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⊰ chapter eleven ⊱
"You sent what to the East?" Theon stormed inside the Map Chamber, "A dead body of Raeghul, are you out of your mind, Dara?"
Dara and the map makers, a few ministers, were busy plotting the Northern Map for renovation as a gift to the subjects within Dara's descent. The ministers stepped away, bowing to the Prince as he walked in with a frown, glaring at Dara. Dara looked over her shoulders, nodding and the ministers and map makers emptied the chamber.
The Princess placed a few beads on the cloth map, marking it with coal, and said, "Becker is from the East. I am surprised his made-up Kingdom is something that never existed, how he fooled all of us with the concubines. I should have never kept the concubines."
"Now you know," Theon folded his arms on his chest, "Why to drag the poor soul into some politics you created, Dara?"
"I created?" Dara chuckled coldly, "Theon, my dear cousin, I did not attack Easterns. They did. They killed my father. Becker was probably one of their leading armies. He took over Raeghul's fate and he was dead before we know; Becker used his body...don't you see it? Raeghul was never present in the Prince Meet when you said he was eager for my hand and Prince Becker, someone we don't know appears with the utter charm of concubines. When Becker left, his belongings and guards were gone, his so-called kingdom sent a letter with broken ties but his traces never left the palace. His carriage remained. Raeghul's nature changed over time, and my compass...you know about it, Theon; my compass knows everything."
"Then why couldn't it save my friend?" Theon's eyes softened, "How could you let one of your subjects die this way...?"
Dara reached for Theon's face, "I am sorry, I wish I could have done something."
The man's eyes stared down at her until Dara felt guilt to her core. Dara combed Theon's hair with her fingers, telling him, "You are messy this morning. How is your marriage with Ayree? She seemed ill-mannered."
Theon smiled at Dara's strong tongue, taking her waist as they stood, "She is nothing like you. Sensitive, impatient, a little whinny that she is but still all good enough for me to stick to her. She is wonderful, Dara. Reminds me of my mother sometimes."
The princess smiled, tracing his cheeks, "You did well. I am sorry if I couldn't do much for a celebration, I will try this week if I get hold of things...and please, don't worry about Raeghul's family. They are being fed well, provided with enough expenses on my behalf. Mourning that is."
He nodded, and then he kissed Dara's forehead, "Learn to protect your subjects, Dara."
"I swear to." Dara kissed Theon's hands and pressed them to her chest before watching him leave. Rolling her eyes away, she turned to the map before the map makers and advisors arrived again. Placing more beads at the center of the wide drawing of a Realm, Dara raised a brow at her advisor's present, "So tell me more about this...Curve."
