THE PRINCESS SAVES THE DAY

Kitanna rolled her eyes as she watched the enunch try to act modest. "Whatever... just know you have me as your daughter, and if I maybe.. have children in the future, they will be your grandchildren," the princess said, smiling but meaning every word she said.

"Are we not there yet?" Clephas asked, trying to change the wave of conversation.

"We just arrived," the princess pointed at a small but decent house that had its color washed out due to the continuous rain.

When the duo reached the threshold of the house, the lady pushed the door open and walked inside. The door made a small creaking sound, as if to alert the occupants. The sight that met them was unexpected.

Looking at her brother lay down on the small bed with his new love, and they were not decently dressed. 

"If you want to fall in love, at least do it discreetly, and also lock the door!" the princess broke the bliss the lovebirds were having.

"How did you find me?" the crown prince jerked, standing up and covering his lower body with his hands. His love interest covered herself with the worn-out sheets.

"Who wouldn't find you? You left the door open, which practically screams, Come in! Please put something on; my eyes are begging for help."

"The Queen is on her way, that's if she's not here already," the princess said, tossing clothes to her brother and dragging the girl with her to the other room.

"The Queen... You mean mother?" Khelan said, dressing up speedily.

"Yes, Khelan, your mother. And if you don't wish to pay tribute instead of dowry to this fair lady, you'd better hurry," the princess concluded.

"It's Calissa, my name is Calissa," the young lady replied, bowing in respect.

"Oh, look at that, we now have leisure to exchange names. Now, don't we? Dear sister-in-law in the making, the queen won't even have the time to hear your name, unless you can speak with your head separate from your body. That is," the princess said, looking serious.

Just immediately, noise was heard from outside. Clephas moved to the window and announced to the trio gathering.

"The Queen is here."

The princess, Clephas, and Calissa hurried into the other room that served as the kitchen. Tension filled the room, except for one person who kept her cool.

The Queen walked into the small crib with a look of distaste on her face. Behind the queen was the royal guard who never let the queen out of his sight, and just beside the queen was Man-uel.

As the Queen walked into the room, she saw the crown prince sitting on the bed alone.

"Where is the harlot, Khelan!?" Her voice was coordinated and calm, but bile growing in her tightly strapped stomach.

"It's not what you think, Mother..." Khelan began to explain when the princess walked in from the other room. The Queen and Man-uel looked taken aback by the sudden entrance of the princess.

"Kitanna, what are you doing here?" The Queen questioned impatiently.

The princess bowed and proceeded to speak. "My Queen, I did not know you were so interested in family gatherings. I came to the village to meet one of my work maidens, and I asked Khelan to stick around so we could hang out as siblings later."

The Queen had a look of worry on her face when the princess mentioned the word work. She knew that this was Princess Kitanna, and she was playing along with her game.

"I thought we both agreed we would keep the prince out of your work,'" Queen Almaria said.

"I am sorry, my queen, I did not know you would get the news so fast. I should have known your birds nest almost everywhere," Kitanna said, smiling at Man-uel with a hint of mischief.

"Mind your words, Kitanna. I am the Queen, and I should know everything that goes on in my kingdom," Queen Almaria said, trying to placate her side-piece, who was fuming but couldn't talk back to the princess.

"Ah, that is very true; you should know...., you should." Kitanna nodded to herself like she was deep in thought. "Now, I am torn between telling you about the death of the crown princess of Slokan Kingdom and me missing my flow for this season. I do not know where your interest lies exactly, My Queen," she said, adding heat and tension to the room.

Queen Almaria slowly took in her breath and looked sideways before addressing her daughter. Almaria hated to agree that the little devil came out of her womb, but she had no choice.

"That's fine. Just next time, leave the palace with guards. I do not want anything or anyone harming my children. Your safety is paramount," Almaria said, playing the pitiful mother card, a role that was not unfamiliar to Kitanna but one she didn't mind playing along with for now. Since the queen was in the spirit of cos playing, Kitanna couldn't allow the queen to perform alone.

"Mother! I understand you perfectly; you carry the crown and the family. Such a crowd for a poor widow," Kitanna pretended to form tears in her eyes and moved closer to hold the Queen. Just immediately, the mute boulder-like guard stepped forward and held Kitanna's hand, preventing her from getting closer to the Queen. The Queen smiled inwardly, and Man-uel felt a sense of pride for the guard.

The relationship between the queen and the princess has always been faulty and the people close to them knew this. The both of them were like weapons to each other.

Kitanna hissed and glared at the guard, who was way taller than everyone in the room. He stood at an impressive 6'11 if measured, making Kitanna look like a bird in his presence. But the fiery princess kept her cool and forced her wrist out. The expressionless guard bowed and went back to stand behind the queen.

Kitanna eyed him for a few seconds and then looked at the Queen, who appeared quite pleased with the outcome.

"My Queen, I did not know a daughter is not allowed to touch her own mother. Your dog perceives me as a threat. I wonder what you gave him to sniff... oh! What royalty has done to family ties. I never knew that in my time, the crown would be thicker than blood. This is very sad. Right, Khelan?" Kitanna said, dragging the poor prince into the squabble.

"Mother, Kat, please let us go home, and... Mother, you should punish your guard for touching the princess. His actions were unruly," Khelan said, sighing in frustration.

"Okay then, let us all go home. Kitanna, you came here without an escort. I have just one horse to spare, so sort yourself out. Khelan, go to the gamas outside and wait for me..." The queen hesitated, then opened her lips to speak "And as for my guard, he will be punished. I will see to it," she concluded causing the princess to smile with a wicked grin on her face.

"Your grace is sufficient, Your Majesty, and I would love to see him punished myself, as I am the victim," Kitanna said, tilting her head to look at the mute guard, who still displayed no emotion despite his impending punishment.

Before the Queen left, she turned and looked at the princess.

"Kitanna, where is the business maiden?" Almaria asked.

"My... My... Calissa, dear, please come and pay your respects to the Queen of Morado," Kitanna replied, waving for the maiden to walk in. The delicate maiden walked in shyly, bowed, and stayed in the same position. Almaria looked at her for a few seconds and then left the house, leaving only the princess, Clephas, and the so-called business maiden behind.

The royal carriage departed from the house, and Kitanna signaled Clephas. The two of them made their way to the door. Calissa immediately went to the princess.

"Thank you so much, my princess, and I really do love the crown prince," Calissa announced, looking sad after being separated from the love of her life.

"I did it for my brother. You should love your life first, fair lady. You are not the first. All my brother can offer is his seed and tears when you die. He will not protect you. Take care, and let us not meet again," Kitanna replied as she walked out, unapologetically blunt.

Calissa watched the departing figure, then she remembered the love moments she shared with the prince a while ago, she smiled to herself. That is enough to prove that they were in love, the young princess knows nothing about love.