"-Princess, we need you outside." The maid interrupted, Ayana nodded then excused herself.
When the princess disappeared from the eyesight Mal elbowed Kieran before she said:
"-hey guys listen…I need you to take care of something for me.
-like a new mission?" Ray asked
-yeah, sorry…you already have been through a lot and you deserve rest.
-No need to apologize girl. Anything for you, even if costs me my life.
-thanks Ray I don't know what to do without you and Ellie…
-did you finish the compliment and endearment session and how much they mean to you because Ayana won't take long to come back and you need to explain the mission for them sweetheart." Kieran cut in, annoyed rolling his eyes at her.
"-first don't call me sweetheart and…
-I can call you any way I want baby.
-unless you want your tongue cut darling.
-I…
-could you STOP fighting like kids! And tell us, about that mission that popped out of nowhere.
-wow Ellie I didn't know you are that eager to go on a mission with me…alone.
-I am just acting professional not like you mister Amato.
-it hurts." Ray said holding his chest pretending to feel in pain while Ellie looked at him up and down before rolling her eyes.
"-you are really the most dramatic and immature person I have ever met.
-I met worse." Malin said quietly only for Kieran to hear who just gave her an annoyed look.
"-it's not my problem that adulthood sucks.
-you mean your entire life.
-Not when you are with me." Ray said smirking while Ellie was a blushing mess but she snapped back:
"-I know, because a foolish and brainless person like you can't make one right decision.
-Or… because you are in love with me.
-stop saying nonsense!
-accept the truth honey!
-I swear…
-If you finished your aggressive confession…let's go back to our topic." Kieran said annoyed with a fake smile while Mal added raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms with a mocking tone:
"-it looks like we are not the only ones who have silly endless fights.
-can I know why you can't go yourself for the mission, why us?" Ellie asked sternly going back to her serious face so Kieran started to explain and everyone was all ears for him:
"-here is why….
-so…what's your plan?" Ray asked casually
"-you will go back to the castle tomorrow morning, and I need you to start the investigations about the missing girls, prevent riots and any other damage that could happen and most important I want you to bring me everything about that new king…" Kieran glared at Mal
"-What?
-Really? The new king!
-I don't know his name and stop with this behavior you will get your crown in all cases spoiled brat.
-you'd better.
-As if, you are going to do anything prince.
-sweetheart I don't warn twice.
-and I don't think twice before killing someone.
-Anyway…leave that old man who have a weird angelic reputation for me and Ellie will take care of the missing girls. But we need someone from the castle to help us find the culprits and earn time.
-you took care of more complicated missions than this one, can't you do it yourselves?
-we can do it Mal; but it's a matter of time before anything else happened so its better we hurry up and asking help from time to time is not bad.
-it's not my thing.
-you don't have a choice.
-and I don't anyone from the castle except you two, this jerk and Pryor.
-ask the jerk then.
-hey! I allowed you to call me by my name but that doesn't mean you can cross the limits with me!" Kieran lashed out with a dark tone making the two hunters bow down their heads while Mal was shooting him death glares but she can't do anything this time because he was right.
"-I apologize your majesty, but we really need someone to help us.
-I was going to assign someone to go with you anyway since the beginning.
-you decided to talk now.
-you didn't ask princess.
-whom did you assign?" he smirked at Mal before he called for the maid to call for his personal assistant. The maid just left for someone to enter few seconds later leaving everyone speechless and Kieran in anger.
"-you called your majesty." The boy entered and stood in front of Kieran from across the table, with his head down and cap on, making his face fully covered add to that his head tilted down. Ray said with amusement:
"-wow, is he a witch or have powers?
-no I just was passing by, accidently.
-Such a lovely accident; Howin.
-Howin?" Mal questioned fixing her gaze at the mysteries guy in front of her. The boy raised his head slightly but soon looked down because of the prince eyes full of rage.
"-you know each other?" Ellie asked the question that was rooming in Kieran's mind
"-well, he showed me the way to library after you left with Ayana.
-the way to the library…interesting." Kier mumbled but loud enough for Mal to hear; she pulled him from his arm and whispered:
"-he just showed me the way to library, nothing happened so you'd better not hurt him.
-oh really?" with that the boy started to hold his head that was banging so badly trying to stop his whimpers.
"-Kieran, stop what you are doing?
-why are you defending him so suddenly Mal?
-I am not.
-Liar." The poor boy fell on his knees from pain holding his head, Ellie and Ray hurried to help him stand up but it was in vain.
"-please Kieran stop it, you are hurting him?
-Or what?
-Please I will do anything just stop.
-Anything?
-anything! Just stop it." Kieran snapped his finger and the boy felt relieved finally, he took Ellie's Hand who was very concerned about him making Ray burn from jealousy. Kieran noticed the tension and smiled to himself. Mal stood to check on Howin but the prince pulled her back warning:
"-if you want him dead I dare you to step another step." She snatched her hand and looked at the boy feeling sorry for him and a sudden thought hit her; she stepped with all her strength on Kieran's foot making him yell in pain.
Everyone turned their attention to the prince who was rubbing his foot wincing in pain, his eyes were shooting venomous arrows, between his bang hair strands, at Mal who just flipped her hair and raised her shoulder at him with a satisfaction smirk.
Howin held back his laughter but face palmed when Kieran looked at him.
"-are you ok?" Ellie asked in her usual sweet tone making Ray roll his eyes.
"-yes I just felt a little dizzy, thank you miss…
-you can call me Ellie.
-nice name like its owner, you can call me Howin." The red-haired girl blushed at his compliment.
-so, you are the one who is going with us in that mission?" Ray said crossing his arms eyeing the boy making him uncomfortable but Howin did the same with a smirk on:
"-yes, is there a problem.
-yeah, sorry to tell you that but we don't need your help, we are better alone.
-you are not my boss to tell me what to do.
-and I won't let you get on my way.
-you are the one who don't like to cooperate here sir, and we need to move on quickly before anything else could happen.
-I didn't ask…
-Ray! Stop it, you were the one asking for help and now you are rejecting it rudely. Add to that, he is right, we need to hurry up." Ellie interrupted earning an 'are you serious' look from Ray.
"-Can I talk now?
-Since when you don't." Mal snapped back quietly but Kieran heard her and glared before he finished:
"-you will go back to the castle tomorrow morning, and Howin will give you more details." They all nod except Malin of course.
"-anything else I should know about.
-you mean WE." Howin just rolled his eyes but before Mal could answer Ayana came back and her face lightened up when she saw the black-haired boy.