belong to Apollonia. Even if He put it all together it wasn't enough to stop Petra's attack. 

“Sid get ready to meet our guests tonight” Apollonia told the middle-aged man next door.

Sid's gray hair and gray eyes were once a nightmare for anyone who was his opponent. But to Apollonia Sid was a warmth in the midst of this cold palace.