Mileva Vasil

Cynane's eyes are glued at Michal as he giggles with Mileva.

Mileva Vasil is the younger sister of Duke Froide Vasil. The Vasil family is one of the most powerful and most influential families in the kingdom of Macedea. Their wealth and power come from their main line of business: weaponry. Eighty percent of the kingdom's weapons come from them. The Vasil family and the royal family have always had a really good relationship. In fact, Duke Froide and King Filip are very close friends since they were young. The two get along very well. The opposite can be said about Cynane and Mileva.

Cynane does not remember any pleasant encounter with Mileva. She has not liked Duke Vasil's younger sister ever since they were children. For her, Mileva is the perfect example of a full-blown brat. Mileva thinks that the world revolves around her. She is spoiled, arrogant, and selfish, the kind of person that irks Cynane to the core.

The memory of Mileva's twelfth birthday is still vivid in Cynane's memory. The royal family is always invited on any occasions that the Vasil family holds. Because of this, Cynane had really spent a lot of time at the Vasil's estate when she was a child. She would often spend her time with Froide Vasil and her brother Filip in Vasil mansion's study area. She would try to have small talks with Mileva, but it was getting more and more draining for her as she tried to. On Mileva's twelfth birthday, Cynane's attempt to form a good relationship with her had come to an end.

During Mileva's twelfth birthday, she gathered all of her visitors who were young girls in their mansion's drawing room. Cynane did not want to join them, however her father imposed that she must do it because it is one of her jobs as a princess to get along with the noble ladies in the kingdom.

Cynane sat at the far corner of the room, admiring one of the paintings which portrayed a warrior riding a horse and holding a gigantic sword.

"That is one heavy and deadly sword for sure", she mumbles to herself while staring at the artwork.

The other girls entering the room would stop by her momentarily to greet her as a sign of courtesy. She would reply politely then the girls would leave her and go to Mileva who was sitting in the middle of the room, bragging about her jewelry collection, dresses and possible proposals from the young noblemen of the kingdom. Cynane was alone at her seat, silently listening to Mileva proudly broadcasting such trivial information about herself.

"And would you believe it, Viscount Alfin actually talked to my father. He told my father that his son also wants to marry me!" Mileva bragged.

The other girls squealed in excitement at her revelation.

"But who will you choose Mileva? All of them are from well-off families, and they are all very handsome too! I really envy you. You just turned twelve and you already have these many proposals!" one of the girls said.

"Well, can you blame them? Mileva is very beautiful after all. If I were a boy, I would want to marry her as well", said the girl with a hairstyle Cynane found to be strange and ridiculous.

"If I were them, I would want to marry me too", Mileva replied confidently. The young girl is obviously full of herself.

Cynane scoffed at Mileva's statement. "Confidence is alright. But isn't this too much?" Cynane silently asked to herself, her arms cross-folded.

"But girls, I won't choose anyone of them. I already have my eyes on someone", Mileva added.

All the girls in the room squealed like puppies choking on their collars. "Oh my gosh. Who is it? Tell us!"

"Joram Vernan. The only son and heir of Duke and General Vernan. To me, aside from the men of the royal family, Joram has no competition. Handsome, strong, smart, talented, kind and rich - what else could you ask for! He is the perfect guy!"

Cynane almost laughed after hearing what Mileva said. Joram is surely a kind one, a true gentleman indeed. However, Cynane knew that he has high standards. He would treat someone like Mileva nicely, as he believed that women should always be treated with care and respect. But he would never want to marry someone as spoiled, narcissistic and immature as Mileva. Cynane was very certain of that.

"But isn't he way too old for you Mileva?"

"Oh, come on, I have seen people who got married with bigger age gaps. He is only seven years older than me. When I turn eighteen, he would be twenty-five, and trust me, you wouldn't even notice the age difference by that time. It's just sad that he couldn't attend my party tonight since he is at the academy. However, once he graduates, I will make sure to capture that man's heart."

As Mileva continued her story, a servant girl entered the drawing room. She is probably the same age as Cynane. She had brought refreshments for the girls. The giggles suddenly disappeared when Mileva called the servant to come to her.

"What is it my lady?"

"Why is your hair like that?"

"I'm sorry my lady, but I do not understand what you mean", the servant answered, obviously confused.

"Did I not prohibit everyone in this house to have their hairs braided that way?! It's my signature look! Everyone knows that! This is insulting to me!" Mileva exclaimed furiously.

A loud scream echoed in the room as Mileva dragged the servant by her hair. A loud thud followed. It sounded like someone fell hard on the floor.

"Take it off!" Mileva yelled like the spoiled brat that she was.

"My lady, please stop this. My hair is not exactly the same as yours", the poor servant pleaded. This made Mileva more furious.

"You...how dare you say that? Do you take me as someone who is stupid? It's the same!"

Mileva was about to slap the servant when she suddenly felt a cold hand gripping her wrist tightly, stopping her from harming more the helpless servant.

"What are you do..." She didn't finish her sentence anymore when she realized who was standing before her. Fear suddenly enveloped her. Those two dark eyes pierced hers like a prowling lioness.

"Let go of her hair", Cynane said in a threatening tone.

"But your highness, this girl, she..."

"Do not make me repeat myself Lady Mileva Vasil. LET GO OF THE GIRL, NOW."

Mileva had no choice but to obey Cynane's order. Even if they were in her own house, it was the kingdom's first princess who was ordering her. She couldn't just disobey princess Cynane. It was clear even for someone as spoiled as Mileva that she should not go against any member of the royal family, or else she would face a serious consequence. And it wasn't just that, there was something about Cynane that really scared Mileva. Cynane could be all bubbly and innocent around Mileva's brother Froide, but there was a side of Cynane that reminded Mileva of the king himself - that intimidating and pernicious aura.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, your majesty", the servant replied, only looking at the floor. She felt really embarrassed that the first princess had witnessed all the commotion in the room.

"Go and see the head maid of this house and let her check you. After that, gather all your belongings. From now on, you will work at the royal palace."

The room was suddenly filled with gasps of disbelief.

"Does anyone of you have any objection?" Cynane asked sternly. Not one of the girls had the courage to object or even utter a single word. All the girls in the room were terrified of her.

"If I ever see any one of you hurt one of your servants again, I will not hesitate to exercise my authority and punish you. You may be of aristocratic birth, but remember, you are but just a human, just like that girl. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, your highness", the girls answered in unison without looking at Cynane. They were afraid that if they looked at her eyes, her gaze would burn them.

"Follow me", Cynane instructed the servant.

She walked out of the room and the servant followed after her in awkward haste. Just as when she closed the door of the drawing room, she heard Mileva say, "I hate her!"

That servant that she saved from Mileva that day is no other Martha, her mother's current personal maid.

Those memories remind Cynane just how much she dislikes Mileva Vasil, and now, she cannot help but dislike her more as she watches her clinging like a leech on Michal. Cynane is mad at Michal too, seeing how he seems to not mind the woman's hands on him.

"This jerk...openly flirting in a public place like this. Seriously, how shameless can he be?" Cynane mumbles to herself as they approach the table, a scowl plastered on her face.

"My King, My Queen", Duke Vasil addresses King Filip and Queen Elisie, as he and his wife bow their heads.

"Come on Froide, cut the formalities", Cynane's brother replies as he grabs Duke Vasil by the hand and gives him a friendly hug.

"Princess Cynane, I am so honored to see you tonight. Your performance earlier was spectacular, especially the sword dance. I would be lying if I said that I was not greatly impressed", Duke Vasil says to Cynane.

"Oh, you praise me too much Duke Vasil. I am deeply humbled. Thank you."

Duke Vasil's wife follows him in complementing Cynane. "I must say princess, you really look stunning tonight. That dress suits you very well. I would pay millions to have a body like yours, and your long silky hair, ugh, it's just so gorgeous", the duchess says with an overdramatic expression on her face.

Cynane does not really buy it. She knows how women can be exaggerated sometimes. However, she hides the disbelief and flashes a charismatic smile at the duchess. The duchess is taken aback at her sudden expression.

'She is really beautiful', the duchess thinks to herself.

"Thank you, Duchess Vasil. You too, are just as beautiful as a rose. Duke Vasil is one lucky man."

"My King, My Queen, princess Cynane..."

Cynane turns around to whom the voices came from. It's Michal and Mileva approaching them.

"Lady Mileva, it's great to see you. You too, General Michal" Cynane's brother replies with a smile on his face. Cynane cannot tell if is a genuine one or not. King Filip is well aware of Cynane's distaste towards Mileva.

"Join us on the table. Honestly, I'm already starving."

Everyone except for Cynane, laughs at the king's declaration. She knows he was trying to be humorous. Filip is always good at dealing with people, another thing that she wishes she is better at.

Cynane's eyes lands on Michal. For a moment, she catches something unusual on Michal's eyes. She cannot tell the meaning behind it though. She assumes that in the back of his head, he is probably insulting the way she looks tonight.

Michal avoids Cynane's gaze and focuses on Mileva instead. The two of them sat across Cynane. They spend the entire night talking to each other, as if they are the only people at the table, while Cynane eats silently on her seat, contemplating why did she even attend the banquet in the first place.

"I would want to continue our conversation your highness, but it's already late, my wife needs to go to bed. I have not told you yet, but she is actually pregnant with our second child", Duke Vasil announces to the group.

Cynane is suddenly pulled from her misery and boredom. News of pregnancy always excites her. The king, his wife, and Cynane congratulates the Vasil couple.

"Now then, if you would excuse us your majesties, we need to go. I need to also look for my daughter. She must be with Viscount Perry's daughter right now. Good night, everyone."

Duke Vasil, his wife, and his younger sister bid their farewell before leaving the table. Cynane has noticed that Mileva has been avoiding her eyes the entire night. Until now, Cynane remembers what she said eight years ago. She thinks that Mileva must still hate her until now. She shrugs her shoulders, thinking how there is nothing she can do about it.

"Excuse me princess Cynane, and general Michal, but I am retiring for tonight as well. I am frankly exhausted. You two please enjoy the rest of the night", Queen Elisie says, excusing herself. The king stands from his chair and assists his exhausted wife. Now, the only people left at the table are Cynane and Michal.

"So..." Michal suddenly says as he scooches his way beside Cynane.

"So what?" Cynane replies with an uninterested look on her face. The truth is she is so infuriated at Michal. She fixes her eyes on her plate, playing the only piece of broccoli left.

"So, how was the performance?" Michal asks.

"Did you not watch?"

"No. I was busy."

Cynane frowns at the expensive white porcelain in front of her.

'Of course, you did not watch. You were probably busy flirting with Mileva', she thinks to herself.

"Well, I don't want to sound proud, but it was spectacular. Go ask Duke Vasil."

"You must have caught the eyes of numerous men tonight, haven't you?"

"Excuse me? Do you really think I would care about that? Pffff", Cynane puffs while folding her arms. She's clearly annoyed at Michal's question. Why would he ask such a question? It's as if he's whoring her to men.

Michal chuckles at Cynane's response. He seems to be enjoying himself. He has always found it entertaining to annoy and torment Cynane.

"You know what, I am genuinely convinced now that you are really going to end up being unmarried the rest of life", Michal says in an attempt to continuously bug Cynane. His companion for the night has already left so he needs to find someone to keep on entertaining him.

"Says the one who has never been in a romantic relationship as well. And remember, you are four years older than me!"

This kind of scene is already normal for Cynane and Michal. They have known each other since they were kids, and bickering is always a common part of their so called 'friendship'.

"Well actually, I am planning to get married soon."

"WHAT?!"