As Zayer and Hardik left Hardik spoke up.
"By the way, I caught Prince Zayer intimidating Lady Tanya earlier," Hardik informed Malek as they left the emperor's palace.
"Did he?" Malek responded with little interest. He was still annoyed by the conversation they had with his father. However, after hearing that he was certainly glad he had chosen Tanya to be his partner and not Celeste. How terrified would she have been if Zayer had said something to her?
Malek noticed Hardik give him a blank stare and he knew he had annoyed him with his lack of interest in what he had to say. Malek didn't care however and was happy to have pissed him off. Hardik wasn't his favourite person since he was her son. Not to mention the emperor had a habit of always comparing the two to each other since Hardik was a better warrior than him. Which is why Malek preferred it whilst Hardik was away training in the army, he couldn't wait for Hardik to leave the palace and return to it.
As soon as Malek returned to his palace and entered his room he kicked the table in frustration. He was just so annoyed about the conversation with his father.
He was sure the root of his father's worsening attitude towards him came from that woman! Ever since he took an interest in her everything has gotten worse.
"Malek," he then heard a soft voice say He turned to find Celeste approaching him.
As he hugged Celeste as they lay in bed "Celeste I told you not to move around whilst the prince is here," he told
"I know but it night time and he's in his assigned quarters around this time so I thought it would be safe to come and see you now," she said. "I just could
"But I saw you just yesterday," he told her.
"Anytime not spent with you is too long," she replied.
******************
Tanya stood in the middle of her room shaken and taken aback by her encounter with Zayer in the hallway earlier. She was shocked by his mention of her parents untimely passing. She was surprised Zayer was aware of her parents' accident and even apologized about it. Not to mention what was that look he had given her after mentioning them to her. As she stared into his mysterious intimidating snakelike eyes.
She had been so nervous all afternoon due to the fear of upsetting Malek again after the incident when they greeted Zayer and his companion. She had thought she had upset the foreign prince after their game as well. She was relieved he wasn't upset but was left dumbfounded but what had transpired all the same.
She wasn't sure what to think anymore. To have caught Zayer's attention wasn't a good sign considering all the rumours associated with him and his empire. Hopefully this wouldn't result in anything.
Tanya noticed the atmosphere of the palace shift. Things were a lot more tense she figured it was due to the Assiyre prince's presence. The only word to describe it was; fear. Everyone was afraid of Zayer.
Zayer had asked her for a Roku rematch but they never had the match. He was too busy with the Emperor and Malek as they continued to discuss their peace agreements.
Tanya was relieved that she didn't have to speak with him or see him for the rest of his stay. It was 3 days later when Prince Malek finally left the palace and returned to the Asyire empire. As Malek and Tanya went to see them off by the Royal Palace entrance.
Crown Prince Zayer walked toward them and stopped where they stood for a final fare well. Tanya bowed before him.
"It was a pleasure staying here I had a jouyous time and felt quite welcome." Zayer said.
"It was our pleasure Your Highness."
He gave Tanya a wink and she was taken aback by that.
"Finally, I can go and see Celeste," Malek said excitedly as they watched Zayer's carriage leave.
Tanya stared after Zayer as he quickly began to make his way to Celeste. Tanya's expression fell as everything that had happened to her came to mind. Her reality dawned on her once more. She had been demoted from her position of Crown Princess and now it was time for her to decide what she was going to do. Stay and continue in her new position or to leave.
With Prince Zayer finally gone Tanya could now solely focus on what had been troubling her for the last 2 weeks. She had to decide what she was going to do now that she wasn't Crown Princess anymore. The following morning Tanya dressed and went to the crown prncess's office to as usual handle the prince' palace affairs.
Lady Tanya, you are requested to handle these documents," the attendant said as he placed the file of documents on the table before her.
Tanya's lips parted to correct the servant to call her Your Highness. Then she remembered she wasn't crown princess anymore. It had barely been two weeks since her demotion and it was still taking a lot to get used to the change.