Chapter 10

"Masi, I -"

"Can Explain?" Masiol looked at me angrily. That's when I realised that I was wearing Lycargos's cloak which had the Astmathian symbol. Masiol was angry that I kissed an Astmathian. That's why he was so angry.

He looked at me and then at Lycargos as if he would kill him. He then looked down and calmed himself.

"I'll get the horses. Meet me beside the tavern, and you don't need to explain anything" his expression looked calm yet stern but his fists kept clenching. He turned and started walking towards the tavern. I just stared as he walked away.

"I don't blame him. You have that effect on many boys I presume. They can't help but fall for your charms can they? And I can see why but why would a Nydalidian be bothered? You aren't exactly ladylike. But then again men of Nydalidia aren't exactly men are they? They are all maniacs and useless. But why are you going with him? " Lycargos said as he came and stood beside me. I turned and looked at him angrily and then back at the way Masiol went.

"I believe you have something of mine that you won't be needing anymore" he said ,obviously indicating at his cloak. I turned and tried to muster my not-so-subtle, man-eating smile and started removing the cloak as subtly and sexily as I could ,maintaining eye contact. I could see his expression and it screamed wow. I removed the cloak and was about to hand it over to him, and then I didn't. Instead as he was about to grab the cloak I intentionally dropped it and stomped it as hard as I could.

"Oops. I think mania might be infectious." I said and turned to walk towards the tavern. Lycargos yelled something but I didn't bother. Maniacs? Really? A barbarian thinks we are maniacs! And I'm not ladylike? Ok that was kind of a relief but stating that about our men! As I reached the road I decided it was best to hide in the shadows until Masiol showed up with the horses. The ride back to Erarenia was silent. As we entered the palace from the back gates and came near the stables I finally spoke.

"Masi, wait. We have to talk about it right now."

"Talk about what Verina?"he said.

Verina? He was angry. Definitely angry.

"About what happened back at the bazaar." I tried to sound as innocent as possible.

"What about it? You kissed someone. So? You can do whatever you want right? You are the princess afterall. I'm just the son of a low ranking noble whose father works in the treasury. You don't need to explain anything." He avoided eye contact as he spoke those words. So that is how he felt? After all these years of friendship.

"It's not that. You are my closest friend Masi. Please don't say or even think about it. We are equals Masi. We always have been. You have been my friend and I don't care about the status you or your family hold at court. I'm sorry I kissed an Astmathian. Please don't tell anyone about this. I know I shouldn't have and -"

"Wait. You think I'm angry because you kissed an Astmathian? Really? You know what Verina? Just leave me alone for some time can you? Can you do that?" He was almost close to the point of yelling but he looked down, turned his horse and rode away.

I screamed his name and begged for him to come back. But he didn't listen. So I turned and went to the stables. I was about to enter but then I stopped and started thinking about the events of the day. What had I gotten myself into? Maybe I was wrong. I shouldn't have gone to the fights in the first place. Or even the bazaar. I completely forgot about Lycargos and the kiss. Masiol was my concern. I couldn't lose a friend. My only friend. No. I had to be strong. With a sigh I entered the stable with my horse to find it empty. No attendants. This was weird. Generally there always was one at least. I started looking for someone who might have helped me when I heard something falling and it felt like it came from outside. I went outside and behind the stables towards the creaky storehouses.

I saw the guy with platinum blonde hair that I had seen earlier. He was not alone. He was with a girl and they were kissing and giggling. I couldn't help but smile. A blooming romance perhaps. The back of the boy was blocking me from seeing who the girl was. I decided that I shouldn't be here and disturb their private ,precious moment so I was about to turn. That's when I noticed the girl had familiar blonde hair. And shock was an understatement!

"Evanthia?" I screamed. I couldn't believe my eyes. What was she doing? I don't know what took over me but I charged towards the boy and held him by the collar of his shirt. Evanthia screamed and begged to let him go.

"How dare you? She is a princess. A PRINCESS. Do you know what the king will do to you if he finds out about this? "I was literally screaming at the top of my lungs. I was angry. How dumb is she? I let him go and turned towards Evanthia and dragged her out. She was crying and crying and crying till we reached her room.

"How stupid are you? A stable boy? Really Evanthia?" I said.

"You wouldn't understand Verina."

"Then explain. Are you so, so desperate for the love that you think our parents had that you don't care about who he is? It might not affect you but he could be hanged Ev. It might not affect you but it would affect his family and loved ones. You might end up being someone's queen one day and Nydalidia depends on you. And this is what you think is going to help?"

"I know what's expected from me, Rina. I do. And trust me Yohal made that very clear. But Kalsione is different. He understands me Rina. He gets me. And I know I probably might end up as someone else's queen but before that I really want to live Verina. I want to love . I know I was tricked by Yohal and that closed every door for me but Kal helped me through it Rina. And he knows what is at risk but he says he'd rather love me for every moment he has left in his life than not love me at all for the fear of death. I beg you, please don't tell anyone about this. Please." She cried as she hugged me. And for some unknown reason a tear ran down my cheek. She was my sister and nothing mattered more than her happiness. But I was also a princess. I agreed to not tell anyone but she had to keep me informed about her whereabouts all the time and that she wouldn't cross her limits. I couldn't understand what she felt but I didn't want to lose her.

I returned to my room to find a pile of work waiting for me. Carrissi handed them over and told me that the king wanted me to go through it. So I started working. But I couldn't concentrate. I kept thinking about Masiol. And then the kiss. That damn kiss. I had never been kissed before and so it had been a special moment for me. The kiss was something that had consumed me. Maybe it still did. I could still feel his touch, his eyes on me, his lips on mine.

"Damn it Verina. Pull yourself together. " I said as I tried to concentrate back on my work. Only I couldn't. I was exhausted. So I decided I would step out for a walk to clear my head. I was about to leave my room when I saw someone approaching me. Nayella? Now?

"Princess ,can I talk to you in private?" She asked.

No she couldn't "Of course Nayella, please come in". I hated this.

As she entered I mentally groaned. It was difficult trying to maintain composure when all I wanted was to hit her pretty face and engrave it personally on the nearest wall.

"What do you want to talk about? Is it about Masiol?" I tried to hide the sarcasm but I failed.

"No princess, it's something else." She sighed and turned to look straight at me. " I believe that there is a serious conspiracy going on at court."

"There always is Nayella. It's the court. The playhouse of the scheming and the wicked."

"No princess. This is something bigger. Not a squabble for power in the court but a fight for the crown. I couldn't tell this to anyone but you. I know that I might have hurt the people you love but I'm really being honest here. I really think the kingdom could be in danger."

"What kind? Can you please elaborate?"

She tried hiding her fear but she was going pale. She finally spoke.

"I think Lord Glissen is planning something with Astmath against Nydalidia. "

"What?"