Ayana made the bed comfortable for Mal; who was whining like a child because she can't leave or walk around only: when it's necessary.
"-come on girl! You need rest and we can do a lot of things. Like…don't you have anything in mind to do; when you finally can rest and enjoy life?" Mal looked at the roof for awhile before she answered:
"-Well…I spend my time practicing or hunting down incubuses so, I don't have time to think about what I want to do.
-Any hobbies?
-oh…I love reading, can we go to the library?
-yeah! As you want girl, we will go then but first…Can I ask you something?
-Go on.
-is there something between you and Kieran?
-NO! We are just working together, nothing more.
-then what's with the babies thing?
-he loves to get on my nerves." Ayana laughed at her friend's annoyed expression, who joined her moments later.
"-by the way, where is Ray and Ellie?
-well…" before Ayana could answer, Ellie stormed in the room, and sat next to Mal on the bed; she crossed her hands and pouted in sadness.
The other two girls looked at each other to turn their gaze later to the red-haired girl. Malin asked her softly:
"-hey Ellie what's up?
-Ray.
-What happened? I thought I left you with Miranda to have a look around the castle." Ayana interrupted worried.
"-That's the problem!
-why? Did she hurt you or said anything offensive?
-no
-did another incubus attacked him?"Mal questioned worried about to curse at Kieran.
"-No Mal, he is fine.
-did you have a fight again?
-it would be much better than what happened!
-Ellie you made us worried; just tell us what happened please, we will help you" Ayana pleaded holding the girl's hand tenderly.
"-ok…When you told this MIRANDA to show us around the castle…She kept talking to Ray ignoring me the whole time. All her attention was for him, she was batting her lashes, holding his arm to show him around and trying to sound feminine and cute…And that stupid bastard went with the flow, they started flirting and I felt like a third wheel… When we got to the garden; they sat near the fountain, and he put a flower behind her ear and started complimenting her beauty and intelligence. As if she got anything from these!... I told them I am going to my room, and he didn't even ask me why or what's wrong? Could you imagine that! And that witch just smirked at me as if she won, making me boil in rage…and I couldn't stay alone, so I came here to you." With her last words the poor girl exploded crying and the sound of her sobs broke the heart of her two friends.
"-so…are you mad because he didn't pay attention to you?" Ayana asked trying to understand the situation but Mal answered her:
"-no it's just that Ellie have a crush on…
-I love him not just a crush." Ellie interrupted between her sobs correcting her friend pouting. Mal and Ayana laughed at her cuteness.
"-As I was saying; she is in love with him since we were young. But my friend is a dumbass to notice her love for him.
-Awe….so cute. You really suit each other. Wipe your tears; I can't stand watching your pretty eyes drift tears of sorrow. And for Miranda I will take care of her; and she won't bother you anymore." Ayana reassured Ellie, who jumped and hugged Ayana almost falling on the ground.
"-Thank you; thank you; thank you. You already owe me. How can I pay back your kindness?
-don't mention it girl, we are friends and friends back each other." The princess looked at Mal who smiled at her warmly.
"-ok but…I am still mad with him.
-leave it to me, he will pay for upsetting my little baby." Mal added pinching her friend's red cheeks and the three girls exploded in laughter.
"-so what were you talking about before I came?" Ellie asked looking at the two girls and Ayana answered her smirking:
"-we are gonna be aunts soon!
-What!
-AYANA!" Mal said hitting her friend with a pillow but she caught it.
"-wow, can you explain who and how and when?
-there is nothing to explain!"Malin interrupted before Ayana could say more however the princess continued:
"-Our precious Mal and her beloved husband Kieran are planning to have kids.
-First he is not my beloved husband. And second, no way in hell I am gonna have kids with him. This is a fake marriage so you'd better not start shipping us together." The poor girl explained with a little a bit of anger in her voice. However, Ellie and Ayana didn't stop teasing her.
"-so…how many kids are you planning to have?" the red-haired girl asked innocently but Mal sighed in frustration and started rubbing her temples. The princess explained:
"-like look at the bright side girl, your kids will be a beauty icon.
-yeah and I will be their lovely aunty and we will have cute babies rooming around." Ellie added cooing at the thought.
"-listen girls…I am just doing my best to end this mission and go back to my old life; nothing less , nothing more, and I really don't have any interest in ruling or being the queen or having any type of unprofessional relations with Kieran.
-you know, that makes you a good queen, you care for people, money and power is your last interest, and if you have them; you use them for a good reason that is beneficial for the kingdom.
-thanks Ayana but still; there is nothing between me and Kieran.
-you think so, but he is really into you.
- And who is not?" Ellie added making them burst into laughter.
"-hey listen I have an idea." Ayana said earning the attention of the other two girls.
"-let's have like a small gathering.
-explain.
-well, us the three with the other two bustards, have dinner and spend the night having fun. It will be a good opportunity to know each other more, and you won't get bored." Ayana explained to Mal before Ellie added:
"-and we can have girls sleepover!... can we?
-yes definitely, it will be fun.
-ok I am in but now…I am going to the library and you can go start preparing what you need for the night... And yeah before you go can you bring me scissors?
-why?
-I need to get rid of this dress, and I can't take it without hurting myself.
-ok wait a minute." Ayana said before ordering for one of the maids to bring her scissors.
Malin changed from her old clothes feeling comfortable.
"-that's better…oh they left already. Wait! I don't know where the library is!" she walked outside the room hoping to find a maid but no one in the corridor, weird. She kept walking backward looking for someone but she ended bumping in someone.
"-miss are you alright?
-yes…Thanks. Sorry it's my bad, I should have been more careful.
-it's ok. You look lost. Are you looking for someone?
-I don't know where the library is.
-no problem, I can take you there if you want.
-oh thanks I would really appreciate it.
-let's go then… oh my bad I didn't introduce myself. I'm Howin.
-I am Malin but you can call me Mal."