A new day came hiding with it secrets and surprises. The two hunters and the new friend packed their needs for their new journey, leaving the others in the castle.
Mal woke up late, a new habit she earned from this luxury lifestyle, to find a letter with a bucket of cookies next to her.
To my future queen
"Meet me at eight in the garden
tonight, no excuses."
Your future husband
"-wow, he is really confident about himself." She said before taking a bite from the fresh baked cookies, her eyes widened at the mouthwatering sweets.
"-well, I guess he deserves a chance…but he can't buy me with food."She said to herself standing up to wash her face but before she got in the bathroom she took another cookie.
When she got out; she found her room cleaned and Ayana fixing her hair in front of the mirror.
"-you look pretty don't worry.
-I know I just assure I look fabulous." Ayana said flipping her hair with a smirk on, and then laughed with Mal till she asked her:
"-so…. what brought our lovely princess to my modest room.
-I am here because I have lessons to give to the next queen.
-what are talking about?
-Wait, Kieran didn't tell you?
-since when Kieran tell me something useful or let's say anything in general that doesn't revolve around him.
-yeah you are right, no problem. I made a program for today to keep you entertained and learn new things.
-ok…doesn't sound bad, spit it up.
-First, I will show you around the castle so you won't get lost…later we will have lunch at one in the afternoon so you are going to learn table etiquette then you have free time before…
-Am I free before eight?
-why? Do you have something to do?
-Actually… someone to meet.
-you mean Kieran.
-How? ...
-Duh, who wants to meet you at that hour and add to that; he won't be here the whole day, of course he is going to ask to meet you.
-And why is he not here for the whole day?
-I see…missing him already." She said smirking but the other cringed at her answer:
"-No I am just curious.
-Curiosity killed the cat…but anyway, he has some business to do that he didn't tell me about. All I know is that we are going to spend the whole day together.
-Finally…some rest from that jerk.
-Yeah…but why did you accept meeting him? Is it a date!
-NO…Don't make up stories; I just thought I could give him a chance…maybe I prejudge him…somehow.
-Really…I will try to believe you this time but… the bucket of the fresh cookies over there…is telling me another story.
-not because he gave me food I am going to lower my guards and meet him.
-yeah…he probably should have brought more." Ayana caught the pillow Mal throw.
"-get up and change, let's not waist more time…oh and by the way, you have to wear a dress.
-why?
-sorry…Dress code. You will get used to them in no time."
Malin ended up wearing a full sleeves off-white dress with a black waist corset and black flats.
Ayana came to pick up Mal and showed her around the castle, from bedrooms to the ball rooms, kitchen and garden…she literary showed her everywhere and every corner and even hidden doors; it was a long tiring journey for Mal but a normal daily routine for Ayana.
The huntress threw herself on her bed removing her shoes, freeing her feet from their prison.
"-Already tired.
-I feel like I have been walking for days.
-five minutes and we will meet in the dining room, I will wait for you there so we can start our first lesson." Mal just nodded and when the princess closed the door she found a black rectangular box with a red ribbon on the bed next to her, she opened to find a nice black dagger with red gem on his handle. It was very sharp with a cool design and fit in her hand perfectly. She flipped it in her hands then throw in the air and caught it smoothly, kind of impressed with his perfect choice. She looked again in the box to find another letter:
To my lovely huntress
"Sorry not sorry, I forgot to tell you
about the lessons thing.
I found this dagger in the market; I
thought you would love to add it
To your collection.
Note: I am not asking for you to forgive me…. I just thought about you and I know you are missing me."
Your charming prince
"-how arrogant…I didn't expect that but…who thought the spoiled brat would have a special taste in gifts… he is more like a flower boy that would drown you in a pile of dresses and roses everyday…ewe…he knows what I love and I kind of like it .NO wait hold on… I should not fall for the trap… I will keep it anyway; I deserve it after handling his annoying ass for that long." She heard a door knocking and she hide it the gift before she said:
"-you can come in.
-sorry miss but the princess is asking for you.
-oh shoot, I forgot… I am coming." She hurried down the stairs to find Ayana waiting for her with her arms closed and a serious look on her face.
Mal was running for her life but stopped and walked with steady steps when she saw the angry gaze of her friend, she smiled sheepishly at her and Ayana couldn't stay angry at her, she smiled back but scolded her before sitting on the table.
The room was filled with the delicious scents of different food, the curly-haired girl's eyes travelled across the table with a big smile on but soon faded when she saw the different silver cutlery in front of her.
She felt nervous and lift her gaze at Ayana with confusion but the princess gave her the usual warm smile that makes everyone feel at ease.
"-don't worry; it won't take you long; you are smart and you will learn fast." Unfortunately…it was a lie, Mal spent the next three hours learning everything from table manners to tea party, from using cutlery to powering tea and… after breaking thirty plates; five cups, twenty glass; burning her tongue with food and her hand with tea and of course a cursing session at Kieran every time she messed up with the maids holding their laughter or making fun of her … Her first lesson was a disaster but she learnt everything eventually.
The princess told her that she could laze for the rest of the day before meeting with Kieran.
It was quarter past four, Mal decided to take a nap before meeting with the reason of her misery yet the purpose of her happiness…