Chapter 20: Good Luck

"Look over here, Kumari," Cayden called.

Turning to face the prince, her eyes landed on his brother instead. Armel was grinning at what his younger brother was pointing at. She allowed her eyes to follow Cayden's arm. In the distance, barely visible was the Island of Seom.

"The island is visible. It must be because you're here," Cayden told her.

Armel came up to stand next to the Kumari.

"We don't see the island from month to month. The Cankurian people believe that it is immensely good luck to be able to see it. You'll probably be told that it's magic's blessing upon your reign."

"What do you believe?" Bae asked Armel.

"I'm more practical than that. To me, it simply means that there won't be a storm tonight."

"That's a shame."

"Do you like the rain?" Armel asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Love it."

"The Cankurians would say that isn't normal. We like the sun. We love the heat."

"Lucky for you, I can't imagine it ever being cold here."

"It isn't. But Bae," he pulled her slightly away from the rest of the group, "I'd give up this place to stay by your side."

"Wouldn't you worry you'll get cold?" Bae asked.

"Not with you there to keep me warm," he replied, giving her a look that had her mind going back to that giant bed waiting for her in her bedchamber.

***

There was far too much food for only three people but Ojo and Armel made a good attempt at eating their fair share. Bae on the other hand was a little too nervous to really enjoy the meal. She kept sneaking glances at Armel. Her acquaintances had always been limited not only to who visited the castle but to those amongst the visitors, her parents would allow her to meet. He was the first person she was able to decide to get to know on her own accord. Even before he became her suitor she wanted to know him. Perhaps it was because of his indifference to her status as Kumari. Or perhaps it was that he didn't treat her like a child.

The way he looked at her was something else entirely. He looked at her like she could become the centre of his world without much effort at all. He was currently sat talking to her uncle Ojo about his journey back from the palace at Shiro.

"Never send me anywhere with those two ever again," he was saying through bursts of laughter. "I never want to have to hear that amount of snoring again in my life. Seriously, it was coming through the walls and it was as loud as any storm I've heard."

Bae and Ojo exchanged grins before Ojo said, "wasn't the prize worth it?"

Armel smirked. "I haven't received my prize yet. Besides I'm the one who has to be claimed. Perhaps that means I'm the prize."

Ojo let out a huge bark of laughter before turning his head towards Bae.

"Do you hear that, Bae? You'll have to claim him. He's a prize catch." Ojo winked at her.

Bae could hardly hold back her own laughter. When she'd first met Armel only a few days ago, he'd been so serious and yet here he was being playful.

At a complete loss for what to say, she said, "oh, I don't know... your cousin Dustin might be more of a prize."

Armel laughed along with Ojo at Bae's response but his eyes made it clear that he wasn't impressed. Jealousy seethed just under the surface.

"Don't joke, Kumari."

There was a loud thump as Ojo pounded his fist onto the table as he almost doubled over with laughter.

"Yes, you mustn't joke or the fates might believe you."

Once his laughter had settled, Ojo asked Armel what he had planned for the afternoon.

"I've arranged for us to go out on a rowing boat."

"Do you have enough boats for all my guards?" Bae asked irritably.

"I doubt you'll take all of them with you this afternoon," Ojo responded, resting his hand on her shoulder. "You might not even notice they're there."

Bae thought that was highly unlikely but didn't want to spoil her afternoon with unpleasant thoughts so instead she clapped her hands together and said, "When do we leave?"

"In a rush to get rid of me?" Ojo grinned at his niece. "You'll have to tell me all about your afternoon later. I want to hear all about it."

Bae returned her uncle's smile with one of her own before glancing towards Armel shyly. He was watching her closely, as if trying to catalogue every detail and expression. They would spend an afternoon together and then she would have to spend her time with the other suitors. As nice as they were she would have much rather spent her time with Armel. However, tradition was tradition. She had no choice but to follow protocol. Except it really did feel like a complete waste of time when she was sure that Armel was the one she would claim.