King Mafilso choked on his tea. Shawn and Ralph had smiles spreading on their faces. Shawn had even changed his sitting position. He now leaned on his hands, ready to take in the drama that was ready to unfold. Ralph turned his chair before sitting to face the door. Drastacia, who had caused this whole fiasco, wasn't even fazed.
She casually and leisurely stood from her table. Her walk toward Bendra was slow and majestic. When she got to Achlysa's position, she stood and sneered at her before moving forward. And while she moved, she made sure to bump into her shoulder. She was expecting her to stumble and fall helplessly but Achlysa stood there firm as a tree.
Drastacia soon stood a distance away from Bendra. She smiled and her reptile tail emerged showing that she was really enjoying this. Mafilso could still be heard coughing from afar. His hand was stretching out to her. His face looked worried for some reason but his daughter was either ignoring him or did not see his warning.
When he made an attempt to make a move, Bendra shot him a daring look. His eyes were colder than any time King Mafilso had seen him. This level of anger was one he had only heard about. He was now sure that his stupid, egotistic daughter just dug her own grave and she was about to be buried in it. And what was worse, she wouldn't even see it coming.
King Mafilso could protest and save his daughter then but he was against three battle trained engines and one unknown factor. Two of which could easily overpower him and one was equally matched to his abilities. Him being a demon meant that he was weak to angelic power and beast magic and his abilities would be cancelled by Ralph. He hated to admit it but he did not like his chances.
Plus, attacking a royal in a country could be considered as an act of war. The Angel family were also considered royal so things could only get worse from here on out. He had not liked the girl that had been branded by Bendra because he also could not understand why a powerful man chose a weakling like her. He thought but did not voice it, however, he did not stop his daughter from doing so.
He was just as guilty and trying to stop the milk from spilling now, was an action taken a little too late. His emotions screamed joy which meant something terribly juicy was on its way. His cough had seized but he still felt something stuck in his throat. His breathe came in and out in halted shifts. Mafilso wanted to hear the conversation as well and that meant no coughing.
Drastacia looked back at Achlysa before she started speaking. Achlysa did not want this going out of hand just because someone disrespected her. And she knew for a fact that if Drastacia added salt to injury, she would not be spared. She tapped her staff gently before walking away. Seeing this, Princess Drastacia smiled wickedly, ready to make her regret her choice.
"Ooh, look your highness, your bitch left without your permit." Drastacia said. Her tone was gentle and polite but her actions weren't. She was bent on making Achlysa pay for holding Shawn's hand, for humiliating her and make a fool out of her. At least, that was what she thought. And she was convinced that after all this, Bendra being royal like she was could actually see her point of view and dump this worthless woman before her. In her heart, she was also jealous that Achlysa had more of a figure than she did.
"Being your mistress, isn't she supposed to wait for her Master's orders like a good girl."
At this point, Ralph was holding back a laugh. His face was red as his hand covered his mouth. King Mafilso's hand was also on his face, but, for a different reason. He was trying to hide shame being smeared to his good name by his incorrigible daughter. Shawn showed no emotion whatsoever but still watched. Achlysa stood frozen to the spot. The grip on her staff could be seen getting tighter as he knuckles turned white. Crown Prince Bendra's face looked amused but his eyes were growing darker.
Achlysa shuddered from this feeling. She felt like she was choking from his anger. She knew that she was not receiving the full throttle of his emotions but she felt it swallowing her whole. A sharp sting pierced her legs and she knew what it meant. Her legs were almost giving up. She had stood for too long thus they were exhausted. She had to leave but she was not sure she could make it out on time.
Her hand immediately clenched her dress, Drastacia thought that she was inflicting pain on her but how wrong she was. She smiled and decided to make this one hurt more than anything she had said so far. Achlysa on the other hand concentrated on thinking happy thoughts in an attempt to distract herself.
"Prince Bendra, with all due respect, aren't you engaged to Fralchesta Sloran, the second princess of Handredell. I would advice you to let this one go. You have had your fun and now you no longer need her. She needs to know her place before things get out of hand. Surely, we do not want word to get out that the Crown Prince of Droganol has an affair with trash and a commoner no less, now do we?"
Achlysa was shocked to here that her perfect mate was engaged. She should have seen it coming since royalty was to wed royalty. It was rare for them to marry another, that was unless they found their mate or perfect mate, which was rare, before their wedding day. Most royals were unlucky not to find them until later. This was the case with Bendra's mother and father. And the consequences were catastrophic. She had not planned on admitting it, but Achlysa's heart felt heavy.
Bendra clapped for as he walked in. His face indicated that he was eternally grateful for being shown this perspective. Drastacia had really opened his eyes. He closed his eyes while approaching her and his hands went to his back. Two steps more, he stopped and opened his eyes. The distance between them had become shorter but he was still not close enough to grab her.
His mind was so clouded in anger that he could not guarantee her safety once he got too close to her. It was wise to keep some distance between them, for now.
"Thank you for enlightening me but let me make a few things clear." There was a smile on his face while he said this. But, when he was about to say the next thing, his face changed. His soft features turned cold in an instant that even Drastacia could not his gaze at their distance. She involuntarily moved back.
"The engagement between Princess Fralchesta and I was declined a long time ago by me. That was when I made it clear my disinterest in women. That was…until she came along." He gestured toward Achlysa before continuing. "Secondly, she is not a bitch a'd the fact that you made her visit here a very uncomfortable one makes me very, very disappointed in you."
Ralph could no longer hold back and let a 'pffft' slip. Bendra did not mind him and neither did Shawn. King Mafilso only held his heart in his hand because if Bendra could decide to make a big deal out of this, then whether he liked it or not, it could spell the end of their kingdom. Just because they had been recognized did not mean that they could not go back to the times where they were shunned and treated just as triggers were.
"Third, she is neither a servant nor is she a bitch." He walked toward Achlysa while saying this. He said nothing more until he got to her side.
"Lastly, who gave you the right to talk at a woman of higher status than you. You are just but a mere princess. She, is a crown princess and the future queen of Droganol."
Drastacia wanted to say something but Bendra was not planning on giving her a chance. With his arm around Achlysa's waist he continued.
"May this be the last time you drag my name and the name of my darling in the dirt. The next time I will not be so lenient. And am sure, neither will she." His eyes glowed purple and so did Achlysa's. They all knew what it meant. It was an indication that they were mates.
A cough rang in the dining area as they left. Drastacia's mouth was on the floor. Ralph a'd his brother stood to leave. Shawn, stood at the door and looked at her.
" I thought I told you but, you did not listen. Cover the dirt once you are done burying yourself."