.
"Mum. How can you let her leave like that?" Neera questioned in annoyance
"You saw how the prince was, Neera. I obviously couldn't say no to his demand. He saw the slave being tortured, I couldn't say anything"
"This is annoying. I never got the satisfaction of seeing Orchid suffer, I wanted to see someone close to her go through pain!"
"What is going on?" Gabriel asked, stepping into the living room "What happened?"
"Oh, dear. It's nothing. Prince Ciaran just dropped by, looks like Orchid wanted her personal maid" Greta answered and Neera walked out of the living room in anger
.
Orchid spent the rest of her day with Ava before returning over to her room. She took a bath and when she stepped out, she saw Ciaran on the bed, he still had his royal clothes on as he laid on the bed with eyes closed. He looked tired
"Are you asleep?" she asked, going to stand besides his side of the bed. She crouched and stared at him
"Do you have anything to say?" his voice came out low and languid, his eyes still shut
"I do. Thank you for helping Ava and bringing her here" Orchid softly said and he hummed
"Hmm. I told you I'd grant all your wishes, remember?" she remembered his words
'So many wishes, my dear. But don't you worry. I'll be sure to grant them all'
"Thank you" she said again. She then stood up and took off his shoes, it would be uncomfortable for him to sleep in those heavy clothes. Placing his shoes aside, she loosened the button on his shirt so he wouldn't feel hot. After which, she got on the bed and went to sleep
Ciaran opened his eyes after a short while and turned to Orchid. He stared at her
"This is just the beginning. I'll be sure to fulfill all your wishes"
.
The next morning, Orchid walked through the hallway along with a beaming Ava. The slashing of swords was heard and they turned their heads towards the field
There Ciaran was, in a slim shirt which had been soaked with his sweat, revealing his lines and bulging abs. As he swinged his sword, his muscles grew tensed
Orchid stopped to watch the two men who engaged in their sword fight. The blonde lad besides him seemed to be trying hard to meet his pace as to avoid getting slashed
Ciaran caught sight of Orchid standing in the hallway as she watched him. He stopped to look at her, loosing his guard and Grae's sword slashed him across his cheek, forming a small cut
Grae hadn't expected that, he had thought Ciaran was going to block his attack
"I'm sorry. What got you distracted?" Grae asked and followed Ciaran's line of sight "A mere sight of her could make you put your guard down?"
"What can I say. That's as much effect she has on me, I guess" Ciaran handed his sword over to Grae and walked towards where she was
Orchid seeing him coming towards where she stood, turned to walk away
"Where are you going, wife? You've been staring at me for a while. But now that you've got my attention, you're leaving?"
"I was just passing by" she said and then noticed the wound on his cheek "Are you okay?"
"Just a scratch" he answered and turned his eyes to Ava who deeply bowed upon noticing his gaze
"You can carry on with your training. I'll continue my stroll" Orchid said and bowed before walking away
"Prince Ciaran seem like a nice guy. At least now we've gotten out of the palace" Ava said
"You're right. Finally free from the clutches of the step mother" Orchid replied and looked ahead. She hadn't gotten far from the training area when she saw the crown prince accompanied with some of his guards
"Princess Orchid" he called as she was about to walk pass him. Orchid halted and slightly bowed, wanting to leave but he stopped her "I guess our previous encounter was not so pleasant. Forgive me for my words, princess"
"I am not one to hold a grudge, crown prince Rudolf. Your words were already forgotten" Orchid said and once again, wanted to leave but he stood right in front of her
"I feel like you're still upset with me, princess. My heart aches at the thought of it. How about a cup of tea to make peace" he suggested "Please, I insi-"
Rudolf wasn't able to complete his words when a sword came flying towards him, landing on the wall, only an inch away from his face
~
(A/N)- Who do you think threw the sword at the crown prince š