The next few days came and everything seem normal and all. Viviana got up and wanted to work on her magic skills. She was heading to the secret place when she saw Calix speaking to someone! It seem he was being very sweet with his lady. Holding her hand and everything. It seems this lady is enjoying this.
Viviana wondered who that lady was but Laura call for her to come and eat! Viviana nodded and follow Laura.
"Viviana! You heard today the two princes are going haunting?"
"Oh! I hope they catch someone thing!"
Viviana really wonder how Laura knows everything about the tea.
"Laura how do you know about everything going on?"
They both got to the kitchen and Laura laughed a bit before she sat down and start eating her bread.
"Come on! Rumor spread faster then magic to be honest!"
Viviana though about it before she took a seat. Grabbing the bread as well.
One of the kitchen maid look at them two and roll her eyes.
"Hey hey! You ladies shouldn't be eating in here!"
Threating to hit Viviana and Laura with the broom, both the girls quickly left with smiles on their face.
*
*
*
Over to Kaiser, he was back horse riding with his brother Amaris in the Midnight forest, a forest that always seem like night and most planet and tree glow.
"Damn Elatha! You got so much better horse riding!"
"What are you even saying!? I always been good at it!"
Kaiser smiled before he took out an arrow. To show off his other skills.
"Watch me,"
Kaiser point his arrow towards the right. Sensing a wild animal hiding. He let go, hitting a wild boar that start running.
"Nice shot! I'll race you to get this beast first little bro!"
Amaris smirked and chase after it. Kaiser shook his head, smiling in disbelf that his brother is still trying to cheat him.
"Always having the upper hand huh~?"
Kaiser now is chasing after the wild boar as the guards following behind panic! Amaris took out his arrow and shot the wild boar in the leg before Kaiser shot the wild boar in the head. The wild boar was now dead.
Kaiser and Amaris got off their horse and walk towards the dead wild boar. Kaiser rip out his arrow, as one of the guard came up to them and congrats them.
"Congrat Your highness! This is one of the biggest wild boars we have seen in the wild!"
One of the guards smiled and the other took out a blanket to wrap it around. Using the rope to tie it. Amaris place one of his hand on Kaiser shoulder smiling. Kaiser turn his attention to his brother.
"Father would like this as a gift for tonight?"
Kaiser was taken aback by Amaris words. He wasn't sure if he should or not. Knowing his father hates him.
"Yes, it is a gift from both of us! Since we both took it down Amaris!"
Amaris smiled and patted his back.
"You're all grown now! You'll be by my side from now on?"
Amaris asked Kaiser and Kaiser smiled. Knowing the answer in his heart.
"My only brother I have, yes… I'll be by your side from now on as you rule this empire!"
Kaiser smiled as Joshua was shocked to hear that. Joshua felt like Kaiser be a better emperor since Kaiser spend most of his life living in commerce, so he would understand. Amaris chuckle a bit before saying,
"You're making me embarsse now! I'm not emperor yet,"
Kaiser chuckle as well and walk towards his black and white spoted horse.
"Let's head back now brother,"
"Why so soon? … ah… let me guess~ My little bro wants to see the lovely maiden~"
Kaiser blushed and try to deny it! He just wanted to see Viviana just to be nice and help her get out of the empire.
"Shut up bro, you know it's not true!!!"
Amaris laughed and rub his head.
"You always visit her! It seems like she doesn't know you're the second prince! How would she feel if she find out the truth?"
Amaris got on his brown horse and Kaiser did the same.
"She's not going to find out! Even if she did, she would understand my reason!"
"Well, I guess she would understand since her eyes are full of love~"
Amaris teased Kaiser before he started to ride back home and Kaiser didn't believe what his brother just said. He lightly taps the horse and catches up with his brother.
"I- what!? NO way! You're joking! Why would she like a man like me?!"
"Ah~ So you have fallen for that lovely maiden~"
Kaiser couldn't say anything as it keep getting more embarrassing for me.
"W-whatever!"
Kaiser pass his brother and got to the stable first. He got off his horse, going towards the hang clothes. Seeing Viviama hang each clothes on the string. He slowly came up to her. Now in front of the clothes that are blocked from them seeing each other. He pulls the clothes down to have her look in front of her.
"Hey princess!"
Viviana's eyes widen but then smiled.
"What are you doing here??!"
Kaiser had one hand in his pocket and his other hand tip her chin up.
"I came to check on you! I wanted to see if you improve your magic over the week! Since tonight is the Second Prince welcome back ball!'
"No! I don't have time… The second prince ball is just tonight, need to sleep early to clean up tomorrow…"
He nodded, as long she isn't the maid for the night to serve everything be fine. Letting did he know, something was going to happen…
*
*
*
Kaiser was right in front of me, why is he talking about the second prince so much??? I guess that's what happens when you're friends with the royal prince! I wish I could go to a ball again… I miss dancing…
Well, someday I'll be able to dance again! It seems like tonight is a great night to strike my plan.
"Kaiser, I better get going!"
"W-wait! Where are you going so soon!?"
I could hear Kaiser voice fainting away. I smiled a bit as I quickly head to Sir Calix's office when I bumps into him in the hallway.
"Oh my! Viviana are you alright!"
"I'm fine… I wanted to let you know that tonight be that night,"
Sir Calix nodded. He also wanted to let me know something else.
"Viviana… Come closer I need to tell you something,"
I nodded and came closer to him. He whispers in my ears that he had been pretending to like Caslista to use her. I was a little shock! Is this why he agree to help me? He been planning for a while as well!
"Oh! That's great! I'll see you tomorrow!"
I nodded and he walk away as I did the same. Then someone grabs me by the wrist and pins me to the wall.
"Kaiser!!!"
What is going on!? Why is he pinning me to the wall? His face… it seems like he is hurt…
"You… Are you and Calix a thing?"
A thing!? NO no! How dare I do something like this! I am trying to not die!!
" NO! Why would I? I am trying to live a good life, to get out…"
He then looks me in the eyes, his ruby eyes are so beautiful. Why is he acting this way? I see him flirt with many others but he never show so much pain in his eyes before. I couldn't help but cupped his cheeks.
"Kaiser… How much pain are you hiding behind your ruby eyes?"
He held my hand up to his lips and kiss it as he close his eyes. He open up eyes as he smirked.
"What pain? You're such a silly girl, I just wanted to make sure you were following the rule…"
He let go of my hand and walk away. My heart was being fast. I was having mixed feelings! I wonder how he truly feels about me and what's hiding behind those gem eyes.
*
*
*
I went back to my room and took a long bath. Thinking about what I just did. Why did I watch Viviana from afar? Why did I pull her from a side? Have I fallen for a silly girl like her??? There is no way…
*flashback*
I grab her by the wrist and pin her against the wall. Her eyes are full of something… Her lips are parted… As if she is asking me to kiss her… Why would she let another man touch her or whisper sweet nothing?
"You… Are you and Calix a thing?"
*flash back end*
I shook my head and got off the bathtub, snapping my finger to dry myself and have clothes put on. It's easier than having maids doing it for me, I only let maids do it to tease them… I should stop doing that, it seems like Viviana hates that!!! I must get ready for the welcome ball.
After getting ready and heading downstairs. The sun is setting and guests are arriving, I am lucky that Viviana is working tomorrow and not tonight. I end up wearing a white and red outfit with white. Having a gold pattern on my sleeves and white pants with a golden button-up coat that shows my white inner shirt by the belly. Having one side a golden pattern. Once everyone was there, it was my turn. I put down the book was reading for a while a story about a vampire king and a noble Chinese woman. It seem like they were so in love, why did she marry someone else? Whatever, I shouldn't think too much!
"SECOND PRINCE ELATHA HAS ARRIVED!!"
Everyone stop talking as the door opened, I enter the ballroom as the noble ladies whisper about me and Calista stared at me, but I didn't care. Everyone was now whispering but my father was not so happy to see me. I greeted him.
"Greeting majesty, your second prince is home,"
"I didn't ask you to come home but welcome…"
I fake a smile as the music starts to play and a spotlight went on the dance floor, Amaris and Calista went to the spotlight and dance around as others started to dance. Empress Annabell and mother push me to dance with some of the ladies. Yes, they were nice and all but I didn't feel like dancing. It just reminds me of the night I dance with Viviana.
Soon some maid was coming towards us with some food and wine. I grab a glass of wine as the maid never looks up from the floor. I guess she fears we will kill her or something.
"Would you like anything else, second prince?"
Wait… I heard this voice- It's VIVIANA!? What is she doing here!? I drop my glass of wine by accident. I am just shocked! What if she finds out I am the second prince!? What if she does get upset and never talks to me!?
"What's going on!?"
Father yelled and everyone stop and stare at me and Viviana who still wouldn't dare look up. I quickly left the ballroom. Shit! Now everyone thinks Viviana did something wrong. I grab Joshua and tell him to make her leave.
"WHAT!? Your highness, wouldn't it be better, to tell the truth!?"
"I- Well I guess… It's not the right time… I just want to make sure she sees me for me and not because of my title of prince…"
Joshua sighed but agree! After Viviana left, I went back in and finally dance with some of the noble ladies to make my mother happy. After this, I went straight to my room and bang my head against my pillow.
"UGHHHHHHHHH! I hope she doesn't dislike me more…"
What a long night if I say… Didn't get any sleep…
*
*
*
The next day came and Calista was sleeping next to someone… Someone who isn't her husband… A maid knocks on the door but no answer. The maid went in, not expecting to see this!
"Crown princess!!?"
The maid drop the bowl full of warm water on the floor, Calista woke up and was screaming!
"N-no!"
The maid run out of the room and told everyone, news spread faster than the fire in the wild. Even the other kingdom heard about it and her own husband is shocked by it. The guard in prison. Amaris couldn't hold back his tears and anger. He quickly went to the prison room but Kaiser stop him.
"Amaris! You're not in the right mindset! Calm down!"
"Fuck no! I have to hear for myself if it's true or not!"
Amaris try to walk forward but Kaiser stops him again.
"You're going to kill Calix! Think straight! Cool off first before you talk to hear the truth,"
Amaris then burst out into tears and Kaiser hugged him.
"It can't be true! I loved her! I loved her so much! shE WOULDN'T DO THAT!!"
Kaiser patted him back, knowing the feeling of betrayal.
*flashback*
"C-calista… I'm in love with you! P-please marry me!!"
Teenager Kaiser was on one knee and have a golden ring out. Calista looks at the ring before she looks at him.
"Sorry… it's too small… Besides your older brother was first!"
She smiled, showing her sapphire ring. She seem so proud as Kaiser felt broken inside.
"I-I'm sorry Kaiser! I just love Crown Prince Amaris more! Maybe if you become the next heir… I-I would have married you!"
Calista walks past him. That is when he started to feel a sharp pain and for the first time throw up blood. Throwing the ring into the rose bush full of thorns.
*Flash back end*
Kaiser felt some pain in his chest but he ignore it since it wasn't as bad as before. Kaiser told the maid to bring Amaris to his room to cool off. Kaiser then head to the prison room and someone else was there. He hide behind a wall and listen to this person who was wearing a cloak.
"Princess Calista- oh wait! I almost forgot… you wouldn't be a princess for long~"
The person took off her clock to show it was Viviana. Calista eyes widen and grab onto the jail cell bars, trying to grab Viviana! However, she move back before Calista could do anything.
"YOU! SO IT WAS YOU! YOU FUCKING BITCH! YOU TRY TO DRAG ME DOW-"
Vivana's hand slip in and slapped Calista.
"I didn't try~ I did~ "
"Y-you!"
Calista's wanted to say something back but nothing came out. Viviana pokes Calista's forehead.
"No one is going to believe I really slept with that dirty guy!"
"Oh! Do you mean Sir Calix~? Don't worry, he will say those dirty lies of how you used him~ force him to please you~"
Calista couldn't believe what she just heard, there is no way anyone would believe Sir Calix!!
"You shouldn't have messed with me, play with fire and you'll find out~"
Viviana took out a fire match and push it into her jail cell. Calista picks up the fire match.
"What are you doing? Telling me to kill myself!?"
Viviana slowly started to chuckle before she laughed.
"No~ just property teaching you a lesson… with fear~"
Viviana smirked as she took out a piece of paper and burn it with her magic, dropping it in Calista jail cell.
"One day the devil be happy to see you in hell~"
Viviana put her clock back on and walk away. Calista couldn't do anything but call for help since now she has a fear of fire after the burning of her wedding dress. Plus, the jail cell have a magic steel that block any magic from the crimer inside the jail cell.
"Help! Help!"
Calista cried out as the guards rush towards her and threw some bucket of water but it was no use, the fire just grow bigger. Kaiser didn't expect Viviana to know how to do that! Kaiser was kind of impressed. Little did he know, he just forgot that he taught her fire magic.
"She always knows a way to do the unexpected! Using oil magic so it's harder to get the fire out!"
He follow her out until she got back to the second prince's old play area when he was a kid. Using it to get in and out of the palace. Viviana took off her clock and fold it nicely.
"When did you learn how to do that???"
"Ah! K-kaiser! What are you doing here!!"
He smiled before he got to her eye level while having both his hand go into his pocket.
"Keeping an eye on you~"
"Whatever! And you taught me that... remember in the shop?"
Kaiser was a puzzle! However, he soon remembers with eyes widen big.
"How- How?!!"
Viviana smiled and poked his forehead.
"How? that is stupid silly! I had a good teacher~"
"Ah, I'm so proud of myself then! well then... Can you catch this!!"
Kaiser threw a rock at her and used her magic to stop it before it hit her.
"So, you have improved ~"
"Like I said, I have a good teacher,"
Kaiser chuckles a bit before he rubs the back of his neck.
"Fall is almost done, you never told me when your birthday is?"
" You never ask until now... Lucky for you, it's next week on November seventeen, I am turning eighteen,"
Kaiser nodded, thinking about what gift he should give her. He wanted to give a good useful gift for her to use. Maybe a book be good!
"By the way Kaiser, how old are you and when is your birthday?"
"Ah~ I am twenty-one, turning twenty-two on December thirty…"
Viviana was shocked! Her jaw just drops, and her face is pale. Kaiser pushes her jaw back up.
"Don't worry about that too much princess~ Should we throw a party?"
"Worry!? You are like old!"
"I am not old!!! I may not be married yet but that don't mean I am old!"
Kaiser huff and crossed is arms like a child. Viviana laughed a bit.
"So, do you want a party?"
Viviana paused and shook her head know, it's not like she hates it! She just hasn't had one in a while since her mother passed away. Viviana face started to become gloomy.
"No, it's alright,"
Viviana walks towards the gate to go back to her maid duty. Kaiser follows her and wonder why she doesn't want a party.
"How about! Three days off to find your mother's burial!"
Viviana stops in her track and turns around to face the very handsome smiling Kaiser.
"I- How can you smiling at what you just said!?"
She just didn't expect him to be smiling over something sad and dark. Kaiser shrugged a bit and held her hand.
"That is my gift for your birthday~ To find your mother burial,"
Viviana eyes soften a bit, she was happy he cares so much, since she never got a chance in her lifetime to see her mother burial and send her off because of her father.
"Alright, since you did say it was a gift..."
Kaiser snapped his finger.
"Okay!!! I'll let the second prince know and next week we can both find your mother's burial!"
"Thank you, Kaiser, this has to be one of the best gifts I got in a while~"
Viviana hugged Kaiser and he was taken back but he soon softly smiled and hugged her back. Everything seems so sweet until Viviana asked a question...
"By the way, Kaiser, were you at the second prince ball?"
Kaiser pulled away and looked at her cute face. He was starting to blush.
"Yes, I was there!"
He knew where this was going! He gulped. did he got busted or not?
"Why?"
Viviana thought about it for a while. Before saying…
"Well! I end up serving that night, I didn't see you anywhere! I did walk up to the second prince, though I didn't see his face! It seems he got angry and dropped the wine glass near me!!"
Kaiser's eyes started to panic, and he started to sweat.
"Oh! I was getting some fresh air! Haaa! Plus, the second prince wasn't angry or anything! He just got nervous to see a beautiful maiden lady!!!"
Viviana blushed and covered her mouth.
"T-he second prince thought I was beautiful!?"
Now Kaiser was digging his grave.
"How about you get back to work! Besides I am very busy now! I'll see you soon!!!"
Kaiser pushed her away as he quickly rushes back into his room and smiled.