He walked outside her room, his clothes sticky to his body, with his hair pushed back; making his way to his room, full of charm and glamour with his defined muscles and attractive features that anyone would get lost in them but won't dare to stare. The maids admired him from afar but when he passed by everyone bowed in fear and respect.
He stepped inside his room, smiling to himself; he started to loosen up the first three buttons of his shirt when he noticed someone's presence behind him. Howin was standing near the door, his head tilted down when Kieran turned his gaze to his direction. The prince smiled widely and put his hands inside his pocket leaning with his back on the dressing table.
"-Hi Howin, what brought you here?
-you are in a great mood today sir.
-yeah, you'd better not ruined it. If it's not important, you can save it for later.
-well…uhm…" Kieran noticed the boy's sweaty hands and tensed muscles, and his eyes that were looking everywhere but his. He tilted his head a little a bit and said with an emotionless face:
"-spit it.
-ok…a lot of things happened and I want you to listen carefully before getting mad.
-I already am.
-well, there is someone who leaked the king's illness to your people, and told them how you are still alive and the king hide you from everyone. And people started some riots and sent a lot of complaints and ask if you are qualified enough to rule the kingdom after your father's death.
-Can I know where have you been when all of that happened?
-I was busy with the mission you address it me to do, but I couldn't find any link.
-You should have taken care of that issue first; seize the responsible behind the riots and tell those ungrateful peasants any lie, why the old man kept me away from their annoying looks. And bring me that moron who doubted my abilities as the next king.
-Well I could have dealt with that your highness but…
-But what Howin, you'd better give me a good reason why you still my right hand.
-Maybe, because I won't betray you no matter what. And I do my job better than anyone.
-and you have a big smart mouth that would get killed if you won't speak.
-I have been looking for a group who were responsible behind sabotaging a lot of shops and hurting a lot of people, but when the royal guards look for them they disappear completely with no trace. Add to that, the people said that we raised the monthly scot and that we would take your wife, sister and daughter to work in the castle or for ministers, if you refuse or you don't have enough money to pay. However; all the girls and woman who was taken, we didn't find them anywhere.
-Did you ask them about the people who came to collect the money?
-yes I did but nothing… But there is something else.
-Wait! There is more!
-yeah, didn't you ask about the moron who doubted your ability?
-can't you get strait to the point?
-well that Man, gave aids and helped fixing the damages after the riots and sabotage activities, and he wrote a letter to the castle telling you to leave the thrown to someone who really deserve to be called a king.
-What was his name?
-he didn't write his name though, but the audacity he had to call himself the next king impressed me.
-What? Are you not satisfied with me being your king Howin?
-I didn't mean that Kieran, what I meant is his confidence about his abilities as a king.
-ok, now… I am overwhelmed with everything; and I don't know from well to start… Wait, what did I told you about calling me with my first name.
-I am sorry your highness. Should I…" Howin couldn't finish his word before someone start knocking on the door, the boy hid behind the dark blue curtains and Kieran ordered for that unwanted visitor to enter.
"-Your highness. Sorry for bothering." The maid said bowing and talking politely, but Kieran had enough for today, he ended up rolling his eyes before he answered:
"-if you know well that you are bothering me than why did you come.
-I have something important to talk with you about.
-I am listening but not for too long; so you'd better hurry up." Kieran said coldly making the girl more tensed around him.
-well it's about the mission you gave me.
-Miranda I swear if you messed up or…
-No don't worry everything is fine, he just kept rejecting every movement I do. I wanted to make him my slave but that girl named Ellie kept stuck with him.
-as much as he is not near Mal I don't care. And I told you to keep him distracted, not seduce him so… it's not my problem.
-But, Kieran…you would feel more at ease when he is my slave, you won't have to worry about anything then." Miranda said walking slowly looking at him with pouting lips and moving her hair to the side to look more attractive.
"-I don't know why you are doing all of that for that dirty huntress. You can be with me instead. I will do everything you said anything you ask for… my life is for you to rule… Just give me a chance." She looked at him pleading and put her hand to continue unbuttoning his shirt but before she could touch him; he held her wrist aggressively almost breaking it.
Miranda tried to pull herself away but he smiled mischievously and said:
"-That dirty huntress you are talking about is your queen, and there is no way to compare between a pitiful slut like you and a noble pure huntress like her. So you'd better know your damn place, or I will gladly show it to you." He threatened her with his deep harsh voice than push her to fall on the ground, with tears almost escaped her glassy eyes.
He leaned back as nothing happened, eyeing her up and down before he added:
"-you are not even my type…and now leave." The girl collected herself and stood up quickly to bow before leaving.
"-And Miranda! Before I forget, don't. Mess. up."
She looked at his serious expression before stepping outside his room, regretting what she have done, but she isn't the one to get humiliated or rejected easily.
"-Hey Miranda I …Are you ok?" her friend Melina, her friend asked worried but she wiped her tears and reassured her.
"-good to hear, but we need to hurry up, the princess is making a special dinner for her guests. And we have a lot of things to do; hurry up!
-I am coming" Mira groaned and followed Melina to the kitchen…
"-I almost throw up.
-because if you did, I am gonna throw you outside the balcony.
-Chill man, I am not Miranda and I respect Mal and fear her honestly.
-And that's what I want… Stay in the castle and when I call you, come immediately." Howin bowed his head in agreement avoiding the flaming rage in the young prince's eyes. He left the room while Kieran went for a shower.