Chapter73: masquerade party 

She managed to get enough sleep before spending the afternoon with a group of princesses.

"-wow your hair is pretty and kind of …unusual." One of them said and Mal felt a bit uncomfortable.

"-unusual in a good way. It's rare to find someone embracing his difference from others…especially for a princess." The curly haired girl was going to answer her but Ayana cut her:

"-thanks your highness… his majesty the prince love her hair that way too." She winked at her and they all awed agreeing with her.

"-I thought you were blonde?

-well it was years ago and my hair changed within this long period.

-yeah for real Nellie, you changed as well, who thought you have freckles." Another girl said, Nellie gave a sight of sadness before explaining:

"-well mom forced me to hide them…and asked a lot of witches to give me a pale skin to look…beautiful.

-I'm sorry to hear that, you are really pretty and I love your freckles…do you know why?

-no.

-cause we look like twins." Mal said pointing at her freckles. Nellie smiled and hugged her, the other girls laughed along and Ayana was looking at her.

Proud. Happy. Relieved.

After a while, she excused herself to get prepared for the masquerade party so did they.

"-do you have to embarrass me?

-what are you talking about exactly?

-my hair and Kieran and the wink at the end. Everyone think there is something between us.

-as they should…I don't want to force you to do things you hate and now you have been in hot water with him.

-boiling more than hot

-as I was saying…act as a happy couple in front of others but anytime else you are free to do as you like." She nodded and was to say something but Ayana put her hand on her neck and added:

"-but now we have to get you ready for your hubby.

-hey!" Mal shouted at her and Ayana started to run, Mal was going to run behind her but Ayana stopped to tell her:

"-a princess shouldn't run…it's not elegant…

***

"-I am going to kill that bastard!

-what's wrong Miranda? Why are you mad?

-that asshole won't let me have some rest.

-lower down your voice what if someone heard you.

-I don't care! He is driving me insane.

-he is driving everyone insane." The girl with short blonde hair leaning on the wooden door. Miranda rolled her eyes and picked up the laundry basket.

"-Hey Miranda! The prince told you to clean the ball room and then prepare drinks and set the tables…oh and he want you to bring him his suits from the tailors shop in Down-street." Another maid joined their small discussion.

"-WHAT! Down-street is so far from castle and we are not allowed to take horses.

-sorry girl, I am busy myself or I could have land a hand.

-me either…see you." They both left and she cursed at her bad luck and that spoiled prince.

***

It was almost 8 p.m.;

She was putting the last touches and fixing her dress.

Ayana was helping her and someone was knocking on the door.

The princess left to open the door and Mal glanced at her red dagger before she inserted under her dress.

"-aren't you ready yet?

-we could have been if you allowed maids to help me get her ready!

-I said what I said…" she quickly put her mask and turned to be face to face with him.

"-leave us alone." He said and Ayana left them.

He didn't say anything except those three words that made her very uncomfortable thinking about what can happen.

"-so you went against my word…brought the damn dress and decide to look pretty but…" he stopped starring at her eyes then studying her face. He moved his hand up, she almost pushed him back but he stopped immediately her hand and removed the mask.

"-nice freckles…you will pay for that later my lady." He whispered the first part then warned her out loud.

"-do you want me to remind you what happened the last time you tried to touch me?

-do you want me to remind the king about your secret affair with the princess?" he said leaning in more, corning her with the oak dressing table.

"-how did you know?

-how do you think Ayana hurt you?

-you…

-me what?

-late for the damn party and my father will kill you both if you won't show up!" Ayana said and Mal pushed him away from her the moment she was in front of them.

"-I'm ready." They announced in union and the princess shocked her head at them

"-as if you weren't flirting two seconds ago?

-we were

-we weren't." he confirmed but she declined.

"-was it believable enough?

-yeah but what? so you weren't flirting.

-no we were…but in our way." He winked at her and walked in front of her putting his black mask that made him look more attractive.

"-by the way look again at the box of the dress you kind of forgot something my lady." He left with it.

Ayana looked back at the box and found a long cape the same color as the dress with the same design of the embroidered flowers. It covers the shoulders and the open dress.

At the ballroom;

"-and finally his majesty the prince Kieran Nox and the princess Ayana Drystan."

Every person stopped chatting and focused on the loving birds walking down the stairs holding each other's arm.

"-smile a little bit.

-on your funeral, I promise I will faint from laughing.

-nice joke but Vernin won't hesitate to beheaded us for the tiniest mistake that we will do.

-I guess he didn't earn his reputation as the mad king for nothing.

-he is not the only one who will punish you darling." She looked at him to snap back but she tripped on something and almost fell on her face but he grabbed her from her waste and pulled her up.

Her messy bun was open and her hair falling down.

Everyone was cheering and aweing at them. The girls was squealing and jumping.

He put her back on her feet and moved the strand of hair that was on her shoulder then whispered to her ear:

"-you got a pretty soft neck for a huntress but it won't stay the same when we are alone hon." She was going to punch his stomach but he pulled both of her hand behind his neck:

"-Ayana is pointing at an angry king who broke his wine glass just now. So, Play along." He fixed her hair and dress dusting off her outfit.

"-Vernin my friend I am happy that you got such a good man caring about your daughter.

-yeah I agree, he is so caring.

-and your daughter is so pretty and she deserve such a great man." Vernin was smiling out of arrogance and pride and talking with his guests.

Ayana shows them her thumbs up with a grin.

"-your plan worked…perfectly.

-of course it does darling watch out the stairs next time.

-or keep your legs to yourself next time.

-probably you don't know who is his until blood is shed.

-don't act as if I am your friend.

-who said you are my friend." She was raising a brow at him and he finished:

"-they say keep your friends close but…"he took two steps and whispered:

"-but keep your enemies closer. Enjoy your night my lady as much as you can." He winked and left her.