The other princesses and princes lived on the floor below the Crown Prince's with the exception of the Fourth Prince who is rumored to be exiled in another tower, away from his family— the king and his supposed siblings. Sorine headed down the much familiar hallway carpeted with red, golden walls across and even more gold armory hung along the walls. She made sure that her feet did not make a squeak in fear that someone might have been watching on her. She could see the large heavy door and it is only a few steps away. It is by sheer luck that she didn't chance upon anyone familiar on the way, else she might have been reported. At the very least she has reached her destination without being discovered.
"Halt."
She came to an abrupt stop just a few feet away from the large embellished door. Her hand was delicately poised outward as she attempted to grab the door handle. Her heart hammered against her chest as though it would beat its last anytime soon. She tried to swallow but her mouth was suddenly crumpled with a drought, parched of all moisture and she found it hard to swallow with a heavy lump growing in her throat.
"Who's there?" A female voice came from behind her.
With a strange and forced smile affixed across her face, Sorine swerved her body towards the back, where the voice of the woman. A woman in a strange and unfamiliar attire stood across her in the large hallway and she stared at Sorine with an extremely puzzled look on her face. A strange moment passed the two of them as they stared at each other. Sorine visibly relaxed, just not without caution.
The woman didn't seem to recognize or register her identity. Furthermore, she looked out of town and new to this place. She appeared quite alien in her foreign clothes.
A maid possibly. The Ochrean Princess'.
Kaya.
Eric's to-be-betrothed.
A dark wave passed through Sorine's eyes for a fleeting second.
"May I help you?" Sorine offered to break the silence first
The woman looked at her, reacting in alarm. She was clad in white, a strange color in the snowy terrain of Newar. People in Newar wore dark contrasting colors or bright colors to be able to be differentiated from the white landscape of its mountains. No one would dress themselves in white unless they were a foreigner and again, who else is currently visiting Newarfa other than the Ochrean Princess herself.
"Is...is this not the Crown Prince's chambers?" The woman spoke in a heavily accented tone and Sorine confirmed that she was surely the Princess' handmaid. How fortunate. Luck was at least on her side. She doubted that the Princess' handmaid would know of her relations with Eric. After all, she only appears to be a staff with her uniform, working for the prince and possibly just making her way around. And Sorine knew that Kaya would not dare to let loose such a dangerous piece of information about the man she was to marry. After all, the nations are at large involved and it would not do her good to reveal that her husband has a lover tucked away in the crevices of his heart.
Sorine nodded to the question.
"It is certainly the Crown Prince's chambers. How may I assist you?"
"Ah, it is quite alright. I merely wish to pass this on," She slipped a hand into her pockets and retrieved a folded piece of paper, 'to the Crown Prince."
Sorine looked down at the paper in the woman's hand and pressed her lips into a thin line contemplatively. After a passing second of silence, she smiled until her eyes almost close with sheer force.
"My apologies, I do not think the prince wished to be disturbed* at the moment. If you may, I shall pass on the message for you."
"Ah." The woman gripped the letter tighter and Sorine smiled wider, silently hoping that this wouldn't backfire on her.
"We can keep this between us. Tell her Highness that you have successfully passed the letter on."
The woman looked down at herself, pondering and hesitating over the decision. Just a nudge more. She needed only a nudge more and she would surely cave in.
"I highly doubt that you would be able to meet the Prince for the entire day. He is quite occupied with his responsibilities regarding the celebrations."
"Is that so?"
The woman sighed and looked at the folded piece of paper like it carried the weight of gold. But what Sorine said had done the job and she could see the resolution passing in her eyes.
"Thank you very much for your help."
The woman handed the letter to Sorine discreetly, sweeping her long skirt close enough to touch Sorine's black cotton uniform. The sharp edges of the folded paper touched the skin of her palm and Sorine felt like she walked a step up the ladder. She felt a power surge over what Kaya held over her and Eric and if this ever was an illusion, then so be it.
So be it.
She waited until the handmaid turned and disappeared into the deeper depths of the chambers. Of course, Sorine realized, the Ocean Princess was probably residing on the same floor as Eric. It would only make sense that way. It is certainly no surprise but Sorine yet still felt a sting in her chest. As she watched the receding figure of the woman disappear into the darkness, she quickly turned away a d fumbled with the paper. The echoes of rustle rang through the silent hallway and Sorine sucked in a deep breath before the writing came into view.
"When the sun ebbs and the moon steps into her shoes, refresh my memory of your flesh against mine. Be mindful and keep your wench in check. I've heard some news."
Sorine exhaled, letting out the breath she was holding in out of suspense and she gripped the letter firmly in her hands. Her eyes glowed golden against the bright cast of the afternoon sun hitting the glass-paned windows along the hallways. Images flashed in her mind, bodies rubbed against each other and heavy breaths mingling under the heavy glow of yellow candlelight. Names are being whispered and none were hers, rather of the ones she wished she didn't hear. Sighing deeply, Sorine calmed her eyes shut and her hands released all her anger as she gripped the letter hard enough to crumple it in her fist.
They were in bed.
So he would still involve himself with that Ochrean Princess.
He would…
Knock! Knock!
Before she knew it, her hand was up in the air and banging roughly against the door. She didn't care if she was making a ruckus. The hallway was deserted enough and she knew that at this period of time, the maids were having their afternoon meal.
And no one interrupts the Crown Prince during his meal hour.
No one.
The knocks turned into bangs and the heavy door swung open.
"I reiterate! I would not touch a morsel of that filthy food! I shall have you whipped for this insole—"
Eric stared at her, the door handle clutched tightly in his grip, his knuckles turning white.
His grip slowly loosened.
"Sinne." He whispered, "My Sinne." He breathed out in a glad exhale, as though all the worries of the world had left him to be in peace now. Sorine fumed, the anger over the images playing in her head replaying over and over.
How dare he.
This bastard.
"Have you matured backward? What is about refusing to partake in your meals? A fool, a moron! That is what you would rather be, Eric?"
"Sorine, my dearest, my loveliest, ah my paci." He moved in closer, spreading his arms apart for an embrace. "I have but been in the throes of hell in your absence."
"You said you wish to not hurt me at your own will but do you see, I am in pain, Eric. As long as you're involved with the Princess, I shall forever be in turmoil. It bothers me, and you should know that I would tolerate being shunned by everyone but I would never tolerate that you would get in bed with another woman."