the kiah

chapter 9: the rumours

the rumours regarding ailith refusing to be the crown princess were common knowledge in the empire in just a few days. not only nobles but even commoners were discussing what was going on when the imperial family sent out the order.

"any eligible candidate who wants to marry lady ailith including the princes and nobles are to pursue lady ailith like a proper gentleman. lady ailith is free to choose her own partner."

this announcement not only made the nobles to grow excited but also curious about the rumours regarding the crown prince being rejected. but that wasn't all, the imperial family also sent out the word that they would be happy if ailith chose either of the princes as her partner, but they would also bless her if it was someone else.

ailith not only grew annoyed but also angry at this announcement. She was already fine with being single but now there was a handful of young boys trying to woo her!

ailith had spent a lot of time answering the gifts sent by various noble households along with flowers from the pursuers. 

"milady, here drink this tea, it will help to calm the nerves and relax the muscles" ailith's butler lewis poured her a cup of tea which ailith took after thanking lewis.

"gabriel let's have a spar" ailith spoke after she finished her tea.

gabriel her personal knight and friend bowed as they made their way to the training chambers in the zosia mansion.

but they were interrupted by the head maid anna. she bought the news that merely increased the tension in the air.

"milady, his royal highness, the second prince aziel atman arsenio has graced us with his presence and requested to meet you. currently young master nickoli is entertaining his highness in the tea room."

ailith nodded and left with anna to get ready to meet the prince. it wasn't her choice, as she was just a grand duke's daughter she was at a lower standing than a prince, and she didn't want to anger an army general either.

behind her the personal butler and knight stared at ailith elegantly walking away and exchanged a worried yet relieved look.

"looks like you don't have to go see the physician today. we should thank his highness for the timing otherwise given lady ailith's cold aura you would be beaten up badly today" lewis patted gabriel on the shoulder who sighed in return after checking that no one was nearby and heard them.

"but lady ailith is already in a bad mood thanks to the rumours and royal announcement, isn't the crown prince the one trying to woo lady ailith? is the second prince trying to compete with the crown prince regarding this?" gabriel frowned but neither of them spoke as they stood quietly outside ailith's room, waiting for her to get ready.

......

nickoli sat with the second prince and sipped his tea calmly and elegantly but he was tense. who wouldn't be when faced directly with the war general who had led the army through several wars and won them?

and this visit of the army general, who was also the second prince was unexpected. the grand duke wasn't at home and neither the grand duchess could handle the aura on the second prince for long, hence nickoli was left to entertain their guest who stubbornly insisted on meeting lady ailith, his sister.

after exchanging pleasantries and with the second prince speaking of his intention of giving them a surprise visit, they went silent and focused on the snacks served.

nickoli merely sipped his tea and ate the cupcakes ailith had made. while the second prince was eating heartily as if he wasn't fed properly in the royal palace. he even seemed to enjoy eating the cupcakes that his sister made.

nickoli grew irritated as he watched the second prince eating away the precious cupcakes but he couldn't speak anything regarding his thoughts hence he took out his irritation by drinking his tea.

thankfully, ailith arrived soon; and just as she arrived nickoli felt himself relaxing. although ailith was a lady the bloodlust and strong aura around the second prince seemed feeble in comparison to ailith's aura that surrounded them right after she entered the room.

ailith curtsied towards the prince and then towards nickoli elegantly. 

"greetings his royal highness, the second prince. to what do we owe the pleasure for your Highness to grant us your humble presence?" ailith greeted the prince who for once took his attention away from the food and focused on ailith.

"lady ailith, you are as elegant as rumoured." the second prince spoke and then gestured for her to take a seat.

ailith sat beside nickoli right across the second prince and the head maid poured her a cup of tea before retreating. only then did they speak again.

"i have been hearing the rumours regarding the crown prince my brother and milady, i wonder if they were true?" the second prince spoke sipping the tea. 

"yes they are true that i rejected the proposal from the first prince. Is His Highness trying to make yourself a candidate for my marriage? i have heard that the second prince and the crown prince are always competing, the rumour appears to be true." ailith replied making the second prince pause

"i would watch my words Lady Ailith, gossiping about the royal princes that too openly is against the order" the second prince warned

"i apologize for the offence but his highness began the discussion. if we came to court then this lady won't be the only one to be punished" ailith grinned

"lady ailith, you are a lady. i suggest you not provoke me into a situation where i have to raise my weapon on a woman against the knight's code" aziel placed the tea down and glanced at the lady who was not in the least intimidated by him.

"the knight's code is to protect the weak who are vulnerable and can't protect themself. i for one find that i am capable enough to protect myself." ailith dismissed the warning.

"then let's have a friendly spar milady, if you win then i would never belittle women but if i win you have to give my brother's proposal another thought" aziel suggested

ailith did not react but rather just met his eyes directly, unlike the other ladies who would lower their faces blushing or batting their eyelashes.

her eyes were sharp as she stared at the prince unapologetically. nickoli noticed that ailith had clenched her dress quite strongly and her aura was clashing with the second prince across the table creating sparks.

he was worried about ailith, if they were going to spar using swords then surely the second prince would win. not only was ailith a lady who didn't know how to handle a sword but the second prince was also an army general, other than some veteran knights and the crown prince barely anyone could compete with him.