Chapter 8

To say that aunt Val was angry was an understatement. She looked disappointed though and that hurt. Neither of us spoke a word on the way back. When we returned to the palace she called me in her chambers.

Her chambers were huge. As huge as Evanthia's. And her room was filled with colourful paintings and tapestries and so much more. She was leaning on the window and as she saw me she came towards me.

"Can you just tell me why? Why did you feel the need to fight? Specially when it's been branded illegal for a reason right? I want to know what made you push yourself there." she sounded firm and calm. Like a concerned friend.

I told her everything. She listened patiently to what I had to say. And then she spoke.

"I know Verina. I understand that you were angry and I honestly don't mind you sneaking out. Neither does your father. What? You thought he didn't know that you sneak out every year? He does obviously. He has spies everywhere. You think your pauper attire can fool people who are assigned to protect you? He knows but he never said a thing Verina. You know why? Because he understands your needs. He gets it that you have been everyone's support here. He knows you need to feel free. He doesn't want you to go out because he is concerned for you. But he is ok if you do. He doesn't acknowledge the fact that you can go because then both your siblings will want to go too. And he finds you to be the only responsible one out of his 3 kids. And this is how you show responsibility? I understand you wanted to get the anger out but putting yourself voluntarily in danger? Do you know what would have happened to everyone here if someone actually slit your throat while fighting? Even accidentally? I expect better from you Verina. Promise me you'll never go and fight like this."

I understood and felt every word she said.

"I'm sorry aunt Val. I promise I'll never do this again. But please don't tell father about this."

"Of course I won't. He'll never let you go out again and increase your guards . Which he probably should. Verina, responsibility doesn't mean you can't have fun or enjoy yourself. Just not at the cost of your life sweetheart. " she said as she tucked my hair behind my ears. She cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

We talked a little more about the festival and how she found out about me being in those fights. Apparently it wasn't even a spy that reported her. It was a guy in one of the stalls who was asking his brother to hurry and come to the fights. A girl fighting in them happened rarely.

I headed back to my room exhausted by the events of the day when I saw Masiol coming from my chambers.

"How are you doing?" I asked as I was concerned about him.

"I guess I'm fine. It's not like she promised me something. I actually talked to her and Cassnore and was going to come to your room to ask you if you wanted to go for a walk with me to the gardens. I really need some fresh air and your motivation. " he sounded fine but something in his eyes told me that he was deeply upset.

"Sure." I really wanted him to open up and talk about it because he really liked her and I did not want him to hurt and keep it to himself.

We walked to the garden and he started talking about how good a guy Cassnore was and how we had completely misjudged him all these years. I was shocked to hear that but apparently he was the only one who helped him calm down after he talked to Nayella. I felt jealous. I mean I was happy that someone was there for him but I really did not like the way he described Cassnore. I was his closest friend. I should have been the one he talked to.

We entered the garden and it looked beautiful.

"So where were you? I came over to your room earlier, searched for you in the library and even the grounds." He asked.

"Well that is an interesting story." I said as I started explaining what happened. I obviously avoided the fact that an Astmathian noble gave me flutters in my chest. He too was naturally angry. The thing about Masiol was that he was always protective of me. He would avoid all possible situations that sounded like trouble. We knew about the fights but we never even went to see one. Me, participating voluntarily was a surprise he never wished for.

"I know that you were angry but do you know what would have happened if you actually got hurt?" he asked sounding concerned.

"Yes, I already heard the lecture once from Aunt Val and I really am not in the mood for another. Can we please talk about something positive? Like I don't know. The festival or the food at feast or the fun memories we had when were young? Anything but this." I asked managing to pull off a sweet face that screamed have 'mercy on me'.

"Oh, do you mean fun memories like this?" I don't know when did he pluck leaves from the bushes but he threw them on my face. Just like how we used to do when we were little. I took some of the leaves that he threw at me and threw them back at him. We both laughed and started to clean off the leaves from ourselves. Just when I thought I was rid of all the leaves Masiol told me I still had some on.

"Wait let me help you with that." He slowly picked a leaf from my hair and then my cheek. And then he looked me in the eye. Suddenly his expression changed from amused to something I had never seen before. It was intense. Really intense. It started getting awkward so I decided to break the stare and looked away.

"You know you're going to be fine right? I mean look at you Masi. Any girl would be lucky to have a guy like you. And it's probably better that you found out about this now rather than later or when it would have been harder." I tried consoling and motivating him.

"You're right. You always are." he said.

We walked for some time and talked about other things about the court and then headed back to our rooms. The moment I entered the room I couldn't help but think about the events of today. A few in particular. I couldn't forget Lycargos's eyes and the way the looked at me. Like they admired me in a way that I wanted to be admired. And then the awkward moment with Masiol. He had never looked at me like that before.

I gave up and I went to sleep. The next day I woke up and went strainght to Evanthia's room who was asleep but she woke up as I entered the room.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up. I just wanted to ask where were you yesterday."

"I went horse-riding." Her voice was muffled with a yawn.

"For more than 7 hours?" I enquired.

"No I came back in 2 hours." she was lying.

"Really? Then why didn't I find you here last night before bed?" I quizzed in a suspicious tone.

"I must have been in the library." Lying again. Before I went to bed last night I searched for her everywhere. The library, her room, the gardens, everywhere. Her horse too was missing at the stables. Why was she lying? I showed that I let go of the topic but I knew I would eventually find out.

After freshening up I went to the library to read some good books where I found Masiol.

He whispered as I went and sat beside him" If you really want to help me out with this situation meet me at the stables in half an hour. We are going to the festival and I won't take no for an answer. "

This sounded like trouble. And it really was. I reluctantly went to the stables and this time I wore a cloak.

We took our horses and rode to the festival. And he took me to a place where I would never have gone if it wasn't for his stupid broken heart.

He took me to Syrilla. His psychic, mystic friend. He pleaded me saying that he needed answers and he didn't want to go alone. He said that if I didn't believe in it then that was fine. I was entitled to my opinion.

We entered her stall which was in a tent. The air inside was filled with the smell of sandalwood incense. Syrilla sat in the middle with her deck of cards and a few other objects that I didn't really know about and was too scared to ask.

"Welcome princess. And welcome Masiol." Syrilla said with a smile.

"How do you know I'm the princess? Oh wait, Masiol told you."

"I didn't." said Masiol with honesty in his voice and expressions.

"The spirits and the energies did." said Syrilla which honestly scared me a little.

"The spirits and the energies talk to me. They tell me what they see in your past, your present and your future. You my dear princess have a dark aura around you. Something I don't quite know but there is something about you. Masiol, would you mind if I did a reading for the princess first." Spirits, energies, darkness? This was creepy for me.

"Sure. Please go ahead" said Masiol.

She asked me to pick 5 cards from the deck she placed in front of me. And I chose. She pulled the cards out and her expressions went blank and her eyes were wide.

"Princess, I see blood. I see death. Something is happening. Something you don't know about.I see hidden enemies. Wolves in sheep's clothing. They are watching you. Watching your every move. Their intentions are not good Princess." she said in a grim voice.

"You will lose the someone or something you love or desire. "