Chapter 2

When I walked out of the queen's waiting room, Kezira stood outside waiting for me. I did not have to tell her what had happened, she could read me as easily as I could read her. Kezira is my ladies maid, I wouldn't go as far as saying she is my best friend. I don't t keep friends but Kezira comes close enough.

"None of this makes sense. Her majesty just wants me to run away, what of my soldiers, who's going to lead them?" I asked Kezira in annoyance as I walked away from the door and stalked down the hallway.

The ladies of the court knew better than to test me, they all walked briskly like scared kittens, eager to get away from the warrior princess before they experienced my wrath. Wouldn't be the first time. 

"Azura calm down, I think it's mostly for your protection" Kezira said as she walked briskly in an attempt to keep up with me. Kez is the only person person apart from my parents who calls me by that name.

"It was a rhetorical question, if you're not going back me up, then please let me rant." I groaned at her.

Kezira wisely didn't say anything, and I just kept muttering profanities, no princess should know under my breath. I was so engrossed in my rant, that I didn't notice Collin coming towards me with a wide grin on his face.

Collin Joseph Never, he's a member of the court and thinks he's my friend, just because I haven't chopped off his finger.

I don't hate a lot of people, but I have a list of people I strongly dislike and Collin makes the top of my list.

He is always happy.

That might not seem offensive, but you wait until you find him grinning all the time. Even at 6 am in the morning when all I want to do to train and my brain is muddled with sleep, then you'll understand my feelings towards him.

The only reason I tolerate him is that his family is important. Well, that, and the pest is the only one besides Kezira who speaks to me normally.       

"What" I asked sharply as I came to a sudden halt in front of him.

"Princess, you seem happy to see me, are you fine ?" He asked as he grinned and wiggled his "My name is Arielle, and you may address me as Her Royal Highness. Princess is my title" I told him for the thousandth time, but as usual, he ignored me.

"Have you been training? You never smile, instead of learning to fight, you should learn to smile" he said without breaking his grin.

I swear it's a talent, I was about to explode when Kezira, held my arm and muttered some excuse about meetings.

I didn't say a word and tried to calm myself down as she pulled me down the hall to my chambers.

"Thanks, Kez, I was about to bite off his face." I said as I pushed open the door to my lounge.

My chambers are spacious. I recently moved in from my old chambers now I have two rooms, a lounge, a dining area, and visiting space.

"I wasn't bluffing. We do have a meeting, with the captain of the guard. You have to know the plan and details concerning your disguise." Kezira said as she crossed her arms and stared at me.

"Disguise? What do you mean disguise? No one outside the walls knows what I look like, so why would I need one ?"

Her majesty said I was going away, but no one said anything about disguise. I moved past Kezira to sit down on one of the four recliners lined together near the room, facing the glass wall.

Sunlight drifted through the glass wall and warmed my skin lightly.

My lounge is very comfortable, while I hate frills, I do have a penchant for expensive, beautiful things.

"I'm guessing you have no idea, where w-" a knock sounded on my door and cut short whatever Kezira was about to say.

"Please get it" I told Kez as I relaxed on the recliner and closed my eyes.

 

It's probably a servant with my meal. Although that is Kezira's job, another servant usually "Zura, it's the captain of the guard, and it's time for the meeting, can I let him in?" Kezira asked as she opened the door to let him in.

She didn't wait for my response. The nerve of the girl, i don't know why I put up with her.

"Kezira, please show him to the visiting room I'll join you there"

 I said as I stood up and used a minute to adjust my clothing and my image. When I was sure I looked like a slab of ice my mother would be proud of, I walked out and joined them in the visiting room.

I sat down but didn't invite the Captain to sit. It's a control technique my mother taught me.

Funny how whenever I think of her she's my mother, but when I talk to her, she's just her royal majesty the queen of Berravin.

I looked directly at the captain and sure enough, he squirmed uncomfortably.

"Yes?" I asked while I raised a perfectly arched brow, another technique designed to make him nervous, also learned from my mother.

"Your royal highness, I am here to tell you the plans for your trip." he said as he tried his best to remain calm.

I blinked once, the only 

indication I heard him. He probably heard of my impassive methods of communication from gossip because he continued and told me all about the stupid elaborate plan.

"Your highness, you and your lady's maid will go to Revillon and stay there for a few months.

Revillon is the only neutral kingdom where you can be safe from war. You will be going there under the guise of an important member of the court.

You don't have to worry, it's safe. They'll never attack Revillon, and if they do, you'll be in the palace." He said as he tried to look everywhere but at me.

'Safe?' I once again asked another one-worded question.

Kezira stood still behind him, trying her best to hold her laughter. She made a sympathetic face and I gave her a small smile.

"Yes, your highness, safe. Your lady's maid knows all the details, so you've nothing to worry about." He began to twitch and used his kerchief to wipe off his sweat.

"And what role will my lady's maid be playing?"

He coughed and looked at me shocked. He probably thinks I'm crazy for caring about my lady's maid. Kez and I have kept our somewhat friendship secret, because of how obsessed my mother is with my safety.

She would replace Kezira in a heartbeat if she realized how close we were.

"I am sorry your Highness, I didn't quite catch what you said" he replied.

I didn't reply to him I just raised a brow while I maintained eye contact with him.

 At this point, Kez looked like she was about to burst from laughter. She covered her mouth, held her belly, and shook quietly while trying not to make a noise.

I looked at the guard and maintained eye contact , he probably thinks he misheard me. He stood for 2 minutes looking at me until he realised I wasn't about to repeat my sentence.

"I am sorry your Highness, I thought - I was mistaken, sorry. Your lady's maid will go with you to Revillon as a palace servant."

" And?" I asked

"I will send your box of disguises to the fashion team, they will be here, after your dinner to work with you. I have prepared an airtight portfolio for you and - em, of course, your lady's maid," he replied.

"Is that all?"

"Yes your highness."

"Leave "

He was barely out the door before Kezira burst into giggles. 

I really scared the crap out of him.

"Did you see his face? He was so frightened " Kez asked in between fits of laughter.

"Glad to see my antics amuse you, her majesty will be proud" I replied as I gave Kezira a small smile.