Dante swallowed thickly and lowered his head. Kitanna glanced in the direction he was running from.
"Were you being chased?” Kitanna asked. Dante shook his head.
"So you're just desperate for skin contact, then”, Almira concluded sharply. While Kitanna stared at the princess with shock, Dante stepped back slowly, feeling ashamed.
He wasn't seeking skin contact. Guirello had sent him on an errand, and he needed to finish it quickly to get his meal. His stomach growled, as testimony. Dante didn't say that out, though. He has gotten accustomed to letting people have their way. Even if he denied it, she would still stick to what she believed.
"Princess Mira '', they heard Xander's voice from a distance. Dante's eyes widened in panic. In a heartbeat, he fled, afraid to be seen by the prince.
Kitanna glanced in the direction he ran. A part of her felt sorry for him. They treated him so badly that he was afraid of being seen. Back in the sea, besides the royal family, everyone else was treated equally.
Prince Xander joined. His breathlessness suggested he had been running after them for a while.
"May I join you? I can show you around," He offered.
"No", Almira abruptly replied. Xander was taken aback by the rejection, but he decided to persist.
"I still insist on coming with you, Princess. There is so much I can show you. Beautiful places, you can't find on your own," Xander insisted.
Almira was getting irritated. “Don't you get it? Your presence is suffocating, I need space”, She snapped.
"Excuse me! You were the one who walked into my wedding claiming I was yours” Xander snapped back, deeply offended.
"Please let me handle this, Princess”, Kitanna pleaded, through the mind link.
"It will stop this man-child from clinging to me, then do it” Almira replied, walking ahead. Kitanna scooted closer to the prince with a smile.
"Do not be upset, your highness, the princess is not in a good mood today. She got a little homesick and decided to take a walk to clear her head. You know, she has fancied you for a long”, Kitanna paused and Xander waited eagerly.
"When I told her you were getting married, she rushed down to stop you without informing anyone. I guess she is worried that her family would panic about our disappearance," Kitanna continued.
Xander's wounded ego patched back. Kitanna sighed in relief when she noticed the Prince's smile.
"I will see her tomorrow, then. Hopefully, she will be calmer by then”.
"Of course, your Highness”.
Xander headed back, while Kitanna rushed to catch up with Almira.
"You should be nicer to him, your highness. He was genuinely worried you were playing with him," Kitanna said.
"I am not playing with him, I'm genuinely not interested in him, but what he possesses. His presence irritates me, contrary to the bliss the bond is claimed to bring. When he gets close, all I want to do is shove him away. I only just met him, yet I hate him already," Almira told her.
Kitanna was speechless. She didn't want to believe that the Princess was in denial. Almira was too blunt to deny her feelings. She would rather admit her feelings and opt to stay away. It was strange to see anyone hate their mate. The bond of attraction was too strong to make it possible.
"Do you really feel nothing for him at all? Not even a little attraction?”, Kitanna asked.
"I would not deny it if I did. I just want him far away from me while I figure out a way to get what I want without putting us at risk”, Almira shrugged.
"How about you just accept him and no one has to die?” Kitanna suggested. “He could even rule side by side with you, or you merge both worlds. Imagine a world where sirens and humans…..”
"I have nothing against you being delusional, but please save it for plays. Your logic doesn't work in reality” Almira interrupted.
"You are very rude,” Kitanna mumbled.
"Count yourself lucky to be with me. Left to these people, you'll be scampering around in rags and receiving countless waves of abuse from people you bump into while running errands” Almira said, with a serious expression.
Kitanna chuckled, “So you knew it was an honest mistake, yet you said he was desperate for body contact”.
"He's too clumsy for his good," Almira said simply.
"Or you just don't know how to be nice to people. I still don't understand how I managed to stick with you this long. Others barely lasted a week” Kitanna said.
Almira glanced at her, “You were living a horrible life. I just happened to torture you a little less with high benefits. Stop over-rating yourself, you just choose a better life”.
"You are so insufferable”, Kitanna groaned. They walked for a few minutes before Kimorra appeared out of nowhere. Her makeup was smeared from crying. The wedding dress was barely recognizable. Kitanna felt sorry for her. No one deserved that pain on their happiest day.
"How do you feel?” Kimorra asked.
“It is a bit chilly out here, but I'm used to lower temperatures, so it feels warm to me," Almira replied in a heartbeat.
Kimorra was stunned at first, then furious. “You ruined my wedding! My wedding!! How do you feel about that?”.
"You've cried enough already. Scream any louder, and you might lose your voice," Almira said, instead.
"Would I cry if you didn't appear to ruin my wedding? I was this close to getting everything I dreamed of and you ruined it. All for what? Couldn't you wait until after the marriage? Before everyone, you humiliated me. I spent months trying to make everything perfect, and you ruined it. Why would you do that?”, Kimorra asked, angrily.
Kitanna wanted to apologize to her at that moment, but Almira's tongue was faster.
"Which are you upset about exactly? The wedding or the prince?”.
Kimorra was ready to throw fists when Kitanna quickly stepped between them.
“Please calm down. You should not fight over a man for any reason”, Kitanna pleaded. She was most afraid for Kimorra because she knew how ruthless the princess could be when provoked.
"If you want to pick a fight, you should take care of your health first. I can see you swaying already, it'd be a shame to die because of a failed marriage" Almira said, irking Kimorra.
"Pay no mind to her, please. We apologize for whatever pain you're going through, but I sincerely think that a man, who could call off your wedding for a woman he just met, is not deserving of you," Kitanna said, before leading the princess away.
Kimorra clenched her fists as she watched them leave.
"You must be a fool to think I will give up easily because of your sugar-coated words. I will surely make you pay for every tear I shed on your account. You and Xander will never get away with this''.
Dante leaned against the door and peeped into the kitchen. When he noticed no one was present, he stealthily entered the kitchen. He rushed to the bin containing leftovers and pulled out the plastic bag he had hidden underneath his clothes.His heart raced wildly as he packed as much as he needed. After breaking the plates and soiling the princess, Guirello denied him food. Dante stuffed his mouth as he packed the food. In case he got caught, he would at least have a full stomach. The food was a little stale, but it was better than the ones the servants threw at him once in a while. Besides, they were going to dump it because the king forbade them from feeding the dogs with stale leftovers. Dante chuckled at the thought. His father didn't mind his son eating stale food but would punish the maids severely if his dogs were given day-old leftovers "What do you think you're doing?", Dante froze on hearing the voice. He quickly pushed the bag under his shirt, gulping hard as the int
"Do you like it?” Kitanna asked. "You're not the one who made it, so why are you eager for a review?” Almira asked. Kitanna pouted. "It was just a question. You don't have to be mean about it”. "I don't like it. I prefer them fresh,” Almira answered. Kitanna opened her mouth to complain, but Almira threw her a look that made her shudder. Kitanna watched the Princess clear the plate and looked away as soon as Almira looked up. "More?” "You said you don't it,” Kitanna reminded her. "I don't like it, but I am hungry. Can I get some more?”. "You will have to come with me then. They have lots of frozen fish, so I can fry as many as you want. You can fry too if you want “, Kitanna said. “Smart mouth! You are the servant here, not me. I don't have to help with the cooking,” Almira stated, and Kitanna's excitement vanished. She picked up the plate, muttering incoherent words. Almira ignored her grumbling and stared ahead. "You're not coming?” Kitanna asked. "You're not going to st
Dante couldn't move from the spot. His whole body hurt, and his chest tightened with each breath. It was a struggle to even open his eyes. "You were lucky, today. Get your pathetic self out of here”, A soldier hissed, kicking him over. Dante let out a weak groan. Almira stopped in front of Kitanna. “Happy now, or do you want me to carry him too?”. “Thank you”, Kitanna smiled. Almira rolled her eyes and walked away. The maid quickly rushed to Dante when she noticed the soldiers ganging up to kick him around. "Enough!” She ordered. They moved away in shock, surprised that the two gorgeous women were going out of their way to save him. “You will harm him no further! Pick him up and follow me”. The soldiers exchanged glances. Her beautiful emerald eyes burned like a flame, challenging them to defy her. They cowered, pulling Dante by his hands off the floor. Kitanna wasn't sure where to take him. Bringing him to Almira's chambers would enrage the princess. She had to find a safe
Everyone was surprised to see Dante ok his feet. They expected he would at least take a week or two to recover. Even Dante couldn't explain the speedy recovery. Though his wounds were still fresh, they didn't hurt nearly as much as they should have. Most people consider speedy recovery a good thing until Dante was involved, then it became sorcery. He kept his eyes on the ground, walking briskly to the kitchen. "Ahhh! Here you are! I was almost sure you wouldn't survive yesterday's torture. Don't you get tired of proving us wrong?" Guirello asked with a sweet smile like his words were innocent.Dante lowered his gaze, willing the ache in his heart to disappear. He had existed in this misery for twenty-one years. One would think he would have gotten used to hurtful words. "Is there anything you want me to do today, sir?" He politely asked. Guirello took a look around the kitchen. "Mmm.. nothing for now. How about you help yourself with some leftovers?".Dante looked up,
Almira watched him intensely. Dante felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny and shifted in his seat several times. Kitanna noticed his movements and turned to Almira, who didn't even blink. "Are you sure you're full, princess? You've barely eaten anything, though you were scolding me for being twenty minutes late", Kitanna attempted to steal her attention away from Dante. "You talk too much", Almira replied without looking away from Dante. "Is my gaze making you uncomfortable?"Dante choked at the question. Kitanna quickly poured him a glass of water. Dante finished it in one gulp and dropped the glass. "So…. What exactly made you choke?" Almira smirked. He almost choked the second time. Deciding he couldn't handle further embarrassment, he opted to leave the table. "T-Thank Y-You for the meal. M-May… I leave now?" He asked, bowing his head. "No, you may not. Finish your breakfast, I'm leaving anyways". Almira stood and walked out of the kitchen after that. Da
There was chaos in the palace. Dante had gone wild, attacking everyone and destroying everything he came in contact with. The soldiers quickly sent words to the King, informing him of the situation. "Why do you have to inform me of everything the monster lets loose? Do I have to repeat the same instructions a thousand times over before it sticks in my memory? Throw him in the damn well and cover it up until he lets go of those demons!" King Edwardo snapped. The soldiers flinched and scurried away.Queen Adora held her chest with a gasp. "Throw him in the well?" "It's the only way he'll get back his senses. I don't know why I put up with that nuisance for this long. I give him food, and put a roof on his hideous head, what does he do in return? He injures my workers and destroys my property. How can he be any more worthless?" Edwardo bawled. "Do not speak of him like that, he is our son! He was unfortunate to be born that way. He didn't ask for it. I feel so ashamed of
"I was thinking of a tour around the kingdom," Kitanna said, gently massaging Almira's feet. "A tour around the kingdom, you are yet to finish touring the palace" Almira replied. Kitanna pouted. "Whose fault is it?" "Well, it isn't mine" Almira shrugged, then sighted Prince Xander from afar. When she let out a groan, Kitanna followed her line of sight. "Why does he have to be so clingy?" "You were the one who disrupted his wedding. There were better options than that. You gave him hope, now he wants to be by your side," Kitanna chuckled. Almira stared at the man approaching them. "I never promised him love or marriage. I told him plainly that he had something that belonged to me". "You said he couldn't get married while he has your heart. There are many interpretations to that sentence, princess". "Greetings, beautiful ladies," Xander said with his usual charm, bowing slightly. Almira rolled her eyes while Kitanna grinned. "How are you doing today, princess?
Almira watched as Kitanna struggled to pull off the lid. Dante's cries were deafening to their sensitive ears. "Can you tone it down? I get that you're suffering but you do not have to be so loud about it", Almira said in a voice loud enough for Dante to hear.Kitanna stopped trying to push it open, "How about you help me with the lid so we can get him out faster? Do you think he enjoys screaming? He is clearly in agony, you don't expect him to laugh about it". "He doesn't have to be so weak. It's irritating!" Almira retorted. "Are you sure you have a heart? Every minute, you make me believe that this journey was in vain," Kitanna seethed. Almira ignored her and crushed the lock. She pushed the lid open, mentally noting it was unusually hot. Kitanna felt a little stupid for not noticing there was a lock, but she was glad it was open anyway. "L-Let me o-out p-please…." Dante sobbed. "I'll be good, I promise…"It was evident from his voice that he was in severe pain. K