"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 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 discuss with you in private?" Ulyana said, 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 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 to me as a surprise 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 replied, 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 fell into your doom… If you hurt me, I won't get mad. I'll get even," Zhanna whispered, then joined Vika in cleaning the room.
Somewhere within the castle walls, Boris stood pondering. His father, King Igor had made a move by announcing Shura as his son. He didn't know what his fsther's plan was but he knew it was big. Where could he start from? He married the wrong wife and had no plan on how to ascend the throne. "Ha! I've got it now!" Boris reasoned. He could get all his problems solved by getting Zhanna back as his wife. It would be just like their last marriage together, sweet and successful. Getting her back wouldn't be a problem considering that she had been head over heels in love with him before and could't just quickly get rid of her feelings like that. He knew she had transmigrated 'cause there was no other logical explanation for her to run away from their marriage seeing it was her who chose him to be her groom.
***********
"You had earlier said that you had something to tell me" Shura said while he munched down on his food.
"I just wanted to ask, why did you agree to marry me?" Zhanna asked, she sat on the other side of the table- opposite Shura and ate alongside him.
"My dad had been pressurizing me to get married, so when he set us up, I reasoned there was nothing to loose and just accepted to ge him off my neck and for once do his wishes. Also, you had promised me back in the forest that you would help me find the last witch and how could you do it if I loose contact with you? It's a win for me" Shura explained.
"Well, the marriage gives me a place to stay and a step closer to achieving my goals so yes, it's a win for me also" Zhanna stated. Shura nodded, he had expected her to demand an annulation of the marriage but she was surprisingly all good with it. Shura thought about his father's words as he ate silently with Zhanna