Chapter 4

I woke up next morning and headed straight to combat training. After hours of rigorous training I was exhausted. Something told me that Errago wasn't in his brightest mood today but then again, he hardly ever was. I hadn't ever seen him have a genuine laugh ever. As a trainer he was even stricter than his usual self.

Vasilios was allowed to train even after the events of yesterday and to my surprise he was actually sober and doing well. And Masiol started talking about how he and Nayella went out on a long walk for 3 minutes yesterday. Yeah, that was pretty much Masiol. He was one of the most intelligent men I knew and yet here he was acting like a 9-year-old. I am not opposed to the idea of love but seeing people stupid in love makes me want to take my eye out!

The training ended and I headed to my chambers to get cleaned up for my lectures. I could see Vasilios coming towards me from the corner of my eye as I finished my stretches.

"How are you doing this morning Verina?"he said, trying to pull off the 'I genuinely care for you' smile. This honestly amused me. Never in my life had he asked me this question.

"What do you want Vass?" I tried hard not to smile and maintain my expression.

We started walking out of the grounds together.

"Can't I be genuinely concerned about my favorite sister?" To this I raised an eyebrow and said

"No and can you please come to your point? I don't have all day."

"Fine" he said after a sigh "well you have a new lady waiting. Lady Shayla. She is really an exotic beauty and I would be eternally grateful to you sister dearest if you could please put in a few good words for me. I don't exactly have the best reputation at court you see"

"Well first. Father wouldn't approve of this. The heir going for a low ranking noble. Secondly, yes you are partly right, you don't just have a bad reputation, you have a pretty ugly face too, but you are the prince. So it's not really going to be difficult."

"I hope not"

"Don't worry Vass. I'll try my best."

"Thank you" this time his smile was genuine.

I headed to my room and found two ladies already waiting for me. Carrissi introduced them

"Princess this is Lady Shayla and Lady Mounara. They are here to be your ladies in waiting" they bowed and smiled.

"Oh please there is no need to bow and I hope you find our hospitality welcoming. If you need any help with anything please feel free to tell me or Carrissi about it. Meanwhile, I'm exhausted and need to tidy up before my lessons. Could you please help me with it?"

"We would love to princess" said Mounara

"Oh please call me Verina."

I went for a bath and returned to find them ready to help me dress up. I talked to them while they worked their magic. Mounara tied my hair in a neat bun. While Shayla helped me with the dress. We talked about Glikaraach and their lives, though Shayla didn't say much Mounara wouldn't stop talking about it. As I headed out I asked Shayla to come with me to the library and Mounara would join us later.

"You are really beautiful Shayla. No wonder men at court are drawn to you." I did not even have to lie because she really was. She had thick brown curly hair with streaks shining red in sunlight. She was a little dusky and had the most beautiful exotic eyes.

"Thank you. I honestly hope to find a good match here."

"You will. Do you know who is actually interested in you the most at court?"

She shook her head.

"It's my brother, prince Vasilios. Look at you Shayla. Just one day and you have the attention of the prince."

She blushed. "I don't know what to say. I'm flattered. I honestly do find him quite attractive as well." It was hard not to. I mean he was my twin after all. He had it in his blood. I'm just kidding. I always found him pretty basic looking and I don't know why the girls were so mesmerized by him.

"Well if you ever want his attention completely for yourself I can help you with that. I have known him for a very long time."

"You would do that for me? A low ranking lady? Why?" she was clearly shocked.

"Why not? You might be a low ranking lady Shayla but I feel that you are a good person. And maybe it could help us both." She looked puzzled at my proposal and I continued.

"You see, the prince has a kind of reputation here. And that isn't just his fault. I know he is a good person inside. It's just that his friends that push him to extremes. If you could somehow become the most important person in his life I think you could help him with that. I am honestly tired of him and father fighting all the time. I really think you are the lady who could actually save him from becoming the person he was never meant to be. And also keep me informed about his every activity."

Shayla looked lost in thoughts.

"How do I get his affections?" I couldn't help but smile. It was working.

"Well. I suspect he will be showering you with letters and gifts anytime now. Do not respond to any of them. He is a prince. He can get any girl he wants. Make yourself different. Make yourself stand out. Most importantly, make him work for you. But do not be arrogant. I'll handle the rest."

With that I entered the library to attend my lectures. I didn't see Shayla or Mounara all day. Neither did I see Evanthia.

When I asked Lady Derilia she said that Evanthia wasn't feeling well. So I decided to go check up on her. As I was about to enter into the chambers the guards stopped me and said that Evanthia specifically asked for no visitors as she was resting.

"But I need to know whether she is o-" my jaw dropped when I saw Yohal coming out of her room. He looked at me with a sly smile and walked by. I was confused and furious at the same time. Only one person could give me the answers. The guards stopped me as I started entering her room.

"Do you want the king to know that a boy just came out of Evanthia's room? I think not." They let me go in. I opened the door and literally yelled at her. "What was he doing here Evanthia?"

She looked shocked.

"I can explain Rina. But I need you to calm down."

"Go on. Explain yourself" I folded my hands in and looked at her expectantly. She walked towards the fire place and started saying things that made my ears almost bleed.

"Yesterday after the Glikaraach procession I went out in the gardens. I wasn't able to sleep, and he was there. So we talked, and he said the sweetest things about me."

"Let me guess. He told you were pretty" I said sarcastically.

"Even better. He told me how he had always adored my poise and grace and that he was falling for me." I was going to throw up!

Was this a nightmare? It had to be. How could she be so stupid?

"You do realize he is going to use you right? You are a 'princess' Evanthia. Use your head. He is trying to use you and manipulate you."

"You only say that because he chose me over you Rina". What was wrong with her?

"You know what? go ahead. But I will say that I told you so if he breaks your heart".

"Really? What do you know about it anyway? You are always so uptight Rina. Always. I'll be surprised if you even had a heart to understand me".

I was shocked at those words, and she immediately looked apologetic.

"Really Ev? You know what? Maybe I don't. Because maybe I was too busy handling father and you two all these years after mother died. Something you should have done. You were the eldest after all. But no, you and Vasilios decided to cry and cry and make a mess out of yourselves while I was busy cleaning it up. Did you ever ask me whether I was ok after she died? Did anyone? Father got busy with running this kingdom. You were busy trying to be the perfect lady and trying to find love like the love our parents had, and Vasilios was too busy with his friends. I had to be the one standing with father and helping him out. It was your responsibility Evanthia. So don't blame me for not having a heart because love was never my priority, this kingdom is, this family is!"

I could feel tears rolling down but I didn't care. I ran out of her chambers. I could hear her shouting my name but I did not want to go back. So I headed to my room.

I asked Carrissi to cancel the rest of my affairs for the day and asked her to give me the reports the next morning.

I cried myself to sleep that night. When I woke up Carrissi handed me the list of affairs. It had a letter from father.

I opened it and read. Father had sent gifts to Glikaraach and invited them to Nydalidia. They had accepted the invitation and their crown prince was coming to Erarenia. He would arrive next week, and we had to be at our best behavior.

Great! Another party! I was honestly sick of them by now. 4 days went by and I never spoke to Evanthia. Though I would occasionally spot her with Yohal I preferred not to acknowledge them. I loved my sister but what she said was unforgivable. And though I felt guilty saying those things to her I felt like a huge burden was off of my shoulders.

I spent most of my time with Masiol in the library. On the 4th night, Evanthia came to my room. I was talking to Shayla about one of Vass's letters when she announced herself in.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure" I gestured Shayla and Mounara to leave.

"I'm sorry you felt that way all this time. You were right. I should have been there for both of you. And I'll promise to improve myself. But I really like Yohal. I know I might never get a chance to be with him forever but I could at least try." I was surprised by her optimism.

"I love you too much Ev. But I know him. He has trouble written all over him. I just don't want him to break your heart. If he does I'll seriously kill him Ev." She smiled. "So if he doesn't, and he is good will you be ok with that?"

I knew I was lying but I still nodded. She looked happy and we were talking after 4 days. It was the longest time we ever spent apart. I mean we weren't exactly very sisterly, but we talked at least. And a part of me knew that I could easily beat him up.

After all, nobody messes with the people I love.