"-what do you wanna talk about?
-your father want to tell you something important and I… want you to stay strong. Okay." Ayana felt nervous and started to panic but Kieran squeezed her hand comforting her.
The king Verin was restless, walking back and forth, thinking about his little girl's life and the future of his best friend's son.
The two friends got into the room to be met with a big smile on the old man's face. Verin hugged his daughter and said:
"-how is my little blooming flower?
-I am ok father, stop worrying about me I am not a little girl. Kieran told me you want to talk to me about something." The king's smile faded to be replaced with a sad look making Ayana more concerned.
"-I don't know what to say or how to explain but…
-tonight's attack was an assassination attempt to kill you so that you won't become my queen and by that I won't be the king." The prince explained with a total indifference that made Verin want to kill him at the spot if his daughter wasn't there.
"-But we can't cancel the marriage. We have to continue the ceremony preparation no matter what.
-I can't lose you Ayana, and I can't break my promise with Persus." Verin said holding his daughter's face at the verge to cry.
"-Hey Uncle no need for all drama and… you can finish it later. I have a plan; but I need your help to convince Malin to make it work. It will protect your daughter from any psycho killers and it will guarantee my future as the next King for the Nox Empire.
-spit it out.
-Listen carefully, we…"
"- you think Mal is going to agree with that." Ayana laughed at Kier who was dead serious about his plan.
"-Do you have a better plan? Princess.
-I will go with his plan and for Mal; I will give her anything she will ask for. But if anything happened to my daughter I will make sure to end you myself." Kieran's rolled his eyes at the king's threatening speech.
Verin left the room leaving Ayana and Kier lost in their thoughts, the prince thinking about a way to convince Malin to join him and the princess, thinking how she is useless, how she is just an image that she can't anything, without her father's permission or Kieran's order. She tried to find her purpose in this life, the role she plays in this performance except being the spoiled princess, the one that that can't take her life decisions. She didn't felt like a human or even treated like one, having her own voice to use. She hated her reality and thought that she had to stand up and stop this misery. However, we took brave decisions at the wrong moments.
"-Kieran… Why are you insisting on inserting Mal in this mess?
-well I can't think or find someone better than her in the mean time, or think about another plan."Ayana nodded before thinking in awhile then asked:
"-Do you love her?
-what?
-I said…Do you love her?
-you know me well…love isn't my thing but power is…Malin is just something I want to have, to own to possess, to put under my control and to help me reach what I want. She is like any other belongings I have or maybe…more special.
-don't take advantage of this opportunity Kieran. She is not and she won't be one of your toys. I am warning you, if you hurt or mistreat her I will….
-you will what? You are gonna cry or gonna complain to your father. You don't have any control or authority darling… and you will only do what men with power like me and your father say."Kieran clarified back in a rush tone, his eyes glowing red as they was like the hell gates, Ayana knew that he was right; even it was his evil side who spoke, his side that she was forced to accept and keep a secret…She smiled bitterly at him and her glassy eyes showed how much she was hurt; a drop of tear found her way on her red check, with the prince sense came back, realizing what he have done. His eyes back to their light calm grey shade and his voice to his lovely calm tone.
"-you know what? You proved my thoughts…Thanks prince Kieran for your honest opinion.
-Ayana no….wait…listen… I am sorry I didn't mean to say it that way…I …
-you said what you said…it's the hurtful truth and nothing can change how disappointment I am.
-please I am really sorry. But I am begging you…don't tell Mal anything about who I am, or everything we planned for…
- You mean…everything you planned for Nox. Don't worry; I don't break my promises. I will make sure you will be the king, but don't expect me to stay as your wife neither your friend again. And let's go and start your plan, there is not a lot of time left.
-Ayana pl… before he could say anything she left him, he looked at his ring to find it glowing, he cursed and left the room to catch up with Ayana, who walked back to Mal's room telling herself" the reign of the obedient princess is ended for the raising of the new strong queen."
In the middle of the hallway, she felt too arm hugging her tightly stopping her from moving anymore further. A cracking voice was heard begging for her forgiveness.
Ayana turned around to find Kieran heartbreaking state, he was pleading with his eyes and she knew that his regret was real.
"-please Ayana you are my best friend, you are the only one who accepted me and stayed by my side. Please don't leave me.
-did you finish?" she said in a dry voice making the prince more hurt than said:
"-how do you want me to forgive you, and you didn't left for me the space to answer.
-so you are not mad anymore.
-I am extremely mad at you; but l forgive you though, we all say none sense when we are angry. BUT… I swear Nox if this happen again I won't think twice before I leave you.
-thank you, thank you, thank you. I know I don't deserve your kindness but I promise I won't disappoint you or hurt my sweet little sister again.
-but I need time to forget about your stupidity, and you better start acting like a real king because no one would tolerate that behavior from you.
-as you say my queen." They both exploded in laughter before hurrying to Malin to start their plan.