King of Hearts

19.

As Val wants to return to her spot, Satyn clears her throat a bit too loudly. "Aren't you forgetting something?", she says with an annoyingly high-pitched voice. Val furrows her eyebrows, confused. "Bless you," Hamza whispers unnoticeably. Val snorts. Are they being serious? She's definitely not going to bless her. It's already enough, that Val hasn't attacked her. "What? Do you expect me to clean your nose, too?" Carmen gasps and is probably about to faint. Prince Ulio snorts, his mouth is full of tea. Satyn gives him a warning look.

"Ulio, darling, why are you keeping such a rude maid. She's embarrassing. I think you should get rid of her", she states in her high-pitched voice that reminds Val of a crow.
"Or maybe you should give her the punishment she deserves," Felicia adds in a cold raspy voice. This is probably the first time today Val has seen her active and interested. 

"I think she is rather entertaining. What is your name, dear?" Hamza asks her. "Please, excuse her rudeness. I will call the guards on her", Carmen interferes but Hamza raises his hand, and she immediately stays put. "I asked the young lady a question." Val unwillingly looks at Prince Ulio, who sits with his elbow resting on the table, rubbing his chin, anticipating her response. He's enjoying it, that evil buttface. 

"My name is Val", she then answers briefly yet confidently. "Val." Hamza tastes her name, brushing a long finger over his full lips. "It's a strong name. A brave name", he says analyzing her. Val doesn't like the look he gives her. Is he trying to read her mind? 

"What a boring name," Satyn comments snuggling closer to Prince Ulio. For a quick moment, Val thinks to have recognized a piercing, almost defensive, look in Prince Ulio's eyes as he turns to Satyn. But it immediately disappears. He just sits there studying Val. How come he hasn't said a thing yet?

"At least my name doesn't rhyme with cretin", Val spits. Hamza sputters unexpectedly and Felicia almost chokes on her tea. Prince Ulio waggles his shoulders, suppressing his laughter with a fist covering his mouth. Val gathers the teapot with a suppressed grin and walks back to her spot next to the buffet. Now she has gotten too far but she can't take back what she said. Especially, since it was the truth. Carmen is in utter shock and doesn't know what to say. She won't want Val around anymore after today, that's for sure. Val wishes she had a little more self-control, but her current victory feels too good. Satyn deadly glares at her. She's almost shaking out of rage. Val is afraid she might go off on her. 

"You know what? You should invite her to tomorrow's maze war", she proposes in a calm and sweet voice. Her fury is completely washed away.

Now, what the hell is that supposed to be? 

Felicia gasps and parts her full red lips. "Yes! It would be really interesting with her."

For the first time, Prince Ulio speaks up. "No, I don't think so." He looks troubled for some reason. What are they even talking about? Val has never heard of a maze war. 

"Why not? Are you afraid she might win?" Satyn titters. "Or are you afraid, she won't?" Felicia's eyes suspiciously bore into Prince Ulio's. But he ignores her gaze and simply chuckles arrogantly. "As if. I think she simply shouldn't participate because she's too sloppy. She would never stand a chance." He smirks at Satyn, avoiding Val's look.

"Says the one who can't even walk properly", Val responds. She still hasn't got a clue, what this maze war is about, but she suddenly intends to participate just to show them, that they're underestimating her.

Prince Ulio's eyes darken. "Would you like me to lock you up again? This time I'll make sure no one will come to save you." His voice is as deep as the sea and as cold as ice. But he still doesn't intimidate her. Why does he insist on her not participating in this maze war?

"At least I won't be seeing your hideous face anymore." Val can sense she's going too far with her comebacks, judging by the shocked expressions of the others. Even Hamza isn't laughing anymore. Only the prince is. Which isn't necessarily a good thing. No one dares say a word. It's only Val and the prince now. "You're adorable. You know what, I think it is indeed a great idea to have her tomorrow. It will be like watching monkeys perform a silly act at the circus", Prince Ulio flashes a grin. Satyn starts laughing and throws herself dramatically onto his lap. 

Val impulsively smashes the teapot she's still holding onto the floor, breaking it into two. The breaking sound is followed by surprised gasps from someone. Val knew this was going to happen. Fast-paced, she makes her way to the exit. She faintly hears Carmen yelling and the two idiots still laughing, but she just keeps on going, failing in holding back her tears.

Val knew it was going to be anything but fun. She knew everything would go horribly wrong. But that's not what makes her angry, she couldn't care less about the failed tea party. It's the fact that Prince Ulio humiliates her continuously. She shouldn't care, it shouldn't really matter, but for some reason it does. He annoys her to the point he angers her.

She wants to go home, she's sick of this stupid world. She wants to leave, now.

She slows down eventually, once she is out of the palace. The guards she passes don't even look at her. 

This is all useless. Val knows exactly that there is no other way to go home, except gathering all the Sacred Gemstones. But for this, she needs his help. How can she accept help from such a horrible douche? How even dares the book of the Medéis say that they are supposed to be together? They must be an exception because she and the prince are clearly enemies. She can't stand him at least as much as he can't stand her.

Val just keeps on walking. The farther she gets from him the better she will feel. And soon she's able to calm down.