It had been a crazy few days for Musa as she and the girls pushed on with their plan. Stella and Flora had done everything they could to get Musa 'lady' ready for the courtiers. Stella managed to teach Musa everything about every courtier and every piece of gossip she could. The second day saw Stella taking Musa for walks around the palace – in areas they were allowed – with Musa's guards in tow. Stella showed Musa, in person, how to deal with the courtiers, how to subtly extract and implant gossip, and Musa witnessed how easily the courtiers spoke to her while she was with Stella. The girls believed that if the courtiers saw Musa with the other princesses, then they would see that she was different and could be trusted. Then, they would be more forthcoming with the exiled princess.
Flora had been able to show Musa how to act as a 'lady' rather than a princess to make the Valkarians feel superior to her. Rub their egos and their guard will immediately drop. Flora also taught Musa how to dance, in case she needed it, and how to hide her emotions if they spoke ill of her.
The other girls had less luck in finding information about the rebellion in Melody. They knew there was one, but they couldn't find much about their headquarters, who was the right-hand to the rebel leader, etc. Sadly, not much came back.
The day after the Winx girls left, Musa and Tecna decided to continue their walks around the garden and put Musa's skills to the test. Every time they passed a courtier, Musa would greet them but add new information.
This morning, for example, Musa walked past Lady Lucille, the eldest daughter of a lord that assists King Kataar with war strategies.
"Good morning Lady Lucille," Musa greeted with a quick small curtsey. Tecna followed. "I love your new hairstyle."
Lady Lucille and her handmaiden stopped short, surprised by Musa's greeting.
"Oh….um….thank you…Siren," Lady Lucille replied in confusion.
"Master Montgomery really does work wonders, am I right?" Musa replied with a smile.
"Oh," Lady Lucille's face immediately brightened. "Yes, of course he does!" She ran a hand through her hair.
"Not that you need any help, your ladyship," Musa continued. "But your hair always looks even more amazing when you leave his studio."
"You are absolutely right, Lady Musa," Lady Lucille said with a big grin. "Thank you."
"I will leave you to your walk, Lady Lucille. Enjoy your day," Musa said as they departed.
"You too, Lady Musa," Lady Lucille said.
Musa and Tecna smirked to themselves noticing the change in names Lady Lucille did with Musa. Clearly Stella's methods worked. Stella drilled into Musa every little thing about each man and women in the court, so Musa knew that every Wednesday morning Lady Lucille went to the best hairstylist in Melody – Master Montgomery. He only did royalty and members of the court. Normally, Musa would think the haircut was horrible – with bleached blonde hair cut into a descending zig zags, with Melody crystals woven through like a hair net. Using crystals for fashion accessories was horrendous to Musa but she had to play along.
"Stella would be proud," Tecna whispered as the pair continued their walk.
Musa nodded her head in agreement. After a few hours of walking around, trying to be polite to all courtiers they ran into, the duo decided to head back inside for afternoon tea. Their morning was quite successful with just over half of the courtiers changing their acknowledgement of Musa from Siren to Lady Musa.
"We will continue to do this, Tecna, every morning with any courtier we find until word gets back to the king."
"By then he will have enough truth that you have changed," Tecna agreed. "Hopefully he will allow you access to the library."
"From there, the courtiers will have gained trust and then I can start my own gossip mill, watch the courtiers slowly turn on each other."
Tecna smirked with Musa. "With arguing advisors, the king's strategies will struggle."
"It is quite amusing, isn't it?" Musa joked.
Tecna laughed and agreed with Musa as they drank their afternoon tea. Over the next week, Tecna and Musa continued their morning mission with the courtiers. By the end of the following week, every courtier Musa came across addressed her as Lady Musa after Musa acknowledged them first – as they liked it.
Tecna continued researching the magic of Melody to no avail. She and Musa had no idea why magic was be slowly disappearing on the planet and they had no idea how they could bring it back.
It was the following Monday morning and Musa decided that two weeks was long enough for the courtiers to spread their gossip about her 'change' to reach the king.
Musa was sitting in her tearoom, as she did every morning since her plan began, and looked at one of her guards.
"Excuse me, Sir Hammon", Musa said to the taller Valkarian guard by the door. "I was wondering if I would be able to request an audience with the king, please?"
The guard looked at his colleague before raising an eyebrow to Musa.
"An audience, Lady Musa?" Sir Hammon asked confused.
"Yes please, if he is not too busy today," Musa replied. "Forgive me for my abruptness," she added sensing their confusion and defensiveness. "However, I have no Valkarian books at my disposal and I was hoping to learn more about the culture."
She noticed that the guards' tension dissipate at her explanation.
"You see, gentlemen," Musa continued, standing up from her chair and walking up to the guards. "I wish to learn more about the Valkarian culture, particularly as I am living in your…kingdom. I have no Valkarian books in my quarters and have no access to the library. I was hoping to speak with His Highness to see if he would permit me access to such books."
The two guards were silent, thinking to themselves. Then, Sir Hammon walked over to his colleague and they whispered to each other. Musa stood, acting like she was not fazed by their behaviour. Internally, though, she was nervous. She was expecting a more forthcoming reaction. Tecna remained in her seat as she watched the interaction. To the Valkarians, she was Musa's handmaiden and to display otherwise would put their plan at risk.
Sir Hammon finished his whispered conversation and turned back to Musa.
"I shall go and ask His Highness, Lady Musa," Sir Hammon said. "But do not have high hopes."
"Of course," Musa said, bowing into a curtsey. "I appreciate your help, Sir Hammon and Sir Jet."
The other guard just grunted in response while Sir Hammon nodded his head and left the room.
To Musa's shock and delight, Sir Hammon returned to fetch her, claiming that King Kataar agreed to an audience, that was all. It was all Musa needed to show her change to the king. Hopefully after today she will get what she sought.
Before too long, Musa, her guards, and Tecna bringing up the rear, entered the throne room. Musa immediately curtseyed low to the ground when she reached the centre of the room. Tecna remained by the main doors with the guards.
"You Highness," Musa greeted lowly and kept her eyes down cast.
"Stand, Siren," Kataar said.
Musa immediately, against her inner nagging, rose and met her gaze with the king. He was slouching on the throne as usual while standing next to him was the woman of Musa's nightmares – Darcy. Darcy, in her skin-tight purple body suit, long brunette hair with Melodian gems woven in, stood next to the king. She looked more menacing than ever. For whatever reason, Darcy was the king's most trusted advisor.
To Musa, Darcy was the woman who helped win the siege on the palace thanks to her dark magic. From memory, Darcy led the main squad who started the initial attack. When she was a child, Musa remembered being dragged to the, at the time, seized throne room and thrown to Darcy's feet. The king, back when he looked more menacing, stood next to her. Musa would never forget their words;
"So, this is the little urchin that is supposed to inherit this realm?" Darcy hissed. "How sad. No wonder they were easy to conquer."
The king knelt to Musa's level. "From this day forth, you are no longer Princess Musa of Melody, you are Lady Musa, the Siren."
Musa used all her strength to keep her memories at bay long enough to say the most dreaded thing.
"Madam Darcy," Musa said with a smaller curtsey.
The king seemed pleased by the display.
"So, Siren," King Kataar. "My men tell me that you wish to access Valkarian books."
Musa looked back at the king and gave a small smile in respect.
"Y-yes, Your Highness," Musa stuttered slightly. "I wish to…to learn more about the Valkarian culture. If you permit me, I would use the books to educate myself on our culture."
Musa made sure she said our culture to appease the king further. It seemed it just made it to his brain, and he gave a smirk in response.
"I see," the king said, running a hand down his short beard. "Why the sudden change, Siren? I remember a time where you threw a tantrum at the thought of learning anything Valkarian."
Musa fought the urge to clench her fists. Under Darcy's critical eye, the smallest reaction could give away her motives.
"Yes…..Sire, I once did that," Musa said in a sad voice. Her acting was being tested today. "I apologise for my b-behaviour back then. I have since….learnt the error of my ways. The other courtiers and guards helped me with that."
The king hummed to himself as he muddled over Musa's fake explanation.
"What would you like to learn?" King Kataar asked.
"Valkarian history," Musa immediately responded. Technically it was the truth. "I want to know about the p-proud history that I hear all Valkarians preach. I like to learn about it too. I also, if permitted, would like to learn about your beliefs and your customs."
"Hmm….so no fighting tactics then?" King Kataar asked, raising an eyebrow. "I have heard the gossip circling the court about your new reformed attitude, Siren, but I have to say that Darcy and I are quite sceptical. Giving away such important information shows a lot of trust. Surely you could see the potential security risks in permitting a once known enemy to rifle through our history."
"I have no interest in the tactics, Your Highness," Musa replied. "I never learnt them however to known them may seem like a dishonour to the Valkarians. I would not want to tarnish that."
"Quite right," King Kataar answered immediately.
Clearly Musa's idea of the gossip was true, but the king is testing her. Her work over the last two weeks was not enough to sway the king.
"I am still unconvinced of your motives, Siren," the king added.
"Surely, Sire, there is a way to prove my sincerity?" Musa asked in an innocent manner.
"She does seem sincere," Darcy sudden spoke.
Darcy then sat on one of the throne arm rests and leaned into the king.
"Courtiers have now been talking about the Siren's lovely behaviour lately," she said softly. "Perhaps we need to show a tiny bit of faith back?"
"Hmm…I don't know," the king responded.
"We don't have to give her access to the library or any other books except the ones we allow her to read," Darcy continued. "To solidify the trust, we can ask something from her in return. You know, to show where her loyalty lies."
"That is an excellent suggestion, Darcy," the king said. "What should we ask in return? She is a Siren, she does not have much."
"She has information, my king," Darcy replied. "In my opinion, I think we should ask her for information on the pink Melodian crystals in exchange for access to the history books, and only the history books."
"We do need to know more about them," the king whispers back to Darcy. "Very well. Siren, I shall allow you access to Valkarian history books, and only them. In exchange, to show your good faith, you will tell us all we need to know about the Melodian crystals."
Melodian crystals? That was easy, Musa thought. They are nothing to the Valkarians. Why he wanted to know about them was strange considering they were just religious totems. Seems like an easy enough trade.
"Yes Sire, that is very generous of you," Musa answered.
"It is, isn't it?" Darcy replied.
Musa really wanted to punch the smarmy look off Darcy's face right then and there.
"Tell us more about the pink Melodian crystals," Darcy asked, holding one in her hand.
"Those crystals are nothing more than religious items, Your Highness. Every Melodian once wore them somewhere on their person to show their support for our beliefs. No Melodian was excluded, Sire. Anyone, from royalty to commoners, wore at least one of their person."
"Lies!" Darcy yelled, crushing the crystal with her bare hand.
Musa's eyes widened a little at the immediate response. Tecna tensed at seeing the situation start to turn against them.
"My apologies, Madam Darcy, but that is the truth," Musa answered. "I was taught that the crystals were a sign of support for our religion, to show our strength as one realm."
"You are lying!" Darcy yelled, and stood up from the throne. "You know there is more to the crystals than you're letting on. We have a deal!"
"Madam Darcy is right, Siren," King Kataar said, his voice booming throughout the throne room now. "If you do not answer our question then consider the deal off and I will have you thrown into the dungeon for insubordination."
"No," Musa said panicked. "I swear, Your Highness, the crystals are symbolic and nothing more."
"We know there is more to the crystals, Siren," Darcy yelled.
"I promise, that is all I know."
Darcy growled in annoyance and practically flew off the dais until she stood directly in front of Musa. Darcy's eyes glowed a purple hue and she slapped Musa across the face. The force behind it made Musa fall to her knees.
Tecna was about to move to help her friend when one of the guards, Sir Jet, stuck out his hand to prevent Tecna's intervention.
"How dare you lie to the King!" Darcy growled.
Musa looked up at Darcy and felt slight fear. She instantly felt like the little girl who feared the purple witch all those years ago.
"I-I didn't, Sire. I swear," Musa replied quickly.
Darcy's eyes glowed to a dark grey-purple colour and she grabbed Musa's hair, pulling her back to her feet. Musa accidentally let out a small whimper as she tried to lean into Darcy's hand to lessen the hold.
"You will tell us about the crystals, or I will put a truth spell on you," Darcy threatened, her eyes still glowing.
Tecna gasped. If Musa got spelled and they asked the wrong question, all their hard work and planning would be exposed. They would die.
"Please," Musa said, gasping in pain. "Madam Darcy, Your Highness, the crystals are nothing but accessories."
Darcy didn't respond. Instead, her eyes glowed a darker purple. The light encased her body and then suddenly Musa's body.
"Truthicas!" Darcy spelled.
Musa felt strange, like she could struggle to prevent word vomit coming out of her mouth. She was in deep trouble now.
"What do you know about the Melodian crystals?" Darcy ordered.
"They are fashion accessories," Musa immediately answered. "My mother taught me that everyone wore them as a sign of their religion, as a sign in declaration to our gods. They mean nothing to me except they are a religious symbol. Seeing everyone wear them goes against the Melodian tradition and Melodian religion. It is sacrilege, but they are nothing more than totems."
Darcy pulled tighter on Musa's head, causing the woman to cry out in pain.
"You're hurting me," Musa gasped out in pain.
"Do you know anything about an ancient power? Anything else about the crystals?"
"I swear," Musa gasped out, tears forming in her eyes. "That is all I know. They are rocks to me. Please, I swear I don't know anything else."
"Darcy!" a voice boomed from the throne room.
Darcy immediately let go of Musa's hair and the woman fell to her knees. Darcy looked up at the king who had his attention on a door to the right of the dais. The guards allowed Tecna to go, and the handmaid immediately ran to her friend's side. Tears were threatening to fall from Musa's eyes so Tecna checked her over. Normally Tecna would pull her best friend into a hug but they had a façade to maintain. If Musa could force the tears at bay, then Tecna could refrain from breaking their cover.
"Riven!" King Kataar yelled angrily, standing up from his throne. "How dare you!"
If looks could kill, then the prince would be nothing but a pile of ash at that moment.
"What is the meaning of this?" Riven said angrily, looking at Musa on the floor with her handmaiden, then to his father.
"You do not question me, boy," King Kataar yelled back. "This is an interrogation and you have no business here."
"No business?" Prince Riven laughed. "I am the crown prince, Father, and your son!"
Darcy growled at the prince for the interruption. Riven's gaze left his father's and moved to Musa who was still on her knees on the floor. Musa looked up from the ground and looked at him in the eyes. It was the first time she had done that since he returned. His eyes were still the same amethyst colour that she remembered, only this time they were darker in colour. Everything else about his appearance was stoic. She couldn't read him. He had muscles bulging from his long-sleeved top, his hair had grown, almost vertical since the last time she saw him. A faint stubble was forming on the prince's face as well. If he wasn't her second most hated person in the realm, she would admit that he was relatively decent looking.
The strange thing was, the prince sounded almost shocked when he first entered the room. Perhaps he forgot about his father's people skills since he was last there.
Riven's face suddenly changed into a casual one after a moment of looking at Musa. The prince scoffed at the scene, almost rolling his eyes. Then he folded his arms over his chest.
"Darcy, it appears that you have had your fun. Take the spell off the Siren," Riven instructed.
Yep, Musa thought, he really did forget considering his casual behaviour towards the scene.
"What?" Darcy screeched. "I work for the King, boy, not you."
Riven's face went hard again. "You work for the royal family, Darcy. I am your Prince and if you call me boy one more time than I promise it will be the last thing you ever do."
Riven's face went dark as soon as he said that, putting everyone in the room into silence. It was almost impressive how he could jump between emotions like that. It was a reminder at how dangerous the man was – he could be sarcastic and careless one minute then kill you before you could blink the next. Darcy immediately tensed in front of the prince and forced her mouth shut.
"Do as I command, Darcy, and undo the spell," Riven ordered, his eyes glaring at her like a predator to a prey.
Darcy looked up at the king who merely nodded to her. Darcy rolled her eyes and with a wave of her hand, Musa's body stopped glowing purple and she released a breath she didn't realise she was holding.
"Clearly the Siren has answered your questions about the crystals, Father," Riven said now in a bored tone. "You're wasting Darcy's magic on these ridiculous questions. How very efficient of you" he said with a scoff.
"What are you doing here, Riven?" King Kataar hissed, restraining his temper.
"I came to get you and Darcy for the strategy meeting, Father," Riven replied with a shrug.
King Kataar rolled his eyes in response. Then he looked down at Musa, who seemed to have calmed down and her tears disappeared from her eyes. Although the King wanted to ask more questions from the woman and was not at all happy with her response, he, unfortunately, was a man of his word.
"You kept up your end of the deal, Siren," King Kataar said with a small growl. "Sir Hammon, see to it that the Valkarian history books are sent to the Siren's quarters. Deliver new books once a week if you must. I doubt she is as intelligent as us to read those books that fast, though."
"Yes Sire," Sir Hammon said with a bow.
Musa and Tecna bit their lips to prevent saying something they'd regret. Musa will prove how wrong he was. She is more intelligent than him, then all of them. She will regain her throne and will make him pay. The imbecile just brought her one step closer to that.
"And Siren," the king added. "To truly test your loyalties, you will join Prince Riven and myself for family dinner every night. That is not negotiable."
Musa wanted to vomit at the concept. Eating with the two men that destroyed her family? Seriously?! However, if it meant she got her history books and got her throne back, she would begrudgingly do it.
Riven looked down at Tecna, who was suddenly looking at the prince.
"Take Lady Musa to her quarters and see to it she remains there the rest of the day," Riven instructed without emotion.
"Yes, Your Highness," Tecna immediately answered.
Tecna helped Musa to her feet. Musa immediately curtseyed to King Kataar, and then before she turned around, she gave a small curtsey to Prince Riven. He clearly is a jerk but if hadn't coincidentally came at the right moment, the rebellion plan could have gone up in smoke.
Despite the turn of events, as Tecna and Musa walked back to her quarters, Musa left the throne room with a win. She had managed to get a hold of the books she requested. The problem was, Darcy's strange behaviour to the crystals raised more questions to her too. It seemed that Tecna and her had a lot more investigating to do about Melodian's history and magic too.
The moment that Tecna had Musa safely in her quarters, Musa fell apart. The young princess fell to her knees, tears endlessly rolling down her face. What worried Tecna more was the fact that Musa had not said a word since they left the throne room. Musa just stared straight ahead, her eyes glossed over, but her body was shaking.
Tecna immediately fell to her knees beside her best friend and wrapped her arms around her. She whispered soothing words to her and tried to stop Musa's body from shaking.
"It's okay, Musa," Tecna said softly. "You are safely back in your room. Darcy cannot touch you here."
Musa did not seem to have heard Tecna for her body continued to shake and more tears fell from her eyes.
"Musa, the plan is still safe," Tecna whispered in Musa's ear. "Nothing happened. You're safe."
"No," Musa whispered back, her eyes still glossed over. "Y-you're wrong. I-I am not safe, I will never be safe. S-she is still here."
"Musa, I will not let anything happen to you."
"B-but it could have," Musa replied. "S-she had complete power over me, and there was nothing I-I could have done. I-I could have blown the whole operation."
"But you didn't," Tecna insisted. "What happened to the Musa who grew up unafraid of Darcy? Where is she?"
"She shut up the moment she r-realised Darcy's power included truth spells. T-Tecna, maybe this wasn't a good idea."
"No!" Tecna whispered back harshly. She removed herself from her friend and forced Musa to stare at her. "You cannot think that way. It took you years to be brave against her and you are going to let one little spell ruin that? Musa, you are braver then you give yourself credit for."
"Tecna, without my powers I am useless. If….If…."
"If what?"
"…If the prince h-hadn't walked in when he had…"
"Stop," Tecna hushed. "We would have found a way out of it. I promised you the other day that I would find a way to get your powers back, and I always keep my word."
"Tecna, we are not safe here. I was a fool to think that I had any control over this situation. It was arrogant of me. As long as Darcy is here, she has the power to destroy everything again."
"Then we just have to work faster then, won't we?" Tecna said with a soft smile. "Now come on, I will draw you a bath and you will get yourself cleaned up."
Musa simply nodded as her friend helped her stand and walked her to the bathroom to start the warm water. After a few minutes, Tecna had a hot bath for the young princess and added some essential oils to help Musa relax. Tecna knew that Countess Collette would not notice two missing bottles out of her hundreds back in her room. Soon, Musa was lying back in the tub and Tecna had closed the door behind her. While she waited for her friend, Tecna started tidying up Musa's bedroom.
Tecna would not get the whole situation out of her head. She would never say this to her friend, but Tecna was scared at how close they had come to losing everything. If Prince Riven hadn't walked in when he had, well, Tecna hated to think what would have happened. She found it very strange that Darcy and the king made all of that fuss over crystals. Obviously Tecna never fully understood their significance before. People on Zenith would never consider pieces of rock as religious totems, let alone something to hurt someone over. Something was up and she hated being kept out of the loop. If Musa was going to keep up her end of the bargain and cosy up to her enemies then surely Tecna would be able to find something.
A knock on the main door caused Tecna to jump. It was strange that someone would knock on their door unless it was for another audience with the king. She knew that the king would still be with the prince for the war meeting so who else would be knocking? Tecna quickly rushed over to the door, ran her hands down her simple dress, and opened the door. Whom she spotted on the other side made Tecna's eyebrow rise. On the other side of the door stood Sir Hammon, with his dark brown hair and brown eyes that made it seem like he could stare into one's soul.
Without thinking, Tecna curtseyed in front of Musa's long time 'bodyguard' – and Tecna used the term bodyguard loosely.
"Sir Hammon," Tecna greeted once she was upright again. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Sir Hammon stood tall, his eyes never wavering from Tecna's gaze. To Tecna it was rather strange considering all Valkarians would stare daggers at you before always looking around the room for their next opponent, or victim Tecna thought.
"Where is Lady Musa?" Sir Hammon demanded, his voice deep.
"Oh, ah…" Tecna was so taken aback. The knight had always addressed her as Siren behind her back even though he now calls her Lady Musa to her face. "Her ladyship is taking a bath right now, sir."
Clearly Sir Hammon did not like the answer.
"Get her, now," Sir Hammon ordered.
"May I ask what this is regarding?" Tecna asked starting to get her defensives up. Musa was in no shape for a second round with the king.
"Did I stutter?" Sir Hammon questioned, his stare intensifying. "I do not answer questions of the help."
Tecna knew she should stop while she was ahead. She had to keep the knight on their side if they wanted to succeed.
"M-My apologies, Sir Hammon," Tecna quickly back peddled. "L-Lady Musa is….indecent….and it may take some time to get her ready for an audience with the king."
An eyebrow immediately rose on Sir Hammon's face, the only sign of his confusion. An eyebrow raise, or a change in voice were the only ways Valkarians showed their emotions.
"His Highness is still in his meeting with Prince Riven and Madam Darcy," Sir Hammon explained. "I will not ask again. Show me Lady Musa, now."
Tecna gulped and nodded her head. She gestured to the knight to say that she will be back in a minute and closed the door. She released her breath to help calm her nerves. A knight was demanding to see Musa and no audience had been requested. Prince Riven also ordered for Musa to stay in her quarters the rest of the day. What….what did the knight want with Musa? Tecna quickly knocked on the bathroom door and went inside after hearing Musa's reply.
Tecna was grateful to find Musa was out of the tub and in her long silk robe. Musa tightened the tie at the front of the robe and let down her hair from her high bun.
"What is it, Tecna?" Musa asked as she ran a brush through her long hair.
Luckily Musa seemed calmer compared to where Tecna left her fifteen minutes ago.
"Your Ladyship," Tecna whispered quietly. "Sir Hammon is outside and is demanding to see you."
Musa immediately dropped the brush and it landed on the bathmat underneath her feet.
"What?" Musa whispered harshly, turning to her friend. "What do you mean he wants to see me?"
Before Musa started to panic, Tecna immediately replied. "No audience has been requested with you. The king is still with Darcy and the prince."
Musa let out a sigh of relief and picked up the brush and continued.
"Then….why does he want to see me?"
"He did not say," Tecna answered. "But he was insistent. I know you may not be strong enough, but you have to see him if you want to keep up the pretence."
Musa nodded her head sadly.
"Alright then," Musa replied. "Let me finish brushing my hair and I will be out in a minute."
Tecna grabbed a second hairbrush and helped Musa finish quickly. The pair did not want to find out if the knight was an impatient man or not. Soon enough, Musa had her hair presentable, made sure her robe was nice and tight before heading out to the main room and opened the front door. Tecna stood behind Musa to show her support.
"Sir Hammon," Musa greeted brightly with a smile. "Please forgive me, I was just taking a bath."
Sir Hammon merely nodded his head in reply, accepting Musa's tardiness.
"What do I owe the pleasure? Where is Sir Jet?" Musa continued.
Sir Hammon straightened his back and stared directly into Musa's eyes.
"Sir Jet is currently with Prince Riven, Lady Musa," Sir Hammon answered. "I was assigned to be your bodyguard years ago and with that I, unfortunately, have to ensure your…health."
"My health?" Musa questioned.
After the siege, Sir Jet and Sir Hammon were ordered to 'protect' Musa, following her wherever she went. To Musa and Tecna that meant keeping tabs on her, making sure she stayed a 'guest' or prisoner and never threatened the king's position in Melody. The knight had never shown an interest to her health before. To Sir Jet if Musa was still breathing then he had done his job that day.
"Yes," Sir Hammon answered. "As a guest of the king you are under our protection."
Musa and Tecna were both so confused.
"Um….ah…forgive me, Sir Hammon, but I am just a little out of sorts this afternoon. I am not following you," Musa replied.
Sir Hammon rolled his eyes at Musa's response but still decided to answer her.
"As much as I hate to ask, Lady Musa, but are you injured?"
"What?" Tecna immediately replied.
Musa's eyes widened and she slowly turned back to her friend. Tecna covered her mouth and bowed apologetically to Sir Hammon. She muttered an apology and quickly excused herself to go gather Musa's laundry from her bedroom quarters of the large room.
"Please forgive her," Musa said, dosing up the butt kissing. "People on Zenith are not as…..accommodating as Valkarians."
Lie! Musa wanted to scream.
"I am not repeating myself again, Siren," Sir Hammon replied.
Musa immediately tensed up at the name change.
"My apologies, Sir Hammon," Musa said quickly. "Thank you for your concern, however, I am not injured."
Sir Hammon raised an eyebrow at Musa. "The bath, Lady Musa?"
"I am soaking myself in traditional Valkarian essential oils," Musa answered. "It relaxes me."
"Where did you get the oils?" Sir Hammon asked. "I do not recall myself or Sir Jet bringing them to your chambers."
"Countess Collette lent me two of her bottles this morning. She had double ups of the same oil. She told me that Valkarians use them for…..washing away sin?"
Musa knew she was busted the moment she answered. What the hell? Wash away sin? She prayed to the Melodian Gods that there was some crack job paragraph about that in the Valkarian history books.
"You might be mistaken, Lady Musa," Sir Hammon said. "Citronella does not wash away sin."
"Oh?" Musa said nervously.
"It cleanses the mind."
"Oh…yes! Well, that is what I wanted. To cleanse the mind in preparation for studying our unique culture."
Tecna slapped her forehead at the ridiculous response. They were so dead.
Sir Hammon was silent for a minute, his eyes looking intently at Musa before finally scanning the room behind her. His eyes soon went back to Musa.
"Perhaps it was wise that the King granted you the history books," he said dully.
Tecna slammed her hands over her mouth to prevent from laughing. Musa clenched her hand that was wrapped around the door. Did he just call her dumb?
"Haha, quite right, Sir Hammon," Musa managed to blurt out with a smile.
"Countess Collette has an extensive collection and is a generous lady, however, her oils are her own. Ensure her gift is returned to her tomorrow morning."
"Of course, Sir Hammon."
"Very well," Sir Hammon replied with an eye roll.
"Good night, Sir Hammon, and thank you for asking on my welfare," Musa answered brightly.
Sir Hammon merely rolled his eyes in response again and grabbed the door to close it behind him. Musa knew the knight was standing guard outside her door, so she backed to the bathroom. Once inside with Tecna, she turned on the sink faucet.
"What the hell was that?" Musa whispered harshly. "A Valkarian asked after my welfare? Who does that?!"
"Clearly not a Valkarian," Tecna replied.
Musa rolled her eyes in response.
"I can't believe he called you dumb," Tecna giggled. "I'm sorry, but that was funny. A Valkarian also made a joke!"
"There is seriously something strange going on. First the thing with the king and Darcy, now my knight who has not given a thought about me in a decade suddenly asks after my welfare? They did not seem to care about my welfare when I was getting canned or whipped or slapped in public. If I was alive and still able to walk, they thought nothing of it."
"I don't think you have ever gone to the practitioner for anything less than a broken bone," Tecna added. "I agree with you, his behaviour was definitely odd."
"Do you think it has anything to do with what we are planning?" Musa asked.
"Hmm…" Tecna hummed. "Some of the courtiers may have started to believe your change in attitude but one of your longest serving knights? It is doubtful but likely. Either way, you did not get sent straight back to the king for a punishment, and he believed you about the oils, and called you Lady Musa. That seems like a good day as any."
"Any day I do not have to get a punishment is a good day," Musa said. She turned off the tap and walked back out to the main bedroom. "I just want to go to bed and sleep this whole day off."
"It is only 3pm, Musa," Tecna replied.
"Yes, but all of this stress has made me tired. Besides, if I must start having dinner with the king and the prince, then I am going to need all of the energy I can get."
It had been a few hours since Tecna left Musa to let her rest. While she waited, she assisted Sir Jet in retrieving some books from the library as approved by the king. The knight thought that four books were plenty and would take Musa a very long time to read through. Four books would last her and Musa about a week at best. If they were giving them books then they would utilise them as much as they could get.
Tecna took the other two books from Sir Jet once they arrived back at the door. She nodded her head in thanks to Sir Jet as Sir Hammon opened the door, and she walked in. Tecna softly walked through the entrance hall and into Musa's main quarters. To her surprise, Musa was already awake from her rest, staring out of the window. She was still in her dress from before, but her long hair was down.
"Musa, you're awake," Tecna said surprised. "Sorry, I would have been here earlier, but I picked up the books the king approved of," she added placing them on Musa's desk.
"Great," Musa replied dully, still looking out the window.
"How long have you been awake?"
"I don't know," Musa answered. "I don't think I really slept."
Tecna walked up to her best friend and placed a hand on her shoulder. Musa did not react or turn to her friend.
"Are you okay, Musa?"
Musa scoffed. "Okay? How can I be okay? Pretty soon I will have to share a table with the two men who ruined my life and my realm. I must pretend that I do not loathe them with every fibre of my being. That I do not want to take their swords and give them what they deserve?"
Tecna sighed sadly and crouched down so she was eye level. She gently took Musa's hand in hers, gaining Musa's attention.
"Musa, I cannot imagine how hard it will be to sit at that table alone and act like they are your rulers. What I do know, is what it is like to have your family ripped away from you."
A lone tear rolled down Musa's face and she wiped it away with her other hand.
"This will not be easy at all. I will not insult you by trying to sugar coat it. Your mother was a kind and brilliant person, Musa. Your father is courageous and strong. You are their daughter, you have all of those qualities in you, you just need to find them again."
"Tecna….I….I am not strong enough."
"You are!" Tecna said with passion. "I do not know anyone else who would have stayed and fought them every day since they invaded. You would have fled or done worse to yourself if you weren't courageous or strong. You stayed for your dad."
"Why? H-he must hate who I have become."
"Hate you? Why would he?"
"Because I have followed their rules, remained in a palace that gives me nightmares. I now have befriended the enemy."
"You are doing what you can to survive, so that soon Melody will have its rightful ruler back," Tecna whispered. "I stayed behind to watch over you, Musa. I knew long ago that you would make Melody shine brighter than ever before. Just because you obeyed so that you would survive does not make you weak. It makes you strong. Both of your parents would be proud of you, proud of what you are doing to ensure Melody's survival."
"I am not my mother. I cannot even use my powers."
"We will fix this, Musa. The plan will work, you just have to keep holding on. The more you do this, the more hope you bring back to Melody."
"I….I can barely keep the strength to look him in the eye in the throne room, how am I going to handle a dinner with him and his spawn?"
"Think of you mother, Musa," Tecna answered quietly. "Think of your father and think of your people. Use their strength and faith in you."
Musa scoffed again. "How can anyone have faith in me anymore? All they see is a weak princess who gets humiliated in public every time."
"That is what the king wants them to see. It is time to show them what you want them to see. Your mother always had faith in you. Your father has faith in you."
"You cannot know that," Musa said sadly. "My father is locked away in the dungeons below. All he knows is what the knights tell him, and I bet they are not pretty."
"You need to stop dogging on yourself all the time, Musa. That is not how your parents wanted you to grow up thinking. If you don't believe that, then believe in me. I have complete faith in you, Musa. I would not have stayed otherwise. I would have run away the first chance I got. You give me hope, Musa. As long as you are still standing and alive then I have hope."
Another tear rolled down Musa's face, but she didn't wipe it away. "How….how do I get through tonight?"
"As I said, think of your parents, think of your friends and think of your people. Tonight will be hard and the king will make sure of that. He will use these dinners to break you down, but we will give him the opposite. We will use them against him."
"Thank you for having faith in my, Tecna. You are the best friend a girl could have."
"No need to thank me. Now, let's get you ready for this, shall we?"
Musa nodded her head and stood up from her bay window. The pair walked over to Musa's vanity and Tecna started to help get ready.
Musa stood in front of the full-length mirror looking at herself. She wore a long dark blue long-sleeved dress that hugged her curves nicely. Her hair was worn mostly down with a small bun in the middle. Tecna had managed to plait part of her hair so that it wrapped around itself into a bun. As a 'lady' of the palace, Musa was not allowed to wear any of the Melodian royal jewels, and without the Melodian crystals either, she looked lovely but plain in comparison to the other ladies.
Musa turned on her small black heels to face her friend and gave a nervous smile.
"You love great," Tecna complimented. "With this outfit they will never suspect that you are up to something."
"Thank you."
"If anything happens, just remember your parents and who you are doing this for," Tecna added. "You are Princess Musa of Melody, the true heir to the throne of Melody, you will not be beaten by a dinner."
Musa giggled. "I will try to keep that in mind."
A knock on the door broke the pair's conversation. Tecna quickly rushed over and opened it to reveal Sir Jet. His dark black hair fell over his forehead, coupled with his strong muscles, made him look menacing. That is normal though for him.
"It's time to go, where is the siren," Sir Jet grumbled.
Unfortunately, Sir Jet was on shift to escort Musa to the dining hall. He also had yet to be taken in by Musa's façade like his colleague. Musa would have to work harder to get this guy on her side.
Musa bit the inside of her cheek and rushed over to stand next to Tecna. Musa gave a small curtsey to the knight.
"Good evening, Sir Jet," Musa greeted politely. "Thank you for escorting me this evening."
Sir Jet didn't reply. Instead, he stared up and down Musa's body, making both girls feel uncomfortable. Sir Jet always seemed to ogle over the ladies of the court, but this was the first time he had done it to Musa.
"Yes…." Sir Jet soon replied, his eyes looking elsewhere.
Sir Hammon, standing at his post on the other side of the door, cleared his throat breaking Sir Jet's gaze. The black haired Valkarian stepped away from the door and waited for Musa. With one more reassuring look from Tecna, Musa stepped outside and started walking confidently to the royal dining rom.
It was only a short 10-minute walk, having to walk to the other side of the palace, but it felt like hours since Musa could practically feel Sir Jet's eyes on her. He never uttered a word to her making her feel more uncomfortable. The pair passed a few knights and courtiers, resulting in Musa politely greeting each one. To Musa's relief, they finally arrived at a large set of thick wooden oak doors painted in gold with bronze trimmings.
Two knocks on one of the doors by Sir Jet and the doors opened to reveal a large and grandiose dining room. A grand piano sat in the far corner by a long wall of double arched windows that overlooked the Western Gardens. The Western Gardens once was home to beautiful wild animals that visited from the adjoining forest, now though it was cleared of trees. All that remained were open grassed areas expanding all the way to the start of the forest for when the armies trained outside. No animal dared venture to the gardens now from the forest. Musa couldn't blame them.
Polished wood floors remained, however the Valkarian emblem hung on a tapestry at the far back wall, the first thing you notice when you walk in. Musa recognised the same dark brown wooden table in the centre of the room. Instead of the fine Melodian silver crockery, there were hideous bronze ones. Some of the room looked the same to when Musa last walked in, others were all Valkarian designs. It was just another reminder to the lose she received at their hands.
A Melodian maid quickly curtseyed in front of Musa and Sir Jet when the doors closed. The girl looked no more than 18 but she looked younger. As she must have been instructed, the girl kept her gaze down to the ground, refusing to look at the ex-princess.
"Good evening….S-Siren," the maid greeted quietly. "The King shall be here soon. He has asked that you wait for him here."
Musa gave a small smile and thanked the girl. The maid quickly walked back out of the room, towards the royal kitchens. Musa remained standing, knowing if she didn't, she would be in trouble, and walked over to the windows to look out over the gardens. She didn't know why she wanted to look out, she knew what she would see, however anything was better than feeling her skin crawl at Sir Jet's looks.
The sound of the large oak doors opening made Musa jump slightly.
"Announcing his royal highness, Prince Riven," a knight from outside announced.
Musa whipped around and immediately dropped down into a curtsey, her gaze fixed on the ground. Her heart was beating quickly from her startle, and she refused to get on both men's bad side that evening.
"Sir Jet, you may go," Prince Riven said.
Musa heard a rustle, assuming it was Sir Jet bowing to the prince, and exited the room. Silence immediately filled the room as Musa was left alone with Prince Riven for the first time in years.
Riven looked at the young woman curtseying in front of him. "You may rise," he instructed.
Musa stood up but kept her eyes down cast. She hated the guy growing up, watched as he got everything that was Musa's, and destroyed everything of her mother's. She was relieved when he was sent to the Red Fountain school in Magix but his arrival back home could spell disaster to Musa if he treated her just like his father.
"Siren," Prince Riven said breaking the silence.
Musa took a deep breath and forced herself to look at the prince. Just like he was earlier that day, he stood tall with his hands behind his back. His face continued to show no emotion, giving Musa no hint to what he was thinking.
What startled Musa a little was the colour of his eyes. She remembered them being amethyst but, in this light, they were a dark purple colour, almost like Musa's. Musa would refuse to repeat this aloud, but they were quite pretty.
No! She couldn't think that. He helped destroy her family and her legacy.
"Your Highness," Musa greeted back.
"You've grown," Riven replied, his voice sounding like a statement of fact not a compliment.
Always sounding like a soldier and never saw Musa as anything but a nuisance. Better that then an enemy like his father, but Musa had forgotten how he interacted with her until now. This might make the plan a bit more difficult.
"Yes," Musa replied, putting on her fake smile. "That is what happens when you have not seen someone in years, you find they have grown."
Musa immediately closed her mouth and her eyes widened slightly. Did she really just say that? She couldn't help it! The last time she saw him, he was the jerk of a son from the evil fake king. Their interactions always involved Musa verbally fighting Riven and him biting back. She fought with everyone as she grew up, of course she wouldn't give the same treatment back to the spawn of Satan.
However, she had a plan and it, unfortunately, involved Riven. She was going to have to try even harder.
"Forgive me, S-Sire," Musa quickly spat out. "I…I um…."
"I see you haven't changed," Riven interrupted.
Musa watched as the prince walked over to his designated seat and sat down, his back to Musa. Musa's heart started racing again. She needed him to think she had changed for her plan to work.
Musa walked away from the window and stood behind her seat, that sat opposite to Riven.
"Y-Your Highness, f-forgive me but you must be mistaken," Musa stuttered out. "I have indeed changed. Your f-father has helped me see that my behaviour growing up was….deplorable."
Riven raised an eyebrow at Musa's statement.
"I-I wish to apologise for my behaviour towards you growing up," Musa added.
Musa wanted to vomit. She had no intention to apologise, never had and never will, however she needed Riven's intel to save her people. So long pride, it was nice knowing you, Musa thought.
"Really?" Riven replied uncaringly.
"Y-Yes," Musa answered. "I-I was w-wrong. You and your family have been nothing b-but k-kind to me a-and generous."
Oh god Musa wanted to die right then and there.
"You know what," Riven said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning his chair back so it was balancing on the back to legs. "I don't care."
Musa was shocked at the response. "I beg your pardon, Sire?"
"I don't care," Riven replied with a shrug. "I did not expect anything more than, as you call it, deplorable behaviour from you since you were and still are a Melodian."
Musa clenched her hands around the back of her chair in prevent herself from losing her cool. He was just the arrogant brute that he was years ago. What was Tecna thinking? The oaf had not changed at all and he certainly did not care for Musa at all. Their plan was crumbling before Musa's eyes the more Prince Riven kept talking.
"I was a Melodian," Musa replied with a smile. "I am studying to be a Valkarian."
"I know," Riven interrupted. "But as I said before, I do not care. I expected that behaviour since you were Melodian, so I was not at all offended."
Musa was again shocked. "You…you were not offended?"
Young Musa just fainted. She worked so hard to make Young Riven's life hell in return for him making hers one, and he was unaffected. All that work simply went down the drain.
"Not at all," Prince Riven replied. "It was amusing, of course, but no one can hurt me."
A tension filled the room after Riven said that sentence. Musa knew all too well the truth behind that statement.
"Therefore, your apology is not required," Riven added.
Then how was Musa going to get inside Riven's head if he did not care whether Musa was there or not? To anyone else the statement would be harsh, but to Musa it was relief. He did not care. He did not care what she did or did not do because she does not factor into his mind. Which means, if she god forbid failed in the mission and remained forever trapped, would that mean she never got punished? The king cares and thinks about Musa because she brings him sadistic joy, but Riven could not care.
It was great for Musa but not for the plan.
"Your Highness, I understand, however it would truly mean a lot if you would accept my apology regardless," Musa said trying to fix the situation.
Riven sighed and rolled his eyes. "Very well, apology accepted."
"Also," Musa continued, putting on her sweet voice and battered her eye lashes. "I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Riven repeated confused.
"Thank you for what you did this morning."
Riven still stared at Musa with an emotionless face. He had no idea what she was talking about.
"With M-Madam Darcy," Musa explained. "I-If you hadn't…um…well, thank you. I apologise if my presence has made things difficult."
"You like to apologise a lot, don't you?" Riven answered back.
For whatever reason that was beyond Musa's control, a blush formed on her cheeks and she quickly looked down at the ground.
"Darcy can be…eccentric," Riven continued, playing with the cutlery before him. "If you truly are becoming a Valkarian then you should know that there is nothing more disgusting than dishonour and cowardice."
Musa wanted to scoff so badly at the irony.
"We believe in fairness. All my men are trained to only fight when the opponent too has a weapon. To fight an opponent who is unarmed is dishonourable and brings shame to Valkarians. I was merely preventing Darcy from showing such dishonour. You were truthful, kept your word, however she fought you without your own weapon."
"Oh…well….thank you for explaining that to me," Musa replied. "I-I look forward to learning more about our way of life."
Musa made a point to show Riven that she was one of them. If he did not care for her, then she had a massive up hill climb ahead of her, bigger than the one with the current Valkarians.
"And regardless of the intention, thank you for Darcy."
Riven continued to play with the cutlery. Before Musa could dig deeper behind Riven's walls, the knight's voice echoed again.
"Announcing, his royal highness, King Kataar of Valkarus and Melody."
Musa immediately dropped into her low curtsey as soon as King Kataar entered the room. Prince Riven was slower on the uptake and eventually stood and gave a small bow to his father. King Kataar patted his son on the back and soon looked at Musa.
"Ah…Siren, how lovely of you to join us this evening," King Kataar said. "Please, have a seat."
This was it; it was showtime.
Until next time, loyal readers!
Please R & R!
~AngelAlexandra~
