Chapter 2: Danika

My head was buzzing as I stared at Akeem leaving what does he mean.

"What have you done Danika I am currently trying to form an alliance with the Zenska's if you cause trouble for me you would regret it greatly" Orion's voice jolted me back to reality. I hurriedly composed myself and turned to him.

"King Akeem as something to do so he left" I quickly explained not interested in arguing with him.

He did not say anything after that, I caught him silently scrutinizing my expression and I sent him a stink eye. He was probably wondering why I was not arguing with him today but I really do not care. My mind was currently occupied by other things.The sudden change in the course of the music jolted me back to reality..... that song I looked at Orion and as if on cue he nodded at me with a smile on his face.

We both walked to the middle of the ballroom other people also joined us the choreography was a little complicated starting with a male and female hooking their arms together then we tap our legs on the floor in a rhythmic motion the sound coupling well with the sound of the violin grabbing the side of my gown i moved to the back and twirled my mind flew to those days when I was truly happy when I and Orion were not like this when that despicable woman had not destroyed everything. Quickly collecting my thoughts.

I skipped towards Orion to continue the dance we clasped our hands together and I moved to the right while he moved to the left our shoulders touching I repeated it but the other way around. I giggled when Orion hit my shoulders harder than usual he never gets that part we pulled apart and I saw the smile dancing in Orion's eyes this was the part he loved most the floor was already cleared most people give up at this stage.

Orion stood on one side of the ball and I moved to the other side looking at him I saw a mischievous look in his eyes the image of little Orion appeared in my head and I knew he was up to no good. Walking and running steadily trying not to step on my gown I grabbed Orion's outstretched hand and lifted my legs slightly above ground level his hands found my waist and he lifted me from the floor then the hardest part he started twirling I knew he was up to no good and I finally figured it out when he abruptly dropped me I lost my balance and fell backwards i glared hard at Orion he was smiling looking at me with that 'You never learn your lesson face'.

I closed my eyes anticipating the pain but it did not come as expected I slowly opened my eyes to see a pair of pale blue orbs staring at me I was startled and hurriedly left his arms bowing slightly in apology. Hurrying to Orion's side to give him a good scolding.

But what happened next shocked me to the bones. Everybody in the hall bowed to the man behind me and I knew what that means I hurriedly turned to him and bowed.

"Fuck you Orion" I muttered trembling with anger.

"Good ladies don't curse" I heard the man say. A slight frown appearing on his face.

"Holy fuck he heard me" I thought

"You are still cursing" he said.

"All hail the king of Vivere" The thunderous voices were like a jolt of electricity reminding me I was in front of the king.

"Let all rise" He said his voice booming in the large hall and the celebration resumed I turned and headed straight for my mischievous brother he was looking at me with regret in his eyes.

"You foolish wit" I said when I was beside him lowering my voice to maintain my noble princess image despite almost falling face flat a few minutes ago.

Orion grinned foolishly and walked away leaving me fuming inside I felt like exploding when he walked out on me.

The day went on uneventfully I occasionally glanced at the man sitting on the throne my mind wandering to what Akeem said. My brother finally managed to convince Akeem to make an alliance, I actually understood his plight my kingdom Exima is mainly a food producing kingdom our men are made for the farms the men in Exima can handle the rigorous work on the farm but they are not made to withstand attacks. The dry season wasn't exactly favorable to any one water was scarce and we had to increase the price we exported food which resulted in the threat letters sent by The phlox a neighboring kingdom.

I actually preferred this instead of been sold off to some old man as other people would have done maybe he does care about me a little.

A lot of people were trying to get close to the king most of them having their daughters with them trying to get them engaged with the king.

The king was relatively young he was twenty nine just eleven years older than I am not much. I looked at my brother wondering why he was not trying to introduce me to the king like the others.

"What?" He asked when he caught me staring at him.

"The king is already seated" I said as a kind reminder thinking he was occupied with the numerous girls trying to attract his attention.

Stupid girls I do not see what was so attractive about him he had hazel eyes, black hair which he specifically gelled backwards for today's event, He has a well defined body and...... That is practically all nothing else.

"So?" I heard him say more like I heard him ask.

"Are you not going try to introduce me to him?" I asked looking at his darkening face a little confused.

"How desperate are you?" I was beginning to get confused "He is king and you are a princess of a food producing kingdom do you think he would glance at you he just helped earlier as a gentle man he is not so desperate an..." He suddenly paused, I stared at him to continue I took a deep breath and I felt water dripping from my eyes it hurts again

"Excuse me" I muttered my head to the ground and I walked away from him trying to find the loo after walking for a few minutes with the guidance of some maids I finally found it.

I went in and took a deep breath. "You are strong, You are strong, You are strong, You are strong, You are strong?" I kept repeating it but at a point it sounded more like a question than an affirmation disregarding my lady image I sat on the floor and cried.

"Am not strong enough" I wailed continuously. I thought we were good after the dance I thought everything could go back to normal after the dance.

"Am so stupid" I said hitting my head.

"You are indeed stupid" I heard a voice say, I quickly stood up and was greeted with the sight of flashing jeweleries the light in the loo was a little dim and the jeweleries on her body had the privilege to glitter, I stared closely at her finally recognizing her has the first princess of vivera.

"I apologies my princess I didn't hear you come in I would excuse myself" I said bowing slightly to her and making my way outside.

"I like you" She said bluntly I paused out of shock. There has been an increase in same sex relationship in the past decade but I did not know the first princess was one of them.

"Hmmm am not like that my princess infact I have a fiancé" I said trying to sound persuasive.

She chuckled "Am not like that either I meant I like you as a friend" she added now I was very confused she saw me crying and I do known i look ugly when I cry my mouth is always scrunched upwards and my eyes squinted like.... I did not know what to say it sounded weird why will the first princess of vivera want me to be her friend.

"Common do not give me that look I just like you as a friend" she said again

"My princess my kingdom is half way across the heart of the empire I do not think it would be convenient for either you nor me" I said trying to sound persuasive I do not want to get involved with the power struggle in the palace definitely not

"Hmmmmm that makes sense I need to talk to brother about that" I heard her say to herself.

"Common let's go"She added grabbing my hand and dragging me out of the loo.