"I... I," Zhanna started to say while others stared in shock. Everyone paused their activities and stared at her. Zhanna didn't need to ask what was going on; she felt it and knew her wig had fallen. Everyone paused their activities and stared at Zhanna. The Royal Guard Commander took advantage of this distraction and proceeded to attack Shura. He knew Shura was the head of the group and the strategy planner… so without him, there would be no way the group could protect the princess and her maid while trying to save their lives. Zhanna caught sight of the Royal Guard Commander's sneak attack on Shura, and just when he was about to strike, she pushed Shura out of the way and threw a spear at the RGC at once. Shura now understood the other group's plan to kill him and began killing them with no mercy; he would deal with Zayne's matter later. Once the RGC saw how his men were being killed, he fled for his life and began speeding away on his horse. Zhanna and Shura chased after him. Zhanna could not risk sparing his life when she knew he had information that could cause her death… her whereabouts. The RGC saw them trailing steadily behind and brought out his pistol, positioned it, and waited for them to come closer so he could fire. Soon Zhanna and Shura cornered him. They gave each other a signal to attack and then proceeded to do so when the RGC smirked and fired the pistol at Zhanna's leg, but out of careless shooting and wrong targeting, it landed on Shura's back, and he immediately blacked out.
"Shura!" Zhanna exclaimed and rushed to help him so he wouldn't fall off his horse. The RGC panicked and ran away with his horse as he saw the commotion. He knew he had just messed with a warrior and would pay for it. Zhanna felt sorry for Shura; she was the one who attracted trouble to the innocent him by staying in his tent. He had treated her like a friend, but what did she do? She lied to him in return and got him killed—well... almost. Zhanna rode as fast as her horse could carry her and asked the men for help. Many of them refused to help an impostor as they knew they couldn't trust her, but Kazmir, knowing the truth, stepped forward and rushed to help Shura. The group had been split in half—one was with Vika and the other remained to fight the RGC's gang. The remaining half decided to catch up with the other group at the selected spot in the other village, leaving Shura and Zhanna alone in the forest. But Kazmir stopped them; he assured them that Zhanna meant no harm and that she disguised herself to protect herself. He told them to wait till the next day and take Shura and Zhanna along with them when going to catch up with the other group.
"When Shura wakes up, tell him I had to go back to Volkorod for an urgent meeting with my father," Kazmir said to Zhanna before he left.
"Aren't you shocked that I'm a girl instead of a man?" Zhanna asked Kazmir.
"I knew all along," Kazmir casually replied and left.
Kazmir raced throughout the night; he had to get to the castle and inform the king about Shura's return so they could go ahead with their plan for Shura's marriage. "Brother, it may come to you as a shock, but it is for the best," Kazmir said while deep in thought.
Zhanna wouldn't sleep at all that night. She had taken it upon herself to see to Shura's recovery. She caused the mess; she would fix the mess. As she stayed awake, she realized she needed a plan for what she'd do when she got to Volkorod. "I'll get hired as a maid, and once inside the castle, I'll make my move. Boris, you better watch out because I won't go all soft on you this time," Zhanna whispered to herself and took record of her plan.
At Volkorod,
Boris stared outside the window into the quiet night. Even the hollowness of the night was not as deep as the hole in his heart. He looked at Ulyana, who had taken up all the space on the bed, and sighed. A bigger part of him wished it was Zhanna.
[In the woods]
The next day, the journey continued to meet up with the other part of the team, and everything was going smoothly. It was during this journey that Shura awoke. Zhanna was massaging his back when it happened. It was enjoyable at first (he was in his subconscious state, so he could feel it), until she got closer and closer to the wounded area. His eyes snapped open when she touched his wound, and he held her hand to prevent it from touching it further. He was confused on seeing a girl in front of him. He then remembered.
"Are you Zayne?" he asked.
"It's Zhanna, actually... Look, Shura, I'm sorry for everything I caused you. It was very selfish of me to drag you into my battle and almost get you killed. I'm really, really sorry," Zhanna said.
Shura subconsciously touched her face. "This is your real face?" he asked, and she nodded. His eyes then locked with hers. It was supposed to be a brief moment, but something about her eyes made him unable to look away. Her eyes had an unreal dark blue color, and Shura couldn't help but wonder about her origin.
"So you are the missing princess, and your sister is the maid!" Shura said.
"Well, yes," Zhanna said.
"You snuck into the camp, challenged me, gained my trust, misled me, and almost got me killed... tell me, what punishment do you deserve?" Shura said, obviously angry.
"I am sincerely regretful about my actions. I would make it up to you by seeing to the healing of your wound. I won't mind being your personal maid," Zhanna said. She just wanted to save her life.
"Very well then," Shura said and proceeded to stand up. He groaned due to the pain in his back.
"Careful! Let me help you," Zhanna offered.
Back in Volkorod...
"Pavel, what is this I am hearing? That son of a maid is getting married? Is this true?" Boris asked his equerry.
"The information is very accurate, your highness. Indeed, Prince Shura is getting married," Pavel said.
"Do not call that bastard a prince in my presence!" Boris commanded.
"It will not happen again, your highness," Pavel bowed and apologized.
"You may leave," Boris dismissed him. "Does Shura really think he can compete with me for a throne that is already mine? Imprudent!" Boris frowned and said. He had to see his mother so they could plan their next line of action.