What Happened? Part 3

Alexi saw a new side of Kyera that he hadn't quite expected. A surprisingly ruthlessness to the little healer that made him all the more intrigued in her. Clovis frowned as he saw the shy expression on Kyera and how uncomfortable she obviously was in this situation. She wasn't one for causing trouble though she didn't shy away from the truth. He couldn't help but feel he was wrong to throw her into a lion's den.

"I see. Lady Ramira, I am sorry but I was not aware congratulations were in order. My father did not inform me we were arranged to be wedded." Prince Clovis spoke clearly as he turned to face the woman whose cheeks turned bright read. There were sniggers in the crowd as they witnessed her embarrassment. However, Clovis was not finished. "Do you know when he set the wedding for? After all, I must not be late to my own wedding since I was late congratulating my bride."

Ramira spoke softly, too soft for any human in attendance to hear. She looked down at the ground muffling her voice even more. Clovis waited, making the silence even more brutal was his loving smile, yet his eyes were cold as ice. There was a dissatisfaction his his eyes that cut her to the core.

"Daddy, I don't want her as my Mommy." Raina said seeming very unhappy now. "She makes Kyera unhappy." The young princess said obviously feeling her opinion should be taken into account. Grandpa had made it clear how much her opinion would matter this time. This woman was NOT what she considered Mother Material.

There was another round of laughs as the elite watched Ramira be dressed down by a child. Not deemed a mother figure by a seven year old because she made a tutor unhappy was definitely a demeaning experience and a real humbling one at that. She glared at Raina who felt the chilly look and moved to Kyera's side, stepping behind her skirt just enough to feel the safety of her presence. Kyera stood tall, her hand resting on the young princess' head.

"What do you mean, Princess Raina dear? You and I get along well together." Ramira tried to salvage the relationship best she could but Raina was having none of it. The child shook her head and Kyera frowned. "Stop being difficult. Come here and I will take you out to play in the gardens with some fresh cakes tomorrow." She tried to quietly bribe the child but again it didn't work. Her tone was too sharp and made the hairs on Kyera's neck stand on end.

"I think that is quite enough. You are making it very hard for Princess Raina to feel as though she is safe here. I suggest you give her space and the respect a princess deserves." Kyera corrected before Empress or Clovis could intervene. Motherly instincts to protect her young kicking in instantaneously. The two women glared at each other.

"You act as though you are the child's mother." Lady Ramira replied, trying to trap Kyera into making the same mistake she had made. Perhaps that would remove some of the heat. The Empress waited curiously to see what Kyera would say whereas Clovis held his breath. What would she say to that? Would she respond? Would it be positive?

"I wish I was that lucky. Princess Raina needs a mother who can be supportive and understanding no matter the moment. The woman who takes care of her must also take care of the nation. She has a large burden on her tiny shoulders and I trust her intuition. If she thinks you are not mother material, I will have to side with her against any who try to force her choice." Kyera replied meeting the woman's eyes with fire in her heart. Little Raina beamed with pride as Kyera showed her true support for the young one. Her confidence was redeemed and she stepped out from behind Kyera's skirt.

"Who are you to lecture me?" Lady Ramira growled and the Little girl stepped forward.

"Who better to stand up to you at my side than someone who believes in me?" Raina demands holding herself tall and proud as a princess should.