In the other part of the castle...
A man sat in front of the mahogany table, a quill in his fingers as he distratedly wrote on a sheet of paper. the nib bent and broke when someone knocked at the door and he leaned back in his chair.
"Come In." he announced.
A dainty hand wrapped around the door as she pushed it wide and strutted straight in without showing the basic etiquette of greeting a royal with a rank higher than you. The man's fist clenched when she rudely plopped on the chair in front of him as if they were mates when she was just one of his six step-sisters, the thorn on his side and there was no love lost between them. The crown prince was first in line to the succession of the Kalash throne and his step-sisters although in line behind him to the succession of throne were never been a threat to him. they were far too dim witted and young to ever dare cross him.
But not Princess Delnaney who was the oldest of his sisters at five years younger than him. it wasn't until he noticed her fake saccharine smiles and scoffing words at the new year ball when she was just sixteen that he realised that she was as much of an opponent to reckon with as his other two three half brothers.
Good with swordmanship and archery and adept at royal court as well as military affairs...
His gut old him that she was much more ambitious and wicked than anyone in his family and that made her a threat who needed constant monitoring.
Yet, he was still suspected if she really was after the throne or something else after all, how a mere woman of twenty two with no supportive faction neither an army of her own to go against the next ruler of the empire?
"You wanted to say something?" Delaney cocked a brow at Prince Albert who had been lost in thoughts. what she wouldn't give to pry open his shrewd brain and dig her fingers through it.
"About time I remind you that your disrespectful behaviour is reaching it's limits and it makes me question if you were ever educated on manners and etiquette." Prince Albert simmered.
"Are you subtly insinuating that the Royal household lacks excellent educators, dear brother?" Delaney shot back with fake concern marring her forehead.
"I have had enough with you. It's time you start preparing to be some other man's problem, Delaney." Albert couldn't help but snicker as he watched her go stiff at his words.
"What do you mean?"
"You have been given a long rope by father as an active royal and I appreciate your concern regarding the goodwill of My empire. but he's sick now and it's me who decides how much reign I will allow you and you better start preparing yourself. It's time you get married."
"What?! Are you serious?!" Delaney was on her feet now. a wave of panic and rage washed over her hearing those words and she let out a disbelieving laugh when Albert wordlessly passed her a document with a list of potential suitors. The paper crumpled in her fist and she wanted to burn it.
Bam! she banged her fist on the table knowing fully well that she could be imprisoned for disobeying prince Albert.
"You need not to be concerned with such inconsequential matters. I will let you know if someone catches my fancy, Your Highness." They both stared at each other for a long minute, tension palpable between them and Prince Albert sneered.
He could kill her but she was worth more alive than dead. everything aside, there was an important matter that he needed to discuss with her.
"Sit down. I didn't call you here to discuss this anyway." he said, spreading his arm towards the chair and Delaney sat with a mild frown.
"So what is it that you actually called me for? you see I had been busy preparing for the upcoming hunting festival and I don't have time to waste." her tone was bored, suggesting that she had be anywhere than here.
"Its related to that. you know that the humans renew the peace treaty every one and a half century with the Valashka Empire?"
"Of course! even an uneducated commoner would know that!" She scoffed as if it was ridiculous that he was telling her. The Prince ignored her jibe and continued.
"Then you must know that that the four Lords of Valshka would be arriving soon."
"So?" Delaney eyeballed him, deliberately touching and shoving at objects on his table to goad him but the Prince had better control over his patience than she imagined, and not once did his eye stray from her.
"I want you to receive them as the official spokesperson for Kalash Empire." Delaney stilled, taking in his words and then cocked her head at him. Delaney had only ever heard of the mysterious four Lords but never met them in person. the last time they graced the human land with their presence was one-fifty years ago, way long before she was born.
"Why would you assign me such an important task? isn't it fair that a crown prince shall receive the Lords in the absence of the Emperor?"
"I am not my father And you would do what I order you to. Am I clear?" he pressed.
"Aren't you afraid that I might mess things up...or don't tell me those creatures frighten you." She whispered the last part and watched as the Prince calm countenance shattered right before her and his eyes narrowed dangerously and his nostrils flared.
If he wasn't afraid of the vampires then he abhored them and my, my...his hatred ran deeper than she ever knew.
"A word of Advice Princess Delaney. do not tread an unfamiliar territory, You wouldn't know what you find there."
"Is that a threat?" Delaney placed a hand in her chest, her eyes wide in mockery.
"Get out." the Prince barked and Delaney was wise enough to leave the opportunity presented itself. with one last look, she left but the Prince continued to stare after her in agitation, his patience snapped in two as he threw a book at the door in rage and then he smiled, a cunning glint in his green eyes.
A man materialised out of the shadows from behind the prince.
"So? did you follow her?"