Angry, I storm into my room and hurl my sword across the space, with Edwin and Jermia trailing behind. Edwin is silent, his head hanging down. Jermia gulps, trying to avoid my eyes.
"Why wasn't I given notice of Arvan Dahors arriving here?" None of them responds to what I ask. I didn't anticipate that kind of betrayal at that particular time. Anger is making my cheeks flush crimson, and the stabbing pain where Arvan's dragger ripped the skin around my waist wasn't getting any better.
"Your wounds need to be treated, Your Highness." When Edwin finally stares directly into my eyes, his trembling pupil amply demonstrated his guilt. Jermia was going to respond as well, but I intervened by raising my hand.
"I want everyone to report to the hideout once the sun sets. A minute later, prepare yourself for the repercussions." ignoring Jermia's hesitant expression and Edwin's worried stare I say
"At least let me-" Not necessary. I wish is to be alone." I cut off Jermia. She seemed hurt, but that's not my main worry. Valmud is here with Arvan Dahors. It's tough to predict if he will launch an unforeseen attack on Elimer's territory. After the battle with the Seafolk we are in a position where our odds of defeating a crazy sword master and his dragon are practically impossible.
Edwin and Jermia stepped out. I plop on my knees holding my stomach. Why can't I control my impulses around that guy, he wasn't going to stab me, I knew yet I had to keep my pride.
I took off my shirt and took out a wooden box of herbs and bandages under my bed. The cut seems worse than I anticipated, never mind, it's the result of my own foolishness.
Clearning the wound, I applied some ointment on that and stood up in front of the mirror before wrapping my waist with bandage. After spending 10 years on battlefield, if anything I am best at bandaging and swordplay along with spying.
Looking at my bare upper body, I couldn't help but feel a little resentful. Old and new scars covering my chest, collarbone, arms and stomach, tanned brown skin tone, tough hands filled calluses and rough hair from constant battling against the monsters, tired bottle green eyes and unshaped black eyebrows, I am nothing like a princess. Chapped dry lips from dehydration,
I feel worse at my appearance.
I f I was beautiful like my other two cousin sisters, If I had pale skin, slim shoulders, plumpy red lips, bright and shining emerald eyes, shinney brown curls like my sisters, Would I not be sent to that hell? If I wasn't the only daughter of the Former Empress, would I be able to live a normal life of a precious Princess? If I hadn't been given the Silver Sword by my grandfather, would I have been treasured?
I feel burdened by my own insecurities and prejudices within me, can I ever be confident like Arva Dahors? He is angelic with a mesmerizing voice and breath-taking smile, he is powerful and arrogant, yet he stands out the most. I admit, if he hadn't come, I would've been ended up locked underground prison filled with bugs and dugs.
Thats why I hate it even more, so much so my heart burnt as though it was on fire when I saw him, my lips trembled to call out his name, my eyes soothe looking into those gorgeous golden eyes
What's the point? He is my enemy; he is the man who can bring down my entire homeland on its knee. I changed my pants and washed up before throwing some random White silk shirt with plain black pants and waist coat embroidered with three golden roses two over my chest, another at the back pretty larger than other two. Shoving five draggers and a few poison needles in the inner pockets of the waist coat, I grabbed my sword from the floor.
Though I despise my family, even though my greatest desire is to get my brother and father on their knees, I gave my everything for this land of Elimer. My childhood, my teenage years and youth. No fucking way I will let Arvan Dahors do something funny for his amusement.
Opening the door of my room, I see someone unexpected standing outside, Cassian, My brother. His face is stonic, expressionless, cold and beautiful. Unlike me, Cassian reflected the perfect image of a Prince. He is an amazing sword master and archer, great strategist with immense greed, breathtaking and poisonous. Someone whose mere existence screams just how unwantedI am in this Imperial Family.
" You are going somewhere?" Cassian asks. His emerald eyes were staring at the place where Arvan Dahors's dragger stabbed me, or should I say I stabbed myself through his dragger.
Shrugging my shoulder feeling uncomfortable to have a one-on-one talk with him I try to get out of the situation. If he were to behead me, I wouldn't be able to do anything. My body is exhausted and screaming for some rest.
" None bothered to inform me about Arvan Dahors coming to Elimer. I can't sit still when he is in the South wing." I replied to him, calm and composed. Cassian let out a sigh and takes out a small round wooden box from his pants pocket, shoving that in my hand unexpectedly.
I frown and give him a suspicious look. " You can't die with Arvan Dahors here. I don't want to rule a dead land at the very least." He clears himself. I glanced at the box and then at him again. How funny! You act as if it wasn't you who send assassins to kill me every now and then.
But I say nothing and keep the box in my pant pocket. Cassian seemed to want to say something, but he said nothing.
" I might hate you and our father, but I love Elimer more. I won't let Arvan Dahors do anything funny." I say with a sneer on my lips. Cassian blinked his eyes four times; he didn't expect me to say that.
" Why do you hate Arvan Dahors so much?" He asks a question which's answer is not even known to me.
Why?
Why do I hate Arvan Dahors?
I have a hundred and one reasons to be grateful to him but only one reason to hate him.
The warm golden and red sunray lights the hallway in front of my bedroom, soft cool breeze fluttering my loosen hair.
" None of your business. Don't get on Arvan Dahors's nerve this time." I walk past him, ignoring his calm gaze on my back.
It's useless to think about any reason when it's about life and death. Arvan Dahors is a maniac, but I am worse. If our sword crossed, blood would spill. I wonder what is going on in your mind, Arvan Dahors?
You haven't come to Elimer without some conspiracy in your twisted mind. If that's the case, today the south wing is going to see some clashes of geniuses.
The Imperial Palace of Elimer is divided into 5 castles. North Wing, Wolf Hall, where the potential Heir of throne resides. East Wing, Peony Hall, for the emperor's consorts. West Wing, Spring Hall, the residence of Empress and South Wing, Phoenix Hall, special guesthouse for the envoys of friendly nations and the Middle castle, the main Imperial Castle, Rose Hall, the residence of the emperor and the throne room.
I am staying in the Rose Hall, maybe because the emperor was pressured by my Master not to showcase any kind of disrespect toward me, the war hero and the only daughter of the former Empress. Currently, the position of Empress is vacant. After my mother died in an uneventful accident on my 3rd birthday, Emperor tried to put Cassian's mother, Imperial Consort Lady Peony in the Empress throne. But the Noble Court of Elimer showed strong protest against that decision.
I chose a modest room to stay in, far from Emperor's bedroom but closer to the back door that connects the Imperial Castle to the Merdec Forest in case I am attacked out of the blue like yesterday.
Stepping outside, I find Edwin sitting under an oak tree at the right side of the gate. Shoulder upright and leg crossed on the ground, with a gloomy expression. Is he waiting for me?
Soft breeze flutters his navy-blue hair which reflects the golden ray of sun brilliantly, his eyes were stiffen, lost in thought. Edwin is the heir to Wikke, I took him in because of his talent and status honestly but he is someone I trust genuinely.
He lifts his head, and our eyes meet. The silence between us was heavy. He stands up and walks toward me. Edwin is taller than me, talking to him often makes my neck hurt.
" Um- I am sorry," he says, softness and guilt in his tone is visible. " Why didn't you inform me, Edwin?" I tried not to show disappointment in my tone. He looks away from my eyes, he is going to lie. This is his habit not to look into anyone's eyes when he is lying or trying to hide something.
" Never mind, I am not in mood of hearing any excuse.'' I ran my fingers through my hair, there is no point in crying over undone damage.
" Did you finish the task I asked for?" I ask coldly and he nods. Another sleepless night, damn you Arvan Dahors. You always cause me trouble.
"Are you going to meet the Prince of Dahros?" Edwin asks, still looking away. What's wrong with this guy, never mind. I can never understand man.
" I can't break my head worrying over him all the time, Can I? Arvan Dahors isn't someone whom I can predict without failing." I shrug my shoulder. Edwin says nothing further, and we both start walking to the South Wing silently.
I won't say I am not nervous, hell I am freaking out inside. Frankly, Arvan Dahors is someone I just don't wish to cross path. However, every time it's not just our path which crosses each other.
Our swords, fate and spare cross too. And before I realized, I am standing Infront of the marvelous South Wing, The Phoenix Hall.
Just like its name suggests, it has a huge statue of Phonex made with rubies just at its entrance. Knights of Dahors didn't stop me when I walked inside the building. And not to my surprise, I saw the most predictable sight when I walked inside.
Phonex hall has three floors, the first floor is for amusement and the other two floors are the guests to stay. Famous singers of Elimer, dancers and wines fill up the place.
The first order of Knights under Arvan's direct supervision were drunk by alcohol and beautiful singers. Valmud was sitting on one pillow next to the singers while playing flute and Arvan-
In his crimson red doublet, messy hairs, showcasing his buffed and strong chest was enjoying three beautiful courtiers with pitch black hair, blue siren eyes, milky white skin, big breast and soft facial features specially reserved for the Princes and Kings of other nations, entertaining him.
I felt disgusted at the sigh. Anger got the best of me, I took out a dragger from my pocket and threw it right at wine jar in front of Arvan, causing it to shatter into pieces. Everyone grassed, music stopped, and those three women got away from Arvan.
His lips curved into a brilliant smirk when he looked at me. What's so amusing about it?
" Leave us alone and until I say, I want none walking inside." Arvan says with his eyes on me, visible authority and undeniable pleasure in his voice is overwhelming. Edwin looked at me waiting for me to ask him to say but I didn't ask him to stay.
Eventually everyone left us alone in Phoenix Hall and closed the door behind me. Arvan is still sitting across the long table filled with grapes,strawberries,blueberries, pomegranate, chicken fry and all possible famous food of Elimer.
Arvan is sitting like a king, upright and confident, I am standing like his subject, nervous and cautious. He looks up at me from the wine glass in his hand, catching me off guard for some reason.
" I thought you came to give me one or two strikes, but you are staring at me as if I am the most beautiful piece of art by Great Light?" The Sarcasm in his voice gives me goosebumps but I am master of hiding my expression.
" You look disgusting with all dancers and wine hovering on you, Arvan Dahors." I say, rolling my eyes at his overconfidence. He chuckles brilliantly, " Are you sure, you didn't wish to be one of them?"
" Maria Elimer never put her eye on rotten being and you are one of them." I smile, his eyes darken. Clouded by anger and irritation, his sneer fades away.
" Your get paid extra for getting on my last nerves?" He let out a grown of frustration, soothing my ego. I smile innocently, tilting my head,
" Oh boy! How much I love that idea of getting paid for something so insignificant!"