The midday sun beat down on the courtyard, Kazi stood stiffly behind Prince Azrael's chair, her arms crossed in front of her chest. The sight before her was enough to try the patience of a saint.
Azrael, sat on his chair, his expression a study in arrogance and boredom. He was surrounded by a group of servants. One brushed his long, straight white hair, another polished his shoe, while a third polished his nails. Kazi couldn't help but roll her eyes at the sight. The prince did not seem to notice her disgust. The arrogance of him...
A cough from Azrael shattered the silence. He flicked a dismissive hand towards the servants, who scurried away. Then he gestured for Kazi to walk forwards. Gritting her teeth, she did as she was told. "What is it, Your Highness?"
"Those grapes," he said as he pointed at a bowl of grapes in another servant's hands, "look particularly appealing. Fetch them."
Kazi stared at him, momentarily stunned into silence. "Fetch them?" she echoed, her voice dripping with disbelief. "You expect me to fetch them?"
Azrael arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Deaf, are we, K? I said, fetch the grapes."
"Your Highness," Kazi began, her voice dangerously low, "I am not here to be your personal servant. My duty is to ensure your safety, not..." she gestured towards the grapes, "...cater to your every whim."
Azrael's smirk widened. "Is that so? Perhaps you are stuttering then, because that sounded suspiciously like an excuse. Now, are you going to get the grapes, or shall I have to find someone who actually listens?"
Kazi felt a surge of anger course through her. Her fists clenched at her sides, the urge to lash out at Azrael nearly overwhelming. But she forced herself to take a deep breath, to maintain control. "Your Highness," she said through gritted teeth, "I apologize for my earlier misunderstanding. I will retrieve the grapes immediately."
She stole a glance at the servants, knowing that they were watching her. With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and adopted a more confident posture. Approaching the servant holding the grapes. The servant handed them to her. As she returned to Azrael, her mind raced. This arrogant prince might think he could treat her like a servant, but when Kazi revealed herself to be a woman, he would be in for a surprise.
Reaching Azrael, Kazi held the bowl out, offering him a single, plump grape. He tilted his head back, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Closer, K," he drawled, "Or are your arms too short?"
Kazi gritted her teeth again, internally cursing the fact that she was disguised as a man. She supposed it was necessary for this mission, but it did not make it any less infuriating. As she brought the grape closer to Azrael, she couldn't help but notice the amusement dancing in his eyes.
"That is better," he said with a smirk. He opened his mouth slightly, expecting the grape to be delivered. Kazi, however, held it just out of reach, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Is that alright, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice dripping with mock concern.
"Just feed me the grape, K," Azrael snapped impatiently. "I do not have all day."
Kazi raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Feed you? But Your Highness, I would not want to offend you by implying you couldn't handle such a simple task."
"Are you defying me, K?" he said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "I said, feed me all the grapes!"
Kazi grinned, her heart racing with excitement. "Oh, I am sorry, Your Highness. I must have misunderstood. Of course, if you insist..."
As Kazi began to pop the grapes into Azrael's mouth, one by one, she couldn't help but notice a flicker of something in his eyes – a mix of annoyance, amusement, and...dare she say...intrigue?
One evening, a knock on the door startled Kazi from her thoughts
One evening, a knock on the door startled Kazi from her thoughts. She straightened, suspicion flickering in her eyes as she walked towards the door. Peeking through the small opening, she was met with an unexpected sight. Princess Athiel stood there, a mischievous glint in her eyes and beside her was the young woman Kazi had bumped into a few days ago.
"K!" Athiel exclaimed pushing the door open wider before Kazi could even acknowledge her presence. "May we come in?"
Kazi hesitated, unsure of what to make of this unexpected visit. "Your Highness," she finally said, her voice guarded. "Is there something you need?"
Athiel ignored Kazi's question, pushing past her, and entering the room and sat down on the edge of Kazi's bed. She gestured towards the woman standing awkwardly by the door. "This is my handmaiden, Uriel. " The princess announced.
Uriel, her short white hair framing a face flushed with nervousness, fell to knees. "Forgive me, Sir K, for my carelessness the other day. I apologize for bumping into you."
Kazi blinked, surprised by the formality. "There is no need to apologize," she said quickly. "It was a simple accident."
Elara, however, remained bowed. "Princess Athiel insisted," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Kazi's gaze flickered to the princess, who was now tracing idle patterns on the bedspread with one finger. Uriel felt terrible about accidentally bumping into you, K," she explained with a nonchalant shrug. "So, I thought it best she apologizes properly."
That is...kind of you, Your Highness," Kazi stammered, forcing a smile. "But truly, there is no need for such formalities. It was a minor incident."
Ignoring Kazi's attempt to deflect, Athiel stood up and walked up to Kazi. "Nonsense, K. We cannot have you, my oh-so-important bodyguard, walking around with a bruised ego, can we?"
Athiel leaned onto Kazi's shoulder, her expression teasing. "Besides," she continued, lowering her voice and glancing around conspiratorially, "I have been meaning to talk to you about something. You know, woman-to-man."
Kazi felt uncomfortable under the princess's bold touch but forced a smile. "Your Highness," Kazi began, her voice firm, "with all due respect, it is getting late. Perhaps—"
Athiel cut her off with a giggle, her breath tickling Kazi's ear. "Oh, do not be so stuffy, K," she purred. "Isn't it a little stuffy for a bodyguard and a princess to be so uptight around each other?"
She reached out, her hand brushing against Kazi's chest in a way that sent goosebumps of disgust. Kazi recoiled instinctively, but Athiel merely smirked. "Your Highness," she repeated, her voice tight with controlled panic, "this is...improper. A princess of your stature shouldn't..."
Athiel's laugh cut her off, deep and throaty. "Oh, come now, K," she teased, stepping back with a wink. "You know I have always been more of a rebel."
"It is such a shame you couldn't be my guard, K," Athiel pouted, casting a sultry glance at Kazi. "You seem strong and capable."
Kazi offered her a small, uncomfortable smile. "Indeed, Your Highness," she replied, her voice strained. "But as you know, duty calls. I am a busy man, and..." she trailed off, searching for an excuse to escape.
"Busy?" Athiel repeated. "Busy with what, exactly?" She leaned in closer, "Surely a strong bodyguard like yourself can spare a moment for a princess in distress?"
Kazi felt a shiver crawl up her spine, a mixture of unease and disgust. This was getting far too out of hand. She needed to extract herself from the situation, and fast.
A quick glance at Uriel showed that even Uriel was aware of the inappropriateness of the situation.
Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the tension-filled silence. A servant, his face etched with urgency, burst into the room. "Sir K," he announced, bowing low. "Prince Azrael requests your immediate presence in his chambers."
Kazi had never been so grateful for an interruption in her life. Azrael, insufferable as he was, was a welcome distraction compared to the princess's unwanted advances. With a mumbled excuse about duty and a quick, apologetic glance at Uriel, Kazi used the servant as a human shield, practically pushing the princess aside as she hurried out of the room.
"Finally!" she hissed under her breath as they walked down the hallway. The servant, clearly oblivious to Kazi's discomfort, continued to lead them toward Prince Azrael's chambers. Kazi was grateful for escaping the princess's unwanted advances, but she knew whatever Azrael wanted, it would not be pleasant. Still, she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.