Who's dumb idea was it that we come to the drawing room?
Mine. My idea that I was heavily regretting.
Hebron stared at me from the other side of the room, enjoying the power play. He was the
one with the cards in this moment, and I hated not having the upper hand at this, especially
that it was a situation witnessed by every person in power in the across the land of Leini.
Except for the Naib, I should pray and thank god for that once I get this over with.
I leaned on the door, staring back at him. Whoever speaks first would have more to lose,
would be the weaker one, and I refuse to be the ignorant and the weak.
I'd like to think he needs me, or else why engage in such a theatrical show in front of his
people and mine?
What if I stayed in my room until dinner? Would he have done this in front of every knight
and diplomat while they were dinning? What would the Naib say? What would the emperor
say? Would he think me not fit for the mission? Was this what Hebron was aiming for from
the start? To strip me from my power? Why?
I was no longer Hebron's rival, for he is no longer just Hebron. He is duke of Whingston, and I am the princess of Tanery.
There is no Ron and Ria anymore. There will never be.
Finally giving in, Hebron spoke first:" You're wondering what's my aim from doing what I
did?"
" Give this guy a reward!" I said sarcastically," with this level intelligence I am doubting your
performance at the academy, did you buy your way up or was it just the graduation match
you cheated ?"
That earned me a snarl, his face empty of amusement as he looked insulted:" Ha, wise
words of a sour loser. Maybe if you weren't so terrible at swordsmanship you would've
enjoyed victory, and if I remember correctly, and I do, all you enjoyed that day was mud as
you fell at my feet. Isn't that right, Ria?"
" Your highness" I said briefly.
" Excuse me?" He said confused.
" You're excused, and it is your highness, not Ria. We are no old acquaintances, nor are we
star-crossed lovers, and that deseperate show you did out there was a pathetic attempt from
a pathetic excuse of a knight! "
Hebron looked pleased, like this was a nice little game we were playing. " Ah, now that you
mention it again, your highness, we have a plan to discuss and we don't have much time
before we get interrupted."
What plan is he talking about? " you must have lost it if you think I'd cooperate with you on
anything after all that happened! "
" Oh dear princess, you will. Because your so beloved job is on the line."
" what do you- " a knock sounded from the door, and before I said a word it pushed open,
pushed me open with it as Amo appeared .
I was behind the door so my brother did not see me, nor did I see him, but I heard his voice loud and clear.
He had taken one step inside , hand still holding the door as if he could not stand to be in the duke's company, that is the brother I know and love. He said after staring around the room, scanning for his sister who had just disappeared with a stranger into a secluded room: " I see she had already left, your grace."
" Yes your highness, she said something about retreating to her rooms for today."
" I see." said my brother after a minute, " El- Huaria was never a big fan of yours, though she respected your records. Your mannerism is one she dislikes, so make sure you behave yourself in her proximity, your grace." and with that he left.
So Amo didn't buy his show... interesting, but not good enough.
If he turned his head a bit more he could've seem me, and I could've made my presence known. it would've been good.
If we were interrupted and found of opposite sides of a room that'd help my narrative, the one with the duke being manipulative and me a victim of his schemes.
But I stayed quite, as stuck to the wall as physically possible. As much as I'd like to leave and never see this man again I can't tame my curiosity. We were left to stare at eachother again. this once he wasted no time explaining:
" Your Naib had arrived long before you did, him and I became acquainted, and we discussed many things from my time abroad at Tanery, my studies, people's hospitality, your hospitality. we discussed the smart and strong-willed princess, and in my narrative we were very fond of eachother. In fact, we liked one another so much that we vowed to never marry, hence why you broke your engagement after graduation, is what he beliefs"
which is not the truth. I had broken off my engagement because I was no longer interested in a man who spent more time in others' beds than he did at his. But he didn't know that, and he didn't need to. He needed me free of commitment and I was. He needed me in a secluded place and here I am, what does he want?
" What's the catch?" I asked, already tired of his games.
" There is no catch, you will pretend to be the lady I serve and I shall be loyal to my oath"
" What for? What's bothering you so much you're willing to be at my will?"
" Do not bother your bird-brain with such matters. I will see you at dinner, my lady"
he bowed and kissed my hand, looking me in the eye, a smirk on his face.
" We will talk again after dinner, you highness.", said my knight before he exited the room.