The veiled prince

The next two weeks went by in a blur with the usual breakfast, etiquette class, library break, game of chess, lunch and bonding time, which I didn't participate actively in since the last one was dramatic enough.

I have only been successful in discovering the room that belonged to the king. But the problem is this, I can't think of a way to meet him without the angry guards by the door breathing down my neck.

Moreover, I haven't met the king. There is no way I can murder someone whom I don't know. What if I end up assassinating another?

Mistress has sent the first letter to me. And I know it won't be long until I get the second.

Should I not complete it before the fourth, then, it's bye-bye to the world. She will undoubtedly send someone to complete the task and take me out.

A knock sounded on my door before an enthusiastic Rama busted in without waiting for my permission.

She shrieked like a banshee as she jumped on my bed, "girl!"

I glared at her.

We might be friends, but I don't share my soft bed with others. It's all mine and will remain as long as I have custody of the bed.

“Get down from my bed!” I growled at her, pissed that she dared to lie on my bed without my permission.

As if a light bulb clicked on her head, her smile vanished.

“What are you still doing on the bed? I have to get you ready, we don't have enough time as it is!" She looked around frantically like one possessed by a demon, “you need to be dressed in your finest —the very best!”

I gave her a puzzled look, “Wait a minute, why all the rush? What's so special about today, anyway?”

She gasped as if she'd been slapped.

“Today is more special than every other day!”  She got up from my bed and strode towards my walk-in closet. “The prince is back and that's what makes today a special one," she beamed.

If I didn't know her as I do, I would have sworn she was crushing on their dear old prince.

“Oh my, I can't wait to meet prince charming.” I sarcastically rolled my eyes at her, not bothering to hide how I feel about their so-called contest.

It's not as if I'm a real one. I was just thrust into this stupid contest because of a misidentification. I bet the real contestant is stranded somewhere in the Avon desert.

“The prince is back, and you are expected more than the others to be present on his first day home. You and the girls are required to have breakfast with him. Thereafter, you all will have a one-on-one with him.” She dramatically fanned herself with her right hand, “Is it me or has this place gotten hot all of a sudden?”

I gave her a raised brow, “are you for real?”

“No! Of course, not! I need to dress you up before the others!" She hurried into my closet to get my dress, while I sat on the bed, trying to understand what the hell was going on.

Indeed, I haven't seen the so-called prince since I arrived here, but that doesn't mean I have the desire to see him. I'm here for his father, not the damned prince.

***

Rama got me ready after what felt like an eternity. She dressed me in a red strapless mermaid-curved gown, which hugged my skin like it was afraid to let go.

The fine tone of the gown complimented my skin —it made it glow. I paired it with a pair of golden nude sandals.

She tied my wild hair up in a princess bun with golden pins and a comb assisting it.

My makeup was almost non-existent that you could have sworn I wasn't putting on any.

Rama looked appraising at me. “I know just what you're missing,” she brought out a golden bracelet with earrings to match since I was wearing a golden necklace —this has been with me for as long as I could remember.

“Now you are good to go,” she gently pushed me towards the door. “Don't fail to pick the prince's jaw up from the floor!" She shouted, but I ignored her.

I opened the door and almost collided with a bewildered Alfin.

He took a step back, before bowing to me. “Shall we?”

“Hmm.”

He bowed before he turned. I followed him down the now familiar hall, to the building I frequent like a fool.

The girls were already present in the dining room when I entered.

The empty table was filled to the brim with exotic foods, while the maids were lined up waiting for a request from us.

Thankfully, the prince wasn’t in attendance when I came in. If not, my action would have been taken as a form of disrespect to the throne.

As if I care about that. I'm an Avonite. I'm not concerned about the damned Bendagazans

The girls shot glares at me, which I ignored as I took the vacant seat at the end of the ridiculously long table.

I never asked to be brought here. I'm only here to assassinate the king. After my mission is done, I will be free to return to the base so I can join the next expedition.

The girls chattered happily around me as we sat awaiting his royal highness, the prince, who was rumoured to be the most handsome man on Earth.

Not like I care about that. I tapped on the table, impatiently waiting for the prince to appear, so we can eat.

Unlike the girls, I don't have all the time in the world. I still have to complete a mission which I'm yet to even start.

I just hope the appearance of the prince might help my case. It might be a blessing in disguise.

“You should have seen how the prince took care of me when I slipped last night.” Statue girl spoke up and that hushed other conversations as they leaned towards her to hear the juicy details.

I swear the girls are like predators hunting their prey, who happens to be the royal prince of Bendagaza.

I snorted, impatiently tapping my fingers on the table —hungry.

“When did it happen?”  Pixie asked.

“Last night when I went out for a walk in the garden. At first, I thought I was alone until he made his presence known. I was so startled, that I almost kissed the floor, but the prince was fast. He caught me in his strong, sturdy arms."

The girls awed and cooed at the romantic gesture, while I wondered what the hell was awe-worthy about being caught in a person's arm.

If they need someone to catch them, they can attempt to fall, and I will do the job.

“Was he putting on the veil?” The pixie-haired girl whispered.

Statue thought for a while before she nodded, “he was indeed putting on a veil. Oh my God! You should have heard his voice," she shrieked like a banshee.

I scoffed at that, amused with her stupid tales.

“Anything you want to say?” Pixie glared at me.

I ignored her as I continued to tap on the table. When they saw they weren't getting anything from me, they returned to their conversation.

“So, what happened after that?” a baby-faced girl asked, eager to hear the end of the tale.

“He escorted me back to my rooms and bade me good night," she blushed.

“Did he enter your room?” this time it was Pixie that asked.

Although she was smiling, you could detect the bitterness in her tone.

Statue sadly shook her head, “No. He declined my invitation."

Pixie’s face brightened at that. “Don’t worry, another chance will come," she said in mock sympathy.

God help me if I survive this stupid contest with pretentious bitches. I will take the girls in the base over these because at least at the base, you know they don't like you. But over there, they all pretend to be your friend, while they stab your back.

“Crown Prince Avelonendon Oparah El Doragona of Bendagaza is approaching!!” A guard at the door shouted.

The girls' conversations quieted down to whispers as his royal highness with the ridiculously long name walked in —in his arrogant glory.

In Bendagaza and Avon, we can have as many names as we want, but the royal family's long names are just too many.

There was a time when a king in Avon had these long, stupid names.

He was referred to as: 'his royal highness King Dorangola Ferelank Alspha Lotharionam Autrowol Asplaohy’

Do you see what I was talking about? It took me three months to learn how to properly pronounce it and another two to learn how it’s written since we must learn the names of our late kings.

That’s one of the reasons why I hate the royals. Their arrogant nature seconded their long names.

The prince was dressed in royal blue apparel, with a golden veil, obscuring his face from view. If a golden silky veil were on any man, it would have looked ridiculous, but the prince pulled it off gracefully.

He walked gracefully like a vampire, stepping in without a sound.

Busy as I was checking out the prince, I didn’t realize the girls were all standing until someone coughed near me.

I quickly scrambled to my feet when I noticed the prince's attention on me. I stared at him, like a fool.

Is he angry that I didn't stand with the rest? Spare me some trash.

Pixie grinned triumphantly as if she had won a competition I wasn’t aware we were in.

“Welcome, my lovely ladies. Thanks for honouring my invite, you may sit." His honey voice reverberated around the room.

We took our seats the moment the prince sat on his designated chair —which is unluckily opposite mine.

As I sat, I could feel his eyes on me, but whenever I looked up, I couldn’t tell if he was staring at me since the veil obscured his whole face.

I groaned inwardly in frustration. If only I can get a glimpse of his hideous face, it will make my day.

“How was life at the royal college, my Prince?” Pixie asked in a voice so shrill, I raised a brow at that.

God, can she be any less obvious?

The Prince didn’t spare her a glance, which made my inner demon jubilant.

One for Prince, zero for you Pixie.