High Princess," Helan calls before Aaleyah can enter the door to her chambers. "I have my orders to ensure no one bothers you."
Helan's hesitant voice causes Aaleyah to turn to face him. His stoic expression gone from his face, and the elder guard who walked in shadows and swung his blade before blows could touch the ground gives Aaleyah an expression of worry. So much so that Aaleyah feels awkward, it seems she has not concealed her emotions enough.
"If there is anything you need, I will be guarding outside your door." Behind him the guards under his command have already taken their place throughout the hallway.
Hearing the underlining of his words Aaleyah smiles warmly and then enters her chambers. Once inside her smile drops. Her eyes scan the walls of her chambers.
Throughout the entire palace, her chambers are the only ones that are yellow and white. The colors of the royal family have always been red and blue. In the gowns, in the doors, in the stained glass windows, in the carpets, even in the flowers. But within her chambers, Saan decorated it yellow and white. When they became engaged and he gave her the rooms she was shocked. From the white flowers, to the Elm wood bookshelf holding books that she had not seen in years. Saan had recreated her home within the palace walls.
Now looking at the chamber that looks so much like her childhood home all she can feel is exhaustion. The painting of her family hangs on the wall, a reminder that they are watching over her. Watching if she will use the stone correctly. Watching if she will give honor to the Aljehni line. Watching her, so many eyes are watching her.
Stumbling through the chamber, she has to get out, she makes her way to the balcony. Falling onto the chaise lounge she turns her head left to gaze at the night sky. Hundreds of stars litter the night sky, clouds rolling by hiding the light of the moon. With the warm breeze she soon drifts to sleep.
Dharam stood in the main entrance, his back still close to the door he just entered, his bow was on the ground and one arrow stayed in his hand. Asbed stood next to him with a condescending look on his face, happy to tease his younger sister.
"As if you could do better. You and father only stay here and," Dharam turned to his brother, his teeth biting the inside of his cheek to hold back his laughter, "It is called studying correct? Learning the family history and legends. History that not everyone in the family is to know." Dharam crossed his arms and deepened his voice to impersonate their father, "Learning the Aljehni history is a mantle I bare to you." he snorted, dropping the act. Some of his black hair fell out of its top not to fall over one of his amused golden eyes. He turned to face the wind coming in through the window so it would blow his hair out of his face, "Now Ley Ley, what could you possibly know about sparring if all you do is study?" he asked, twirling an arrow in his hand. His posture was cocky and intimidating, he was up to something and all the siblings knew it.
Aaleyah rolled her eyes, a funny act on such a youthful face. "What do you know Dharam?" she stuck out her tongue and stomped her foot on the ground. "I learn to protect the family, is that any different from what you do?" She juts her chin indignantly, "We all learn to protect and defend the family. What I do is no different. We all protect, regardless of how different." With a huff she walked towards her brother and placed the Crocus flower vase on the table. Making her way to Dharam she made sure to 'accidentally' step on Asbed's foot.
"Ow! You did that on purpose!" Asbed yelled out pushing her.
Allowing herself to be pushed into Dharam she snatched the arrow from her older brother's hand. Ignoring Asbed's dramatics she twirled out of her brother's arms, "There is no doubt in my mind that I could learn how to use these. After all," she paused and sported an evil glint, "this is the bow I made."
Dharam rolled his eyes, "Making arrows doesn't mean anything," he attempted to argue but his siblings did not hear him. Instead they fought over who stepped on the other person's foot first.
Asbed had his hands wrapped around Aaleyah's arm to hold her in place so he could get payback, but Aaleyah was too slippery, that and instead of aiming for his feet, she resorted to kicking him instead.
Ignoring the chaos, Dharam fixed the headband on Asbed's head, and then turned to fix the one atop his own head.
Pushing Dharam away from the front door, Herom picked Aaleyah up to lay over his shoulder and held Asbed's ear to walk them to the chairs in the main room.
Dharam caught his footing and followed his older brother to the sofa. A huge grin on his face when he saw the brightness in Herom's eyes.
"Herom! Let go of my ear! Mom said you are not allowed to do this." Asbed yelled, swinging at his older brother's arm.
Punching against her brother's back, "Herom." she giggled. "Put me down." Aaleyah reached her arms out to Dharam who was following them to the sofa, "Help me."
Dharam chuckled, "Now you want my help? Interesting. Admit I am the better brother."
No sooner had the words escaped his mouth, that Herom turned and kicked Dharam on his thigh, "Have I become a ghost and wasn't aware?" he asked.
Herom released Asbed, and with both hands tossed his sister as if she was a bag of flour onto the couch.
The bun atop of her head had fallen out, and her black hair fell over her face blocking her view.
With one hand on his side, his other hand brushed back his long black hair. He pushed Asbed to have a seat in the chair and smirked at Dharam. His eyes glistened with excitement knowing that his next words would cause even more chaos. "Now," he started with a huff, "there is no need to fight amongst family." pointing at himself with utmost confidence, "As long as I am here I am the best. No questions asked." With a shug of his shoulders he added, "I make my own arrows anyway."
There was an eruption of disagreements from the boys, and Aaleyah was attempting to disagree, but one may find it hard when they are still trying to get themselves together after being thrown around. Dharam was the first to stand up, feeling slighted; for he thought Herom would at least side with him, or speak highly of both of them. Asbed was simply tired of always being teased and refused to have no say in his own skill set.
Herom relished in the chaos he had created. He plopped onto the couch and yanked Aaleyah into his arms, ruffling the hair she had just finished fixing.
With the overlapping of voices, the 3 siblings were unaware of the conversation their parents were having in the other room. But wrapped in her older brother's arms, Aaleyah could see their grave expressions. However she paid it no mind, if anything her parents could be upset at her siblings for something they had done wrong.
Saan nods to Helan and enters Aaleyah's chambers. Closing the door quietly behind him he walks to the backside of the room where the bed is. Moving the curtain he realizes the bed is empty and pauses. The moonlight shines through the window, and as the wind blows the curtains from the balcony beyond the bed a shadow catches his attention. As the curtain blows into the room, bringing the smell from the crocus flowers in the room, he can make out the shadow of her feet reflecting on the floor before disappearing as the curtain falls back.
Walking towards the balcony he can hear murmuring, "Leyah?" he calls out almost scared to wake her. But her head shakes left and right as she takes quick shallow breaths. Sitting on the edge of the chaste, her feet brush against his thigh, "Shh, sleep well you are safe." He runs his fingers through her hair to soothe her.
Aaleyah stood at the back of the manor, her hair in a loose braid at the back of her head. Tears ran down her cheeks shaking off from the force of her shaking her head. "No." That word broke through the warriors she had put up to hold back her sobs. Her hands clutched tightly onto her father's arm refusing to let go. "Don't do this!" she pled as her siblings rushed out around her to fulfill the plan. From the corner of her eyes she could see Dharam stand at her side with his bow and arrows. Her heart wanted to cry so badly that all she could was exhale continuously. Zale raced past her bow in hand. He didn't spare her a glance, both twins knew; one glance and they would break down.
Her father shook her by the shoulders, "Aaleyah, put this on." His told her, unaffected by her cries and tears. He unhooked his daughter's nails from his arm and thrust the locket into the center of her palm, closing her fingers around it, "You run to the High Prince, stop for nothing." he told her, his golden eyes glistened with his own tears. His hand caressed her face, and he moved lose strands of her hair back, "The High Prince will protect you. Do not turn back. Do not come back for anything." His hands moved to grip her shoulders tightly, "Do not so much as turn your head to look back, do you understand me?"
Aaleyah forced herself to nod, her chin trembled as she held back her cries. But she was only a Red and 3 Blue moons old, she had never held back her sobs like this before. She had never been told to abandon her family. She was always told that family stuck by each other. Annoying or not, teasing or not, good at making rice or not. But this time her father was telling her to leave everything behind. Was resting the survival of the entire clan on her.
Her father turned to Dharam, "Get her to the horses." he ordered.
Aaleyah shook her head, "He can come with me." she pleaded. Don't make her do this alone.
Her father dropped his head, "Leyah, please." his voice broke, the strong mountain that was her father was cracking before her, "Do not make this harder." he pled. "Your brother will get you to the horses and you must go, give the locket to no one, ever." Then with a deep breath he added, "No matter what I love you. You are an Aljehni, you must never break." Then he pushed her into her brother's arms and ran back through the doors of the manor.
Reaching her hands out Dharam held her back and dragged her the opposite direction, "Ley Ley we have to go." he urged her.
"Father." she mumbled. What if this was the last time she'd see him. Would his retreating form be the last thing she saw? "Papa!" Her body sunk into her brother's arms, her feet forced to follow the path opposite of the rest of her family, her vision blurred with tears. "Don't send me away." she muttered. Then clutching onto Dharam, "Don't make me go. Not without mother, and Herom, and Zale, d d don't make me go."
Dharam's resolute face turned away from her, "We have to go Aaleyah!" he screamed, "The longer we stay the more danger for the others."
Wiping her tears from her eyes, they immediately filled with more, when she blinked she saw her father rushing out a door with his sword. "Go! I told you to leave, do not choose now to disobey." he yelled. "Dharam!"
Hearing his name Dharam gritted his teeth and lifted his sister by the waist and rushed in the direction towards the stables.
Saan uses his sleeve to dab the sweat on Aaleyah's head. "Aaleyah it is just a dream you are alright." he attempts to soothe her, but her whimpers worry him.
Aaleyah tripped over the body of a servant, her foot sliding in the puddle of blood staining her yellow dress. She did not even have time to scream before her brother urged her once more to keep moving.
Lifting her up, "Ley Ley, it is too dangerous. I cannot hold your hand, you need to be vigilant." he desperately told her. Pushing her ahead of him, "Just keep running, imagine you are racing Zale to the stables. Didn't you always say you were the fastest?" He aimed his arrow and shot at a man, and the body fell from the roof and cracked a few feet in front of Aaleyah. "Just keep running, I will clear the path for you." he promised.
Aaleyah glanced back and her skeptical eyes met her brother's. Blood ran down his left arm, his hand was covered in it as he clutched his bow. The 12 arrows at his side would not be enough.
He shook his head and smiled, "Trust in me."
She shivered in fear and forced herself to move, the faster she moved the faster she could save them. She had to save them, she had to get to the palace in time. She is the only one who can. With those thoughts she pushed herself to run faster. To the left she heard a familiar scream and turned to see her sister Amenah stabbed with a sword. The scream did not belong to her, but instead Herom. She had never heard her brother scream before, and her feet trembled under the weight of the pain in her chest. Flesh wound, she told herself. Her sister will not die, her mind said, but her body still sobbed. Hearing yells and bodies hit the floor she screamed internally and forced herself not to turn around.
Saan's heart tightens with worry when he can hear Aaleyah quick breaths. "Leyah, please wake up. Leyah." he calls no longer hoping to soothe the nightmare away, but instead he tries to wake her. Shaking her shoulder, "Leyah!"
Dharam slammed into Aaleyah's shoulder and they both hit the ground. The stables were right in front of her. Her head hit the dirt when she fell and she dizzily turned to her brother. The arrow in his back being the first thing she saw. "Dharam!" She forced herself to sit up on her knees and her arms helped sit her brother up. "No, no, no, no," her hands shook. Should she pull it out, should she break it? Something she was told before in the past she couldn't recall in the moment, and the feeling of fear, helplessness, and trepidation was running through her bloodstream leaving her feeling cold.
"Ley Ley!" Dharam clutched his sister's hands, "look at me, look at me." his calm voice halted Aaleyah's break down, "I am fine. Everything is going to be alright." he smiled at her, blood covering his arm and the left side of his torso, his hair caked in dirt. His yellow clothes soiled and darkened with his own blood. His quiver was empty of arrows, everything about the situation screamed hopelessness, but his soothing voice helped her remember how to breathe again. He grunted as he forced his wounded body to stand, "We have to keep going, you are almost there." He extended his right hand, which had less blood, and squeezed it, "You are doing great." he gently told her.
Aaleyah held tightly to her brother, regardless of what he thinks he will be going on a horse and coming with her. She would force him, she would not leave without him. Her eyes fell to their hands, her hand was now covered in her brother's blood, a feeling she could not find the words to describe. It was warm, it was surreal, lifting her right hand she stared at it in a daze, this hand was also covered in blood. Blood from a servant's body. But her left hand burned, is blood supposed to burn?
Dharam placed all his remaining daggers into his sister's hand, "Take these." he smiled again, this one less painful than the first, "You are great at using them." he told her, finally acknowledging her skills.
Moving her gaze from her hands she stared at her brother's crying face. His tears left clean trails on his bloody face. But with her hands dirty there was nothing she could do to clear them away.
"Ley Ley," he took a sharp breath and his hand clutched his arm, "I never meant it, of course I know you defend the family. You will always defend the family." Weakly pushing her shoulder, "Keep moving and defend us again." he said as he stood to the right of her and pulled out a small blade to face the assassins that finally caught up to them.
His smile was gone, and his grave face turned to her with one sharp nod, and taking that as the signal Aaleyah ran the rest of the way to the stables praying that she would see her brother again later.
Beside himself with worry Saan lifts Aaleyah, holding onto her arms, "Leyah please wake up." her cries are louder now, her sobs painful for his ears to hear. "Leyah, please hear me." he wipes the tears from her cheeks. His thumb seems big on her small tear stained face.
Flinching away Aaleyah screams, "Dharam! No!" her arms hot against his shoulders, her strength surprising and Saan finds himself off the couch on the floor. Squatting beside her his hands squeeze her, "Leyah, you are not there anymore. Open your eyes." he tells her sternly.
Light from the halls illuminates the entrance to the chamber, "Go back." He orders Helan, knowing he came because of the cries he heard. His eyes never leave Aaleyah's her agonized expression mumbling her brother's name.
Aaleyah should not have looked back, her father had ordered her not to. She should have listened, instead her golden orbs turned behind her as she ran for the stables.
Dharam's bow had lost its original use and was being wielded as a staff, swinging left and right with precision. More blood poured from his wound and as he staggered back from a hit he spit out blood. His swayed steps stayed between his sister and the assassins, refusing to allow them to pass.
One of the men saw his staggering steps and decided to chance it and race for Aaleyah, but Dharam threw his bow with accuracy, and dove after him. Dharam rammed himself into an assassin next to him and as that man fell Dharam unsheathed his sword. Holding the blade in one hand, the other clutched against the wounds on his shoulder, Aaleyah could not see her brother's eyes but she knew the look he gave was filled with vengeance. Regardless of the wounds littering his body, Dharam would back down from nothing.
Holding the stolen blade up Dharam backed towards the pond.
Aaleyah reached the horses and hopped onto Zale's barebacked. Turning the horse towards the gates she hesitated for one last look.
Ripping the arrow out of his shoulder Dharam stabbed an assassin in the throat, while simultaneously kicking a blade out of another's hand. He did not see the third man who rushed behind him, and as Aaleyah's horse picked up speed, Aaleyah saw Dharam stabbed in the side.
Forcing herself awake, her hair sticks to her face from the beads of sweat, her eyes wandering around, and her head turns behind her as if her brother will be there.
Now that she is awake Saan runs his thumb over her palm.
Stuck by fire Aaleyah rips her hand aware, her eyes turning to the assassin in front of her. "Saan?" Why is he here? Her eyes scan her surroundings, the palace, the balcony, the moon high in the sky. Moving her hand over her speeding heart she takes slow steady breaths.
Swallowing deeply she forces the flames burning in her throat. Her eyes fall to her clean hands, no more blood on them, but not seeing doesn't make something disappear. Her throat dries from her heavy breaths, her body shivering from the cold that did not exist outside. Flinching from winds nature was not creating.
Her tears roll off her face and fall onto Saan's hands. His hands stay placed ever so gently on her lap, he never moved them from when she snatched her hands away. His fists tight as he watches his wife shake, her body racking with sobs she refuses to release. Tears fall from her empty vacant eyes, he wonders if she is even aware she is crying. His mouth opens but he is too afraid to speak. She needs to cry, the events of today, the memories that must have resurfaced affected her too greatly.
Gone. Everyone is gone. Her mind slowly starts to clear. "Everyone is dead." The fight was for nothing. "Everyone is dead." it would have been better if she never made it out of that manor.
Hearing her icy voice, his body warms with anger. His head shakes left, and then right, "That's not true."
Slowly her red eyes stare at Saan's face. She obviously has forgotten he is here, and her head tilts down. Then her next actions send chills down Saan's spine. She smiles, a smile where her lips part to show a couple of her teeth. Her cheeks lifting slightly, and her empty vacant eyes bore into his, "They're all dead." she repeats, this time her voice is filled with more conviction now that she is aware there is someone listening. The smile does not leave her face and she laughs tearfully.
Saan freezes, he said goodbye to her hours earlier like a fool. He should have never left her side, now they are back to where they were Blue moons ago. Back to the girl who is so sure every fault, every drop of blood is on her. She will scrub until her hands were raw, and even then she feels as if she could not get clean.
"Aaleyah, listen to me." he stays kneeling on the floor. He waits for her to respond, to make some movement that she is hearing him, he waits for some time before giving up and choosing to speak to her vacant stare. "Life is filled with pains, scars that I am unable to take away. Pains I am unable to make disappear. Burns I am unable to cool." Opening his fist he reaches out for her, not taking her hand by force, but leaving it in the air, "But if you would allow it, I will live my life sharing in it with you."
Aaleyah's eyes flicker with emotion.
"I do not have the power to bring your family back, I lack the power to erase the trauma of the past. You say everyone is gone, but within you they live, and so you have to live. Not with guilt, not with shame. But you have to live accepting the sun that you deserve to shine on you, the sweetness of the honey you deserve to taste, and the love," her hand takes his, "that you deserve to have." slowly standing, "There is nothing I demand of you, there is nothing you must bare on your shoulders by yourself. But this simple man asks that you let me in. Allow me to comfort you. Life is beautiful, and I desperately want to live it with you."
Aaleyah allows him to pull her off the chaste and lead her to her bed.
With one arm wrapped around her shoulders Saan pulls the blanket back and sits Aaleyah on the bed. His hands slide down her arms and remove her golden cuffs, and bracelets. With a clang he places them on the tray next to the bed. Then taking a cloth from the bowl under the bed he cleans her feet.
The cool water on her feet is soothing, Saan's strong hands that wield swords are gentle as he cleans her. Lifting her hand she moves the crown from the top of his head, holding the crown in her lap she waits for him to stand.
Discarding the cloth he rises to his full height towering over her. Her eyes are no longer vacant and empty. He can see the war in the clouds of her golden eyes. She so desperately wishes to pretend nothing has happened. But the pain in her eyes can no longer be hidden, and the vulnerability halts him from leaving. "Do you wish for me to leave?"
It is not a question he wants to ask. To give her the opportunity to shut him out, to tell him to leave so he can walk away knowing the tears that will fall when she believes him to be gone. He watches her arms that are crossed over her stomach, notices the nails that she digs into her upper arms.
"Stay?"
He almost doesn't hear her, the exhaled plea she gives him. But the moment his ears register he is quick to change their clothes, and return to her side in the bed.
Aaleyah moves the crown to sit next to her bracelets on the table and moves to the left of the bed before turning over to face away. Tomorrow, she promises herself. Tomorrow she will be strong. Just for this night, with the crescent moon in the sky she will allow herself to seek comfort.
Sliding into the bed beside her he wraps his arms around her, and pulls her to rest her back against his chest. No words are spoken, but when her hands hold firmly against his he is reassured he has given what she needs.
Holding tightly to his hands she thinks of her dream. It is not over, she may have woken up; but everything in the dream came true. If she makes mistakes in the future destruction like that will only happen again. Biting the inside of her cheek, what would her mother tell her? Shaking her head, thoughts like these are not helpful. It matters not what her family would say, they are not here to say it. The reason she does not receive comfort from her mother, or teasing and jokes from her brothers, and the laughter from her sisters is because she failed all those Blue moons ago. She must not fail again. The stone, what a poisonous miracle. The past events were due to man's greed. This time she will be smarter. This time she will not fail. She will protect everyone. But if she cannot, she will ensure she will be the last soul to deal with this.
Resting his chin atop her head, "Leyah," it is the first he has spoken in the hour they have been lying in bed. "Whatever you ask for I will grant it. Just promise me you will not leave." he says as if he was reading her mind, as if he knew the nature of her thoughts.
Taking his hand she tries to lift it, and only after he realizes her intentions does he allow her to pull his hand up towards her face. Kissing his knuckle, "I have made you worry. I apologize." interlocking her fingers with his, "The kingdom relies on your family, thousands of people rely on the safety the royal family grants them. One wrong move is a potential death." staring at their interlocked hands, "what I wish for you, must never grant."
Saan wishes to turn her so he can see her face, but swallows that urge, "The next time you feel tired and wish to rest like this," his voice takes a serious tone, some anger appears, "tell me to come with you. Do not be alone."
Closing her eyes, his words leave her eyes watering.
"Do you understand?" he asks sternly.
"I am sorry."
"You never need to apologize to me. I should be sorry for leaving you alone." His hand on her side pulls her even closer, his heart only calming the closer she is to him.
"It was not my intention to worry you." Biting the inside of her cheek hard, "I did not know I was still so sensitive." she says bitterly.
"Is that what you did wrong? Feel pain for your family?" he asks in disbelief. "The next time you wish to blame and punish yourself for anything, it is best you punish me instead. I am the one who has wronged you the most Aaleyah. If instead of crying you wish to feel anger, then vent your anger onto me. And if you feel hatred, give your hatred to me. Do not swallow them down and hold them in that beautiful soul of yours."
Not knowing if she should laugh or cry at his words she instead closes her eyes. Hatred, how can she hate Saan? Anger, how can she give her anger to him?
He waits in the night for her breaths to slow as she sleeps. When he is certain she is sleeping peacefully he leans down to kiss the side of her head, "I vow, with Lord of the Heavens as my witness, that I will never let you experience pain again. The devil himself must kill me before he can ever touch you again."
After Hestia left the Queen's chambers for a second time she made her way to the medicinal gardens. To appease Hammun, she allows Musinm to follow closely behind her, she can feel him go left when she goes left. His shadow stops when she stops walking. The shadow goes wherever she goes, it is only for Hammun that she does not complain. Musinm's footsteps are not loud per say, she hears nothing over her own steps. Her bracelets dangle against each other with every step she takes. The shimmering pieces of jewelry on her azure blue dress. Every step she takes is clinging down the hall.
When she first came to the palace it was Aaleyah who spent moons teaching her how to walk on smooth stone without shoes. Which is why she much prefers running, when she runs she does not have to feel that hard cold material under her feet. In Nevalvn one always wore shoes, even in your own home. That is the beauty of outdoor shoes, and indoor shoes. Hammun was the first to notice her discomfort, or maybe reluctance is the better term; for her to go shoeless. He gave her a secret. As long as her dresses flow to the floor covering her feet, she can wear sandals made of elephant leather, they can keep the bottom of her feet, free from the cruel discomfort the floor gives her. The downside is when she wears them she has to be careful not to make sounds. She chooses to cover the sound of shoes up with her jewelry, but Musinm, as young as he is, has great eyes. Which is why the walk to the gardens is a slow one. Regardless, as long as her feet are safe she has no qualms of the speed. But, she is bored.
"Musinm?" she calls, and he is 2 feet behind her.
"Yes princess?" he bows his head while walking, keeping it down until she acknowledges her.
Pouting her lips she twirls a finger around the loose curl of her brown hair, "Must you walk behind me? I feel rather alone walking by myself." she chances a glance at the guard behind her.
Musinm is young, his face still holds onto his baby fat, his cheeks very pinchable. His eyes are so different from the guards throughout the palace. Most of the guards are trained, and keep stoic expressions, their eyes revealing nothing of their thoughts inside. However, not Musinm. No, this adorable child is never able to hide his shock.
Musinm lifts his head and walks at her pace at her side in silence.
More moments pass and the only sound in the hall are Hestia's movements. As they walk past other guards she is unaware of the glares they give Musinm. She is aware of the way his footsteps slow until he is behind her.
Playing with the long loose sleeve of her dress, "You will not walk with me?"
"It is not proper for me to walk at the side of the princess." Musinm explains.
Tsking her tongue, "I see. It seems that this princess has made a mistake, and must require you to teach me the proper way." she says with a sense of guilt. There are so many rules in the palace, she has forgotten who is and isn't allowed to walk beside her.
Ceasing his movement Musinm bows, his back a straight line, resembling a smooth shelf. "I have insulted the princes, I deserve punishment." he says, his face pale.
Grinning, she swings the long sleeve of her dress the sound of her bracelets dangle with every movement, "Alright. I punish you to speak to me. You must answer all my questions, and ask me questions as well." sighing, "Do stand up. Am I to speak to your back?"
Rising Musinm's eyes stay away from the princess' face.
"You do know how to have a conversation correct?' she chides with a smile. Now that he is standing to full height she has to lift her head to see his face. This action makes it all the more hilarious, because he continues to avoid her eyes. His brown eyes darting left and then right quickly.
"Yes princess." he answers respectfully. A tone that all the guards grant her when she peaks to them. So full of respect, but so obvious that they have no plans on doing what she has asked.
Continuing to walk, Musinm is young though, it may still be possible to mold him the way she likes. "Then ask me something." she orders, her voice is filled with excitement.
They reach the gardens and Musinm moves to open the door for her. Following in behind her his eyes scan their surroundings carefully before his eyes zone back on her. The scissors and basket she has picked up hand on her arm.
Placing the green leaves she cuts in the basket, "With the time you are taking it better be a good question." she teases.
"What question would you like me to ask Princess?"
The excitement fades from her eyes and she slams the basket onto the ground. When Hammun first told Hestia that she needed to have a guard he chose some scary looking man she does not recall the name of. He never spoke to her, and did not follow her orders. She wuold tell him to walk with her, he wouldn't. She would talk to him, and his answers were always, 'Shall I ask Prince Hammun?' After complaining Hammun took her with him to choose a guard. When she saw the youthful expression filled Musinm she excitedly chose him. Who knew that he would be just as boring as the rest? "Ask me questions you would ask a friend."
"I have no friends princess." Musinm tells her.
Assuming him joking she glares at him, but his innocent expression makes her feel guilty for bringing it up. Picking up her basket she turns away from him, "Alright, then as a royal palace guard please tell me about yourself."
Following behind her, "I am Musinm I have been training in the military my entire life. I grew up in the training camps. I am capable in multiple forms of-"
Waving her hand tiredly to stop him, "Enough, I understand." Smelling a plant she changes her mind and releases it. "How about your favorite food, or color?" she asks this time lowering her expectations. From the corner of her eye she can see Musinm sport a serious expression as if he is thinking long and hard for the correct answer.
"Princess Hestia I apologize. I insult you with my ignorance."
Groaning, "Musinm! Just answer the question!" she orders him. All she wished was for someone to make light conversation with. Why is it so hard? How is it that she holds one of the most esteemed positions in her kingdom, yet there is still no way for her to get what she wants.
Musinm bows when he hears Hestia yell at him. "My apologies Princess. My favorite color is," he pauses as if his brain needs time to think. "Orange?" he asks, then shaking his head he blurts out, "No blue, and red. Blue and red are my favorite colors."
Kneeling onto the ground not caring for the soil that will stain her dress she studies small leaves. "Blue and red?" cutting a leaf, of course he will say his favorite colors are blue and red. Better yet, if she decided to ask every palace guard she sees what their favorite color is they would say the same. "We can pretend that is true. Your favorite food?"
Musinm helps Hestia off of the ground, his eyes darting to and fro, "Rice?" he says in a nervous tone. He gives the impression of a guilty criminal waiting for their punishment to be announced. E watches Hestia fill her basket with flowers and leaves, "Shall I carry this for you princess?" he asks excitedly hoping to be of use.
Sighing Hestia hoists the basket on her hip and walks away. Hammun's guard is nothing more than an adorable child. "No thank you Musinm. I have collected all that I need and will brew a nice tea. Do you like tea?" she asks, having not learned her lesson from the previous questions.
Making her way to the pergola her dress is blown in the wind, the sound of hitting against each other is heard. Her brown hair blows covering her face from Musinm's view, which is why he does not see the soft smile on her face.
Placing everything from the basket onto the tablet she scans the ingredients for a Camellia Sinensis tea, or an Oolong tea. While the Camellia Sinensis tea will help greatly for antibacterial purposes, it will serve no purpose for pain. It will not aid the queen in getting a full night's sleep.
Staring at the ingredients on the table her nerves return, if the queen does not heal she can barely even imagine the worst scenario. Playing with the palace guards will not be enough to bury her fears. Sitting down in the pergola she picks up the green leaves and twirls them in her fingers.
"I do not like, or dislike tea." Musinm answers. Moments pass and when Princess Hestia says nothing, Musinm looks around nervous with her sudden silence.
"Is there something wrong Princess?" he asks, taking a step into the pergola and then thinking more, he takes the step out and waits.
"You have spent your life in military camps, have you ever been injured?" Hestia asks.
"Of course I have been injured. But I assure you that I will do my job and keep you safe. You need not worry." he answers thinking that Hestia is questioning his skills. He wonders the best method to defend himself. He was never taught how to speak to royals, instead he was told not to speak to them. To be a silent shadow, and aid for them to never experience danger for he is to take care of it before he can be aware. However, no one ever told him about Princess Hestia, she is different from the other royals. She refuses to allow him to practice blending in the shadows, and always speaks to him. He is sure it would be easier to be a guard if he was with Prince Hammun, of High Prince Saan. With them he would only need to rely on his skills, never his social abilities. When the princess' gaze turns to him as if she is waiting for me he rushes to explain. "My biggest injury happened when I was sent to guard the east border."
"The physician there, what did he give you for your wounds?" Hestia no longer has excitement in her eyes, and the serious note she takes. She silently prays that he will not say something foolish like water. Then again with his favorite meal being rice, and his favorite colors being the kingdom's colors she can only hope that he will not know what the answer she wants is, and instead will just tell the truth.
The barked questions grant Musinm with some relief. He knows how to act when a royal is like this. "There was a male physician from the Vevalvn kingdom," Princess Hestia's eyes brighten, and she sits taller in her chair, "I apologize, I did not focus on what he gave me."
Deflating like a flower with no sunlight, "Think Musinm. Do not stop to apologize to me. Tell me everything that happened. If you do not know the name of what you were given, describe it." she orders him finally feelingirritated with his numerous apologies. When she left her home kingdom she did not gather all the knowledge that the physicians were teaching her. Therefore she forgets, and lacks information about some plants, and their medical properties. Hearing that Musinm's physician was from her kingdom she is filled with hope. Taking a breath she rubs her hand over her chet, and in a soothing voice, "please." she tells Musinm. After all, it is not his fault if he does not remember, yelling at him will not help his memory either. Twirling one of the bracelets on her wrist she thinks in advance, if she cannot make tea to help the queen sleep, it is better to just make tea to help her heal. She can fight the bacteria and sleep afterwards.
The physician gave me tea to drink, it was a slight yellow colour and I could taste ginger. There was a paper holding a fine yellow powder that he made the tea with. He had another physician with him, and I remember them talking about lemon, and ginger. They also said something else but I did not understand it. I believe it was bloodwit?" Musinm thinks deeply trying his best to remember and appease the princess. "Or bloodwhim? I only remember the first word was blood. I apologize for not knowing more Princess."
Hestia is too deep in thought to care about Musinm apologizing once again. Blood, she repeats the word over and over in her mind. A plant with the word blood in it, usually used for the injuries, it is on the tip of her tongue. She has heard of this before. Rubbing her handover her chest she calms herself and tries to focus. Bloodwan? No, a yellow color? "What were your symptoms?"
"The arrow was lodged into my body, and needed to be taken out. I had broken it and pulling it out took more work than normal." Musinm explains. "I was unable to hold down food and everything I swallowed came back up, after drinking this tea I was able to hold food down, and felt less dizzy.
Hestia hums. Yellow color, in pain, was mixed with ginger. The ginger aided with the vomiting and dizziness, she dismisses those symptoms and focuses on pain. Turning to the plants to the left of her, shescans the numerous medicinal plants. He said the tea was yellow, so her eyes scan the plants with yellow flowers first. However, the tea being yellow doesn't mean that the plant is yellow, then her eyes fall on a spike stalk. Its flowers are white but seeing it she remembers the name, "Bloodwort!" turning to Musinm a wide grin on her face. "The physician gave you curcumin." racing towards the stalk, "Musinm prepare the water!" she orders.