"I was thinking of a tour around the kingdom," Kitanna said, gently massaging Almira's feet.
"A tour around the kingdom, you are yet to finish touring the palace" Almira replied. Kitanna pouted.
"Whose fault is it?"
"Well, it isn't mine" Almira shrugged, then sighted Prince Xander from afar. When she let out a groan, Kitanna followed her line of sight. "Why does he have to be so clingy?"
"You were the one who disrupted his wedding. There were better options than that. You gave him hope, now he wants to be by your side," Kitanna chuckled.
Almira stared at the man approaching them. "I never promised him love or marriage. I told him plainly that he had something that belonged to me".
"You said he couldn't get married while he has your heart. There are many interpretations to that sentence, princess".
"Greetings, beautiful ladies," Xander said with his usual charm, bowing slightly. Almira rolled her eyes while Kitanna grinned. "How are you doing today, princess?"
"Good".
"I didn't see you at breakfast," he went on.
"I had breakfast".
"Where?"
"The kitchen".
"Why?"
"Nosy!" she shot and he flinched. Almira stared at her perfectly manicured nails while Kitanna threw the Prince an apologetic smile.
"Uhmm… I wanted to go into the city today, and was wondering if you'd come with me" he offered.
"Kitana is interested".
Kitanna gave the Prince an apologetic smile once more. She tried to mind-link Almira, but the princess blocked every attempt.
"The city is more fun than the palace. There are so many places you would love I can show them to you….."
"What school did you attend?" Almira cut him short. Dante was surprised at how random the question was. He didn't mind as long as the princess was interested in learning more about him. Kitanna felt the opposite. She knew the question was anything but random. The princess was about to put her sharp-edged tongue to use.
"Royals. It is the best in all the surrounding cities, only the powerful get the privilege to attend the institution. They provide the best of the best education, training facilities..."
"Yet they couldn't teach you how to read a room. Best of the best, yet you can't tell where you're not wanted" Almira interrupted. Her words struck him like a sword. For several minutes, he remained speechless, frozen with shock.
Kitanna couldn't find the words to speak so she busied herself with oiling Almira's feet, avoiding the prince's gaze as much as she could.
"What did you just say to me?" Xander broke out of his frozen state with anger.
"What other languages do you speak? Clearly, English isn't working," Almira sighed. Xander never felt more insulted in his entire life. Kimorra didn't dare talk to him like this, let alone a stranger he barely knew.
"What exactly is your problem? You walked into my wedding, declaring your love for me and now you're acting like I'm the desperate one here?" He yelled. Almira ignored him.
Kitanna began to fear for the princess when she saw the murderous look in his eyes. He looked like he was going to strangle Almira the next minute, but a guard showed up and whispered something to him.
He threw one last glare at Almira before leaving. Kitanna sighed in relief the minute he left.
"My princess, I think you should be nicer to him. Did you see that look in his eyes? Do not forget he is your mate. His clinginess might not be intentional, but because of the bond. Please try to understand him," Kitanna pleaded.
"How about you also plead with him to leave me alone? If I have to be nicer, he has to be less annoying," Almira stated.
"But you were nicer to Dante and I didn't have to ask," Kitanna muttered. Almira arched a brow.
"You mean the Dante you threatened me to protect with my life?"
Kitanna laughed and dropped Almira's feet gently. "We both know that no amount of threats can make you go against your wish. You just needed an excuse to help him. You even fed him and offered him your food. If the others were there to witness that, they would have died from shock."
"He was hungry. Anyone would do that."
"Everyone, but you. For all I know, we could be burning and screaming for help and you won't even glance our way".
"Here I thought my people loved me," Almira sarcastically drawled.
"You are going to end up alone. No one can love someone as cold-hearted as you," Kitanna joked. Almira stared at her with a grim expression.
"Am I that bad?"
"Yes!" Kitanna laughed.
"I do not need anyone's love. I need loyalty. Power controls everything. Power commands respect. Power makes the weak stronger and the mighty, submit. Where there is power, love is nothing" Almira coldly stated.
Kitanna swallowed thickly. "I don't think you need any more power than you already have".
"If I had enough, my mother's throne would not remain vacant. I don't expect you to understand, but when the time is right, you will".
Kitanna sighed, unwilling to drag the conversation any further. She only brought up Dante and suddenly, they were talking about power and the throne.
"Can we take a walk?" Almira asked.
"Sure, give me a minute to clear this".
Kitanna packed the oils and the bowls. As soon as she was out of sight, Almira held her aching chest.
"He seemed just fine when he was here, yet I've had to bear this pain all day," she hissed. It struck her again and a soft whimper escaped her lips.
Sensing Kitanna, she quickly straightened up, suppressing the pain.
"Are you okay? Your eyes look bloodshot," Kitanna observed.
"It's a blood lust. I miss the screams of those perishing men. Do you still remember how beautiful they looked with those wide horrified eyes?" Almira asked.
"You're crazy," Kitanna laughed.
They walked around until they found a public bath. Kitanna rushed to the pool with a grin.
"It's so big", she touched the water, "and cold. Can we try it?"
"Go on, I'll just sit here and watch you".
"Come on, let's swim together, please? It's not fun when you're just sitting there, watching," she pouted.
Almira sighed, "Fine".
Before she could get in, they heard screams. They knew at once who the voice belonged to. Kitanna quickly got out of the water.
"It's Dante," she panicked.
"He's so loud," Almira pointed.
"That is not the point, princess. I think they're torturing him again, we need to help him," Kitanna said quickly.
"Good luck with that," Almira shrugged, heading into the pool. Kitanna stared at her in disbelief.
"That's it?"
"He should learn to stay out of trouble. How many more times do we have to save him after this? He has been coping before we got here, trust me, this one won't kill him" Almira said, indifferently.
Kitanna knew it was pointless arguing so she went in search of him. Almira was swimming when Kitanna came running back.
"He's locked in a well, princess. We have to help him" Kitanna said breathlessly.
"A well?"
"Yess!! Hurry please".
"How did I get entangled with such a troublemaker?" Almira mumbled, stepping out of the water.