"I'll like to go with you. Do you mind if I come along?" Raziah asked.
Uariel had just told her he would be leaving the Palace and heading for the marketplace to buy more foodstuffs since he was almost out. Ever since she came here, she's always been with him starting from noon till the evening, watching him make different dishes. Plus, she would always taste almost everything he made as if she couldn't get enough.
It made him feel proud of himself.
"That's not a very good idea," His eyes lingered on the dress she was putting on. Anyone that saw her, along with the nature of her pure skin would definitely think she's the daughter of a very Rich merchant and might try something funny, "The market side isn't very safe," he added when he saw the question in her eyes.
"I can take care of myself." She replied.
"But you don't have any guards with you."
"I'm fine on my own."
His Majesty might slaughter his throat if he finds out he took out his guest - someone as fragile-looking at her without proper protection, "His Majesty wouldn't be pleased. Do you mind asking him first before we leave?" He enquired, trying to reason with her.
Raziah's eyes roamed the kitchen, her eyes zooming in on what she was looking for. She picked up a small knife, and hung it somewhere in her dress where no one could see, "I can take care of myself. The knife is sharp, right?"
He had watched the way she twirled it in her hands before she hid it. She did it so smoothly like she was used to wielding something like it, which he never expected from someone like her.
"If anyone tries something stupid, they would end up being sorry for themselves," She added sharply before she walked out of the compartment with Uariel closely behind her. He kept contemplating whether he should take her with him, and when he tried to convince her again she didn't listen to him. It's a good thing his Majesty was always in a good mood these days, or else his head would be found hanging in front of the palace with what he was doing now.
"My lady, You don't understand," he blocked her path, forcing her to stop walking and listen to him, "It's more dangerous than you think."
"What are you trying to say? How dangerous can a human be?"
Uariel rubbed his temple, "You're new here, and I sternly advise you. Please stay back. Next time I'll make sure we go together." He assured.
She was about to argue when someone spoke from behind them, "I don't think Azzie has left the palace before. Show her around as you buy the foodstuffs, common!"
His Majesty's sorceress, Acacia walked up to them. As usual, she has that tight outfit on, and Raziah couldn't help but notice that This time her earring was hanging from the second ear, and the first didn't have a hole for the earring, which has her a little puzzled, but she didn't say anything. And did she just call her Azzie?
"Sorceress, it's not safe outside." Uariel reiterated.
"Then pick up a sword and protect her. All you have to do is keep an eye on what you're buying, and the other on her. Nothing could possibly go wrong if people see someone as strong as you beside her."
When the chef tried to complain again, Acacia cast him a warning glare so fast that Raziah didn't see it. Uariel gulped softly, before he nodded, "Of course, I'll go get the sword." then he hurried off away from them.
Acacia fixed her gaze on Raziah's uninteresting ones, "For how long will you be staying, Azzie?"
"Depends on his Majesty," she simply replied.
"How does it depends on him? Is he holding you here against your own will?"
"Depends," she replied again.
Acacia's jaw worked. She was gonna make this ridiculously simple yet alluring woman talk to her more, "Ah, I apologize about the way I behaved the first time we met. I thought you were a maid who has stolen his Majesty's clothes."
"I was never upset."
Acacia's jaw worked again. What would it take for this woman to speak more? Her eyes roamed her clothes, till she sighted the wristband she was putting on - and if she wasn't mistaken then she was sure Raziah was putting it on even the last time she saw her, "I love the color of your wristband. Do you wear it all the time?"
Acacia's eyes lit up when she saw Raziah frown a bit, then she looked at her straight on, "I do." And then, Raziah looked away.
The brightness in Acacia's eyes was extinguished that instant. Her muscles worked, and she sighed inwardly, "You don't talk much, do you?"
"Are you just noticing?" Raziah answered with a small shrug.
"Why?"
"Who knows."
Acacia was about to speak again when Uariel returned with a sword held in its sheath. He interrupted their conversation, "My Lady, shall we?"
Raziah bowed slightly at the sorceress, "If you'll excuse me."
As soon as they were out of sight, Acacia's jaw dropped completely. She felt like she was the one trying to gain the woman's attention, making hers look a little like a fool in the process. At least, the whole conversation wasn't naught - she got to find out that the wristband aroused an expression from the woman that resembled snow-white, and she was gonna try and explore it a little bit.
She was a troublemaker after all.
His Majesty was just stepping out of the throne room when Acacia came across him. Aragon noticed she was running her tongue along her teeth, trying to scratch them. She stopped when she saw him and bowed till her knees almost touched the floor, just like tati had done the other day.
"Your Majesty."
"Let me see." He said as she rose. His hands cupped her chin, and she opened up so he could see the Insides of her mouth. Noticing that it was getting worse, he asked her with a frown etched on his face, "You haven't been drinking your herbs, right?" He sounded a little furious.
She felt guilty, and his gaze rendered her speechless.
His dark eyes had turned inkier, and a cold chill ran down her spine as she finally responded, "The spells are..."
"They're clearly not working. Are you being selfish? Taking the herbs wouldn't just benefit you alone - you know how much we need it now right? You, of all people, should understand what it could mean for everyone in this kingdom."
"I'm sorry your Majesty. It's just that it really shakes me up." She gazed at him through her lashes, her brown eyes dancing, "Maybe if you're there, it wouldn't be so bad."
He let go of her chin, patting her head softly, "I'll be there tonight." He smiled a little, and her eyes lit up completely.
"Thank you, your Majesty." She grinned from ear to ear, "By the way, your guest left the palace a while ago. I overheard her telling the chef that she would escort him to the marketplace. She's a very interesting woman, by the way, I think I like her."
But Aragon's attention was long gone. Before she could complete her speech, he was already waking away. His robe danced behind him heavenly, and Acacia admired his figure from where she stood, excited that he would be visiting her chambers. He's been going to Tati's chambers for a few days now, so now it was her turn to have him for the following nights.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, Uariel was having a bad feeling about bringing Raziah out of the palace. Her strange aura, her skin, her hair, and the way she was staring around were making her stand out amongst the crowd, and he knew it wouldn't be long before he would have to unsheathe his sword and cover her eyes.
Why did the sorceress make him bring her along? Didn't she know that someone like Miss Raziah would definitely be the center of attraction? Mostly for the people lingering in the shadows.