Seth couldn't stop thinking about the red-haired lady he met a few days ago.
He'd close his eyes and see her... whenever he saw the color red, it would remind him of her.
* * *
Seth was struggling with the thought of telling his elder brother how he was feeling. It was confusing to him because he hadn't experienced anything like it before.
But, Seth decided that he'd see her a few more times to clear things out for himself first before he goes rambling to Sek. [He might laugh at me], Seth thought...
Heck! He was laughing at himself... feeling giddy and impatient to see her again.
* * *
Ruby had begun planning her trip to the surrounding kingdoms.
She no longer had to dye her hair because she longer felt she should be in hiding anymore. Everyone had to know who she was now that she was on her quest to partner with any army to get rid of the usurper on her throne, the person responsible for her parent's death. Any time she thought of that person, her blood boiled. The fact that she was in the dark as to the identity of the traitor made it worse.
[But that was what traitors were known for...hiding behind the scenes and making others do their dirty jobs for them. Cowards!], she thought.
It was tedious work. They had to research how many kingdoms, which one would be receptive towards her and her plea, and which ones didn't have bad blood with her kingdom. After all the search, they gathered their findings, mainly herself and Anthony, and planned a strategy.
"So, all in all, I'm visiting three kingdoms, The Red Kingdom inclusive. Should I start there or they should be the last I'll visit?", she brainstormed with Anthony.
"I think The Red Kingdom should be the third on the list. I doubt they would help, that's why I suggested it because it is said that, they are a peaceful kingdom that hates to fight. They do not like losing their soldiers to war", Anthony said.
"Hmm... okay then. Could you call Greta for me, please?"
Anthony left the room they were in, stepped outside in search of Greta.
[she was always by the fire, cleaning this or cooking that], Anthony thought.
But he couldn't deny the fact that her cooking was splendid. Shame didn't allow him to ask for seconds whenever she served him a plate.
Sometimes, she'd tease him saying; "If you want another plate of food, just say, Hey, beautiful Miss Greta, can I have some more?", then she'd bat her eyelashes, laugh at him and leave.
* * *
Anthony knew Greta was beautiful, but he wasn't about to let her know that he was aware of that fact. Greta was mischievous, that was all Anthony let her know.
"The princess needs you".
"Do you have an idea why?", she replied as she was wiping her hands on her apron.
"No, but it must be connected to our plans. It's taking shape now. Things will get serious soon, Greta. Prepare yourself", he said to her.
As she passed him, he heard her say; "It's not like you are prepared yourself. You look scared, I always tell you that. You cant even ask for another plate of food when you clearly want more".
"Is that what we are talking about, this woman?"... Anthony shook his head. Greta was stressful to deal with but he still liked her company. It seemed twisted to him sometimes.
* * *
As Anthony and Greta walked into the place Ruby was sitting in, the princess got up immediately and said to Greta;
"I need my hair trimmed a little and braided in a style I'll describe to you when we start. Also, Anthony would give you some money to go get some presentable clothes from the market. Just decent dresses, I can't go into other kingdoms with these old ones I've had since we arrived here. Most of them tore during my training."
Both Anthony and Greta had noticed the change in Ruby. But, they didn't know the depth to which the change had occurred. Ruby had become a determined, focused lady but there was a negative side to it all... she was bent on revenge and that has never been a good thing.
As Greta gathered herself for the market, Anthony continued going over Ruby's speeches, Princess Ruby decided to go take a bath in that river she loved. She also planned to give her hair a thorough wash.
She got to the bank of the water and suddenly remembered the handsome man with the snake's eye she met here a few days back. Looking around, with a little hope that he'd be here, she found no one and shrugged off the feeling of expecting to see him.
She took a deep dive into the water, but this time around, she wore a bandeau-styled top with a pair of briefs, and yes, Seth was there, watching her, happy that she had come finally.