In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 4: That Bloody Stub~

She went immediately to her room. Delia was there to meet her.

"Milady," Delia said worriedly, "you're dancing with fire, instigating such exchanges with Ambassador Zayn!"

"What would you have me do, Delia?" the Princess countered, working to remove the pins in her hair. Delia moved to help. "He has taken every opportunity to belittle me and treat me as a spoiled child!"

"As far as he knows, that's what you are! He cannot know the level of responsibility you've been given; your father has kept that secret well." Delia's worry was making her harsh in removing the pins, but Kalysta was too irritated to care.

"Even if I were a spoiled child that doesn't give him the bloody right to insult a Princess on her birthday! Mullingar holds the greater army, but having the upper hand militarily does not give him the right to look down his nose at us. If I have to beat that concept into the bloody stub of a man, I will."

"Language, milady!"

"Oh, Delia, language is the least of anyone's worries right now," Kalysta pointed out. "We're facing war with two of the largest nations in Dalitrise and there is no simple way to prevent it. We'll be posturing and negotiating and it still might end in war. I will be with my father and do my best, but I don't see a chance of surviving if it comes to that. We might survive if King Murdoch allows us to become a country-state to Mullingar, much as Bradford has, but then I'd be forced to marry that dreadful Prince Niall and I don't know if I could ever stomach that. I don't know if I could marry a man I despise that much."

"Oh child," Delia whispered. "You have never entertained notions of marrying for love; why would you start now?"

"I still hold no such notions, Delia," she clarified, "but there's a difference between not marrying for love and marrying the devil's son."

"He can't be that bad!"

"Have you not seen him, Delia? Surely you've heard of him at least."

"Not that I remember."

"He's got pale skin, dark hair he changes to light, and blue eyes that are like the coldest glacier of the north."

"That doesn't sound so bad!" Delia pointed out. "He'd fit in right well here!"

"Let me finish," the Princess said. "He's notorious for his poor treatment of women, just like his father. He has no mind for propriety. Women who end up with child by him are executed because he doesn't want bastard children older than a proper heir. I surmise this has to do with a secret hatred for his brother the ambassador, but I've seen no proof to back it up. And what's worse, King Murdoch is allowing him more and more free rein. It's been terrible for their country. The prince instituted the taxes that have impoverished the lower classes and made the nobles even wealthier. He's widened the gap so much that there is simply the rich and the homeless. I despise what he's done to his country and it's only getting worse. I'd die and take Prince Niall with me before I let that happen to Elysium."

"Quiet, milady!" Delia shushed. "There are ears willing to listen everywhere!"

"I know," the Princess sighed, "and I don't know who to trust anymore. I'm so glad I have you at least."

"Ach," Delia scoffed, "I'm nothing but your maid."

"You haven't been that for many years," Kalysta countered. "You practically raised me. Mother was at her wit's end with me before Franklin came along."

"It didn't help that you constantly ran into the city when you were supposed to be in lessons, now did it?"

"I turned out alright, did I not?"

"That you did, milady that you did," Delia said fondly.

"Could you help arrange my hair for the council chambers tonight?" the Princess asked. "I want something simple that will help me look mature. I won't let Ambassador Zayn attempt a slight at my age again."

"Perhaps we should put some padding in that bosom of yours, then? That's all that stops any man from viewing someone as a child."

"Delia!"

"What?!" the older woman exclaimed.

"I'd expect that from Mother, not from you!" Kalysta gasped.

"Well, we're both right," Delia said.

"We're trying to provide the greatest help for Elysium and that's not going to be done by distracting men with our bosoms, Delia!"

"It's worked before, countless times!"

"Regardless," she sniffed, "that's not an operation I will participate in or even condone. What cannot be won through rational debate and verbal sparring is not worth winning."

"And to think I raised you," Delia sighed in mock sadness. She pulled Kalysta's hair up and twisted it into a simple, but elegant bun on her head.

"That is excellent, friend," Kalysta said happily. "It's regal and commanding in its own way."

"What will you wear, milady?"

"You'd have a better idea than I as to what would be appropriate."

"I had a notion you'd say that. I've put something out for you."

"Many thanks."

A/N: No sparks this chapter, but there certainly will be in the next few for sure.

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