The next day I was woken up early by a set of maids who looked at me curiously while they helped me get dressed. They were mostly there to make sure I looked slightly presentable. Irritably, I pulled the bronze gown over my head. A stubby maid stepped forward and began brushing my hair, then tied it into two braids which almost reached my hip.
"You have beautiful hair," She said as she put in a pin.
"Thank you," I smiled, flushed.
A maid who must've dressed up royals thought my hair hair was pretty? That meant something.
The dress I wore was prettier than any other I wore at the palace. It fit perfectly and flowed around my body like hard silk. I was lead to the main gardens on the palace. The last I came here was with Tynan. Was he upset I missed lessons last night?
My thoughts scurried away as I saw a royal caravan stationed in front of me. Were they sending me home? A beam of hope shone in me but at the back of my mind I felt a weird uneasiness. Cozbi stepped out from behind the caravan. "Good day, Asra. I need you to do some little work for me. It's time you learn about the market. I saw your gown on the ball night, stunning, I have to admit. Here, take this." She handed me a list of things to get her.
She was crazy. Out of all the people, why me? I didn't know anything about this alien place.
Reading my expression, she moved closer and whispered, "It's just an act, Asra. You can't just roam around as the princess' servant. You ought to get to work."
"Is no one going to suspect I might run away?"
Hearing that, her smile turned confident, "No, you won't."
I heard Tynan's voice in my head. Was him telling me to stay an order too? To charm me? I shook away the thoughts, embarrassed. Cozbi didn't know until we were out of the palace, so she couldn't have told him to do so, well, according to him.
The princess' words didn't make sense until I walked into the caravan. There seated was none other than Marcus. I moved away from the vehicle like it had electrocuted me and looked around if another caravan was waiting for me.
"I told him to behave," said Cozbi as she left. "I have no other choice."
I stood staring at her leaving figure with my mouth open. Just then I heard Marcus scoff. "Look at you pretending to avoid the most handsome man in the palace."
I looked at him like he was insane. I gagged and sat in front of him. He shrank as away from me as possible. Suddenly the huge vehicle seemed to have no space at all.
I scoffed and returned, "Look at you getting on the nerves of someone who is capable of murder." Looking at his blown away expression I gestured, "According to you."
"You can't be serious," He shook his head, disgusted.
I just shrugged and looked away. Awkwardness spread through the caravan.
"Where exactly are we going? And how long does it take to get there?"
"To the market. About two hours."
"What? Isn't the palace so close to the market place?"
"Cozbi is picky."
"Why are you going there?" I raise my eyebrows.
"For something that is none of your business."
"Looks like dirty business."
"Not dirtier than fetching clothes for someone, like a dog."
My expression made his grin grow wider. We went back to silence. I looked out the window and saw a blur of green which soon turned into a steady, crowded marketplace.
We stepped out of the caravan and went about our business. I had a hard time looking for the right shops but I couldn't ask Marcus since, 1) I had my pride 2) he wouldn't tell 3) he was no where to be seen.
After what seemed like a long day I made my way to the corner of the street, where I thought we came from. Luckily, I saw I was right. Marcus was leaning against the door with a bored expression on his face. Looking at me, he opened his mouth to say something spiteful but exhausted as I was, I pushed him aside and sat inside. He looked offended and then disgusted as my stomach gave a growl. He held my arm and jostled me out the caravan.
"Let's eat, hungry cow," He mocked.
My hunger gave me no power to punch him. As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but ask, "Why do you hate 'peasants' so much."
This gave me the memory of how hateful the word sounded on his tongue and how Cozbi taunted him. His attention suddenly focused on me and his somber expression turned into mock, "Not all peasants. just you."
I wasn't clueless but I still asked, "Why? I mean even before I um... slapped you, you seemed to loathe me."
"I don't know you just give despicable vibes," He said, acting like sniffing and then covering his nose; like I smelled of some negative energy.
My stone cold expression gave him the idea to stay quiet. Just then the food arrived, a good excuse for me to hide how offended I was. While he mocked me, I saw the hate-filled expression his dark eyes held. As we made our way back, the sun lay on the horizon. I barely had my eyes opened when the caravan came to an abrupt stop and I went flying forward. Marcus' knee jabbed my stomach as I grabbed something to stabilize myself.
"Are we back?" I groaned, rubbing my abdomen.
Just then a loud thud was heard as a body crashed into the caravan.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥, I thought.
My heart pounded as footsteps seemed to approach us. Marcus suddenly pushed me to the side.
"What the hell-" I let out, trying to get free from his grip when he placed a cold hand on my face. I winced due to the touch but stayed quiet. He locked the door on my side and drew out a small dagger from his boot and planned on going outside, but the door opened and a huge man with his face covered with bushy beard stood in front of us. Marcus shielded me against him as he kicked the man with so much force, the whole caravan shook. Just then the two royal guards who came with us took hold of him. Even in the cold, I found myself sweating.
"Are you okay?" Marcus asked coldly, but his eyes scanned me for any signs of injury. Then shaking his head he added, "Can't imagine travelling with the smell of blood."
"You have blood on your hands," I pointed out.
* * * * *
As we made our way back to the palace, more striking news hit us.
The king had been attacked.