[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: HOUSE ON FIRE ~ SIA]
Wild grapes covered the willow trees, the morning sun casting on the lakes in the palace, making the carps look beautiful as they moved in schools.
The palace was as silent as the midnight before the new year. Servants who used to attend to the queen dowager were assigned to new positions. The usual royal breakfast was not as large as it used to be, based on Kitanna’s request. There was no need to add to the table what she would not eat; it would only be wasted. These were her words.
All the maids tried to curry favor with the princess. If she would be the future queen, then there were enough reasons to be on her good side, including the ministers and court officials of the royal house.
Kitanna knew everyone wanted to be nice to her because of the new changes, but she knew better than to trust people. People only love and support you when it’s going to be beneficial to them. Even the ones who had wished her harm now wanted to smile and dine with her.
The princess walked into the dining room; it felt empty. She looked at the positions that were now left vacant. Larel and Bareea did not attend breakfast either. Kitanna turned to the maid that was serving her and asked,
"Why is the queen and the first concubine not here? Did you not tell them that breakfast has been served?"
The maid bowed before speaking, "Lady Bareea has been very sick since yesterday, Queen Larel stayed back to take care of the child."
Kitanna nodded her head and waved for the maid to continue. She wished someone would at least join her for breakfast. When she fought to get her position back, it wasn’t to be alone forever. At least she wanted to have people of her own who would also be there for her.
"Greetings, Lord Nix," the maid greeted. This called Kitanna’s attention, and she turned immediately to catch a glimpse of the blue eyes that melted her.
The moment her eyes met Nix’s, the encounter they had the previous night rushed fresh in her memory, making blood rush up to her neck and her cheeks burn crimson.
Nix saw the changes in the girl, and he knew it was because of his presence. He enjoyed the effect he had on Kitanna. Nix joined her at the table, sitting opposite her.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked softly, picking up honey to add to the already brewed tea.
"I did, and you?" Kitanna tried to keep her blush at bay as she answered with a small smile gracing her lips. Her eyes trailed down to look at Nix’s lips which were kissing the teacup he held. She remembered where those lips had been the other night, and she blinked, keeping her eyes away from him.
"I slept well too. What has got you red this morning? Did you perhaps catch a cold?" Nix teased, but his tone sounded very serious.
Kitanna cleared her throat, trying to get her voice and her thoughts straight. She slapped her cheek gently to keep the blush at bay.
"Ehmm...red? I believe it’s the makeup I used this morning." She knew that Nix had an idea of what she was thinking, but she couldn’t admit to it. Picking up her bread, she added egg into it and started munching to help her think less dirty.
"Do I have anything to do today?" Kitanna asked after gulping the first bite she had taken.
Nix dropped the teacup he was holding, "Lord Hieron would be here before noon. The ministers have asked for an audience with you, but I canceled that request. The only reason they want to meet with you before the White Lord’s arrival is to intimidate you."
Nix picked up a rolled egg and started cutting it into pieces, then he said, "I canceled the meeting because I’m worried about them," he completed, putting the small piece into his mouth.
Kitanna grinned when she heard the ministers wanted to intimidate her. She was going to ask Nix to immediately reschedule the meeting. They needed to have a taste of her medicine, those greedy ministers.
Far away from the palace, on the rough roads of the mountain that led to Morado, Lord Hieron sat in the royal gamas that was sent to him by his grandson. He raised the letter that was on his lap, then he frowned.
"Can you imagine? Nix is threatening me." Hieron turned to look at Clephas who was also sitting inside the carriage with him.
The former princess’s eunuch scratched his head nervously. The silver-haired elder unnerved him with his mere presence; to hold a conversation was a totally different ball game.
"I guess he didn’t mean it that way." Clephas answered so he won’t be tagged as rude for not responding.
Hieron glared at the man sitting beside him, "Do you mean to say I don’t know what I saw?"
Clephas cleared his throat; the weather was cold, but his throat suddenly felt dry. He would have preferred to trek or join the coachman rather than sit inside the carriage where the air was stiff.
"I- what I’m saying is..."
Eunuch was yet to finish his words when Nix’s grandfather dropped the parchment on his laps, sighing deeply.
"That boy clearly said if I don’t accept to govern, he won’t allow me to see my great-grandchildren when they come." Hieron stomped his feet on the ground, and this startled Clephas.
"I’m sure he was only joking." Clephas said in a low voice. Who could have known that the great white Lord agreed to govern the affairs of the kingdom because of a simple threat.
"Joke, you say? Son, do you think anyone with my blood jokes?" Hieron paused for a moment, not waiting for the poor eunuch to answer the rhetorical question. He spoke,
"Hold on.... If he is talking about great-grandchildren, does that mean?...He...they have? I was not invited for the wedding then or did he? That’s my boy! A true Zeno hahaha... Tell that snail of a coachman to speed up to the palace." Hieron commanded with a smile now replacing his initial frown.
Clephas moved the curtains and shouted for the coachman to hasten up, and he also used that opportunity to suck in free air. He didn’t understand why the White Lord was suddenly smiling. Clephas was sure the man was bipolar, his moods switched up at odd moments. Even now with his smiling face, Clephas still thinks he looked scary. The eunuch couldn’t wait to run back to the palace and continue serving his beloved princess.
"Get your head inside before the birds drop their waste on you!" Hieron blared causing Clephas to jump on his seat.
Back inside the palace, Kitanna moved her hands down her gown to remove the crinkles that formed on it.
"What is your grandfather like? Does he like people that smile a lot? A talkative? Should I act wise? Is this dress nice enough, does it suit his taste?" Kitanna fired Nix with her unending questions.
Nix closed his eyes for a brief moment, "You’re not going to meet your father-in-law; you’re going to meet someone who would guide you until you-"
"Not my father-in-law? Of course, my grandfather-in-law. Do you not want to marry me? Don’t tell me...after our..." Kitanna trailed.
Nix scratched his eyes tiredly; he wanted to sleep this one out. But he knew who Hieron was; he wouldn’t hear the end of it. He watched the girl that was bickering just the same way his grandfather would. They both of them would really click well, Kitanna and Lord Hieron. Nix concluded in his head.
Chantal ran to where they stood, "The carriage has arrived, Lord Nix, Princess Kitanna," he bowed.
Nix followed the boy, ignoring the question that Kitanna had asked before. This caused Kitanna to narrow her eyes, and she rushed to keep up with his pace.
The moment the carriage stopped, Lord Hieron gingerly got down from the carriage. He was too agile despite his old age, which did not show on his body except the lines like wrinkles on his face.
Clephas was the next to step down from the carriage; his eyes scanning to catch a glimpse of his little princess. And when he did, his smile broadened on his lips, and he rushed to hug her. It felt like they’ve separated for several years.
"Clephas, who knew staying away for a few moons will make you miss me this much?" Kitanna teased the man. Before she turned to face Lord Hieron who had now reached where they stood.
"Welcome to the palace, Lord Hieron Zeno. I am Princess Kitanna Morgair." Kitanna bowed in respect. From where she stood, she could feel the authority the man controlled with just the look in his eyes.
Hieron observed the girl for some time; his lips paused like he was displeased, then he broke into a smile. It was unusual because he looked better with a frown,
"Little princess, your brown eyes got bigger, and your hands too. The ones you held Nix with as a baby....that made him accept to-"
"Lord Hieron, I’ll now lead you to the royal court," Nix interrupted. He was sure Hieron would tell the whole world history they didn’t ask for if they continued to stand there.
"Always too serious...hmph!" Hieron harrumphed, moving to walk inside the palace.
Kitanna was sure she heard something about her childhood and Nix being there; she cocked her head for a minute before joining them inside. She would find out from Lord Hieron later; the princess made a mental note.