“Out with it, Dan. Where’s Ren?” I asked.
Dan moved away from the bouquet and was smiling at me like an idiot. “You’re looking for him? Is that progress I hear?” He chuckled and was suddenly pulled back by the collar of his shirt by his twin.
Ren and I met gazes. “Hey, princess.” He greeted me. Ren was wearing the same coat as Dan, but minus all the fancy chains and details. While Ren was dressed to be presentable, Dan was dressed to impress.
“‘Sup, Ren.” I greeted back.
Dan moved his head back and forth between the two of us. And the more that he did, the deeper his frown has become. “That’s it!?” He asked in disbelief. “That’s all?!” He demanded and looked at Ren, who looked away under his younger brother’s scrutinizing gaze.
Dan’s brow twitched at his brother’s reaction. “Hide all you want brother, but I will get my answer from you one way or another.” He said through gritted teeth.
“Prince Dan?” Nate and Ace made their way towards us. Their gazes hell from Dan and then to Ren.
“Which one is the younger idiot?” Ace asked.
“Hey!” Dan protested with a pout. “That is rude! I thought that you guys would be a bit nicer to me considering that you haven’t seen me in a while.”
Ace and Nate exchanged glances. “Sorry, but we see your face all the time. I mean, your twin is still here with us.” Nate pointed at Ren.
Dan gasped and suddenly ran towards me, escaping Ren’s grasp. “Sis! They are bullying me! They do not understand that Ren and I are different people.” He cried.
‘Werewolf! Get your paws away from the princess.’ Viex growled and tackled Dan’s face.
Dan was surprised that he moved a few paces back before grabbing Viex off of his face. He starred at him while Viex growl. “Ew. What is this? A bug?”
Viex wasn’t happy about the comment that he used two of his tails to slap Dan’s across the face. The younger werewolf prince was startled enough that he dropped Viex. “WHO’S ANIMAL IS THAT? WHY IS IT RUDE?!” He screamed.
“Mine. Got a problem with it?” I crossed my arms over my chest while raising a brow.
“Yours?” Dan raised a brow at me. “What happened to your other one? Custard?”
‘Master Dan! I am here!’ Custard barked and jumped up and down to catch his attention.
Dan raised a brow when he saw him and crouch down as he stared at Custard. “Another wolf?”
“That’s Custard.” I said.
“Rose, I may have been gone for a while but I remember that Custard is brown, not white and black.”
“That Custard. He became a royal familiar along with Viex, the fox.” I said and pointed at Viex, who stood beside Custard and growled at Dan. “They’re my familiars now.”
Dan got up and places his hands on his hips. “I don’t want to ask this but I have to. Why are your familiars white?”
I gasped and slapped him with a gloved hand. “Daniel, you can’t just ask spirits why they are white! That’s...spiritcism.”
“As I said, I didn’t want to! I am just curious.” Dan pouted and crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly. “Well, it would seem like a lot of things happened while I was gone.” He directed his gaze towards Ren and he didn’t seem happy. “But still nothing. Brother, you and I will have a very long talk.”
“By the way, Dan. Why did you come here? You should have gone straight to Hazel.” Nate says.
“Oh, nothing. I just want to make sure that the other team isn’t plotting anything.” Dan’s eyes seemed to cast onto Ace briefly as he said this. “Well, anywho, Ren is riding with me and Lily because we need to brief him on some things.”
“No.” Ren immediately said. “You will just feed me with foolish ideas.”
Dan threw his head back and laughed like a maniac. “No way, brother. You are coming with me and that is final!” With a cry, Dan punched Ren’s stomach. Ren did not expect the blow that he fell on his knees and clutched his stomach in pain. Dan dusted his hands and grinned in satisfaction. He grabbed Ren by the back of his collar and started dragging him away. “See you guys in Hazel!” He says.
“That guy.” Nate commented as he stood beside me. “I swear he makes Ren seem like a normal guy.”
“He’s dangerous.” I agreed. “Poor Liliana. I wonder how she’s doing.” My voice lowered as I thought of the girl in pity.
*****
The princes and I rode on different carriages. I rode in a separate carriage, Nate and Ace rode in their own carriages as well. It was only Ren, Dan, and Lily who were together in one. After all, it was common etiquette that Nobles or Royals such as ourselves should not be seen in a carriage with others. The only exception is when you’re a family member or are engaged.
Or when you’re an escort to that lady.
Sir Terrence isn’t coming with us today. He says that he is not ready to see his brother or the queen. He also advised us to keep his presence a secret.
As soon as we got to Hazel, a bunch of maids and butlers were waiting for us. One of them opened the door to my carriage and assisted me out. I noticed that I wasn’t the only one staying in the palace. Other royal families are here as well.
“Wose!” I whipped my head to the side and smiled brightly.
“Hi, Nora.” I greeted her as she hugged my waist. Custard and Viex wobbled at the sudden impact as they tried to balance themselves on each of my shoulders.
“Where’s Aish?” She asked as her eyes darted hopefully in the carriage that I came out of.
“He’s not with me, Nora. Only fiance’s and family members can ride with you in a carriage when you are of marriageable age.” I told her. Maybe it was because I was sleepy that I was actually seeing things. But I saw Nora looking to the side and clicking her tongue in disappointment and frustration. The reaction kind of reminded me of Dan. What the? “N-Nora?”
The expression on Nora’s face suddenly changed and she now looks at me with innocent eyes. “Hmm?”
Right. It must have been my imagination.
“Princess, we shall deliver your belongings to a room that we prepared for you. Would you like to head there now?” One of the maids asked.
“No. Wose is coming with me.” Nora pouted at the maid.
“A thousand apologies, Princess Nora.” The maid bowed. “Then, I will be heading out. Princess Rose, you may call and ask for any of the servants later on when you wish to head to your room.”
“But-” Before I could protest, Nora pulled my arm and pouted at me that I had no choice but to shut my mouth. I don’t want to upset her or her brother might come running and kick me.
“Wose, come with me. I want to buy a gift for Aish!” She says while pulling on my arm.
“Can’t you ask you brothers, Nora?” I said while waving at Eltur and Darem, who now pretended not to see us when they saw me looking.
“They’re busy.” She said while casting a glance at her older brothers, who were giving her a thumbs up without looking at her.
I grimaced. Something is not right here.
“Come on, Wose! Before Dan comes.”
I looked at her. “So what will happen if Dan is here?”
Nora flinched and started to tear up a bit. “You don’t want to come with me?”
Oh sh*t. I looked around immediately for any signs of Ace holding a dagger. He isn’t here yet so I am safe. But I have to stop Nora from crying immediately!
“Okay, Nora. Let’s go to the market.” I said cheerfully while giving her a stiff smile. Immediately, her face brightened.
“Let’s go!” She beamed and started to pull my hand. I had no choice but to follow grumpily as all I wanted to do was sleep.
Viex yawned while nestling himself on my shoulder. ‘She and her brothers are plotting something, obviously.’
‘But she’s Nora, Viex. She is just a child. I don’t think she can harm master.’ Custard replied from my other shoulder.
‘It’s nothing that can harm the princess. But it is obviously going to be troublesome.’ Viex grumbled and slumped. ‘Of all the royals I served, your life is the most complicated and the most troublesome.’
************[KINGDOM OF TEREAU]**************
Kellar thought that it would just be a regular visit in the dungeon as always. He would carry the fresh bread and cookies in one arm while sneaking in. He brought a new and warmer blanket with him because he noticed that Stella was still using the cape that he lent her the first time.
He was just closing the entrance to the dungeon when Kaya floated around him like it was in a panic.
“What is it?” He asked it. Kaya simply moved from side to side before it floated in the direction of Stella’s cell.
For some reason, his heart raced as he followed Kaya. Stella was still in her cell, which was a huge relief for him. That is until he saw her. He almost dropped his basket the moment just by looking at her current form.
There was a huge bruise on her cheek and her arms looked like they had been whipped. Blood trickled down from her arm and then to the cold stoned floor. Her hair has also been brutally and unevenly cut that the shortest strands measure at the middle of her neck.
She was crying when she looked up at him. “Leo…I’m sorry.” She could barely form out the words because of the swelling.
Kellar ran towards her and his knees skidded on the floor as he stopped. He tried to reach out and touch her injuries, but he was afraid that it would hurt her. “Why are you apologizing to me when you’re hurt this badly?” There was regret in his voice. “Who did this to you?”
“Leo...I’m sorry.” She repeated and her voice began to shake.
“Stella, stop apologizing.”
“But they know. They found out.” Stella shivered as she said those words. “They found out that I am not a tamer. The king...The king was angry that he started hitting me.” She flinched at the memory. “He says that since I am useless to him, he might as well use me as a hostage.”
Kellar’s gaze fell on her butchered hair. Somehow, he got a vague idea of what his father was plotting right now. Kellar reached into the basket and handed her the food. “It’s fine. I’ll figure things out. Just eat and rest. I’ll be back with some medicines.” He says and handed her the blanket as well while taking the old one with him. “I’ll be back.” He promised again.
When he was finally out of earshot, he spoke. “Kaya.” Immediately, the spirit appeared before him. “We have to let her sister know. Is...is there a way for us to do that?” He asked the spirit, hoping that it could help. But all it did was vanish in midair.
Kellar frowned and made a fist. Of course, what could a spirit with no physical body could do? As usual, Kellar was all on his own on this.