"You and your mother don't get along do you?" Prince Koda inquires.
"What do you mean?"
"You're young but smart, and yet I could still tell you didn't want to be around her."
"I'm sorry. I hope she didn't make you feel too uncomfortable."
"I'm used to situations like that. What about you, are you alright?"
"Same but only my mother, not other males. My father and brothers do a good job at keeping males away from me."
"Don't you have to live with a lot of other male priests?" Prince Koda reminds me.
I smile. "Yes, but most of the time I do things by myself because I am a female. The head priest thought seclusion was the best thing for me. I eat breakfast with everyone but the head priest is also there to keep an eye on me and no one is allowed to touch me."
"That sounds lonely. I thought females like to be surrounded by males."
I grimace at his words. "You do see how my mother is right. There's just something about that that I don't like. Being dragged around to show off in front of them and then doing nothing but give them litters for the rest of my life. No thank you. I hope one day I'll have the chance to get away from this village and travel to new lands, find new plants and herbs, and see what I can make of my life on my own." I stop talking and look up at him for a moment. "Sorry, I'm talking too much. It probably sounds stupid anyways."
"Not at all. I find it interesting. Not many females talk like you do, especially one so young." He smiles for the first time since I meet him and wow he looks so good when he smiles.
"You look very attractive when you smile," Lyria speaks innocently.
"You should watch what you say or I'll misunderstand."
I don't understand what he means by that. I know I look confused right now.
"It's nothing forget I said anything." he walks in front of me now.
We stay silent after that. After some time of walking around and greeting those we pass, I spot Ryker again and run up to him.
"Finally a face I know. Have you seen Sunny by any chance?" I hug him to comfort myself.
"He was standing by the entrance, why?" He only uses one arm to hug me back. 'Odd.'
"I have to take the prince to see brother." I point at the prince behind me.
"I'll go with you then."
"That's ok I can do at least this much by myself." I let go of him. It seems he wants to say more but doesn't.
I lead the prince to the entrance of the temple.
Ryker was right, Sunny is sitting on the steps of the temple looking very bored. I motion with my hands for the prince to stay. I quietly make my way down the steps preparing to jump on my brother.
"Got ya." I holler when I jump on his back from behind.
"If I didn't smell your scent in time I would've attacked you Snowball." My brother playfully laughs while holding me up. He spins me around and I laugh out loud.
He stops suddenly and puts me down.
"I'm sorry for acting unprofessionally your Highness." Sunny bows slightly toward the prince.
"Why didn't you tell me the prince was here." Brother looks down at me.
"Sorry," I whispered, upset that big brother was getting onto me.
"It's fine. Your sister still has much to learn." I didn't like how it sounded like he is displeased with my actions.
"Father Chief wants you to show the prince where he'll be staying," I speak quickly before turning around and leaving to help set up the preparation for the ceremony. The atmosphere felt awkward.