One of the maids informed him to be present in the hall by the king's order, he changed his clothes standing in front of the mirror buttoning up his shirt with a poker face.
"-you know well it's going to happen, you know you will lose feelings…you should be thankful. You will become the king, a real king as a real demon…you won't be a disgrace anymore…he will be proud of you at least once in your life, make her sacrifice worth it don't make their work in vain." He thought to himself, smirked and made his way to the hall, everyone was there even her, standing next to Ayana with a big happy smile on but once she noticed his presence her smile faded and looked away breaking eyes contact.
"-hey Kieran nice hairstyle." Ayana said with a grin but he ignored her completely that she frowned with sadness.
"-Persus decided to expedite the date of the marriage…it will be the next week." The king told what the messenger brought and Ayana was shock while Mal pretended to while Kieran didn't show any interest.
"-but shouldn't we discuss it first like Mal don't you have a problem or…
-I think Miss Chace isn't that bothered, since she want to finish her mission and leave as fast as she can…Am I wrong, Miss Chace?" he didn't let her answer but interrupted with a mocking tone and unfazed smirk.
"-I don't have a problem as much…
-everything is solved, we will send the invitations and the ceremony will begin starting from the next two days. Miss Chace…you will get paid once all this mess is over." He winked at her and left the hall.
She was embarrassed and her blood started to boil but she excused herself politely and went to her room.
"-Mal…don't get mad he just…
-I am not don't worry, I have lessons to take and the wedding is the next week so we have to hurry up."
Ayana nodded and started her lesson, she taught her how to walk properly, footsteps, how to dance.
She tested her on using cutlery at lunch and her memory on the people who will be attending the wedding.
Mal got tired and sat on the bed throwing her arms.
"-why is it hard than learning fight positions.
-walking is easier.
-you mean floating.
-you learnt your lesson…Mal.
-yes.
-can I ask you for a favor?
-what is it?" The princess ordered the maids to leave and sat next to the brown-haired girl.
"-Can you teach me how to fight?" Mal was took off guard by the princess request.
"-sorry Ayana I can't teach you how to fight in one week.
-what about self-defense?
-basics…and if you were consistent and hardworking, you may learn more than you can thought.
-is that a yes?
-I don't have a choice." She hit her arm playfully than hugged her tightly.
"-we can start now.
-but we didn't finish yours yet.
-they can wait…let's go but first let's have a quick snack."
Ayana borrowed some clothes from Mal and they hide in a secret place to train without the king's reach.
Kieran was at Persus workroom,
"-did you knew that your father almost got killed?
-so…
-how could you be…indifferent?" The king stopped noticing the black strand on his head and finished:"-...you are changing…
-into a demon, isn't that what you wanted a long ago?
-we wanted the best for you.
-then since when real demons have emotions uncle…my father will die today or tomorrow so don't make a fuss out of it." He added bored but the other commented on his behavior:
"-you don't have to act rude.
-excuse my manners your highness…is there anything else I can help you with." Kieran bowed sarcastically and Verin had enough for a day and allowed him to leave.
He decided to go down town and distract himself a little bit through underground tunnels but he heard some giggles through his way out. He hid and found Mal with another girl. He found out it was Ayana.
"-now the most important thing in self-defense is that you should avoid unnecessary fights.
-and what if I got involved in one accidently.
-you should carry something sharp with you whenever you go or if you don't have any try to use your surroundings. It's about acting smart not always physical strength.
-ok noted what is my first lesson…when I am going to start throwing punches." Ayana was imitating in a cute way that Mal started to laugh at her innocence.
-it will take time but soon enough you will know how to kick…let's start with your fighting position and I will teach you how to dodge attacks and protect yourself."
Kieran kept watching Mal fixing Ayana fighting position and showing her how to avoid attacks.
He got bored from watching Ayana falling constantly on the ground and Mal arrogant smirk. So he decided to mess up with her.
"-we will try to use daggers, they are practical and easy to learn how to fight with them but you should be careful." Ayana nodded and took her dagger from Mal's hand.
Mal demonstrate an attack and showed her how to move without losing concentration.
Mal attacked but the princess didn't move fast and she got her thumb injured, the other girl panicked but she told her it's fine and finished training. Kieran controlled Ayana's grip and she managed to dodge attacks and started to attack that she injured Mal on her cheek.
The princess gasped and dropped the dagger away close enough for Kieran to pick up and swap the bloody edge with his thumb smirking then left to his room, putting down the blade.
"-I am sorry I didn't know what happened." Ayana was at the verge to cry but Mal hugged her tight and started to jump with a happy face on.
"-I am proud of you, it's my fault I should have been attentive but I guess one for one.
-but your face…
-I got worse injuries than just a small cut, let's go now…we can't practice in darkness. And I should get ready before meeting with Kieran.
-awe…are you planning a date.
-no…I can't go to meet him smelling like that.
-you got a point I should take a shower too."