Azmaveth POV
"Greetings to the Princess of Zenobia." I bowed my head and bent my knees as a courtesy to the princess.
"Lady Ryne, congratulations on your victory. Another amazing feat." She said with her beautiful smile and hand on front indicating that I may kiss it.
My heart smiles as that gesture of hers is not available to anyone. I smile at her and kiss the back of her palm while closing my eyes. This smooth and smells like a rose hand. The gesture does not end there. After kissing her hand, I place it on my right cheek feeling the warmth and smooth hand of her. This is the hand of somewhere I want to belong.
I opened my eyes when I heard the chuckle of Atasha. "It's been 11 moons since I saw that side of yours. Come, and let me hear about your adventure." She said while taking her hand from my cheek and giving me a hug.
It's night time. And the light of the moon covers some part of her room. She sits and gestures to me that I can lay my head on her lap. Ahhh.. this is home.
"There are few interesting things that happened while I was there. The demon beasts were slayed and the people of that village were rescued but some villages were left desolated. There's this girl who lost her parents which is pitiful. I brought her here to become an apprentice. She doesn't have any families now. The interesting part is that she's a hybrid, no worries if she'll betray me or not. And I also have something to give you. I'll give it to you by next week after the other carriages arrive. Also, I will conduct an experiment on the creatures I brought with me. I think that they were possessed." I told some more stories while she caressed my head.
She asked about the hybrid, the experiments, what will I do. I told her that a cure should be created, I thought that it is connected to curses and she is game to participate or help in the creation of the cure."How about you? Any new?" I asked her.
"Hmm. It's the same. Tea parties and balls. Knowing the ladies from different families. Ah! The daughters of Marquess Valerian attended for the first time."
"What's your impressions?" I asked.
"Both are intelligent. Since their household doesn't have an heir yet. They were told by the Marquess to attend parties and balls and meet some bachelors." She sighed after telling me about the reason. "I hope I have that freedom." I sit and look at her eyes. Her green eyes are so beautiful. "You know what Ryne. I want to take part in your experiment. It seems interesting, however, my father summoned me 2 months ago and told me to meet the son of Earl Aristides of the southeast. Though I have to postpone it until I'm 19." She said while a small smile in her lips was visible. A forced smile.
That can't be.
What do you mean, it can't be?! That's the tradition you stupid.
I am arguing with myself.
Oh no. It's not the time for arguing to yourself Azmaveth!
"Ahm…" I can't find the right words. That shocked me for a second.
I don't want that. I should talk to the majesty and stop it. It is selfish but it hurts my heart and soul knowing that she can't be mine. Yes, maybe if I talked to the King, he would listen to me. Like, give the princess a freedom to choose who and when she will marry. By that time I can do anything to make her love me.
There's a lot of things that running on my mind. A little more time.
No. Should I move on and let her be?
No no. Should I just kill?
Definitely no.
Now I'm confused. What should I do?!
"I will talk to his majesty." I said sincerely while looking at her eyes.
"I don't want you to get involved. I should be the one making a solution for it. Since I am the one who will get married. I should be the one who will choose. I just need to find the man for me." That last sentence she uttered sends a pang of daggers to my heart. And I was awakened. Man for her. And I should not get involved. Maybe I should go to my palace now.
This is lot. More that I can process. This is more difficult than to kill demon beasts.
I looked at Atasha and held her hair, smelling it. Oh my princess. "My princess, should it be a man if I am the one who loves you dearly." Then silence envelopes us. I looked at her and she was shocked.
Oh no.
Oh no.
What?! Azmaveth! What are you saying?!
It hurts thinking that someone will hug you and be closer to you than me. I can't understand what I am feeling right now.
Azmaveth you should rest.
That's right. That should be what I be doing right now.
Before she could say anything, I swished my finger and the wind spirit appeared singing a lullaby. "The night is at its peak. You should sleep now princess Atasha. Good night." Then I flew outside the balcony and teleported to my palace.
I don't know why my mouth said that.
I sighed. A long sigh.
Why is my love unrequited?
Is this the price of my victories?
How can I live and love other than you? It's you Atasha who gave me reason to move forward in my life. The rose of my thorny path. The water to the desert. And my oxygen in this air. How can my kind of love get through to your heart?
Those are some thoughts of mine while looking at the moon on this hurtful, embarrassing, and regretful night.
I should prepare what comes next.