It was pouring the day that Aria was to take marital lessons from Liyab Asani, the leader of the elders in the village. She possessed a skill which made her one of the most respected elders among their circle. Upon walking through the hallway, she stumbled upon a young boy who looked rather lost. She knew who the boy was. He was, Makir. The boy whom she despised. The innocent boy who took it all away. Seeing her, the boy's face lit up. He was no more that 6 of age, perhaps. Ariya guessed. He quickly wiped the tears that was about to roll in his cheeks, and greeted Ariya.
"My lady," sniffed.
Ariya halted in her tracks. She looked down at the boy and said,
"Are you lost?"
Although she bore hatred, deep inside she knew she couldn't come to hate the poor innocent boy for it wasn't his fault at all. And so, with a little courage, she spoke first time with her half brother.
It was only the two of them that was present. A little brother and a big sister. Makir was sad and ashamed. He knew who the lady was in front of him. She was the princess and his big sister. Although, he couldn't address her as such because his mama told him how the princess doesn't like to be called as such.
"Yes," peaking through his thick lashes, he quickly noticed how beautiful his sister was. With her long lustrous black hair which was braided elegantly with golden threads and her pale white skin which contrast the colors of her locks. Makir wondered why they have such different skin. No, Makir wondered why the princess seemed to be different among all the ladies he met, for they have brown and tanned skin, while the lady in front of him has such unique complexion.
"Come along" Ariya motioned to the young boy. With little to no emotion to her voice. She, herself, was also baffled with her actions. She was supposed to hate the boy, but seeing him now, made her feel...different. It was only few days ago, when she had an argument with the Sultan, and her complaining that her brother has come to take her place.
At first, it was a silent walk. Makir, took few glances with his sister from time to time. She was walking rather slow, trying to match with his pace, although how he wished that he could hold her hands just like the walks that he and his mama would take.
"Where are we going?" Makir curiously asked.
Ariya simply looked at the boy and continued their walk. She was supposed to meet with Asani today but she just found her perfect alibi not to come. Few lefts and right, and they finally arrived at the princess's private garden. It was a gift from her father during her eighth birthday. Although it was originally for the sultan's wife, she died rather early. So to make use of this space, it was bestowed to the only princess of the kingdom.
Makir was in awe with how beautiful the place is. He never knew such place existed. Ariya lead them to the patio where she made Makir sat at the couch. She then rang a bell and in a few minutes, several servants came.
"Bring some snacks for the boy here, and a tea for me" Ariya commanded. The servants knew of the identity of the boy and they were quite shock seeing him with the princess. Ariya took some books at the side table and began to read. She would often leave some books here since it was her favorite place to read. Quiet and peaceful. Perfect ambiance to absorb every little detail of any book she took interest in reading with.
Minutes later, the servants arrived along with the refreshments and tea. After serving everything, they quickly hurried away. Ariya was enjoying her tea when she noticed that the boy was staring right at her. Feeling a little uncomfortable, she snapped, "What?"
Makir quickly look down, fidgeting with his tiny fingers, and said,
"Im sorry, it's just you're beautiful" She stopped sipping at her tea, surprised with his words. She felt rather a little guilty snapping at him. She softened a little and looked at the boy.
Right, there is no reason for me to hate him.
"Makir, was it?" At her calling his name, Makir's face brightens up.
"Yes!" Cheerfully he answered.
"Do you know who I am?" Ariya asked the young boy, while placing her tea down.
"You are my sister!" He said proudly. For the second time again, his answers continue to baffle Ariya. Although she finds it a little cute how his face looks right now when he uttered those words.
"Is that so?" She playfully asked.
"Yes! But mama said that you hate being called my sister" Makir was downhearted at the fact that her sister doesn't see him as her brother. Ariya was lost at words. She doesn't know what to answer the boy. A part of it contained truth, however, now that she is facing the boy, she doesn't know anymore.
"Princess," Kiriam, her most trusted knight came. He was surprised by the scene that was in front of him. Seeing his master with the boy.
"Kiriam, you're here" Ariya, greeted.
"Prince Makir" Kiriam greeted the young boy and bowed. Makir was somewhat scared with Kiriam's serious scowling face and to add to that, he looked like a giant to a young boy's eyes. He looked down, and dropped the cookie to his side. "Oh!" the young prince nervously picked up the cookie on the ground. Ariya wondered why the boy looked so down and – scared? She immediately had a suspect as to who is scaring the young child. Looking at Kiriam, who just stood there with his rather too serious face, she sighed.
Right. Kiriam might seem intimidating for a young boy.
"Kiriam, do sit down. You're scaring the child" He immediately obeyed.
"And please don't frown" the Ariya told Kiriam who now looked a little taken a back at his master's command. He wondered if he really is frowning or does his face look really that scary.
"I...ugh..forgive me prince Makir" Even with their efforts, the young prince was still dispirited and down.
"Makir, come here" Ariya noticed how he looked rather messy with the cookie crumbles all over his shirt and his cheeks. And so, almost out of her character, she called the boy to stand near her and wiped his cheeks with her handkerchief.