"-What a nice surprise!
-My queen." Howin greeted bowing politely at Ayana who lightly chuckled at him.
"-stop it, I am not going to be the queen…for now.
-you don't need a man to get the crown.
-and you don't need a tongue to communicate." Kieran said but Mal elbowed him giving the others a nervous smile before she said between her teeth:
"-and you don't have a brain to think with. Can you tell me, what's your problem?"
"-why are you here…I mean you always have work and we rarely see each other.
-my boss told me to stay here for awhile but I guess I have a new mission to take care of.
-but you just came.
-sorry maybe another day we could spend some time together." He winked at her; she hit him playfully while Ray rolled his eyes and Kieran was about to stand up but Mal pulled him and started to wipe his mouth which was clean. The distance between them was enough for Mal to feel his hot breath hitting her face however she ignored his devilish smirk and piercing eyes who studied every detail in her face.
"-why are you standing there, come eat with us.
-thanks for your generosity, but I don't want to disturb you and it seems you have guests.
-being a well mannered guy is a good thing but too much drove me mad and you are not a stranger.
-she is right there is no bother, add to that we will work together… we made this dinner to know each other better and we will have the pleasure to know more about a hardworking gentle man like you. "Ellie added before Mal finished:
"-yeah, I agree, and no one has a problem with you spending the night with us.
-I have!"Kieran and Ray shouted in union earning glares from the girls and a smirk from Howin.
"-you both better shut up, because you are embarrassing yourselves."Mal ordered at the two jealous boys who just rolled their eyes.
"-I guess I am staying then, thanks girls."
"-hey I want to ask you, are Ray and Ellie going in a mission with you?
-yeah.
-why out of sudden? I thought you are going to stay till the marriage.
-they will take care of something for me and help Howin with the coronation preparation, nothing important to worry about." Mal lied and Ayana nodded.
They spend the night between laughing at Howin's joke, Ray teasing Ellie, Kieran and Mal childish fights about food and Ayana was feeling company after long years of loneliness in this big castle.
After the desserts were served, and Mal almost had a food coma with Kieran endless nagging, the maids brought extra blanket and pillows.
"-are we going to sleep here?" Kieran asked and Ayana answered but he interrupted her before she could finish:
-we are going to have a sleep over, me and….
-me and Mal on the bed the rest of you…you can sleep on the ground.
-hold your horses Kieran…it's me, Ayana and Ellie. Girl's sleepover, you can take yourself and sleep in your bed" Mal explained sarcastically.
-well my bad feel cold and empty when I sleep alone.
-you can sleep with Ray and Howin and made your own sleepover.
-you can't tell me what I can do…and I am sleeping here.
-get out!
-Make me then." The prince throw himself on the large bed, making himself comfortable with his hands behind his head then patted the space next to him for Mal to come sit. She cringed at him and the others laughed silently before Ayana added:
"-I guess we should leave you with your husband Mal, let's go Ellie.
-He is not my husband and I swear if anyone stepped outside that door they won't have legs to walk with again." She didn't bother to turn around, her voice only made everyone stand still properly with adrenaline rushing in their veins insanely, but Kieran turned on his side admiring her angry gaze at him with a wide smirk on.
"-Kieran. Leave. Now.
-Or what? You can't do anything love." Everyone was pleading him to leave from Mal's back however; he wasn't the one to take orders so she wasn't the one to let anyone tell her what to do.
"-ok enjoy your night…ladies and gentlemen…let's go." Mal turned to them with a warm smile on her face making everyone shocked.
The prince stood up quickly and asked:
"-Where are you going, young lady?
-Your highness shouldn't stay up late, or you will have dark circles, and that's not good for your royal look. We will go and have a walk outside in the garden and maybe… sleep together at any other room, you know…it's dangerous and we should be careful.
-No way Mal, you are going to sleep here and stop moving for awhile, you need to rest! Why can't your stubborn brain get this? Do I have to repeat myself every time?
-Make me." She shot back with a smirk on making him smile at her and everyone just had enough with them but at the same time afraid of his reaction.
"-you think you won.
-I am sure I did.
-maybe…" he held her waist and kissed her cheek with endearment making her blushing hard and angry at the same time and then whispered in her ear a "goodnight" with his angelic and sweet voice that made her even more speechless.
He moved back looking at her frustrated reaction and she was about to hit him but he caught her hands and put them around his neck and hugged her with all his force and whispered:
"-I didn't know the kiss wasn't enough that you want a hug…I don't mind anyway.
-so…are we leaving or staying?"Ray asked earning everyone's attention and giving enough time for Mal to free herself from Kieran's strong hold feeling embarrassed.
"-yeah, let's spend the night at mine boys, and girls…please take care of Mal I guess she had some fever." Kieran commented and winked at the blushing mess before leaving the room with a laughing Howin and confused Ray who understood the joke later…