The devilish son of the king

It's just like you to be where you shouldn't be. You are always at the wrong place at the wrong time, tell me why? Dear Asha," Denna said softly, running his hands over Asha's neck beads, not caring that there was a crowd of people not very far from where they stood.

"What is it you want this time? Am I also standing on your space or stopping you from heading towards the wrestling ground? Why won't you let me be?" Asha queried angrily, shrugging the prince's hands off her shoulder.

"I think you sometimes forget whose presence you are standing in? You little rude girl. I am Prince Denna, the son of the king of the great Maribah kingdom and you will not dare speak to me in a harsh tone or push my hands off your body! Do you understand?" He barked.

From where Nemere was kneeling on the floor, she vibrated in fear, completely afraid of the Prince's anger. Everyone in the palace and Maribah knew he was the last person to step on his toes. He could make life miserable for anyone who dared defy him! And since he was the son of the king, he could get away with anything. But while Nemere was afraid, Asha was furious, and her fury gave her the courage to stand her ground even though she was afraid of the prince.

"There are already rumors about us being..." she trailed off, unwilling to complete the sentence due to its implications.

"Being what, my dear?" the prince asked, smiling and gently touching her slender face.

"Stop it, Prince Denna. There are already rumors about us, and I don't know if you enjoy it, but I certainly do not. I can't have people thinking I have anything to do with you when I find you arrogant, disgusting, and annoying!"

There was a gasp of surprise from the prince's friends standing beside him; even Nemere covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. Asha realized she might have said too much, but her disdain for the royal house and especially Prince Denna was beyond her control.

"The silly little flirt seems to be forgetting her place in this kingdom. You dare call me names! You dare call me names!" He blew hotter. "I can do whatever to you here and now, and you know what, no one can do anything about it! Not even your father who's more like my father's personal slave!" The prince retorted with pride and fury.

" I see you're trying so hard to scare me, but I'm not like those servant girls or weak girls you can intimidate. I'm not afraid of dogs that bark without biting."

"What? Did you just call me a toothless dog?" Prince Denna snapped angrily, his handsome face folding up in anger. He bared his teeth at her, his nostrils flaring up while his eyebrows furrowed and he grabbed her wrist and dragged her very close to him. Asha could feel the hot air from his nose on her face and hear his angry breathing even louder. 

"I dare you to say that in my face one more time, and I promise I will have you disgraced right here!"

Asha always considered herself bold and confident, ready to speak her mind without caring about the consequences. Yet, as she stood there staring into Prince Denna's angry face, her heart began to pound with fear. The cheering from those at the wrestling match faded away, leaving just her, the furious Prince Denna, and his threat hanging in the air.

She swallowed, contemplating apologizing despite her lingering anger. However, she was saved at that moment by Nena, who ran in, shouting Asha's name and asking where she had been. Nena saw how the Prince held Asha tight while she struggled against him, and she was afraid for her sister.

"My prince, whatever she must have done, please forgive her," Nena pleaded.

"Who are you, and why are you begging on her behalf?" the prince arrogantly inquired, even though he was aware that Nena was Asha's older sister. As he posed the question, his eyes remained fixed on Asha, observing her like a predator ready to strike.

"She's my younger sister, and we are truly sorry for any unkind words she may have spoken to you. It's crucial for our families to be on the best terms, especially now… I think you know why. We shouldn't be seen fighting in public…"

"Shut up! I don't care about that! She has a mouth, and she can apologize if she wants me to let her go!"

Asha opened and closed her mouth, struggling to utter the words to Prince Denna. She couldn't understand why the prince felt she deserved such mistreatment from him.

"Come on, Asha, say you're sorry. Soon, people's attention will be here, and you know that Father warned us against doing something like this!"

"Fine, I am sorry, my prince."

However, Denna didn't release her hands after the apology. He tightened his grip until it hurt so bad that Asha almost screamed. But just before she could break into tears, he abruptly threw her hands away and stepped closer, whispering into her ear.

Next time, there will be no one to save you. Mark my words! I will teach you a lesson in this kingdom."

With those ominous words, he strolled away with his friends toward the wrestling ground. Asha stood frozen, struggling to hold back tears. Her sister observed her, nearly in tears herself, and Asha anticipated the judgement she knew was coming. But Nena didn't judge her this time. She had seen what a brute the prince was for herself. 

"I am sorry, Asha! You shouldn't have left without someone to watch over you. And I am sorry I didn't believe you when you said Prince Denna was a brute. It was because I liked him, but now I see he's a pig-headed goat!"

"Pig-headed goat!" Asha squealed, surprising her sister with laughter.

"I see your mood has lightened up. Let's go before we fall into another danger! Zeep has been having an awesome time with the prince. The last time I saw them, they were holding hands," Nena said, attempting to lift Asha's spirits as she slowly led her towards the wrestling area.

"Wait… I need to speak with…" Asha began, her eyes scanning the quiet corner for Nemere, but she couldn't find her.

"Leave whatever or whoever you are searching for behind. Let's go! We must leave here before Prince Denna comes back to continue where he stopped. And, Asha, you must avoid him at all costs from now on!" Nena advised.

Though Asha only half-listened, her primary concern was confirming what Nemere had told her about Prince Mayo and Soma. However, she had to push those thoughts aside as she walked in with her sister, and her eyes met those of Prince Denna's. He stared at her menacingly, and she quickly averted her gaze, her heart suddenly pounding louder in her ears.

—————

Elim sensed someone had been tracking him but chose to feign ignorance, anticipating the moment an attack would come. The rustling of leaves intensified as he approached where he had tied his horse, and suddenly, someone emerged from the forest. He drew his sword, poised to fight the stranger, only to realize it was the man who had recruited him for the job in the village.

"You choose now to appear? Are you a robber? I've been waiting for more than a day, and there was no sign of you."

"I had to make myself scarce while the deed is done, but here I am with your money, as promised. Thank you for relieving my daughter of that burden."

"Don't thank me! Hand over my money. I need to be gone from here," Elim replied curtly, taking his bag of money from the man.

"Yes, I heard about the incident between you and… I won't mention his name. You should be on your way now!"

As Elim tucked his sword back into his robe and began untying his horse, a loud scream from the man behind him alerted him to the presence of someone else. He moved quickly to dodge a slashing sword but was caught off guard as someone from his side sliced his arm.

Disregarding the blood, he focused on preparing for a fight. He kicked the next man approaching and promptly drew out his sword. Despite the pain from the cut, he dodged attacks smartly and slashed angrily at his assailants, ready to kill, even though it went against his usual code. They had drawn blood from a skilled assassin like him, and they must pay.

In the midst of brutal combat, he fought fiercely against anyone who dared to approach. He knew the only way to make them back off was to kill one or two of them, which would allow him to escape before they gathered the courage to pursue him. Determinedly, he executed his plan, using the darkness of the night to his advantage. Though uncertain of their exact number, he was certain they outnumbered him. All he needed was one man to set as an example.

Dodging numerous sword attacks and blows, Elim skillfully maneuvered until he finally seized one man—the very one who had cut him. Without hesitation, he stabbed the man in the chest, causing hesitation among the others.

"Do you really want to die for your master, who sent after me for his wife who is loose, or do you want to go home to your wives and family? Choose now because the next man who comes close to me will forfeit his life like this fellow on the floor. You must have heard of me! I have killed more men than any of you would ever dare to do!" Elim barked, hoping his threatening words would buy him time to mount his horse and escape. His strategy worked, and the men started retreating, each afraid to be the next one to die. This gave him enough time to jump on his horse and gallop away into the thick darkness.

Unsure if they would pursue, he hoped they wouldn't, as he needed time to prepare for the real battle against his father's murderer. It was time to go to Maribah and bring justice to the house of the king. Determined, he galloped away into the night, planning to stop only when absolutely necessary.