Cruel

The piercing rays of the sun peeking through the huge windows of Cynane's room wakes her up from her deep slumber.

"Awww" she whines as the blinding lights hit her heavy eyes.

She pulls up her blanket to cover her face. She wants to resume to her sleep, but a sudden headache takes over her. She stirs on her bed, infuriated at the uncomfortable feeling on her head. After minutes of trying to get back to sleep, she finally gives up.

"Arghhhhh", she groans as she forces herself to seat on her huge bed. "What's with this stubborn headache?"

She massages her forehead, an attempt to lessen the pain. A sudden knock on the door catches her attention.

"It's Cynthia, Princess."

"Come in", Cynane replies.

The door is opened and a woman with gray hair holding a tray enters the room. She gently places the tray on the table. Cynthia is one of the longest people serving the royal family. She has been Cynane's personal maid since she was born and Cynane basically grew up with her.

"I brought you a variety of fruits, princess. I've been aware that you were drinking quite heavily last night. Fruits will help you lessen the aftereffects of the remaining alcohol in your body", Cynthia explains to Cynane.

Cynane studies the fruits on the table. There are sliced pieces of apples, peaches, oranges, blueberries and grapes. She's grateful that Cynthia decides to only bring fruits because she feels like she is going to throw up if she sees a proper meal. Just thinking about her typical breakfast of an egg, pudding, ham and milk makes her nauseous.

She first picks a piece of blueberry, her most favorite among the fruits in the tray.

"How'd you know I was drunk last night?" Cynane asks.

"General Michal told me. He brought you to your room last night", Cynthia replies with a blank look on her face.

"Oh, right..." Cynane mumbles, her voice trailing off as she gradually remembers the things that happened last night - her getting drunk, acting like a child in front of Michal, fondling his hair and complementing him.

'What's gotten into you last night Cynane?! That was embarassing!' Cynane screams in her head. She wants to slap herself right now. 'Earth, just swallow me please.'

"I swear, I shall never drink again", she announces certainly, clearly regretting her actions from last night.

"I was actually going to suggest that but thank goodness you realize it yourself", Cynthia admits to her.

"Did I do anything stupid or embarrassing last night?" Cynane asks in curiosity.

"Let's see, you were actually unconscious when General Michal brought you to your room. However, you wouldn't let go of his hand when he laid you down on your bed."

"You got to be kidding me!" Cynane exclaims so loudly that the servants in the hallway can hear her.

Cynthia shakes her head, her expression as stoic as ever. Cynane knows that she isn't lying.

Cynane covers her face in embarrassment. "I swear, I really really swear, in the name of my beloved Samo that these lips shall never taste nor touch any alcohol again! That bastard shall surely use what happened last night to torture me again."

"Compose yourself now, Princess. I do not think the General will do that. He looked quite concerned about you last night. He didn't leave until you were deep in your sleep", Cynthia reveals.

"Really?!"

Cynthia nods.

Cynane starts to reason out the motivations behind Michal's actions last night. He was actually indeed worried about her. He tried to stop her from drinking at the banquet. Despite Cynane's stubbornness, he insisted to assist her and take her to her room. He was practically looking after her last night. But why? Why suddenly act like that? All these years, he was basically a jerk towards Cynane. Why suddenly act so caring? There is only one reasonable explanation that Cynane could think of.

"Well, he obviously had to take care of me out of fear that my brother will hold him accountable if he finds out that something bad happens to me because I was drunk."

Michal did mention last night when he was trying to stop Cynane from drinking that he didn't want the king to be mad at him and blame him for Cynane's impulsive actions.

Cynthia hesitates to answer as she seems to have a different impression on the matter. However, she chooses to stay silent.

"Cynthia, please prepare the bath for me. I shall need a long bath today. I'll come right away after I finish my meal", Cynane requests.

"Yes princess", Cynthia replies and immediately leaves the room.

Cynane eats a few pieces of each of the fruits. It is her way of showing her appreciation and gratitude to Cynthia. She doesn't want to waste Cynthia's effort. Peeling and cutting fruits this many is definitely a work of patience, so she makes sure to taste each.

After eating, she fulfills her promise to Cynthia and goes immediately to the bathroom. She removes her nightgown and soaks herself in the tub. The feeling of the cold water embracing her bare skin has a soothing effect on her.

She goes back to the events from last night. She can clearly remember the actions of Michal and his words - the way he showed his concern, how he basically told her that she had the ability to seduce a man like him, the way he held her in his arms as he carried her and stayed by her side until she was comfortable in her sleep. Despite being certain that it was purely an act out of duty, she still cannot help but feel butterflies in her stomach. She's still a woman, after all.

"You're so cruel Michal", she murmurs, splashing a handful of water on her face.

How can she move on from her feelings for him if he suddenly acts like this. He is making things harder for Cynane.

"Seriously, why are you doing this to me? How much longer do you want me to suffer?" she continues to talk to herself. A tear escapes her eyes as she realizes that all of these are just giving her false hope. The tear is followed by another until Cynane cannot help but fully cry.

"You're really cruel. Flirting with another woman in front of me and acting as if I didn't exist, then announcing out of nowhere that you want to marry and suddenly acting all concerned and caring - you really know how to play a woman's heart, don't you?"