She woke up shaking from fear checking herself, her clothes, her necklace; everything was there; she ruffled her hair furiously and hugged her knees.
She felt miserable, lucky, stupid and full of rage. She took a deep breath, rubbed her temples trying to calm down, she knew well she shouldn't trust him yet she did, she knew well she shouldn't let down her guards yet she did and now she have to face the consequences of her foolishness. She cried and cried hard at least she will get relieved for a bit then quickly wipe them away, her face turned stern.
"-crying won't solve anything, get yourself together." She stood up and went to the bathroom then got out to change into new wear clothes, the moment she opened the wardrobe a maid got in with a dress on her hand and a bright smile on.
"-morning Miss Chace, the princess sent you this dress and asked you to meet her in the hallway.
-morning, thank you and tell her I will be there soon." The curly haired girl faked a smile before taking the clothes from the maid's hands.
It was a long blue sleeveless dress with golden pattern, under it a white blouse with open chest revealing her mom's necklace and wide sleeves.
She made two braids with a low bun leaving some loose lock on the front, tied the front bow of her dress; wore her shoes and walked down the stairs… hearing the last thing she wanted to hear in this world. His laugh.
Sweat started to form on her forehead and her heart started to beat fast, her stomach twisted but she tried to calm down taking deep breaths and wiped her glassy eyes before walking inside the big hall.
Howin's back was facing her, she turned him and he looked at her with a shocked expression soon to shove his gummy smile at her.
"-morning Mal I…
-where is he?" the black haired boy raised his eyebrows at the furious woman before pointing at the guy behind him.
She pushed him to the side and he felt offended, he was laughing with Ayana but once he saw her he smirked but he couldn't say anything because she slapped him, leaving her fingers trace on his red cheek.
Howin was in total shock but he was more than proud of her. "-he deserve it." He said to himself with a big grin on his face.
Ayana covered her mouth and her eyes travelled between the angry huntress and the cocky prince then she locked eyes with Howin, she mouthed:"-what happened?" but he shrugged his shoulders and mouthed back:"-I don't know."
While her eyes was shooting arrows he just chuckled and smirked wider than before, taking a step forward that she took one backward. He smiled whipping the tip of his nose before he said:
"-the only thing you did was embarrassing yourself." He winked at her and she was about to slap him again but he held her hand, he was at the verge to say something but the king started to laugh nervously and walked near them and whispered:
"-mal, if you have any personal problems with the foolish kid of my friend discuss them later not now.
-I have no business to solve with that bastard.
-we was about to yesterday, but someone always love to ruin my mood...am I wrong babe?" He blow a kiss and Mal's grunted his teeth but the king looked at her dead in the eyes before he warned:
"-I don't care about you two, just don't embarrass me in front of my guests.
-but…" Ayana took the broken girl out of her father's grab and bowed at her:
"-morning your highness…you look pretty as usual." Mal was dumbfounded, everyone was bowing including two unfamiliar ladies with two huge suitcases. "-your highness? Did everyone lost their senses or what?" she thought to herself
"-our princess looks flawless yet a bit furious than usual, is everything alright between you and the prince." One of the ladies asked, she was in her mid-forties yet her bright face made her look very kind and approachable.
"-yes you know arguments between fiancés…it always happened but they always find a way out. Isn't kids?" the king explained, Mal and Kieran nodded with fake smiles at the old woman who laughed at them.
"-Aya…I mean Mal can you lead them to the princess room.
-as you order your highness…this way please." Ayana bowed at her father while Mal still confused she just walked with Ayana next to her, the two ladies was admiring the castle decoration.
During that moment, the princess was pulled by the huntress.
"-Ayana what's going on? Since when I am the princess!
-starting from now…they came to take measures for your dresses.
-DRESSES!
-lower down your voice, yeah each dress for each ceremony.
-why didn't you tell me earlier?
-I knew that morning too…my father forgot to tell me. So I had to give you one of my clothes to wear.
-I almost messed up.
-Almost…girl what happened between you and Kieran? I thought I left you to apologize but you slapped him till he looked to the other side." Mal tensed and formed her hand into a feast and said between grunted teeth:
"-I don't want to talk about him or hear his name please.
-It's ok when you want to share I am here to listen but honestly…I am so proud of you. No one dared to do such a thing you. You make the impossible possible." They both laughed and got inside Ayana's room so did the two ladies with them.
"-Can you explain what happened down there?
-why are you asking me? You should be asking her." Kieran said indifferently raising the temper of the old king while Howin rolled his eyes.
"-listen kid…why did you do, that she slapped you in front of everyone? Embarrassing yourselves and embarrassing me with you.
-chill uncle it's just a question of time before you won't hear about her existence again." His uncle raised his head and Howin's eyes widened in disbelief.
"-you are going to kill her?
-what are you expecting then, you think a huntress like her will accept leaving with an incubus.
-so you have been using her all this time.
-I thought you were smarter than that.
-are you going to kill her because she hurt your pride or because she can kill you before you can?
-what's the difference…maybe she will die before the marriage…or the coronation. At least she will play a good replacement for Ayana and BINGO! Everyone is happy. You got your daughter safe and I got my crown and kingdom.
-think about it you may…
-are you caring about her now?" Kieran snickered while the king shook his head in disagreement.
"-why would I it's just…
-what? I should have some sympathy in me. Why would I? …Weren't you the one who told me I should kill before I get killed? What changed now?" the intense look and evil smirk on the prince face made the king affirmed while looking anyway than Kieran's eyes:
"-Do as you like, I don't care as long as my daughter is safe." Kieran chuckled and bowed his head before leaving and Howin following him.
"-if she heard about anything, consider yourself underground. Understood?" The black-haired boy just nodded his head at the smirking prince.
"-let's go now I have a queen to check on." He said cheekily and Howin was about to lost at his oddity.