Centuries ago,
KAMAZ'S POV
The wine was served before the lady came in.
I could tell that there was nothing underneath the peach-coloured kilt she was wearing.
Green eyes like the ocean, dashing red tainted her lips, the outline of her body visibly known…she was very beautiful, but she wasn't who my soul sought.
"You asked for me, My Lord," She said with a smile. I was seated on one of the sofas provided in the room.
When she walked to me, she immediately knelt.
"I'm here to please you, My Lord. Tell me what you will have me do," She said, her eyes fluttering from my trousers to my face.
I said nothing and took a good swig of the wine in my hand, but as she placed one of her hands on my thigh, my skin felt revolted, and my free hand snaked around her neck, mildly choking her.
"I knew you were not like the other cool Princes.
You don't know how excited I was when I was told I'd be the one serving you tonight, My Lord!
Have me any way you wish…I'm here to serve" She said, her eyes closed as she ran a tongue along her lower lip.
I rolled my eyes. Those words will be preferred when they are coming from the lips of another…another woman who plays the Pipa and who says she knows how to use daggers but would not actually use them to harm anyone.
A woman whose smile lights up the darkest of places she is found.
Standing up with her still in my grasp, I pushed her backward, her body falling on the bed, where she bounced.
Her kilt came apart, revealing properly oiled skin.
"I see you like it rough.." She said with a small laugh.
"Cover up!" I said sitting back on the couch and chugging the rest of the wine directly from the bottle.
"Wha…what?!" She asked confounded.
Now her voice was beginning to irk me.
"Thanks for trying; you will be paid twice the usual," I said, closing my eyes as a particular face drifted into my mind.
"But I haven't even done anything, " She said, anger in her voice.
"Or are you tired?
Let me handle this. You don't have to be the one to start this" She said, standing from the bed.
I opened her eyes to see her stark naked before me, her kilt like a pool at her ankles.
My eyes trailed along her body but I felt no thrill, no drive.
I stood up from the couch, picked a kilt, and placed it back on her body.
"That will be all. Good night!" I said turning her towards the door.
The look in her eyes could melt a mountain and I was certain if I wasn't a Prince, her lips would have rapped words I would have remembered for ages.
Hearing the door shut behind her, I lay on the bed, my eyes closed.
"Please heavens, undo whatever it is Zelda has done to me. I'm losing it and I don't know how much strength I have left"
*****************
ZELDA'S POV
I sat on the strongest branch of the biggest tree in the training arena as I watched the warriors go at it with wooden swords - shirtless, sweaty, and intense.
They have been going at it since 4 am with a particular Prince who told me he wanted to kiss me yesterday.
I have not been able to unsee the look on his face when he told me that the reason he avoids me is because…is because he needs me.
I still can't wrap my head around it but at least I can sit here and pretend like I'm trying to perfect my stitching lessons.
In my defense- because Prince Kamaz has been glancing at me watch his men - the governess will have my head if, by our next lesson, I'm still poor at it.
I saw Falkur go over to Prince Kamaz, and Prince Kamaz whispered something to him. He came running to the tree, and I stilled my heart, ready to disobey whatever order that was, especially if it was to take me away from my current position.
But just as Falkur got to the tree, an announcer came in through the gate, announcing the Crown Prince's presence.
Some guards came in front and some were behind him.
Clad in green and cream-colored apparel, with a maid holding an umbrella over his head, the Crown Prince marched to where Prince Kamaz was standing valiantly -bronze skin glistening, sword tip reflecting the sun that was now up.
"Good morning brother.
I'm sorry to disturb this very important moment" Prince Acheron said with a smile.
Two things, he didn't sound sorry, and he didn't sound like a brother would.
Prince Kamaz said nothing - it wasn't like anyone was expecting him to.
He just seemed bored, though his back looked tensed like his nerves were on end.
"I come here being polite and nice - something our other brothers wouldn't be and yet you stare at me like I'm a stranger.
Quit acting like you are above everyone else. I, as your brother, know what you are, more than anyone.
Well, that aside. I brought this for you…" Prince Acheron said. A guard came forward, stretching a black belt before him with his head bowed.
Even though I could only see Prince Kamaz's back, I could tell his face was asking the same question as anyone else.
"You were so in a hurry last night that you left this at the harem.
The lady you spent the night with, I think Agnes is her name, brought it to be returned"
I had no idea when my body moved from the tree, but the next second, I was falling.
Thank the heavens for Falkur that was beneath it and he caught me before I could hit the ground.
"Zelda!
Zelda!" I heard two voices call at once. One belonged to Prince Kamaz, and the other to Prince Acheron.
"Are you okay?"
"Are you hurt?"