Treasures of Andalia Chronicles: Ring of Flames

Chapter Nineteen: Blood is part of the Bond

AMARIS

I couldn't sleep.

My head throbbed in pain. I sat down on the bed, empty eyes stared beyond the glass door of the balcony. The rising sun started to shower the world with its golden rays, and yet here I was, still confused and pretty much in shock. The image of those people slaughtered mercilessly was imprinted in my mind. The cries for help kept resonating in my head. No matter what I did, no matter how much I convinced myself that everything would be fine, I still felt that their deaths were on my shoulders.

Despite Val assuring me constantly that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't help but blame myself. Self-blaming has taken deep roots in my mind throughout my childhood. All this time, I've been living a guilt-ridden life. It's inevitable to find fault in myself. Even after crossing through dimensions, I still wasn't able to change that part of me.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Knocking three times before opening the door, a maid came in and performed a curtsy gracefully.

I stood up from the canopy bed.

She didn't meet me in the eyes but she remained courteous as she talked. "Good morning, Your Highness. I have come to inform you that His Majesty, King Ravi, will be meeting you this late afternoon. The maids will come in later to prepare you for the audience."

"Why can't I meet him now?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but that will not be possible. King Ravi will be attending to his concerned citizens and had to be present in various council meetings. The only time he could spare for Your Highness is late afternoon," she replied without a second more to waste.

"The urgency of my matters with King Ravi needs to be dealt with immediately. You should know that enemies should never be taken lightly." My nose flared as I tried to calm myself while I explained.

Despite what I said, she didn't seem concerned. Instead, she bobbed her head again and said, "I'll make sure to relay your message to the king."

She was about to leave the room after relaying the message but I stopped her midway. "Wait."

"Is there anything else I can help you with, Your Highness?" Her voice sounded annoyed that she had to spend another second more interacting with me, which I found a bit amusing.

"Where's Prince Rihaan?"

The side of her lips twitched momentarily, then quickly regained her composure, forcing a smile. It was infuriating to see these facades everywhere I set my eyes on. They all acted courteously, and gave me the treatment deserving of a royal but at the end of the day, it's all just an act.

I could see that they dislike me—no—they despised my presence. They don't like me breathing the same air as they do. And most importantly, they don't like the fact that I'm here fawning all over their beloved prince.

"Prince Rihaan is in his chambers." 

She pursed her lips, regretting as soon as the words left her mouth.

"Right," I muttered. "Can you take me to him?"

The maid that didn't once meet me in the eyes suddenly looked straight at me, baffled at the words I just said. She opened her mouth but words failed her, she couldn't say anything. Then she cleared her throat.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but in Caerlon, it's forbidden for an unmarried woman to visit the quarters of an unmarried man alone." She emphasized the last word harder than it sounds.

"Well, aren't engaged couples an exception?" I grinned. "Don't worry. After the accident, I made sure to restock my knowledge."

She tucked in the strand of hair that fell on her face, not even bothering to hide the displeasure she feels toward me. "As you wish, Your Highness."