Once we entered a spacious and dark room, I remembered that good things always come with a catch.

The room was significantly colder than the ballroom and hallway, and it was dark. She continued walking in the dark and then she lit a lantern up. She placed it on an empty table and turned to me.

"This was my room when I was young," she said simply. It was a wide room, but it felt lonely, too. Apart from the carpeted floor and big bed as well as table, there was almost nothing else. The window was wide, but heavy curtains covered it now, and even with the lantern, I could barely see anything besides the Princess's face.

She walked over to what I could tell was a wardrobe with golden knobs. It could've fit at least four people inside. She opened it to reveal dresses inside.

"These are my old dresses. My other dresses are kept in a different storage by the Royal Staff. They might be ugly, but they'll suit you fine." She didn't even wait for my reply as she walked away and sat down on a chair next to the table, tucking her skirts behind her.

I took a few steps before I decided it must be fine if she said so, and brought my shaking hands to each dress. Despite being old, each dress was still in good condition and high-quality: if not silk, they were velvet, or some other equally soft fabric. I drew back my hand, fearing I would taint them. Was there any pudding on my hands? I hoped not.

"What is your name?" Her voice startled me and I turned to her immediately, almost guiltily.

"Karlina," I whispered. "Karlina Dearcage."

The lantern casted a strange orange light over her face as her face changed. Her lips parted before she closed it again.

"What an ugly name," she finally said with a frown. In surprise I almost said something unpleasant, but I quickly remembered that she was a princess. She could break my neck if I say anything to displease her.

"I suppose it's not the prettiest name around," I replied calmly, despite being less than calm.

"From now on you will be called Karina."

It was my turn to frown. I understood she was a princess, but changing someone's name because you don't like it? It was simply tyrannical.

"I have a request for you, Karina," she said, and I forgot about arguing. A request from the royal family will always be followed, even if it was changing my name.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"If I get you into the first round of The Dandelion System, as one of the twenty contestants, could you win The Dandelion System?"

What? I opened my mouth to ask her what she meant, but she raised a finger to stop me.

"Could you win, and then leave Taraxac?"

I was too astonished to speak. The princess had just asked me to win The Dandelion System—then leave the kingdom? That was clearly against the rules.

The room was silent. The flame in the lantern continued to dance, but the princess didn't even blink. She was serious, although I couldn't possibly imagine why.

"But why?" I finally dared to ask.

"I wish to keep this matter private, but before you fret, let me tell you more. I will give you and your family riches of all kinds, and I'll safely transport your family to a wonderful kingdom not too far. I'll make sure you don't get caught, and even if you do, as the prince's fiancée, no harm will come to you. I will provide for you and your family through all of this. Collecting the dandelion seeds will not easily be done, but with my henchmen—"

"But why would I go through this trouble?" I asked. She narrowed her eyes at me and I regretted interrupting.

"Why not? I do not use threats, I use bribes. I'll give your family all riches desired—"

"Our family is currently satisfied," I replied without delay. Although we were middle class, I never wished for luxurious items. They were but beautiful items, fragile to the touch and equally vulnerable to time.

The princess's knuckles tightened on the arms of the chair she sat in. Her face was still devoid of any irritation she felt, but it radiated from her.

"I do not wish to use threats, Karina. But I can," she hissed, her words laced with malice.

"Why are you so insistent on this?" I refrained myself from showing anger back. The princess was spoiled, and I had to accept that, but I didn't plan on being her pawn in a game. Especially without knowing how dangerous the game would be.

She stood up from her chair and walked towards me. I didn't back down. Her face twisted in annoyance.

"It's important to me," she responded. "This is the most important thing in my life, but I can't do it without someone's help. And you can help me."

"What could be important to the point of cheating the system and ruining your brother's marriage and future?"

"No—" she stopped, and the frown slowly left her face. A single tear rolled down her pale cheek, but her face showed no sign of notice. "I am not ruining his future. I'm protecting him. I am doing this for him."

Something in her broke, because she began sobbing.

"I can't abandon my brother! This is all for him!"

"Your Highness? Your Highness—" She leaned forward and grabbed my hand, making me jump.

"I'll grant you all that you could want! Money? Property? My identity? Please, I beg of you, Karina!" Her tears were in streams now. She looked into my eyes, and it made me uncomfortable. Was this the same princess who just spoke to me with me so arrogantly?

"Your Highness, please calm down," I said hastily, afraid of her sudden outburst. "Should I call someone—"

"No, Karina!" she shouted, shaking her head. "You are my only hope. The only way I can change my brother's fate, the only way I can save him." Her hoarse voice dropped. "Please."

I stared at her tear-laced lashes and the pathetic stains on her face. Funny I had wanted to avoid making the girl at the ball cry—only to make the princess weep her eyes out.

"Is it related to the rumors about the Prince being locked up?"

She didn't answer.

"I can't tell you, not yet. But if you help me—" she leaned in even more and I could see her trembling irises, "then I can."

I was afraid of the choice I was making, but I opened my mouth anyway.

"On one condition." Like a child, her face lit up instantly.

"I have a sister," I whispered, "Her name is Catalina. She had a man she loved, but the coward left her when she became blind. But it's not him we want back, or the family heirlooms he took, or even revenge. It's her happiness and her chance at another life. I don't know if it is possible, but I want you to try."

"Oh." The princess's expression softened. "You love your sibling like me." I smiled.

"Yes, I do." She squeezed my hands.

"Then I can assign the royal physician, for he is the best one, to inspect her eyes. If that won't work, I have oriental herb masters. I have seers, too. I will find a way to repay you." Her face relaxed, and I saw the humane part of her.

"Thank you."

She took out her handkerchief and wiped her cheeks.

I didn't know why I accepted her request. Maybe because she was so urgent, so worried, so hopeful. And maybe because of how she said 'please'.

"Choose a dress now, you don't want to look bad when the contestants get chosen," she said, face hardening again as she folds and puts away the handkerchief.

"Yes." I turned back and reached for a pale blue dress. "If I may ask, what is your name, Your Highness?"

"I can't tell you my real name, but my public name is Oda. Princess Oda."

I turned around and looked at her.

"Princess Oda?"

"Yes." She glanced at the dress in my hand. "Now change. It's time for you to begin your new life as 'Karina'."

A smile danced on her scarlet lips, and I can't help but feel like I have been deceived.