On the day of the Asyire prince's arrival Tanya joined Crown Prince Malek by the entrance of the main palace. Soon a carriage came into the driveway of the palace and came to a halt on front of them. The Crown Prince of Asyire stepped out of the carriage at his side was a young woman the crown prince didn't
Crown Prince Zayer was the one and only heir of the Asyrian empire. His father, Emperor Daro was ill and so he had taken over the role as Emperor and had been for almost four years now. So technically, he was now the emperor.
As he came toward them Tanya took in his rather intimidating aura. The first things that struck out to her was his height and menacing face. His dark brown hair which was tied in a neat 'man-bun' with an Asyire imperial design hair tie. He wore large loose royal robes that somehow still didn't mask his muscled build.
He was astonishingly handsome, yet cruel looking at the same time. He looked like something that was too good to be true. Like a beautiful rose that would trick you into thinking it didn't have sharp thorns on its branches to watch out for if you tried to hold it.
Feeling the hairs on her body rise, Tanya only hoped the afternoon would go well. She wouldn't want to mess up. If Zayer was in anyway offended or upset, he might set his sights on their Empire. She knew all the rumours about Asyire after all. Equally as intimidated was Malek who stood beside her. He also took a moment to take in Zayer before he spoke up.
"We welcome you once more to our Empire your Highness," Malek greeted Prince Zayar in the Asyire language to be polite. Tanya bowed before Zayer, but Malek didn't have to bow as he was a prince himself.
Zayer smiled and took Malek's hand in his. "Thank you for the warm welcome, It's lovely to return to your Empire," he responded.
Zayer's eyes then landed on Tanya, and she froze worried, about his gaze.
"This is Lady Tanya she will be joining us this afternoon, as my partner," Malek introduced her noticing this.
Tanya then curtsied before Zayer again.
"A pleasure to meet you," he greeted her before turning back to the prince. "But she's not your Crown Princess anymore, is she? I heard you chose a new crown princess for yourself." He asked wondering why Lady Tanya was the one with the prince.
Both Malek and Tanya flinched at those words. Tanya was ashamed that even people from other nations were aware of her demotion. She knew it was obvious he would know about it but it was just embarrassing nonetheless.
"The crown princess is not feeling too well, and so she couldn't be my partner today," Malek lied.
"Oh, I see," Zayer accepted the explanation, but he didn't look convinced.
His attention then turned to the woman beside him. She was a small timid woman who looked to be in her early twenties like Tanya. She had light brown hair, golden eyes that made her stand out.
"This is my companion, Lady Mera, she was accompanying me for a trip concerning an issue back in Asyire and I ended up bringing her here with me. She doesn't speak the language well so please don't mind her minimal communication going forward."
Zayer then lowered his head and whispered to Mera in the Asyire dialect she spoke.
The timid looking young woman then proceeded to bow before Malek. "I-t's a-n hon-nour to meet you," she greeted him weakly in the Kajar language. Malek acknowledged her by nodding his head at her. Mera's attention then turned to Tanya.
You could tell she was a commoner woman who was not familiar with all of nobility's customs.
Tanya recollected everything she had studied about Mera's dialect in the library that day as she stepped forward toward Mera.
Tanya then reached out her hand to hers and to shake it. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she greeted Mera in her dialect.
Both Zayer and Mera's eyes widened in surprise at the fact Tanya knew the dialect.
"You know her dialect? How?" Zayer asked completely baffled.
"I read about it and taught myself," Tanya explained.
Zayer's eyes narrowed as if he was skeptical.
"How impressive. Not many people are aware of or even know the dialect," he said. "Even in my empire."
"I just wanted to make her feel welcome," Tanya told Zayer.
"Your thoughtfulness is commendable," he showed his appreciation.
Malek then clicked his tongue at that. He was annoyed that Tanya had already started her 'know-it-all' antics. Tanya immediately took note of this and glanced at Malek who was glaring at her. She realized he had upset him somehow. Worry began to set in as she wondered what he would do to her. She knew she was in trouble.
She decided to keep quiet for the rest of the afternoon so as not to draw too much attention to herself. Not only did she have to make sure she didn't upset Zayer but also
"Let's head to the palace where you will be staying,"
"My father is currently busy, but he will see you later today if that's fine," Malek told Zayer.
"Very well. I please I look forward to your company in the meantime," Zayer said as he followed.
Tanya and Malek led Prince Zayer and his companion, Mera, inside the palace to the wing Tanya had prepared for him. Zayer's entourage together with Kajar empire servants helped
Once the four had reached the guest palace a servant
As Tanya was about enter the lounge as well when she suddenly felt herself getting pulled back. Surprised Tanya found herself
"When did you even have time to learn that girl's language? He demanded her.
"Whilst I was preparing the prince's wing, I began looking into the language," Tanya explained herself.
"You see it's things like this that made me demote you from your position," he went on. "Don't do unnecessary things. It's like you're trying to outshine me. How does it make me look if you know more than me?"
Tanya flinched at his cold gaze and tone of voice. Whilst Malek found Tanya's obsession with him annoying, and on rare occasions entertaining, what he hated most about her was how clever she was. In their royal studies that they had done in the last 7 years she excelled in all subjects they studied, surpassing him. It annoyed Malek how and top of that his father always talked about her.
Over the years Tanya became aware of this and in an effort to appease him would make an effort to dull down her talents and walk on eggshells to make him feel comfortable. However, it was difficult for her as she could never tell what would upset him at any given time.