Ziloh was walking in the hallway, his arm wrapped around a woman's lower back. The woman bit her lower lip as her hand slithered from his chest and traveled downwards. The woman was about to reach for his pants when Ziloh stopped her, she protested but Ziloh did not notice. Instead, Ziloh's head jerked sideways as a sound caught his attention. It was the laughter of someone he knew well.
"She's smiling! She's smiling!" Alyssa laughed. "Ysa's warming up to you Kiva."
Ziloh loosed his grip from the woman as he observed the scene on the garden. The woman rubbed her hips to Ziloh, hungry for his attention. But Ziloh already lost his interest to the woman--- he found a better prey.
"Go." Ziloh instructed as he kept his gaze on the garden.
The woman pouted in annoyance. But she followed Ziloh's command and walked away.
With his dull toy gone, Ziloh perched himself on the wall as he observed from afar. It was satisfying for him to see Alyssa on high spirit after Greg's death.
Ziloh knew what Kathy did. She used him to get what she wanted--- it was not something new. Kathy was an opportunist; she was a step ahead than the rest. Kathy might think that she did it to protect her daughter, but she had no idea that all it did was to hurt Alyssa more. Ziloh could not care less about expired Greg, what he cared about was Alyssa.
Ziloh knew his fixation to Alyssa was unhealthy and still, he had no intention to correct it.
"Oww, she's sleeping again." Kiva pouted.
"We better bring her to her crib." Alyssa cradled the baby. "She's too small and we played with her for too long."
They proceeded to walk to the hallway opposite where Ziloh was standing. Ziloh put his hands on his pockets as he followed them at a distance.
"Wait, aren't we forgetting something?" Kiva stood frozen. "Aren't we supposed to go to the flea market to get our batteries?"
Alyssa stopped on her tracks and faced Kiva. "No," Alyssa's brows furrowed. "That's for tomorrow."
"Was it?" Kiva tilted her head to the side.
The royals were not that good with keeping track of time---they never needed to.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure." Alyssa began to walk again.
Well, except Alyssa. She was probably counting the days to her birthday.
"Ok, then let's…" Kiva followed Alyssa. "sneak out tomorrow." Kiva whispered.
Alyssa just laughed and shook her head.
Ziloh saw Ison Vis first before the girls saw him. Ison Vis was rounding up the corner as he walks towards their direction.
Ziloh glared at the approaching royal.
Alyssa's smile vanished as she saw who was approaching. She tightened her hold on the baby and covered the baby's face to hide it from Ison Vis.
Ison Vis presence was dark as he stood before them. Ison Vis loomed in front of them--- preventing them from walking forward.
Alyssa tried to walk to the side but Ison Vis followed her. Kiva managed to pass Ison Vis easily.
Ison Vis' attention was the bundle of cloth on Alyssa's arms. "What you have there?" Ison Vis attempted to take a peek.
Alyssa held the baby closer to her chest to prevent Ison Vis from seeing it. "None of your business."
"Another perishable in the palace." Ison Vis smirked. "Our standards are getting lower by the day."
"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Kiva protested. "That's our Princess you are talking to."
"She has no right to be a princess in her current state." Ison Vis eyed the baby and Alyssa, disgusted.
Alyssa did not say anything and turned her head to the side, wanting the conversation to end. Ziloh could taste her blood in the air, Alyssa bit the inside of her cheek.
"They're not one of us, Kiva." Ison Vis proceeded to walk. "I would suggest for you to keep your distance from them, or you might get infected with their ideology."
"Not yet! You idiot!" Kiva shouted behind Ison Vis. "Not yet! But they will be one of us."
"Then until that time comes, they are not one of us." Ison Vis sauntered away from them.
Kiva patted Alyssa at her back reassuringly. "Are you okay?"
Alyssa smiled timidly at her best friend. "Yes, let's bring Ysa back to her mother."
They proceeded to walk as Kiva placed her arms on Alyssa's shoulders and hugged her in comfort.
Ziloh stood on his ground, waiting for Ison Vis to walk towards him. Ison Vis proceeded to ignore and walk pass Ziloh. But Ziloh gripped on Ison Vis' wrist--- Ziloh gripped so tight that had Ison Vis been a normal human, his veins would pop out.
"Careful with that mouth or you might lose your neck." Ziloh smiled brightly.
Ison Vis did not flinch and stared back at Ziloh. "Is that what you said to Edward? To make him surrender in defeat?"
Ziloh smirked.
Ison Vis smiled back. "I'm not Edward. You cannot threaten me with your empty words. The Queen might favor you, but the rest of us don't need to put up with your parade."
Ison Vis used his free hand to grab Ziloh's wrist and force Ziloh to release him.
Ziloh released his grip.
Ison Vis pressed his hands on his three-piece suit, making sure that no wrinkle was formed.
Ziloh balled his fist to the side for what Ison Vis said was true--- all were just empty words---Ziloh could not do anything about it. Ziloh cannot kill any royals. But someday, he swore. Someday, he would not just have Ison Vis' neck. He would end whomever he pleases.
The girls already rounded the corner as Ziloh proceeded to follow them far behind.
Alyssa and Kiva stopped at the Arosa's chambers and knocked. Sisa opened the door with a knitting needle and a yarn on her hand. Sisa welcomed the girls as they entered.
Ziloh walked and perched on the wall beside the door to listen.
"She's asleep." Alyssa said.
"She always sleeps!" Kiva added.
"Keep your voice down." Alyssa whispered.
"The Queen said it's normal for a baby to sleep this much, you used to sleep the whole day when you're younger Princess Alyssa."
"Well… I guess…it's normal." Kiva said.
There were a few minutes of silence, probably as they take the baby to her crib.
"What is that?" Alyssa inquired."
"Oh, this?" Sisa asked. "I'm trying to make baby's clothes for the winter."
"Oh, that's cool." Kiva said. "How do you make one?"
Sisa proceeded to teach them how to knit as the two listened attentively.
An hour or two must have passed by when Alyssa bid her goodbye. "Just tell me if you need anything for the baby."
"Thank you, princess. I appreciate everything." Sisa replied.
Ziloh could hear light steps belonging to two persons getting louder but he stood on his ground.
Alyssa and Kiva exited the room and the first thing they saw was Ziloh.
Ziloh was shameless, he did not even try to hide.
"What are you doing?" Alyssa asked accusingly.
"Yes, what are you doing?" Kiva put her hands on her hips.
Ziloh shrugged. "Visiting the baby."
Kiva's brows lifted in doubt. "Really?" Kiva took a glance at Alyssa. "Visiting the baby."
Alyssa proceeded to walk and Ziloh was about to follow her when Kiva stopped him.
"What?" Ziloh looked at his sister.
"Have you talked to father yet?" Kiva whispered.
"No," Ziloh shrugged. "Why would I?"
"What the heck!" Kiva said with her gritted teeth. "Maybe he wants to congratulate you or what? He has been looking for you ever since you won. Go talk to him."
"I'm not interested." Ziloh was about to follow Alyssa but Kiva stopped him.
"Just go and get it over with."
'Ziloh' A voice from Ziloh's head called.
Ziloh sighted and fumbled Kiva's hair.
"Hey!" Kiva protested.
Ziloh turned around and walked the opposite way from Alyssa.
***
Ziloh had no choice but to take a detour before he goes to Cliff.
A guard was standing at the door of the Queen's chamber. Ziloh looked the guard from head to toe as the guard averted his eye and shuddered.
Ziloh preferred young women, but young men could quench his thirst from time to time. Especially when let go of his prey earlier before feeding.
'This man could do the trick.' Ziloh thought.
"Hey." Ziloh smirked at him.
The guard nodded and averted Ziloh's gaze.
Ziloh stood closer to the guard. "Are you free tonight?" Ziloh smiled.
The guard looked on the floor. "I'm on duty, young duke."
"That's no problem." Ziloh grabbed the man's shoulder. "I can ask for you to be relieved."
"There…there…there's no neeed." The guard stuttered.
Ziloh's reputation had spread throughout the palace. He had lots of women, but he had men too. And the guard was fully aware of this rumor.
Ziloh smirked. "It's for me to decide." Ziloh looked straight into the guard's eyes. "Wait for me here."
Ziloh knocked into the Queen's door.
"Come in!" The Queen bellowed.
The guard slid into the floor as his knees weakened. He was afraid to think about what will happen to him tonight.
"You called?"
"Ah, yes." Queen Kathy fumbled on her golden necklace. "Have a seat."
"What do you want?" Ziloh sat furthest from the Queen.
"Good job for protecting my daughter."
"No problem."
"She did not want to get married, and you protected her and now that Greg was been taken care of, you don't need to trail behind my daughter."
"What you mean is…"
"I suggest for you to distance yourself from my daughter from now own."
Ziloh smirked. ���This new King of yours, can he protect you can your daughter?"
"Yes," Queen Kathy smiled. "you don't need to be concerned about us anymore."
"What if I don't stay away?"
"Ziloh, I've been nice to you even since we began working together." Queen Kathy's face was expressionless. "Don't make me force you. Just do it while I'm asking nicely."
"Okay," Ziloh shrugged. "I understand. She's a pain to deal with anyway."
"Good thing we're always on the same page."
"But one more thing though."
"What is it?"
Ziloh pointed at the door. "Can I feed off your guard tonight?"
"Sure," Queen Kathy waved her hand in the air. "whatever."
"Thank you, Kathy." Ziloh stood up and walked his way to the door to inform the guard.
"Just make sure he won't remember." Queen Kathy added.
"Oh, he'll remember." Ziloh turned his head to the Queen. "He'll remember it as his most pleasurable night he ever had. They always remember it that way." Ziloh smirked.
***
Ziloh opened the door welcomed himself into Cliff's chamber.
"Oh, there you are!" Cliff placed his arms on Ziloh's shoulders and led him to the table. "Sit."
"Kiva said you've been looking for me."
"Yes," Cliff said after having a bite of his brain snack. "About your match between that young man." Cliff sliced through his brain snack. "Well, congratulations."
Ziloh shrugged.
"But we did not expect that move from the Queen." Cliff grabbed a napkin and wiped the side of his mouth. "King Garrett seems like the kind that uses his brain," Cliff hissed. "My plan backfired on me. I should not have tried to poison Princess Alyssa."
Ziloh stood and gripped Cliff's neck in a flash. "Alyssa's off-limits."
Ziloh had his doubts, but he had no evidence that Cliff was the one who did it. Ziloh expected Cliff not to go against their deal.
"Relax, relax." Cliff patted on Ziloh's arms. "It was all planned, I knew you would know that the water is poisoned."
But Ziloh tightened his grip. "I could tear you with my bare hands."
"Relax," Cliff held Ziloh's grip. "I won't do something against your back again, I promise."
"That was not our deal."
"I know, I know," Cliff waved his hand in the air. "I only did that as a warning, but the Queen reacted the wrong way and now she has that beast at her side."
"How can I trust you after this?"
"We both want something. And besides, the Princess already drunk the water. She had to die first before she expires."
Ziloh squinted his eyes at Cliff. "Your words have lost its value."
"But I'm afraid you have no choice in this. Only I can help you."
Ziloh slowly let go of his grip and sat at the chair beside cliff. "Don't go behind my back again."
��Yes, I will not." Cliff touched his neck instinctively. "Just continue to spy the Princess and the Queen for me and I'll follow our deal."
Ziloh nodded. "Okay." but he will never trust Cliff again. He was used, now it was his turn to use Cliff.
"Just help me ascend the throne and you can do whatever you want with Princess Alyssa." Cliff set his empty plate aside. "Make me King, and Kiva the Princess, and you would be free to do whatever."
"I'll do my side of the bargain."
"Why are you so fixated with Princess Alyssa anyway?"
"Some things… you want them without reason."
"Well, I could agree with you on that. Even I cannot explain why I want the throne so bad." Cliff pondered. "No, the throne was supposed to be mine eighteen years ago. I should have not trusted that Queen. I should not have trusted you to her."
"What is the plan now?"
"You know the plan had always been the same." Cliff held Ziloh's arm. "Kill the Queen."