Kassandra's POV
They looked surprised when they heard my name. A woman speaks. "Escalante? I thought the only survivor of that family was the general—eh?!" she screams, covers her mouth right away, and bows her head.
I know she's trying to apologize for her words. "Yup, the survivor is a woman, and I'm that general. Anyway, what can you guys offer?"
They look at me, scared and worried. My husband sighed. He smacks my head with his palm. "You better learn how to use your language, Kassandra," he warned.
I held my chin. What kind of mistake did I just make then? They let us into the village. My eyes dilated when I saw the different variants of lilies. They look equally unique and beautiful!
"Your majesty, we can prepare something for lunch for you and the duchess. Only if you take our offer. It's also our way to congratulate the two of you," the village mayor says. I just listen, focusing on the beauty of these lilies.
"No problem with us. It's almost noon, and we're planning to eat outside," my husband replied. I stopped at a certain species of lily. I remember a certain memory of the past...
Six years ago
I waved my hand and smiled. "Whoa! A spider lily! Don't tell me you will give those flowers to Lady Dana?" I ask. My brother's cheeks turn red. I chuckled. I grab the lilies.
"Let me take care of this. Go and take a bath, big brother. But really, big brother. Of all lilies, why does it have to be this species? You have to smell nice!" I suggest.
He smiled and placed his hand on my head. "Thank you, Kassandra. Well, I already told you the reason why. Big Brother will buy your favorite meat buns. I promise," he says.
I smiled and nodded. "You better buy five of a different flavor!" He laughs and leaves me here. I have to make it prettier!
End of Flashback
"Kassandra? Kassandra!" he roars, snapping his fingers. I blink and smile.
"I'm sorry. I just remember my big brother. He always gets this lily for her special someone."
Prince Noah checks on the lily she's talking about. "A spider lily? Of all flowers, why would he give that to a woman?"
I bitterly smiled. "To remind her that he is a soldier, and death will only be the reason that he'll stop loving her. That happens…" I whispered.
I touched the flower. I always place these lilies on my family's grave. To remind me that their deaths are not just protecting our soldiers, the innocents, but mostly… ME.
"I see…" Prince Kalix says.
I look at him and notice his expression has become gentle. I turn around and realize that the citizens aren't around. I notice the mountains behind the bustling businesses and houses.
They're indeed perfect for hunting because they're green. "Your Majesty, I want to go into the mountains while waiting for lunch. Can I use one of the horses that we're using for the carriage? I'll be back before noon."
He looks at his confidant. Enrique nodded and brought one of the horses. I was about to take the leash, but my husband took it instead.
"Stay here, Enrique. We will come back later on," he says. He hops in and gives me his hand.
"Let's go. I have a place that you will like in the mountains. Don't worry. I won't kill you," he whispers.
I grab his hand and jump onto the horse's back. I turn around, and our faces almost touch each other. "I should be the one at the back. What am I doing in front of you?!" I roared.
"I can hear you well. Don't even yell at my face!" he growls, controlling his voice.
I covered my lips. I bowed my head but bumped into his head instead. He groans. I touched his forehead and felt sorry for my actions. Why am I acting awkwardly?! This is technically nonsense!
"Hyah!" he yells.
The horse moves slowly, but when he moves the leash, it runs faster than I expected. I can smell the cold wind and the freshness of its breeze.
It took us several minutes to reach the foothills of the middle mountain. He stops the horse from running.
"This place is where mom and Dad meet each other. I want to bring you to that place. I hope you will like it," he softly says.
I turned around as an urge filled my head. I want to see his face and his reaction. He looked at me in the eyes, and I was drawn by an unfamiliar emotion in his eyes. I raise my hand and cover his eyes. "What are you doing, Kassandra?" he whispers.
"I'm just covering your beautiful eyes before I have the urge to kiss you," I replied. He grabs my hand and takes them off.
"Then why are you covering my eyes instead of my lips?" he replied.
I looked away. My heart is beating so fast. This is dangerous! I better consult these symptoms to Axel. There's a chance that I'm having a heart problem.
"We should go ahead now. We only have limited time."
He suddenly kisses the back of my neck. I feel like a jolt of lightning hits me. It was ticklish, but at the same time, it felt great…?! I covered my lips. I know I am blushing. Damn!
"This is strange. I almost forgot about it. How come?"
He pulled the leash, and the horse started to run. "How come? What did you mean by that, your majesty?" I ask.
"Didn't you hear us? We already told you that I bring nothing but a curse. Do you really think I was joking about that? Why would I?" Prince Noah says: I held my chin.
I remember those times when they talked about curses or bad luck. I thought it was just a metaphor.
"Is it about the bad luck that you are talking about?" I replied.
I didn't look back to see his reaction. "Yes. Every time that I kiss someone, whether a greeting kiss on their cheeks or a kiss on their hand, they meet bad luck a moment later."
But nothing happens when we kiss. We had done it twice. I didn't have any bad luck. "But I already kissed you twice. Nothing bad happens to me. Are you trying to scare me or talking about an urban legend?" I ask.
He commands the horse to run faster as we get higher and higher. The trail was clear and not muddy. I guess the residents of the village are cleaning their paths whenever they visit this place.
"Why would I? You heard my siblings, right? Did you know that they suffered serious misfortunes because of me? They hate me because of this curse," he replies. I heard a rumbling sound of water. I remember all those scary memories that I have.