Help from the OtherSide

49. Switching Players

I lay on my bright pink bed with frilly blankets assigned to me in the second floor. It was pretty late by the time we were done with the discussion which mostly involved Killian referring to me in derogatory terms and the Queen thrusting her daughter into my hands.

I hadn't seen nor heard from Telsin after he stormed out on Anarzia but that's a problem for another day. 

The day being tomorrow.

Pieces began to fall into place, as I reanalyzed the extremely eventful day. From the very beginning Anarzia was with us, starting with the enthusiastic cheers for our dance performance, to sitting beside me for the apparent bull fight which I ruined for some people. 

Blasting her kin to save me, a pathetic creature as they called might be viewed differently when seen through untrained perspective. Killian's strong feet left a pale bruise on my stomach that I noticed while taking a shower for the night.  A dull pain spread every time the fabric of my tunic brushed over it.

If I kept getting hurt, at this rate even lying on the bed would hurt me. My scraped back had improved since I swiped one of Hellga's vials that contained some sort of a healing potion. I didn't inform her of it, incase she added it to my list of debts I owed. 

The hole in my shoulder from the arrow started to close, which was a relief, because I could start wearing tank tops, if they had any.

The fall from the Pegasus had thrown me head first into a tree and that wound hadn't healed yet, as it's a little obscure than the others. My dense hair covered that part of the head making me forget I had literally, cracked my head some days ago. 

Although I feel it only during baths, sleep and the occasional kicks delivered by Princes of this kingdom.

The Queen's proposition would drastically reduce my opportunities with Yumiko, unless elves are okay with multiple partners.
 I, on my part would have to maintain a huge distance from her to avoid being seen as an unfaithful person in a fake relationship.

Yumiko has no restrictions from her side, but that may stir up unnecessary gossip about the family with their dishonest suitor.

Thinking about all this made me wonder if I was any closer to getting home than what I had started. 

And the only way to get home was to do as they said or die trying. 

Next morning arrived quickly and once again performed the ritual of speaking to myself in the mirror. My reflection assuring me that I could get through this day without any problems. 

I thought about going unnoticed; reducing comments on the Royals or anyone for that matter, ignoring all of Hex's stupidity and basically stop anything that would draw attention.

But being the very enigmatic person that I am, spotlight would follow me. Especially now that I'm supposed to be in love with Anarzia.

I made my way to the bright yellow dining room where people had scattered themselves around the buffet table. Team along with Telsin stood in the circle by the corner discussing in hushed voices.

"Good morning y'all." I muttered. Lifting their heads from the conversation they greeted with a wry smile, widening the circle for me.

Telsin looked at me sympathetically before going back to his plate of fruits and some dessert.

"So we told him about what had happened yesterday and he's--"

"Shocked." Telsin completed Liam. "I really did not expect my parents to do something like this. Zia is a very sweet person to have by your side, but forcing love is not . . . what I would call acceptable." He shook his head disapprovingly.