Chapter 2.2

The latter was still silent. It was a rare happening for him to shut up.

“What is your problem?” she asked him one more time, clearly not used to seeing his brother sulking.

“I think I made a mistake.” He finally said the moment that were in front of her room.

“You always do mistake bro, don’t joke around. Like get to the point already “she retorted as she went inside the spacious place and zoomed into the far corner where her stacks of poison are stashed secretly.

I guess I need to give some sugar infested poison to my brother.

Sighing loudly, she took three big pouches containing velvety chocolate that she brought to her room to the cushions near the window overlooking the whole flower garden near the entrance of the palace.

“So, how am I, your most trusted sister can help you in your dilemma, brother?”

“I, uhmm, I think I have been quite unruly to your friend.” He murmured, the embarrassment was clear as his face was so red, it was almost comical.

Trying not to laugh at this shy looking man in front of  him, she busied herself with some chocolate as she trained her eyes to the blushes on his cheeks.

“What stupid things did you do this time hmm?”

“Well…” her brother started to talk.

On the other side of the palace, the kitchen seems isolated but whiffs of aromatic spices and delicious smell lingered in the air as two people inside treated each other like ghost as they prepare a meal for the both of them.

The man hesitated as he knew that he was the one who had made a terrible mistake and yet he seem to love his ego more than the dainty lady by his side.

Eyeing the other who diligently ignore his presence, he released a disgruntled sigh.

 "When will you talk to me, Lady Kleir?" Elysian then asked the woman who was busy chopping onions.

Upon nearing his words, she forcefully cut the last onion n in half. The exerted force made the chopping board broke in half making the latter gulped as he imagined it to be his head being  chopped off or worst his inheritance!

Wincing as if in pain, he tried to gauged her reaction but all he had seen was her blank face staring at the controlled fire at the earthen stove in the main kitchen at the back of the palace.

He didn't know why he had brought her in the kitchen after excusing t to their parents to have the talk. Now, he regretted bringing her near to something sharp like knife as he felt he was to be murdered if he say something out of line again.

 "Uhmm, I didn't mean the words I have said in the library that night." He started again. Seeing her eyes shifted slightly, he felt a sliver of hope that she would forgive him for being so careless.

 "What do you mean, your highness? I haven't had heard what had left your jaded mouth inside the library that night." Her cold voice made him shiver. He shivered as chill run down his spine as he search for words to say but nothing come up.

 " well, even if had the slightest idea of what it was, I can't question it. We are only arranged. It is okay for you to feel like it. After all, I may have robbed your freedom. " she stated, her hands was busy stirring the mixture she had prepare. On the other pot, the pasta was slowly cooked in the mixture of water and oil, and a dash of salt. Ad she was busy with tit, she didn't see the dangerous glint in the crowned prince eyes as he eyed her like a prey, the fear in his eyes turned into agony then turned into determination as he came up to some kind of solution that could probably made her forgive him.

 Seeing that the food was almost done and seeing her preparing to leave, Elysian made a move. Seeing the girl turning around  he grabbed her and pinned her on the nearest wall.

 "What are you doing!?" She angrily exclaimed. Seeing her so  close, he felt his heart beating faster and louder inside his chest. This strange phenomena shocked him.

 "You fool! Release me this instant!" She commanded. Yet the man didn’t move. He was mesmerized by her eyes. The blue orbs shining with mix emotions as it stared back at him.

 " I  honestly didn't mean it. " he finally uttered the words in his mind. His eyes never left hers as he wanted her to see and feel the sincerity of his words….

“AND HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU DID SOMETHING STUPID BY APOLOGIZING!?” She screeched. She knew her brother’s capabilities and yet he looked like a fool at the moment.

“I, I kissed her.” 

“Oh, you kissed her, so what?” she absentmindly muttered. She was still processing the final statement her brother had said.

Kiss…

Kiss…

“YOU KISSED HER!? ARE YOU CRAZY!”

“Yes, I think so.” his voice was small. He was truly embarrassed to the way he had acted.

“Wow brother, for a man like you who is so intelligent, you fell badly in etiquettes.” She can only shook her at his brother. Out of all the things he could have done to her best friend, he decided to kiss her.

“How did she reacted?” She probed further.

“She slapped me.”

“Oh how I wish to see her slapping your heads off your shoulder. Tssk. You are too brazen for my sissy.” She truly declared.

Elysian’s face morphed hideously.

“You’re supposed to at my side!” after he said that, he carelessly throw pillows at her direction not caring if it knocked her or not.  Being known as the unruly one, she didn’t shy away from hurling pillows back. They were  on the middle of hurling all of the pillows inside her quarters at Ely when they heard a click and the creaking sound of the door. Both blanching, they hastily swept their gazes at the mess inside and with horror, saw velvety silk pushing its way inside the room. 

Uhh ohh

“WHAT HAPPEN IN HERE, UTOPIA BASUMATARY?” the queen face turned into a scary one when she saw the mess inside the room.

“Oops?” Utopia tried to smile awkwardly at her. Trying her best to look innocent. 

“How many times do I have to tell you that you have to act like a lady, huh?” the queen’s eyebrows shot heavenwards as if it ickes her to see a little rumples here and there…

Little? Utopia’s nosy conscience stated, her tone flat, as if not believing her other self.

Okay fine!! Massive rumples then!

“It was Elysian's fault Mother!!”throwing the blame to her older brother who's face turned into a murderous one when he realized what she did.

“Me? Real mature sister, I didn't do anything” He rolled his eyes at her. Mother harrumph audibly and shot a look at the door, taking it as a chance to stick her tongue out at her brother.

“LADIES! GET IN!” and there, a stream of ladies carrying different  trays of..?

“AND YOU ELY! GET OUT THIS INSTANCE!” she positioned her hands on her hips as if she has a very big argument she needed to win.

“ Fine...Overdramatic women “he mumbled, walking briskly towards the door.

“Come on, Pia! Get yourself in the tub and take a bath”

again?!

She sighed. 

This is going to be an awful day. Utopia wanted to cry but no tears came out.

Walking towards the bath, her eyes caught the things the lady carried inside my room.

“What are they doing in here, Mother?” her eyes was glued to the trays the maid put on the table near the vanity.

Is that food?

Her stomach groaned on the thought of it.

“Well I need to take action if I want this to be properly organized!” Her mother clapped her hands twice, completely ignoring her pouting face as the ladies stood in front of her.

“What is that?” she step closer to them and peeked at the tray's content but another lady stopped me from doing so.  Utopia look at her and was mortified when the lady's face was caked so white that she can't even imagine what's underneath it.

What's with this woman touching me? Are we all feeling so acquainted? her nosy conscience spat as her brows unconsciously shot up.

The girl’s face turned solemn and bravely rolled her eyes at her as the insolent clown like lass loosen her hold. She looked at her mother and the other ladies who has their  back at them. Utopia turned to her and see her glaring at her.

What's your problem, missy? And.. What's with my brows shooting upwards every minute?

Utopia raised my brows at her again, and walked towards where her mother and the other girls are. The lass that she approached was already there, meekly standing  along with the others.

Ugh, where’s the haughty attitude you have a while ago?

“UTOPIA!?? I TOLD YOU TO GET REFRESHED! WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING!?”

Not wanting to aggravate her already hyped up Mother more, she went to the bath. Sighing at the feeling of warm water engulfing her sore body, the princess closed her eyes. Thoughts about the impending danger left her mind and led me to what she didn’t expect to happen...

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.

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“NO!!! NO WAYY!!!” Two girls are holding her arms, stopping her to do things she really want to do with them. Whack them in the head and burn this  things they used to torture her!

She felt the throbbing pain on her scalp as one of them tried to tame her mane and tied them into knots. So Tight! To add more insult!

She was then forced into a ridiculous cinched clothes! Oh God! She can’t breath properly as the corseted dress were laced tight too!

So your curves will be prominent my dear! 

Mom's word echoed inside her head as she tried to get free from the holds of her tormentors.

Where is her mother gone to!? Who is this monster that kept torturing her with such!?

She cried in her thoughts 

“Honey, stay still! I can't put this colors on you properly..” Queen Liliane chastised her as she wave the little brush with red paint.

This has to stop!

Finally getting free from the holds of this unreasonable women, she hastily stand up and literally flew towards the door.

“UTOPIA!”

“You are not going to put anything on my face, Mother! That is too much! I'm going to head outside now! Bye!” She curtsied and run fast, away from those hideous people and their torturous weapons.

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.

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Utopia. Perfect..

She didn’t have any clue why mother named me after his city. The queen was the second youngest princess of the City of Utopia. A very beautiful island of beautiful people. Nothing could compare to what the place has to offer. Stretches of fine white sands. Ranges of mountains. Smiling people. A place of freedom. 

Sighing, she find herself making her way to the kitchen. Hands on her stomach, she felt so elated she saw Darcy, Sweetie Darcy, who is busy doing  something on the counter.

“DARCY!!!” she hopped her way and hug the chubby old woman whom she considered her grandma. Well, aside from Aunt Eve.

“Oh your highness! I'm sweaty you silly girl” the latter tried to distance herself which made Utopia hug her tighter.

“What's on the menu, Darcy?” the woman asked her instead, setting her chin on the cook’s shoulders and peak at her creation

Her mouth watered at the sight of it.

PECAAAN PIE!!

“Can I have a slice, sweet Darcy? I haven't eaten anything yet”  Utopia gave Grandma Darcy her sweetest smile and  her pleading eyes for a slice.

Darcy only shake her head as if totally immune to her charms.

“Okay fine, your highness. Please take a seat. I'll fix you a slice---”

“YEEES! Thank you so much Darcy!! You're so kind and so beautiful and so wonderfu----” she cut her off with a little pinch on her side which made her flinch and jump back. Pouting, Utopia took a seat facing her.

“Only a slice, your highness no more.” The old woman said as she placed a small plate with the pie in front of the young lady.. Smiling, The hungry one nodded head like a maniac and hastily shove the pie on her mouth...

“Your highness! Eat with grace will you?” Darcy's voice was laced with laughter and annoyance that made her snicker.

“ir carn't be help tjou!” she tried to speak with her mouth full only to be smacked lightly at the back of her head. Due to the impact, she almost got choked with all the pies in her mouth.

Glaring, she turned to see Dayne, who's smiling evilly at her. Darcy automatically gave her a glass of water and castigate her only granddaughter.

“Dayne! How can you do that!? Even though your best friends, you can't just smack her highness head!” Darcy's rant went off for a mile.

Dayne Viesto Salem, along with Kleir is her best friend since they would wee child, is the daughter of  her father's trusted adviser, Mr. Baron. 

Dayne only smiled at her and took her hand, tugging her  off the chair.

“Grandma! The queen has instructed me to find and bring Utoh to the entrance hall. The princes are on their way to the castle.” She said, already pulling her to the direction of the main entrance of the castle. They heard a faint sound of Darcy saying okay and mumbling how unladylike it is to smack each other's head.

“ You know, Kleir’s engaged and I heard you're getting married!!! I AM QUITE JEALOUS, but are you ready?” Dayne excitedly asked her. Throwing her a look and a Cheshire smile that send chills on her tortured self. Pictures of torture she have been into earlier flashed on her head.

“No!! Have you heard the blasphemy Father and Mother spewed about!!? Me? Married? With this face and this attitude, I hope the princes knew what they signed for.” she huffed gruffly, remembering the nonsense words her parents and that decree have been so happy to inform her. OVERLY HAPPY.

“Have you any idea who will it be?” She asked, quite interested with the drama she was currently in.

“no! I don't care! And I don't want to know!”

“Harrumph! What's with your mood? And you look lovely you ungrateful  girl! And of course! Any man would take you as their princess or queen. You look so... Uhmm you look so.. Uhmm.. What is it again??” 

Utopia gave her a look that says 'mumble-t he-wrong-word-and-I-will-do-something-to-you' look.

“Fine! Yeah you look fine!” She finally answered, giving the princess a triumphant smile, thinking she was so brilliant to come up the word.. 

“Gah! That's next to being ugly, you frog!” Utopia grumbled and walk briskly leaving her behind. Her face fell and then morphed into an annoyed one.

“I reaally don't get you!! I’ll tell this to Kleir, You---”

Dayne was cut off by the sight of the queen mother and shot the sulking woman a we-will-talk-later look.

Rolling her eyes on at the girl, she clasp their hands together and approached her mother.

“Oh! you two are just in time! The princes are here!” Mother gushed and guide them towards the open door to greet their valuable guest.

Standing, Utopia trained her eyes on the floor, not wanting to know who will be her scary betrothed amongst the incoming princes. Lost in her silly thought again, A soft nudge on her side made her look at Dayne, who's signaling her to look in front of her. Sighing, Utopia did which she regretted as she was greeted by the same dark eyes she waited and hated for years. Those brown endless orbs that made her realize how undesirable she was before. His eyes.

“Utopia, honey, the one who's wearing the emblem of the City of Thras is your to be husband, isn't he gorgeous” she blanched hearing  mother gushed about him at her side, her eyes trained towards the man in question, scrutinizing him.

Him whom she loath the most. Yet love wholeheartedly.

Marrion.