Mischief - Part 9

Malora walks into the dining hall whilst the feast was already in progress. She could see the King sitting in the middle of the u-shaped table talking to the guests by his side. In quite an animated manner as well which causes Mal to giggle.

The music still carried on playing. The people continued to dance. And the echolalia in the room was as deafening as expected. Contrary to popular belief, time did not stop when Mal walked into the hall.

As she was scanning the room, looking for her silent conspirator, she felt a tap on her shoulder, which causes her body to be covered in goosebumps. Before she turned around, she already had an idea of who it was.

"May I have this dance?" Prince Arizel asks her with a smile on his face.

As much as she wanted to tell him to go jump in a pile of shit, she smiles sweetly in return and graciously accepted.

He placed his left hand on her waist and takes her other in his hand. They moved together in what could be akin to a fast waltz of today. Surrounded by swirls of silk and polished leather gliding across the floor.

"So how do you like it here, mi Lady?"

"I think that this is a charming kingdom with really lovely people but you must know that. I mean, having lived here all your life I imagine."

He smirks, "I guess you could say that. Still, with such a small kingdom, one tires of the people around here quickly. Same faces and all."

Mal laughs, "Surely, there is comfort in the familiar, Prince Arizel?"

"There is comfort indeed but what I'm seeking... is excitement," he replies with a sly look. She can feel his hand slowly sliding downwards.

Just at that moment, the other prince stepped in, "Hello, mind if I cut in?"

Arizel's face clearly displayed how annoyed he really was but he stepped aside, "Why of course cousin. She is yours after all."

"I am no one's! You pervy prince" Mal thought to herself.

As soon as Arizel left and they were dancing once again, Mal smiled at Riverqo, "Thanks for coming to the rescue..."

His hand is firm but gentle as he places it carefully around her waist. As if she were a treasure that he was protecting.

"I would've stepped in earlier but I didn't want to trigger any sot of gossip", he replies jokingly.

"Ah yes, I forgot that the royal court is plagued which such things".

He looks into her eyes as they circle around the room, "You look magnificent"

She did her best not to blush but a smile did form upon her lips.

"Thank you Rivie. How kind of you to say that."

He pulls her in closer as they dance, "It has nothing do with kindness. I was merely telling you the truth."

It was then that the band finishes the song and so they too halted their dancing. They slowly break away from each other. Him looking at her intently. She pretending not to notice.

"I'm going to go outside for a walk. Get some air," Mal informs him.

He offers her his arm, "We'll go together. I could use some fresh air as well."

She knew that he meant what he said and accepted. Knowing that he wouldn't leave her alone anyway.

Mischief - Part 8

Mal looks at Riverqo and bursts out laughing, "Hahaha! You're kidding me right? Do you use that line all the other girls or just the really special ones?"

A genuine look of hurt becomes visible on the young prince's face, "You think that I say that to just anyone?"

"You don't think I know what they say about you? How you go around flirting with all the maidens? Please Rivie... I'm nothing like them."

He looks at her earnestly, "I know you're not. So what makes you think that I'd say something like this to them?"

Just then there was a rustle from the bushes, "Shhhh, hush..." she says to him. Mal immediately takes out an arrow and gets into position, "Who's there?" Riverqo places his hand on his sword as well poised for anything that may come out.

What steps out from behind the bushes is a lean figure. Dressed all in brown. The face covered with a hood that gives just enough shadow for only lips to be seen and right now, these lips were curved upward in a smile.

"If you come any closer, I will put this arrow right through your heart and another through your manhood, just for fun" Mal says aloud, hoping that this was enough warning for the bandit.

The smile on the hooded figure becomes wider but before anything can happen, shouting is heard from the distance, "Prince Riverqo! Lady Malora!". For some reason, this causes alarm to the hooded figure who takes one last look at Mal before making a fox-like exit.

"Why didn't you shoot them?" Riverqo asks her softly.

She wipes away the sweat on her nose, "Because when I can, I try not to kill unnecessarily."

Brutus and the rest of the knights emerge and asks if they are okay as they heard shouting from where they were. When the duo convinced the rest of the party that they were completely fine, they all made their way back to the castle. After all, that night there was to be a massive feast and dance in honour of the return of the prince.

                                                                    -----

"My goodness, how on earth do these ladies do anything in these outfits?" Mal asked the young maiden known as Kirana, who was helping her to get dressed.

"Don't they wear this sort of fashion where you're from, Mi Lady?"

"Heavens no. It's far easier to breathe in what we usually wear."

Still, Mal couldn't help looking at herself. At the transformation in the mirror.

Just a few days ago, she was wearing her usual outfit of black pants and grey blouse. Today she was wearing a simple emerald green silk dress that was adorned with white lace and pearls.

Pearls were what the kingdom was known for in trade. Usually still so fresh from the sea that the scent of the ocean still lingered on them.

After much 'discussion' with Kirana, part of her glorious blue green hair was tied up into a sophisticated up do while the rest was curled and framed her face.

She looked for one final time at her reflection, "Well, this is probably as good as it's going to get..."