CHAPTER 13
Pangs of Jealousy
Once the grand inauguration was over, all the royals and their assistants were free to spend the day as they each preferred. Classes and training would only commence on the following day and there was not much left to do.
Prince Dan could find no respite, for Princess Eldora, the sister of Prince Syn, seemed rather affectionate towards him, in a way that she would not let him speak to much other princess or princes when he needed to make conversation and acquire their friendships.
In fact, she stood by his side like she belonged there and no where else.
The dark skinned prince appreciated her company, but not to the point where it was beginning to get suffocating.
Especially since most of the young royals from all ends of the world seemed quite keen on befriending him for the sake of their kingdoms being spared in the future from his crown's well known thirst for war.
Princess were all aflutter to win his hand for obvious reasons of power. He could tell the Princess Eldora was the same. But for his preferences as a man of war, he could not see any woman there being appropriate.
He spoke kindly with everyone, shunned none, and ensured that he had a courteous disposition.
Prince Dan searched to keep his steward Reid by his side, merely at least to let in some breeze. For that day, he deeply wished to at least get away from the crowd and spend the rest in silence until night fall when all their energy would be quenched and they would be rested in bed.
Scurrying around Princess Eldora was her handmaid Eva, who seemed to be consumed in her own sorrowful thoughts, casting glances at Prince Syn every now and then, like he was bothering her greatly.
Dan could tell that the lovely young lady of quiet disposition had something of a connection with Prince Syn, but the young man in question did not seem to reciprocate it in any way.
It piqued his curiousity to consider what the situation between them might be.
There was no question that all the women that Prince Syncher was flirting with seemed to irk the young handmaid by leaps and bounds. But there was no indication from the man's part that her feelings were reciprocated.
Prince Dan wondered if there was some sort of a one-sided affection running from her end to his.
But it was unlikely for a handmaid to be so affected by something she possibly only fantasized about. She could not look so crestfallen unless there was something more to it.
Shoving his thoughts away, Prince Dan decided to concentrate on the socializing at hand, and turned to look at the young man before him, who was introducing his sister. Seemed to be from some far away nation he had scarcely heard of.
"Would you like to go to the cafeteria where the crowds wouldn't be so thronging, please? I feel absolutely suffocated to be standing here under such draught bringing heat!" Princess Eldora cried, cutting off what the young prince was about to say to Prince Dan.
In claiming so, Princess Eldora also curled her hands around his arm and pushed herself against him.
As spoilt as it came off, Prince Dan had more courtesy than to tell her off about ruining his company. "Of course, my lady, perhaps in a few minutes", he said, kindly.
To this response, the princess seemed rather put off, but didn't say anything. She merely just rested her body against his strong arm and stayed there. The Prince did not appreciate such display of closeness, but for how rude it would appear to push her away or shrug her off, he let the act stay.
It seemed to do a great deal to put many off from approaching him and soon, many began clearing.
"May we go now, Dan? I feel my feet hurting as we speak", Princess Eldora tried again and the prince obliged.
She stuck to him like a leech, refusing to leave as they made their way to the cafeteria. Then, with all manner of decency, when Prince Dan was certain that it would be no brandishing to the lady's honour, he shrugged her hands off in an act of reaching to his butler Reid.
Then, he maintained his arms firmly clasped behind his back or folded across his chest to ensure that there was no means of their being tangled.
As the Princess stayed on, talking to him incessantly about her increasing kindness to falling soldiers at the face of war, he watched that the handmaid, Eva, who had followed her mistress away from the sights of Prince Syn, seemed of fallen disposition.
He continued to watch as the damsel scurried around, bringing them food from the lady at the stone counter to their table and then standing by Reid's side.
"Are you listening?" Princess Eldora smiled at him, fluttering her eye lashes a couple times.
"Of course, my lady", Prince Dan maintained, before he smiled up at Eva who had placed a cup of tea before the two royals each. "Thank you very much", he told her.
"You're very welcome", Eva said quietly a smile blooming at the sides of her lips, along with a little blush.
He took a sip of his drink before looking up at the Princess who seated across him, who had the unhappiest expression on her face.
That would not go well in the long run by any means.
Apart from the combat training and skill honing classes that they would be subject to at the Royal Academy, Prince Dan knew that he would have to find a fine bride who would tend to all his needs as per his wishes.
And it was going to be someone far from Princess Eldora, but she was blowing his hopes away like the brutal north winds.
"Eva", the princess of golden hair called, eyes on her tea. "Please wait for me at our dorm room, I would like you to keep my clothes for tomorrow lined up neatly."
"Yes, your grace", the young damsel whispered in response, a sort of fear evident in the distance of her eyes like what was said to her was some kind of threat, and she scurried away without so much as sparing a fleeting gaze towards Prince Dan.
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