What Trouble Has You Put Yourself Into?

Dinner was concluded peacefully and just like he said, Karium didn't do anything to make things harder for his already awkward friend. He wasn't that cruel.

Once Lena left the palace, the Prince was with his brother and sister-in-law, discussing about the guests who will arrive the next day. When the three of them were together, the atmosphere was always pretty light with the two half-brothers joking with each other.

No outsiders had the privilege to witness the Prince's calmness and genuine smile while he was with his 'family'. The same goes for the young King Edric Maselli. He was known as a firm and cold ruler but around his wife and his younger half-brother, he was the most considerate man with a great sense of humor.

"Oh, My Queen! Did I tell you about Karium's remark on the Avarian Princess who will be arriving tomorrow?" King Edric tilted his head to his wife with a playful smile.

Briefly glancing at Karium who let out a helpless sigh, Queen Eliana understood that her husband was up for teasing his younger brother again. Like always, she played along.

"What kind of remark could Karium possibly make?" she asked her husband. Karium commented on the Avarian Princess? She was surprised but she didn't show it.

"Dangerous," Edric Maselli told his wife. He briefly shifted his gaze to Karium, trying to take a peek at his reaction. Just as expected, he noticed him looking at him with an annoyed face.

"Dangerous?" the Queen blurted out and quickly looked at the Prince. "You really said that?" She didn't saw this coming at all!

"I'm not lying, sister-in-law-," Karium Maselli insisted. If only they knew or witnessed everything she did to him... they won't give him that doubtful look.

"Well... " Queen Eliana mumbled and briefly glanced at her husband with a smile. "Just why is she dangerous? I heard that she is an elegant lady with heavenly beauty, contrary to what you insist."

King Edric chuckled at his wife's remark. "That's what I heard too," he chimed in like a supportive husband he was.

Karium glanced at the couple and shook his head in disappointment. "Whenever you team up to get me, I always find it so unfair that you make me want to... " He abruptly halted, refusing to continue.

If he said it, then it will only work to the joy of his sister-in-law who had been trying to pair him up with any lady of nobility.

"Just say it, Karium," the Queen said with a little yet mischievous grin. "We make you want to get married too, right?"

There she goes, successfully reading him again! She was only older than him by 2 years but... it's like she was his mother!

Mother. The beautiful word pricked his heart like a needle.

"Yes, but I won't," he confessed. "And please, Your Majesty, will you stop trying to toss me to any lady of nobility?" He added with a bit of annoyance.

"Then you should convince me, Karium," the Queen simply said. "You are too indifferent to every lady of our kingdom and that makes me think that you are not into women."

"What?!" Karium Maselli gasped. Almost glaring at his brother who let out a laughter, he turned back to the Queen and asked, "How can you even think of that?"

"So you indeed like women," the Queen said, ignoring his question. "Maybe the ladies of our kingdom aren't to your liking then. Shall I start looking at the ladies from our ally kingdoms? Perhaps, a Princess?"

"Maybe that 'dangerous' Avarian Princess," the King added, emphasizing the word 'dangerous'.

Once again, Prince Karium helplessly sigh. "I'm only 20. My brother is 22 when he married you. I don't think I have to be in a rush either."

Giving some thought, the Queen reluctantly nodded. "You make sense. Now that I know you're into women, you can have your time."

"You can't change your mind," the Prince quickly said. He was afraid that once the celebration starts, his sister-in-law will start to pair him up with some noble ladies again.

"But I still think you should step up your game, Karium," Edric Maselli chimed in with a playful smile on his face. "When I was your age, I already promised your sister-in-law to marry her."

His brother was only 4 years older yet he talked like they were several years apart! This was what the Prince always finds frustrating!

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. There are many ladies in this world. I'm sure that at least one would be willing to marry me," he responded, sarcastically.

The King was too far from being offended, instead, he stared at his brother's annoyed face and chuckled. "Really? If the lack of women is a problem, then consider it solved. One royal order and you can even get married tomorrow. No problem."

Though Karium knew that his brother would never force him in that matter, he let out a tired sigh. He decided to back off and admit defeat in this small game of humor.

After all, his brother was the King and giving in to the King was never a matter to be ashamed of.

*

When the family time was over, it was almost midnight. The Prince returned to his chamber and prepared to sleep.

Even when an hour passed since he lay down on the bed, he couldn't fell asleep. Not at all.

Was it because the next day was supposed to be a very long one? Or maybe because of one particular guest who will arrive tomorrow.

When he recalled their past interactions in the forest, the Parov Mountain and the border; he somehow felt uneasy. Why did she want to attend the celebration knowing she might not be that welcomed?

This question often crossed his mind these days.

With that amazingly smart and quick brain of hers, he didn't know what she was up to. Maybe she wants revenge, against him. That's what his subconscious told him.

If that was indeed the case, how will he get out of it? He was well aware of how mischievous she could be. Even back then in Avaria, she was practically toying with his life!

If he was a man with no skills, he might already be dead in the hands of those men whom she sent after him. She knew that but... she wasn't fazed by it.

In her eyes, a single life didn't really matter and... it seemed like such a woman was after him. Of course, not because she was fond of him. That's obvious.

He still remembered how she was holding back herself that day at the border. He was too focused on not losing control that day and he totally forgets her nature! He should have seen this coming!

Why was he too thoughtless? He was never like this!

With many things crossing his mind, the Prince lay flat on the bed and placed his left arm in his forehead. "What trouble has you put yourself into, Karium Maselli?" he asked himself in a very low voice.....