"Zhanna?" Boris murmured.
Zhanna smirked inwardly. Is that shock on your face I see, Boris? Oh, I'm just getting started, she thought.
She looked at Ulyana and smirked again. The pampered princess had gotten married to the possessed… at least it wasn't her.
Shura gave Boris a glance and walked past him with Zhanna.
Ulyana rushed over and grabbed Zhanna's arm, as if to remind her she had to return and reclaim her position.
"Sister, can I speak with you in private?" Ulyana asked, wanting to make it clear to Boris, whom she believed didn't know, that it was Zhanna he ought to marry.
"We have nothing to discuss," Zhanna said coldly, brushing off Ulyana's hand. "And I am not your sister!" she added before walking off to catch up with Shura.
Ulyana, who had never seen this side of Zhanna, stood frozen in shock as she watched her leave.
She wasn't the only one stunned, Boris was too. Something felt different about Zhanna… Was it her looks? Her attitude? Her aura?
"We need to talk," Zhanna said to Shura as they found themselves alone in the corridor.
"I know. I promise I'll give you answers, I just have to meet with my father first. After that, we'll talk. The maids will show you to your chamber," Shura replied, then walked away.
"This discussion is very important!" Zhanna shouted after him.
Just then, someone walked up and hugged her from behind.
"Are you all right?" Vika asked.
Seeing her face, Zhanna hugged her tightly, and they began walking, letting their feet lead them wherever.
"The marriage…" Vika began, looking stunned.
"It came as a surprise to me as well," Zhanna replied.
"Have you asked him about it?"
"He said we'll discuss it later."
"What are you going to tell him?"
"To cancel the marriage, of course."
"You know that's not how things work here."
"He's a prince now. I'm sure he'll figure something out."
"He's a prince!" Vika exclaimed, trying to hint at something.
"So?"
"Haven't you thought about how fortunate you are- to be married to a prince?"
"Well, come to think of it… I am lucky."
"You are more than lucky. This makes our stay here much easier."
"Yes, yes!" Zhanna exclaimed. Being married to Shura didn't just make their stay easier- it made her plan less complicated.
"Don't cancel the marriage. I say go for it!" Vika encouraged.
"I'm glad I've got a sister like you," Zhanna said, and they wrapped up the conversation with a hug.
Some maids arrived and led Zhanna and Vika to their chambers.
In the room, Zhanna wrote down a new plan while Vika arranged their things.
"Oh Boris, you just walked into your doom… If you hurt me, I won't get mad. I'll get even," Zhanna whispered, then joined Vika in tidying up.
Somewhere within the castle walls, Boris stood deep in thought. His father, King Igor, had made a move by announcing Shura as his son. Boris didn't know what his father's plan was, but he knew it had to be big.
Where could he even begin? He'd married the wrong wife and had no plan for ascending the throne.
"Ha! I've got it now!" Boris reasoned. All his problems could be solved by getting Zhanna back as his wife. It would be just like their last marriage- sweet and successful. Getting her back wouldn't be a problem. She had been head over heels in love with him before and couldn't possibly have moved on so easily.
He knew she had transmigrated since there was no other logical explanation for her running away from their marriage, especially since she had chosen him to be her groom.
"You said earlier that you had something to tell me," Shura said as he munched on his food.
"I just wanted to ask, why did you agree to marry me?" Zhanna asked. She sat across the table from him, eating alongside...
"A marriage to you solved three problems at once. I don't make moves without weighing the outcome." Shura stated as he munched on
"Well, the marriage gives me a place to stay and brings me one step closer to my goals- so yes, it's a win for me too," Zhanna said.
Shura nodded. He had expected her to demand an annulment, but she was surprisingly okay with the marriage. As he ate silently, he reflected on his father's words. His father had explained everything- why he hadn't married Shura's mother, and the promise he had made to her: that Shura would one day succeed him as king.
"I don't mean to pry, but something seems to be on your mind. Would it be okay if I asked what it is?" Zhanna said, noticing his absent-mindedness.
"My father wants me to ascend the throne," Shura said after a pause, his voice low and dejected.
"That's good news!" Zhanna said excitedly, already imagining Boris's reaction.
Shura fell silent, his fork paused halfway to his mouth. A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.
"Did something happen?" Zhanna asked carefully.
"Let's just say… I've seen what power does to people. And it never ends well."
"I trust you can handle power, you are the leader of your group and you make a great leader. Is it enemies you are scared of? You don't have to worry about enemies... you've got a fighter by your side. Besides, all you need to do is win the hearts of the people, and they'll support your rule," Zhanna encouraged.
"I'm still afraid," Shura admitted softly.
"A warrior like you, afraid! Is it death?" Zhanna teased.
"Oh death is not my problem," Shura whispered
"I don't fear death. I fear dying before I finish what I started." He continued, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside because of Zhanna's statement to help him fight his enemies.
After eating with Shura, Zhanna went to check on Vika to see if she'd had lunch. That's when she saw Tatianka standing with Vika kneeling beside her, head bowed.
Tatianka! The same demon that had killed Vika when she was married to Boris. Zhanna might have been naive then, but not anymore- it wouldn't happen again.
"What's going on here?" Zhanna demanded, announcing her presence.