He still managed to bow before her. “Good afternoon, Princess Amira. Did you have a pleasant morning?”
“I did, thank you.”
“Good to hear.” He paused for an awkward second. “Well, I must leave you, princess. I have some professional matters to attend to. But I will schedule another history lesson soon. I apologise for making you wait. With the contest, I am very busy these days, and we both know Rhay is not an acceptable replacement.” Nouis was about to go on his way. “Begone in fortune.”
Amira stepped in front of him. Nouis stopped in his tracks and smiled at her. “Yes, princess?”
“I was wondering where I could find your son,” Amira asked. “I borrowed a book from him and I would like to give it back.” Nouis looked at her strangely and she realised that she didn’t have any books with her. “I mean, I wanted to ask him to lend me another one.”
“I see. Rhay must be in his room on the second floor, first hallway, the door painted in silver.”
“Thank you,” she replied, a faint smile on her lips.
“You know, princess, my son can be quite fickle with his friendships,” Nouis said. “I wouldn’t get too attached.”
Amira welcomed Nouis’ cautionary words with a serious face even though she didn’t really believe them. At least, she didn’t want to believe them. Rhay was her only close friend at the moment. What would she do if he abandoned her?
“Thank you for your advice. I’ll let you go on your way.” They both bowed and Amira walked to the stairs, Nouis’ words still running through her mind.
Finding the door wasn’t that difficult, the sparkling pearly colour was visible from afar. But as she was about to knock, she heard two voices arguing inside, Rhay’s and Karwyn’s.
Curious, Amira put her ear against the door. “He saw you knocking on her door in the middle of the night,” said Karwyn.
They were talking about her. How much did Karwyn know about last night? Amira’s palms started sweating and a cold shiver ran down her back. She sensed the jealousy in Karwyn’s voice. It was deadly. What was he going to do to Rhay? To her?
“It was just to cheer her up. Don’t be jealous,” Rhay replied.
“I do not appreciate you spending that much time with her. You are supposed to be the one person I can trust.”
Rhay’s voice wasn't as confident as usual. “I can be…friends with her too. I swear, nothing happened between us. I wouldn’t cross that line with your future wife.”
Amira had difficulties repressing her scoff. Rhay flirted with everyone, including her, but she had figured that he just couldn’t help it.
“Appearances matter. I know you are my advisor in name only, but that much you should respect,” Karwyn said. “She is weak and will get attached easily.” The words cut deep into Amira’s heart.
“She’s stronger than you think,” defended Rhay. “But she needs a friend here. Why does it bother you so much?”
Karwyn scoffed. “You know why. If she starts challenging my image in front of the court, who knows what would happen with the contest? The royal advisors might end up choosing someone else. My father might be dead, but I can assure you, he would rise from his slumber to kill me if I am not selected.”
“Don’t doubt yourself, you’re going to be selected. No one is better suited to be high king than you,” Rhay said.
“Not even Tarnan?” Karwyn asked, voice strangled by emotion.
“Not even him. It’syourdestiny.”
“Of course, you are correct,” Karwyn replied. “Being high king is my destiny and no weak little girl is going to stop me.”
“Yeah...that’s the spirit. Listen, you should really try to get to know her. Amira’s a great girl,” Rhay said.
“I am already making a great effort to tolerate her presence. Do not expect me to start chit-chatting with her. I have no intention of making new friends. And you should dismiss her friendship. I do not want her going to your parties anymore,” Karwyn said in an angry tone.
“My parties are harmless,” Rhay said in a light tone. A pause. Amira pressed her ear harder against the door. “Fine, so be it,” Rhay continued. He sounded annoyed, but not enough to argue. “You know what, how about we go train together like old times? It’ll cheer you up. I miss our training sessions,” Rhay added.
Amira quickly retired to a nook in the hallway to hide from the opening door. She saw them leave, exchanging friendly remarks. She waited for them to turn to the stairs to properly breathe again.
So they thought she was too powerless to change Karwyn’s destiny? Anger was now boiling inside of her, slowly making its way to her heart and mind. Well, she was going to show them how resourceful she could be even without fae powers. Karwyn was worried about the contest, that could mean that he had things to hide. Things she could find out to prove that she was also capable of playing power games.
A plan was slowly forming in her head. She just needed to gain access to Karwyn’s room. That would require some finesse, but she was ready to prove how important it was for Karwyn to have her on his side.
