Prince Kaito looked at his father's advisor, Kon Torinn, as Kon Torinn told the emperor, " Your Majesty, I have some news for you."
" There is always news, Torinn," the emperor grumbled as he flipped through pages and pages and pages of the old texts.
" The Western Commonwealth king and queen and princess are coming to the ball as we expect. However, you have told me about Princess Winter's power that she has. Whatever she has, we cannot permit. If she is to become the queen of the Western Commonwealth, it could be the end of us."
" Right," the emperor said, putting down the papers in interest of where Torinn was going. He waved his hand for the soldiers stationed in the room to leave. Kai stayed still in his seat.
" I have put much effort and thought into it. I think we need to eliminate Princess Winter."
Kai's attention perked higher and he pretended to read, but he was looking at his father's expression. He's been acting weird these days. To randomly screaming curse words to being so isolate and quiet. Calling the emperor crazed was wrong but that's what the emperor was. And it made Kai the next target of turning crazed, too.
Kai had always known his father as being a kind, gentle ruler. But could the emperor seriously consider assassinating Princess Winter?
Kai had never met her before. He heard about her phenomenal beauty and her power to control minds. It was a gift from the original kings of Commonwealth. But it split during a war of two brothers who had the same power. No one had it for centuries until Princess Winter was born.
Kai didn't have it. Didn't want it anyways. And he was glad. Because if he did, people would look at him with judgement and difference. He would be left out.
" I see," Emperor Rikan said. " I don't know what to make of it, yet, Torinn. But do you have another suggestion? I was think of trying to ally with them."
Torinn shook his head. " Thinking of trying to ally with them is a good option, Your Majesty. However, will it be possible with King Evret's attitude?"
" Pray he has changed for the better, Torinn. I wish to speak to my son in private."
" Your Majesty," Torinn said, bowing to both the emperor and prince. When he left, Kai felt a little uneasy.
" Kaito," Emperor Rikan beckoned. " Come closer and put down the book."
Kai obeyed and scooted his chair closer to his father. Emperor Rikan said, " You've put some thought into the marriage alliance with Princess Winter, right? Did you get the watch?"
" I did, Father. I dropped it off at the clock smith's place. She was rather stubborn and rude," Kai added under his breath.
" I beg your pardon? She?"
" Yeah, big surprise. It's a young girl who works there."
" Did you tell her who you are?"
" No. Why should I?"
" Good," Emperor Rikan said. He leaned back in his chair. " Anyways, Kaito, I've been thinking much at night. This is the best option for the Eastern and Western Commonwealth. This marriage alliance."
" But Levana still gets the inheritance?"
" Your sister deserves it, Kai."
Kai tried his best not to smirk. His adopted sister, Levana, was only ten years older that him. It happened when Empress Stella came across the abandoned baby in the streets. She didn't have a child at that time and she took in Levana as her own. Then, when Kai was born, she still fussed over Levana.
Kai tried his best to please his parents in whatever. Whether in politics or business managing or even athletic competitions. Nothing. They only saw him as an asset to give to the Western Commonwealth to marry their daughter.
Well, it hasn't been decided yet. But he was certain it would happen. Most women that looked at him fell in love with him. And it gave him unwanted attention.
" She doesn't have the royal blood, Father."
Emperor Rikan narrowed his eyes. " Kaito, just because she doesn't have the royal blood doesn't mean she can't take it."
" No, Father, what I mean is, is she capable in taking the throne?"
" Yes. She'll be an excellent ruler."
Kai swallowed hard and left his father's office with a heavy heart.
Kai tried his best not glare at his sister as she ate. She always wore that damned veil over her face. Ever since the accident with her tripping into the furnace, she'd been wearing that. Kai forgot what she looked like, but he knew that she always wore a gray veil. When she eats, when she washes her face, or showers. Not that he knows, but when she went swimming with him after much reluctance she still wore it.
That was years ago. When Kai was fourteen and he tried to bond with his sister and try to love her. But he just couldn't seem to. He didn't mind living with her until their parents finally declared her the heir of the Eastern Commonwealth.
But a lock of her brunette hair slipped out of the view of the veil. One thing he knew about her–she always took the time to look good. With a veil over her face.
The empress looked at Kai and said, " Sweetie, do you feel ill?'
Kai put down his spoon and cleared his throat. " Actually, I'm not hungry. I think I'd rather skip this meal."
The empress caught her son's wrist before he could leave. " No, stay, Kaito. We have dessert. Macaroons, your favorite."
Kai didn't like macaroons. Levana did. Kai didn't like sweets. The empress didn't even know his favorite food.
Suddenly a plate was in front of him while Kai was drinking his water in anger and it carried a large roasted animal. Kai coughed on his water, choking and retching on the side. A servant gushed out with apologies and tried to clean the floor as Kai continued to throw up the water that went down the wrong throat. When he recovered, his face was beet red and his family was staring at him. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and reached for the napkin on the table to dab his mouth. " Excuse me," he said.
He turned around too sharply and bumped into the same servant girl who was apologizing and held the plate. They both fell onto the floor. Kai's forehead smacked into the girl's head and they both groaned loudly.
Soldiers were immediately offering assistance but Kai waved them off. He rubbed his head and looked down to see who it was. It was a girl with freckled skin and vibrant red hair. She peeled open her green eyes that met his and immediately lowered them. " I'm so sorry, Your Majesty! Are you hurt badly?"
Kai waved off her hand when she tried to touch his head and see if it was okay. " I'm fine, servant. Just go get yourself looked at." Kai hissed to himself as he pressed a firm hand against his forehead and stumbled out of the dining room.
" He's rather clumsy," Scarlet told Cinder as Cinder saw to the bruise on Scarlet's forehead. " He got scared from the roasted chicken and started coughing and retching. Then, he said he was going to leave while I was cleaning and he bumped into me. Hard. I guess there are flaws in him."
" Of course, Scar, he's human." To be honest, Cinder was a little jealous of Scar being so close to the prince. Cinder would die to lock eyes with his for a moment.
" I didn't mean to look into his eyes," Scarlet said, groaning out with pain as Cinder accidentally put too much pressure on the bruise. " But he told me to get myself looked at. He's some good soul but mostly clumsy. I noticed he glares at Princess Levana a lot."
" Wow. I thought he was loving and kind," Cinder said.
Scarlet rolled her eyes. " You thought he was loving and kind. I thought he smart and the perfect ruler. He's smart but he's not exactly the perfect ruler."
" That'll be fine," Cinder said. " If he's not the ruler he doesn't have to marry."
Scarlet guffawed. " Why? Are you going to?'
" Maybe. I don't know. He doesn't even know I exist."
Scarlet stayed quiet for a little bit. " Then do you want to trade places with me for a little bit?'
" No, I can't." Cinder sighed resentfully and washed the cloth in water, the cloth she used to press against Scarlet's head. " I have to work on this rich guy's gift watch."
" Oh, yeah. Tell me about it."
" About the watch? It's gold, studded with diamonds, need of new battery, and–"
" No, about the guy."
" Why?"
Scarlet shrugged, a mischievous glint in the green eyes. " Because you could end up liking that guy then you'll stop liking the prince and become like me. The girls in the castle who don't have a crush on Prince Kaito."
Cinder laughed. " Why? Are you lonely in your I-don't-have-a-crush-on-the-prince club?"
" Really lonely. But seriously, Cinder, what was the guy like?"
Cinder didn't have to think much. " He was annoying, rude, pompous. He was showing off his pocket watch and describing the value of the watch he handed to me to fix. Nothing likable about him."
" Except for the part where he's paying you in gold," Scarlet added.
" Except for the part where he's paying me in gold," agreed Cinder.
" But is he at least good looking?"
" He's okay looking. He still looked sleepy. Actually, he was really good looking. But his personality made me immediately dislike him."
Scarlet nodded in agreement. " I guess. If he bothers you again, just take me with you."
" You'll get in trouble by Chief Cook!"
" So?"
Cinder stared at Scarlet and burst into laughter.
