A Princess Staking Her Claim

Princess Miya of Ufrad was sitting in a lush and extravagant-looking settee at the far end corner of the blue drawing-room. There was a low table in front of her and a smaller yet still comfortable-looking settee. There is already a pot of tea and cups on the table as well as a plate of small biscuits.

She looked regal even by just sitting there. Her back is straight and her dress looked like she will attend another royal ball. When Temari arrived the princess didn't stand. She just acknowledged her with a slight nod and a short, "Have a seat."

Temari knew that her snobbish attitude was warranted. After all, she is a princess and so much higher in rank than a baron's daughter that Temari was supposed to be. That was why, instead of giving a sharp remark, Temari bowed respectfully before taking her seat.

When she was settled and the maids took a few steps away from them, Princess Miya turned her full attention to Temari. She has a serene smile on her face but her eyes are calculating. "Have some tea, Lady Temari."

"Oh… thank you, Your Highness," Temari answered. She tried her best to be as elegant as possible when she reached for the cup of tea. Princess Miya never took her eyes off her as she sips the hot liquid. Temari was too uncomfortable but she didn't show it. She knew this is going to be a battle of nerves and wits. It was not the type of battle Temari was used to. She needs to be prepared.

"So, Lady Temari."'

[Here it comes.]

Temari sipped her tea again before she turned to the princess and smiled politely. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"I heard Winterfield is very far from Clearbury. Is this your first time in the capital of Mowsland?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I grew up in Winterfield and my father never brought me here since it is too far and we are content with our lives in our small estate," Temari replied the lies she memorized before entering the castle.

"I see. So this is your first time here. But why did it seem like you and the crown prince know each other?"

Temari tried her best not to react much. Especially since the princess was staring at her straight in the face.

[She really went straight to that, huh.]

Fortunately, Temari knew since lunch that Princess Miya will surely find a way to question her. She didn't know she will go the straightforward route like this but Temari still prepared an answer for that query.

She smiled self-deprecatingly. "How I wish that is true, Your Highness. After all, just like everyone here, I came to the castle for the chance to get close to him."

Princess Miya arched her brow. "Are you telling me that you really don't know the crown prince personally?"

Temari met her eyes. "No, Your Highness." The princess didn't answer and just stared at her. Now is time for her attack. "May I ask why you thought we know each other? I didn't win the activity this morning and I didn't get the chance to be as close to him as you did today. Surely, the crown prince will never even glance at me. I am aware that as a baron's daughter, my status is just above the gentry."

The princess blinked and Temari saw that she succeeded in targeting her vanity. Princess Miya sat straighter. She lifted her chin and looked at Temari in the eyes. "That is true. Out of all the women in here, I have the highest status. Yes, there are other princesses from other countries, but compared to theirs, my country is more progressive. Mowsland will benefit a lot if Crown Prince Rhys and I will form a union. Ufrad will make Mowsland a stronger country, enough to protect the people living in it when outside forces attempt to attack."

Temari almost frowned. Princess Miya talked as if there is a war coming or something. If her memory serves her right, in the history of Mowsland, there was only one story of a great war with other countries. It was too long ago and she couldn't remember who was the king at that time. She didn't even remember why there was a war in the first place. But here is Princess Miya, talking about attempts of attack. That made her curious.

The princess probably didn't notice Temari's curiosity because she continued to speak, "But more than that, the most benefit Mowsland could get from my marriage with their crown prince is that they will have a good queen and they will have beautiful future members of the royal family. No one can deny that I am the most beautiful person in this room."

Temari smiled politely even though she wanted to wince. "Of course you are, Your Highness."

Princess Miya's gaze hardened and said, "I will marry Crown Prince Rhys and I will allow no one to get on my way."

This time, Temari wasn't able to keep her polite smile. She was fully aware that Princess Miya's statement was a direct threat to her. Temari doesn't like being threatened. Threats awaken the violent instinct that she accumulated from years of living in the dark side of Clearbury.

Her hands tingled with the urge to grab her knife under her skirts. Temari did her best to resist though. She was in this castle to steal a royal heirloom, not hurt a princess from another country.

They stared at each other for a few more seconds before a loud commotion in the drawing-room disturbed them. They both turned to look at the reason behind the noise. Temari couldn't see much from her sitting position, though. Their chairs are too far from the rest and all she could see are the backs of the ladies.

"What is happening?" Princess Miya asked in a voice loud enough for her attendant to hear.

The said attendant quickly walked to her side and said, "The crown prince made an appearance."