[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: SHOONG ~ TAEYANG FEAT LISA]
With the palace making preparations for the coronation and wedding of the crown prince, Kitanna mostly stayed in her room, either reading books or taunting Clephas.
The morning had the sun kissing the sky, making the palace look enchanting. Kitanna lay on the bed, basking in the sun's warmth, feeling the morning embrace, with trees and birds rustling and whistling as if they had unfinished gossip. Since the punishment, nothing fun had happened, and she had been rather bored in the castle, feeling like a forgotten princess in a poorly written princess and the castle story.
"Good morning, my princess, the only princess of Morado, Kitanna of the mountains, who drags beauty with the morning sun, the one whose radiance shades the moon," Clephas praised the princess in an attempt to make her smile.
"Clephas... Clephas... It's royal time, the Queen sacks Man-uel, just look at you!, doing a splendid job with your flattery. Well, not everything is a facade, especially the part about me shading the moon. I've caught her eyeing me and hiding in my shadows," Kitanna chuckled to herself as she sat up on the bed and looked at Clephas.
Clephas rolled his eyes inwardly, he made the mistake, he should have kept his mouth shut. But then again he was used to the princess's banter already.
"My princess, the Crown prince is here," he announced.
"Oh, my brother? What brings him here? Is he getting cold feet just days before his wedding? Please, let him in," Kitanna smiled.
Clephas bowed and moved with his back to the door, then he ushered the crown ornces in. When the crown prince stepped in, he closed the door and stood outside.
Khelan walked into the room and brought the chair closer to where Kitanna was, one look at his face, the princess knew he was frustrated. And she knew why.
"Khelan, you know you're the most unfortunate soul. Mother should have swapped you with a commoner as a toddler; a commoner's life might have suited you better," Kitanna teased her brother.
"Kitanna, this is no time for jokes. I think I'm in big trouble," Khelan replied, rubbing his head with both hands.
"Well, this wouldn't be the first or last time, but at least you're thinking, and that's a good start." The princess grinned, giving her brother a look. When he didn't say anything, she continued,
"What can your charming sister do to assist you?" Kitanna stood up, poured a glass half full of water, and offered it to her brother, who declined and continued to mumble. She took a sip of the water and dropped the glass on the table.
"Calissa... she... she sent a letter," Khelan finally managed to say.
"Let me guess... she received your wedding invitation and decided to be a party pooper... Or... she received your seed and is in good health," Kitanna said her eyes filled with mirth.
"Kat, it's not even funny. Yes, she's having a baby," Khelan replied. "And is mine" he sulked.
"Awww look who's going to be a Father!" Kitanna received a glare from her brother, she shuddered, pretending to be scared.
"Well, at least one thing in your body functions efficiently. Little wonder the queen chooses to remove their heads before the seed sprouts," She laughed finally using her hands to cover her mouth.
Kitanna found everything about her brother amusing. He might be the heir and her older brother, but she couldn't help but be entertained by his simplicity.
Clephas heard the princess talk. He was not eavesdropping but the princess obviously said it loudly to make him laugh, he closed his eyes asking the stars to keep her safe. So she won't be killed for annoying people. And why will the crown prince come to her for help? He shook his head in pity for the young man. When the crown prince requested to see the princess, Clephas dismissed all the servants, he knew whatever will be discussed with his brother. Kitanna will want it to be a secret. He knew that much.
"Kitanna, if you won't help, I'll leave. Enough with the jokes, please," Khelan stood up to leave the room with annoyance written on his face.
"Oh, come on, brother. You came here because I'm your last anchor Yeah?. Don't worry; I always have a trick up my royal sleeves," Kitanna reassured him, walking closer to her brother.
"Don't worry; enjoy your coronation and wedding. I'll take care of Calissa and the baby. Just make sure no one gets a whiff of this," she patted his back and gave him a reassuring smile.
Despite everything, Kitanna had always loved her brother. He might be a simpleton, but he was very kind and because of that easily fooled.
"Thank you, Kat," Khelan whispered before leaving the room.
Clephas did not have a good feeling about this, what trick was Kitanna planning to play. When the crown prince walked past him, he bowed and entered inside the room.
"You heard right? I'm having a niece or is it a nephew?" The girl smiled picking a weed that was growing in her vase.
"My princess, do you think inviting the girl here will be the solution? What if the queen finds out?" the enunch was scared to his wits. If the queen should ever find out, everyone involved won't be spared. Including the princess and he was worried.
"If she finds out, I'll know who said what to her" Kitanna smiled, giving Clephas a knowing look.
Clephas had his eyes widened in shock. The princess didn't mean he would betray her, or did she? "My princess...you...."
"Enough, Clephas. You don't get jokes easily now do you?. Allow me to be the smart princess," Kitanna smiled dismissing the man who had a confused look written all over his face.
Clephas was shocked when the princess indirectly said he will tattle tale to the queen. But that was one of her dark humors which he never enjoyed. He left the room but he was still worried about the princess. She always acts tough but she was the softest person he knew. Clephas decided to go to the shrine and pray for the girl's safety.
Kitanna summoned her personal guard and wrote a letter, attaching a seal to it. She handed it over to her guard. She knew the letter will go the queen first but she didn't mind.
It's going to be a long and less boring season after all. Kitanna smiled to herself.