Maya turned around only to see three hoodlums behind her, each of them with knives.
"I've got nothing to offer to you... just let me go" Maya said while facing downwards
"From your dressing, you look wealthy , how can we let go of such a great opportunity to become rich " one of the hoodlums who seemed like their leader said and the rest burst into laughter
"Where 're you heading to ?" One them asked, Maya kept quiet and made to pass
"Are you deaf?" Another added
"Excuse me " Maya said and made to pass but was dragged back by the leader of the gang "let go of me " She shouted. One of told them made to hit her with a stick which she dodged. They started fighting when suddenly, Kaa intervened and fought together with her. While fighting, one of the hoodlums removed her hoody as her hair flew down to her back,revealing her face
"Its her ....the cursed princess" the leader shouted
"Come on ,let's go .." another added and they left hurriedly taking to their heels . Kaa stood transfixed to the point as he hasn't seen anyone as beautiful and gorgeous as the lady before him . He was astonished and stood like a statue gazing at Maya for a long time as Maya looked at him eyeball to eyeball . Kaa was still astound and bewildered on seeing how beautiful Maya was with her silver hair and purple eyes , which made her reframe he's statement that there was no lady that can ever catch he's attention . He was still staring at Maya when she broke the silence
"Thanks for your help tonight ...I promise to repay you next time " Maya told Kaa who didn't hear a bit of what she had just said . She went closer to Kaa who stood like a fool starring at her with he's mouth wide open on seeing the sublime in front of him. He couldn't believe there was such a beauty on earth , he wished he could pause the time for a while .
"I said thank you" snapping her fingers before Kaa , she recalled her hair was open and closed it with the hoody
"Hey" she said waving her hands over he's face
"No..No problem , if you need my...he...help someday , do tell me " he finally replied while stuttering. "Shit I just made a fool out of my self " he thought to himself as he remembered how he stood as a statue staring at her and felt embarrassed.
"Actually I came to give you this"bringing out the sachet out of he's bag and handed it over to her "you dropped it ,so I followed you all the way here to give it to you
"Oh my ..."She said ,taking the sachet from him "than you so much "
"If you don't mind, can I know your name ? ..I'm Kaa"
"I'm Maya" she said looking at the sky
"Are you the supposed cursed princess?
"What if I am... Will you avoid me like everyone else"
"No ...no... how can I avoid such a beauty?" He said as he scratched he's head
"I see... you've got a sweet tongue, well thanks once again, I've got to go it's getting late" she said as she mounted her horse
"Never mind .... can I or will I be able to see you again ?
"Maybe....Maybe not and if we do see then know heavens want us to....see you" she said finally as she rode away . Kaa starred at her as she rode further away before going back.
**
Kaa had gone back to the tavern he was staying and met a worried Maro inside.
" My Lord... "he called as he got up from the bench he Sat on .I've been searching for you everywhere for a long time now"
"I'm fine ....get me an ink and a paper" Kaa ordered while sitting down.
"Here you go" Maro said handing them over to Kaa who started drawing "Your highness, which beauty are you drawing so intensely ...I 've not seen you draw so focused before "
"Shut up, you ask a lot of questions" he told Maro and continued drawing. Few minutes later , he was through . He smiled as he kept on starring at the drawing
"Don't tell me you feel in love at first sight with a beauty you saw today" Maro teased Kaa
"In love ?...hmmm you can say so but I'm not sure if it's love yet or attraction "
"Mind if I see her picture ... I wonder who she is" Maro went closer to take the paper from him but Kaa hid the paper behind him. " you won't even let me see her picture ?...wow I never knew you were this protective of her " Maro teased Kaa once again before Kaa brought out the paper and let Maro see it .
"Is she not the famous cursed princess? wait....Don't tell me you're in love with her just by hearing those rumors ...Its just a hearsay" he told Kaa
" I want to be alone for a while please " Kaa told Maro
" What did I say wrong ?" Maro asked
"Nothing" Kaa replied smiling
" for the past twelve years I've been with you, I have not seen you smile like this before "Maro went closer to kaa's ear "tell me the secret " he whispered
"I guess your tongue isn't important to you anymore ?" He asked Maro while glaring at him with a stern eye
"Alright, I'm going ...happy ? Maro asked while leaving the room" I wonder which beauty enchanted you like this "Maro murmured to himself but Kaa heard it
"Maro" he called
" I'm gone....." Maro said as he closed the door. Kaa starred endlessly at the picture in front of him .
***
Maya got back to the palace , she saw Ott waiting for her at the entrance of her room
"Where have you been ...you got us all worried, this is the longest you've stayed outside " he asked , looking worried " we thought something bad had happened to you "
"Don't worry ...I'm perfectly fine " She reassured Ott as she walked in, followed by Ott. Ott has been with Maya for Eleven years now ,he joined the imperial guard at an early age of nine. After being saved by Maya, he had stayed by her side ever since , he made it he's priority to care for her and make her happy .Maya meant more to him than he's life . Maya who doesn't understand emotions was always seen smiling even in the most dire situations, which made Ooka and Bauka her two younger sisters angrier .
I wonder the type of man Ooka would be getting married to " Maya asked Ott when they had entered inside. She Sat down on a wooden bed which wasn't fully furnished like the other princesses bed . The bed was situated at the right hand side of the room and beside it was a table. Although the room wasn't fully furnished, it looked very neat and well kept .
"If you're so eager to know , why don't you sneak out a take a peep at them from a distance" Ott said
"You know I can't do that "Maya replied
" you haven't attended one before so I thought you might want to watch it" Ott said
"I'd love to but...whereas everywhere will be heavily guarded there's no way I can go undiscovered" Maya said smiling at Ott
"I wish I never get angry or pissed off like you , unlike your sisters , rude, unruly, arrogant, and very domineering" Ott said
" how does it feel to be around someone you know that loathes you or you loathe...and how do you know if someone hates you ?" Maya asked
" hmmm....let's say ,,, you'd feel irritated on seeing them" Ott replied
" Oh okay ..." Maya said smiling. Ott couldn't take he's eyes off Maya . There's something about her smile that captivates him . Nanny Mari and Mari came into the room as Mari ran to Maya's side and gave her a big hug
"My little Mari" Maya gave him a peek on he's forehead
"Am not little anymore ...Am six years now , mom said I'm now a big boy " Mari said and everyone laughed " look I made this for you"he brought out a flower crown and placed it on her head.
"Wow ...Its really beautiful , how do I look"Maya said
"You look pretty in anything you put on" Ott said
"You're the prettiest...The crown fits you perfectly" Mari said
"Of course she is" Ott said with a beam of smile on his face
"He insisted on getting you a gift ...couldn't stop him "Nanny Mari said
"Since you got me a gift , then I've to give you something in return " Maya said and brought out a horse which she had carved few days ago and gave it to him" I know my little Mari loves horses"
"You're the best" Mari took the horse and ran outside to play
"Its getting late, I need to report back to the palace " Ott said
" take care then" Maya said " What of Mia?" asked Maya
" I sent her to get me some candies" Nanny Mari replied
" okay "
" I'll get going now, get a good sleep ..." Nanny Mari said as she left the room