Chapter 5

STRAINED RELATIONSHIP

On Planet Zypher

The royal family were having their breakfast in silence ,when the eunuch announced the arrival of a guest."Your Majesties, Lady Anika from the house of El-Nagar is here".The eunuch said still standing outside with the doors closed when the king's voice rang out "Let her in ".

Upon entering the presence of the crown Anika courtsied and paid her respects to the royal family,taking permission she stood at ease,and the Queen's motherly voice rang out in a soft melody"Anika dear,come over and take a seat,join us for breakfast". Without thinking twice about it,she accepted the offer and sat down beside the crown prince{Mon El}who is also her childhood sweetheart.The royal family resumed having their meal in silence but it was obvious someone's mood had gone sour at the entrance of Lady Anika and the person was none other than princess Maya ,first child of the crown prince; According to palace gossips she was a thorn in the royal family,a delinquent,that was who the five years old was to everyone except her grandmother and her aunt who have always pampered her.

As she continuously kept picking at her food to show everyone how sour her mood her gone due to Lady Anika's presence but they all pretended not to notice ,the father didn't even seem to spare her a glance which caused her to frown and a soft gentle voice said to her making her fork stop halfway through the meat"Princess Maya,it is inappropriate for a lady to pick at her food especially a young lady of your caliber",Lady Anika said in her most nicest voice which sounded like the scraping of metal to princess Maya's ears.

"I don't see why you're so concerned,it's non of your business what I do with my food, you're not my mother so get rid of that disgusting mask you were over your face when you're in the palace",the young princess defiantly retorted leaving her grandparents in awe, although it's no new thing to them,seeing that nobody was trying to say anything to what the young princess said ,Lady Anika decided to salvage the situation, playing the part of an offended guest and a pitiful victim.

"Princess Maya,forgive me if I over stepped my boundaries but I was only concerned as your aunt,your mother's place is one that can never be taken....

The sound of clapping could be heard as a young female with purpled coloured hair appeared in the room standing by a pillar"it's a good thing you know that her mother's place can never be taken ,and if I remembered correctly she only has one aunt which is me ...the lady said pointing at herself "Princess Phloria Nero Friya Pentagast" Nero said , looking at Lady Anika with contempt.She still could not fathom why her older brother kept her close after what she did.

"Princess Nero, I....

"It's your Highness,I haven't given you permission to address me formally", Nero harshly cut her short.

The king and queen knew that if they don't intervene soon,things will further escalate,as the king opened his mouth to talk,Mon El abruptly stood up this caused the others to suddenly go quiet,then he addressed them one by one"Maya you shall kneel at the front of the fountain of reflection to atone for your sins;before Lady Anika is a guest she's my friend and you were without doubt rude to her so you shall kneel until I say it's over".Nero was about to chirp in when his aura forced her to kneel before restraining her;he told her to see him in his office,after that he left the dinning the room and princess Maya glared daggers at Anika for she was the caused of her predicament,she left in a fit if rage and Anika promptly excused herself, heading for Mon El's room with a victorious smile on her lips.