Game On

‘Evadne’s Point of View’

Who did he think he was? Making me feel flustered like that.

I didn’t need any stupid herbs, I just needed to get out of there. Never knew the prince was such a flirt.

Calm down, Evadne. I stopped in my tracks.

You’ll probably never see him again, right?

Who was I kidding, the kingdom gates are literally the closest to this village, of course I’m going to see him again.

But why was I feeling this way? Maybe it was something in the way he looked at me, or…

Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of hooves hitting the ground rang out once again. I hadn’t walked too far from the clinic so it was audible.

His men were probably here to take him.

I was about to go back before I remembered I hadn’t picked any herbs like I said I would. I didn’t really have time to choose, so I crouched down and blindly plucked a handful of some random leaves.

Upon reaching there his men were already helping him to his carriage. He was wearing a coat now, as he was about to enter, that's when the youngest soldier spoke.

“My sincerest apologies master, I’m truly grateful." The soldier bowed his head.

Kael didn’t respond immediately. Instead he lifted the soldier’s head, gave him a small smile, and patted it lightly.

I blinked.

The prince was more humble than expected. Not something common you saw around royalty.

Giving it another thought, I decided not to say anything and just watch him leave. But he suddenly turned his head so fast, like a lion that sensed its prey.

“Ah, yes!” I said, walking towards him, like I wasn’t about to just watch him leave.

“I picked out some herbs for you to take with you to the palace, Prince Kael.”

I stared down at the leaves in my hand.

‘Azadirachta’.

Insanely bitter leaves. No medicinal benefit whatsoever. Just bitter.

Maybe I shouldn’t give him these. But on second thought, maybe I should.

“Shouldn’t we examine it first master?” one of the taller soldiers asked, stepping forward.

“It’s fine,” he replied, stretching out his palm to receive the leaves.

I hurriedly rushed into the clinic to put it in some clothes. I took a whiff of it, knocking my senses. The smell was strong and sharp.

“Use it to ease your pain, Prince Kael,” I said,

forcing a smile.

He took it, scanned my face, before he spoke. “I’m sorry… and thank you for saving me.”

Then he entered into his carriage and they left.

I suddenly felt bad.

He apologized.

Well, he deserved it regardless.

Right?

I really hoped I wouldn’t get my head cut off for this.

I closed up the clinic and went home to rest and freshen up for the day.

My place was just a stone’s throw from the clinic. They transferred us medical professionals to different parts of the kingdom, for all sorts of reasons. Though this was my first time being transferred.

I opened the door and was greeted with the house’s warmth.

When I had first arrived here, I chose this house because it was the one that stuck with me amidst two others I had to choose from.

It was more secluded and had a vast green land behind it, with a rippling river that had a calming sound.

It reminded me of home, back in my village.

Though it was relatively small on the inside, the ceiling was high and I loved that.

Exactly what I needed.

I slipped out of my clothes, only my underwear left on, then I got to work.

I filled the wooden basin with water, the soft sound filling the bathing room. I scattered lavender into the water, the purple petals floated around. The room quickly filled with the scent of lavender.

I took off the rest of my clothes and stepped into the basin, lowering myself till I reached its bottom.

My shoulders loosened a little.

My mind kept going back to Kael’s words, my ears burned up again as I remembered what he did.

It wasn’t that serious. I know. But somehow I couldn’t bring myself to stop.

I scrubbed my hand slowly, bringing the water to my skin.

“Stupid prince,” I muttered to myself, though there was no real bite to it.

I sat there for a while, my eyes closed, just drowning in my thoughts. I would have stayed there longer but I had a clinic to attend to.

I washed the rest of my body, got up, and left the bathing room.

As I moved to put on underwear, the dangling sheets from the ceiling brushed against my shoulder as if invinting me. 

I tugged on one

Firm.

Tugged on another.

Even firmer.

I smiled.

Just one flight before duty calls.

*******

‘Kael’s Point of View’

After about two hours we reached the palace.

The palace functioned like a community, enclosed by fortified walls and gates.

It was at the center of the kingdom, surrounded by villages beyond its walls.

At the palace’s center was the royal residence where the royal family lived alongside the servants, cooks, healers and other staff.

The palace and surrounding villages were what we referred to as the kingdom.

The kingdom had its own gates protected by high walls on the outskirts, but it was far from the palace and needed guarding.

That’s why my men and I camped at Dawn’s rest which was the closest village to the kingdom gates, to monitor movement and stop any infiltrator.

As the carriage wheeled in, my father was already at the entrance of the residence, looking rather displeased.

My father, king of Chrysosia, husband to the late queen, my mother.

My father and I weren’t close, especially since my mother died. He’d always preferred my elder brother to me, but I couldn’t care less.

My men helped me out of the carriage to take me to my chamber.

Just as we passed the palace doors, my father spoke.

“Foolish boy! How many times have I told you to stop doing stupid things?”

I didn’t stop, nor did I look back.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, young man! If you walk out on me you won’t hear the last of it!” he shouted.

I kept walking.

Nothing he said was going to make me stop. It never had.

And never will.

Upon reaching my chamber, Zekiel was already at my door.

“You’ve got to be more careful K, the king was extra irritable today,” he said, running a hand through his curly hair.

“Not like he cares.”

He chuckled.

“You’ve got a point.”

I entered the room and sat on the bed. I excused my men, leaving just me and Zekiel.

“I need you to get information about someone, Zekiel.”

“What of your recent search?” he asked quietly.

“Still on it.”

Zekiel stayed quiet for a while before speaking. “Ok what’s his name?”

“It’s not a he.”

“An elderly woman maybe?”

I stared him dead in the eyes.

He burst out laughing.

“You’re telling me Kael, who never showed interest in any woman, despite so many at his disposal, is requesting this?” he said, chuckling still.

“Can you just do as I say, I’m not really in the mood.”

“Ok my prince,” he said, forcing a stern face, “what’s her name?”

“Evadne.”

“Wow! such an ethereal name.”

“Shut up.”

“What did I do?”

“Do as I say zeke, and use the door while you’re at it.”

“Irritable father, irritable son,” he said, grinning as he left the room.

I took out the leaves Evadne had given me from my coat. The smell was insanely strong.

Come to think of it, she never told me how to use it.

Why did I trust a stranger enough to eat some leaves she handed me? For all I knew it could be poison.

But something in me wanted to trust her, I only hoped that something wasn’t wrong.

Maybe I should just chew it.

I brought one to my mouth, the smell still very much pungent.

Immediately it hit my tongue, a wave of bitterness engulfed my mouth. I spat it out immediately.

“What on earth is this?”

I hadn’t even chewed on it and it was already so bitter. I kept spitting but the taste didn’t want to leave my mouth.

“Axel!” I cried out for one of my men.

He was in my room in a second.

“Call the palace healer!”

“Are you okay sir?” he asked worriedly.

“Just do as I say.”

About a minute later, the healer was in my room.

“What is this?” I asked stretching out the leaves towards her.

She took them, and her eyes widened in an instant.

“It’s azadirachta sir, they are said to be insanely bitter.”

I could see that.

“Do they have any medicinal benefits?” I asked, still trying to get the taste out of my mouth.

“At all sir.”

I let out a dry chuckle. So she set me up.

“That’s okay, you can leave. Take the leaves with you.”

“Alright sir,” she said, bowing her head and turning to leave.

Nice one Evadne, you’re very brave. I suppose two can play at that game.