Meeting him

Kimorra was beyond pissed. How could a strange woman pop out of nowhere and claim her man? Determined to save her wedding from crashing, she stepped in between them and faced Prince Xander.

    "Xander, who is this woman? You know what, it doesn't matter who she is. Let us just focus on our wedding, then we can sort this out later, please?" Her voice was small and desperate. The lust swimming in his eyes warned her of the heartbreak she was about to handle.

Xander stared helplessly at her, then at the goddess that effortlessly stole his breath. He couldn't think of anything apart from her slender body entangled in his.

"I… I… Give us a moment, please," He said to Kimorra. He took Almira's hand, but she pulled away.

    "I'm not stupid, I can follow you without holding on to your hand," Almira said. Xander smiled to hide his embarrassment and walked ahead. They stopped a few steps away from Kim.

    "So …. Do you want to be with me? Don't you think crashing my wedding was a bit extreme?", He said nervously. Almira stared plainly at him.

    "I'm not concerned with whatever pathetic validations you build your lives on. Frankly, I do not wish to wed you or anyone….."

  "What the princess means to say is that she doesn't believe in weddings", Kitanna injected quickly, nudging Almira.

"That interpretation was rather unnecessary ", Almira said dryly.

"She wants to be with you, your highness. Why else would she stop you from getting married?", Kitanna continued, ignoring Almira's comment. Xander beamed on hearing the words.

Almira turned to the maid with a piercing stare. "I appreciate that you feel the need to explain things to him, but do not think you can speak for me".

"Your Highness, you are going to expose us with the way you're going. How do you explain you want to rip him apart and take out his heart? You will get us killed!" Kitanna replied through the mind link.

Almira faced Xander with an unimpressed look. For some reason, she detested the mere sight of him. Her heart wasn't pounding as hard as it did when she arrived earlier, but it was pounding nonetheless, so she had no reason to doubt him.

"He might even cancel the wedding for your sake. That's how powerful the bond is", She heard Kitanna's chirpy voice at the back of her mind. Her gaze didn't leave him as she replied to the overexcited maid.

"You sound like he's doing me a favor. I was the one who saved the poor girl from the pains of widowhood".

"You should start taking things seriously, your highness ".

"You've known me long enough to know that I do not have a sense of humor, so don't be quick to assume I'd have the time to make a joke out of everything. I'm not that creative", Almira responded indifferently.

She returned her focus to the giddy man before her.

"I do not wish to be part of any drama. Feed your guests and tell them to leave, we have a lot to discuss. Keep that crying girl away from me, too. I'll be inside if you don't mind".

Xander was stunned by her statement. The woman walked away, leaving him dazed similar to when she first appeared. Xander couldn't see himself choosing Kimorra over such a beauty. He would end it.

Almira led herself into the palace. It wasn't half as beautiful and luxurious as hers, but it was impressive. The interior was simply stunning.

Kitanna was visibly impressed. She looked around with amazement and touched everything she came in contact with. She didn't even notice when she drifted away from Almira until she heard a yelp and the crashing of plates.

Taking a quick spin, a gasp escaped her lips at the sight before her. Almira was soiled with leftovers. She quickly hurried over.

"My Princess! Are you okay?", She asked worriedly.

  'Princess?' Dante thought in panic. His heart slammed hard against his rib cage, causing an unusual ache. Almira clasped her hand around her chest, pulling back in shock. Her heart never responded that way before.

She glanced warily at the entrance. Did his devastated bride decide to kill him on her behalf?  That would be lovely!

"I'm s-so sorry, your h-highness. I s-swear I d-didn't mean to. P- Please forgive m-me…." He stuttered, ripping off a piece of his tattered shirt to wipe her feet.

"Are you partially blind? You soiled my dress, not my feet". Dante was surprised at how calm her tone was despite the insult. He clutched tightly to the cloth. The dress looked expensive.

"Am I allowed to wipe it off?", He asked in a small voice.

"Would your tongue do a better job?", Almira asked in annoyance. His timidity was starting to irritate her. Before he could wipe it, however, someone yelled his name from behind.

"Dante! You dirty little animal, what have you done?", Guirello cried, staring at the dress in horror. Dante retreated slowly, eyes wide in panic, but the man's hand already met his face, sending him to the ground with a thud.

Kitanna gasped, shocked by the man's actions. Guirello proceeded to attack him with his legs, kicking and cursing him all at once.

"I'm sorry…" Dante cried, but the sturdy man wouldn't stop attacking his sides.

"You're good for nothing…! Do you think your life is worth half of these plates? Or the dress you soiled? You will get a proper beating today!" Guirello panted.

"Can you take your drama somewhere else? It's not a dazzling sight to behold ", Almira said, walking away. Guirello bowed until she passed him. He grabbed Dante's leg and pulled him along with him.

Kitanna threw a pitiful glance at him. She scooted closer to Almira.

"You should have stopped him, your highness? That man is scary and mean," Kitanna said.

"I didn't come here to save anyone. He got himself in trouble, was he expecting chocolates?", Almira retorted. Kitanna's jaw dropped, and the princess pushed it close for her. "My heart hurts. It keeps pounding faster by the minute and a great pain ensues with it".

"It means your mate is hurting", Kitanna frowned.

"This better not be in vain", Almira muttered.