"It remains this kingdom for us to officially visit, Anthony," Ruby said.
"I was going to ask you when you would be ready for that"
"I am ready now. I just had to get over what I experienced in the Taterra Kingdom". Ruby hissed as she remembered that visit. It wasn't nice at all but, [Good riddance], she thought.
"Kindly arrange a meeting and tell Greta to prepare a dress for me. I will like to wear the one I wore to the Predor Kingdom. Maybe that was what gave me some form of luck", she mused.
"Luck? Princess? Anyway, your wish is my command"
Anthony bowed and left where she was.
Greta came in, humming a song. She had been extremely happy these past few weeks and Ruby was happy as well, for her. "Princess Ruby"
Ruby shook her head. She had given up telling them not to call her 'Princess'. [Guess it comes naturally to them], she thought. "Greta, please come braid my hair", she said as she pulled a bench to the middle of the general room and sat down.
"Do you have a style in mind, princess?"
"Weave it round and pack it in a bun for me"
As Greta took the red hair in her hands, she continued humming the song she had been humming when she entered.
"So... You and Anthony. Hmm... do I have to ask first?"
Ruby didn't see it but Greta blushed hard. "My Princess"
"Don't princess me. Tell me about both of you... something is going on, right?"
"Yes, Princess Ruby. We are in love. I love him and now, I know he feels the same way for me"
Ruby squealed, "That is wonderful. Greta, Anthony is a good man. At least, I know from his service to my father. The King always spoke highly of him... and he didn't talk that way about many people. I am happy for you". She took Greta's hand and placed a kiss on the back of her palm.
Greta was stunned. [A princess, behaving like an ordinary folk]. There and then, she knew that she was going to serve Ruby till her dying day. Greta loved her and she would do her best to protect her. "Are you hungry, my princess?"
"Just a little. But finish up first. I will eat later"
* * *
"A messenger just left", Anthony said.
He had sent in a letter to the court three days ago immediately after Ruby had told him to. And their reply was swift. Anthony appreciated that.
"Did you know that King Zain had died?", Anthony asked Ruby.
"Did you know? Just answer that first, Anthony", her mouth was pouted.
He felt foolish and said, "No", bowing his head.
"Good. You didn't know so how would I know that?". Ruby said. "That is sad. I guess his son sits on the throne now. I have heard good things about him. His name is Sek, right?"
"Oh yes, Princess Ruby. The spirits are with us and I feel it is going to be a good visit. They will give us an audience tomorrow morning", Anthony said.
"Perfect. Let us go through my speech"
* * *
In The Red Palace...
"The Princess Ruby of the Ziviel Kingdom". Her presence was announced.
Seth's brows creased. [Who had that name too? Ruby?], he felt possessive over the name already. It belonged to someone special to him.
But when Ruby walked into the throne room... She stole the whole place with her grace, her carriage, and her confidence, which oozed from her in waves. She looked stunning and her red hair shone with the help of the sun rays coming in from the large windows on her right side.
Seth's jaw dropped. "That is Ruby. The girl I met at the river. She is a princess? She never told me", he whispered to himself.
He was standing on King Sek's left-hand side with the queen on his right. With the sight Seth's eyes were beholding, he forgot about the pain he was feeling and the issue he had to settle with his half-brother and his stepmother.
"Princess Ruby of the Ziviel Kingdom. You are welcome", King Sek stepped forward to receive her. He had gotten closer and was in awe of her beauty and grace. [She is lovely, indeed], the king thought.
As Ruby curtsied with apt poise, she felt the King's hands on her arms as he assisted her in getting back up. She lifted her head and her gaze and her eyes landed on... [The man with the snake's eyes!].
[What was he doing standing there? Near the king!], the voice in her head was literally shouting.
"Thank you, King Sek. Thank you for having me".
Sek noticed that her eyes weren't on him, he followed her gaze and saw that she was looking at his brother... [Maybe she is scared. I can not keep him from being here though], he thought. Little did he know...
"You are safe here, Princess", Sek whispered in her ears.
[What does he mean?]. "Oh, I know, King Sek", Ruby said as realization hit her. [He must think I am afraid of Seth]
Just then, Seth left where he was standing and reached them. Meanwhile, King Sek went back to his throne and sat down.
Seth took Ruby's hand in his and as he bowed to place a kiss on the back of her palm, he whispered, "Welcome to the palace, Princess Ruby". He smiled and she felt a shiver run through her spine.
[Steady... Ruby], she thought.
King Sek's voice filled the room as he said, "I am all ears, Princess. To what do we owe your pleasant visit?"
Ruby started telling them about what had happened to her kingdom. The look of concern and resolve on Seth's face didn't go unnoticed by Ruby.
[Why did he look so concerned though?], Ruby thought, confusion hanging in the air.
"We will support you", King Sek finally said.
But as Sek led Ruby into the dining hall for breakfast that had been prepared with her visit in mind, Seth took permission from him to leave, saying he had something important to deal with.