บท 6: Prince Arson
By the time I got everything ready for our picnic, the sun was high in the sky. Fluffy white clouds swayed to the blue sky. Thaliah buried herself in work in the King's chancery. Papers and books decorated the table before her. White hair as pure as the snow fell over her face. I remembered the first time I saw her hair. It reminded me of purity and comfort. Later I found it was as soft as the curls looked. The crystal crown glistened blue from where I stood. The night before, it pitched clear.
Thaliah moved to another envelope. She ripped it open and read the letter. Oblivious of my company. Perfect white teeth nibbled on her red lips. The same color as when we were kids. When other maidens used lipsticks or other lip colorings to enlighten their lips, Thaliah's lips stayed red. It brightened when she nibbled it or got cold. I should know. She often nibbled it when something held her attention.
At seven, I had to admit she belonged in this castle. A beautiful castle for a pretty princess. The first thought I had of her standing next to her parents was how much of a treasure she looked. The type royals kept locked away in a private room. Away from others.
Years later and I could recall why I thought that at such a tender age. The innocence from when we were kids lingered in her soft face. Still, there was something in her eyes that stated she was not as innocent as she seemed. Who was either? I doubt anyone was.
Though at the age of twenty-one, Thaliah didn't look older than a sixteen-year-old. A fact that piqued my interest. What for, was a question I would like the answer to. She had grown up a lot since we last saw each other. For one, her boobs had gotten bigger. Her dress from the night before exposed the top of them. The nightgown left nothing to the imagination. Her physique was prominent beneath the sheer fabric. Curves that were not there years ago. I didn't keep my hands to myself though I stated we wouldn't cuddle. We did and her body was way too soft. Too…
Fuck!
I shook away the route my thoughts went down. It was not the time. Thaliah was the last person I should lust after. Lust meant needing her. Needing her would doom me to an unhappy future. I couldn't have that. Anything but that.
I knocked on the door and stepped inside. "Morning."
She peered up at me through thick, long lashes. "I'm pretty sure it's noon."
Right.
I clapped. "Did you eat lunch?"
Her royal blue eyes returned to her letter. "I'm not hungry."
I threw myself down on the chair across from her. "Well, I am famished, and we should have a picnic together. Get some fresh air."
She didn't take her gaze from the letter. "Can't. I'm busy."
I could see that. But I had to do this before I changed my mind. Changing my mind was not in anyone's best interest but mine. A little bit of mine. More so than everyone else.
I clasped her hand and prized the letter from her grip. "You can't be too busy for me. I came all the way here just for you. You can't just blow me off. That's not fair."
She observed me. Her gaze then flickered to our joined hands. Something flashed in her stare. I couldn't put a finger on what it was. She tried to pull her hand loose. I tightened my grip. She narrowed her eyes at me. "Why should I even push important matters aside to attend to you? You never once did that for me."
We were kids!
I rolled my tongue over my teeth. She spoke a truth I couldn't deny. Regardless of my lack of attention, it never stopped her from butting into everything I did. "You're right. I was a hyperactive kid. But now we are adults. I would hate to think you're childish enough to punish me for an act I did twelve years ago. Are you that shallow, your majesty?"
Her eyes dipped a shade darker. Navy blue. Maybe even darker. She pressed her lips together. Then the storm cleared, and a sweet smile curled her lips. "I don't know what you expect me to say, but the truth is I am petty."
A Thaliah answer. Irritation bubbled beneath my skin. Why couldn't she be like those other nice decent women? I didn't have time for this.
I tugged on her hand. "I don't care. Either you come with me willingly or I drag you outside. Your choice. Come with me or embarrass yourself in front of your subjects."
Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. "You wouldn't dare."
I dug my fingers into her flesh. "Try me. Since you remember so much about our childhood, you should remember what happens when I'm met with an obstacle."
"I'm not a helpless princess."
"I'm sure you aren't. You're a Queen now." Regardless of her title, she was still the same Thaliah.
She blew out a long breath. Her shoulder's slumping in the process. "I don't like you."
Oh, she didn't know how our feelings mirrored each other. I never wished to be here in the first place. Not that I could leave without my brother having my ass. He wanted me to marry her. Marry her I shall, but before marriage came a proposal. I was going to have that if nothing else. Something we could tell our poor unwanted kids to keep them sane in this burdensome life as a royal.
Thaliah pushed away her chair. The feet scraped against the floor. I lifted off the seat with her and helped her around to me without releasing her hand. She didn't even bother to tidy the desk but followed me out the door.
We walked to the second garden in silence. The first place she dragged me to on my first visit to this Palace. It was tucked in the midst of a cave at the far end of the Palace grounds. Snow fell from the clouds at the roof of the cave. That was if it had a roof. When I looked up, clear sky greeted me. Three trips here made me realize it was not the same sky as the outside. In the cave, the sky remained the same even at night.
Thaliah's crown lit up and changed its color to lavender. The light fall of the snow elevated the romantic atmosphere. The blanket and basket of supplies I set up sat in the middle of the space. Grass circled the blanket.
I let go of Thaliah when we got to the blanket. She nestled on one end, and I took the other. The end of her dress tucked underneath her legs. I poured us glasses of the wine the tight-dressed servant gave me earlier.
That was the reason for my question. "Do you have a few dresses you can spare?"
Royalties often had clothes they no longer wore. Each season came with a wardrobe and fashion themes. An exhausting notion. Back home, I had my brother donate their clothes to people who needed them. I could do that here. Some of the servants needed it.
Thaliah accepted the glass of wine and sipped. "Why?"
I shrugged. "I met a maiden who is in need."
Lines pinched in the middle of Thaliah's forehead. "Do you like her?"
I scoffed. "Do I have to like someone to help them?" She didn't answer as if pondering it. Could she be any more annoying? I was not shallow. "Besides. This is your kingdom. You should be happy to help your citizens. Isn't that what you vowed to do?"
A bit weird that I had to come here to notice her servants were too big to fit in their clothes. She was their Queen. These things should be talked about in their royal meetings of the state of Cordal. Her servants were right under her nose. They were her top priority.
"Where did you meet this maiden?"
I plated some of the sandwiches and sweets. "Do you need to know all the details?"
"Yes, what if the clothes don't fit?"
I rolled my eyes. "They will."
Once again, she did not respond with a yes but accepted the plate and ate. I started to think this was my worst decision yet. I should get it over with. The mood would never get to where it should be with this woman. She was a romance killer.
Thaliah dusted her fingers and rested the empty plate in front of her. "Are you going to tell me what this is or what?"
I swallowed a piece of my cake. "What do you mean? We're on a date?"
She stiffened. "Why?"
I gulped down my wine to refrain from strangling her. It was now or never. Any longer and I would murder her.
I emptied my hands and pulled the ring Anubis gifted me out of my coat pocket. Thaliah eyed the red velvet box with a frown. I arched a brow, daring her to say something inappropriate. I swore if she did, only one of us would have walked out of the cave alive. It would be me.
I raised and knelt the way I often practiced. "Queen Thaliah of Cordal, I know you don't like me. In all truth, my feelings are the same as yours. You are the most annoying person I have ever met and gosh, can you be any more selfish? Despite all those many…many flaws, you have grown and have the heart and mind of a true Queen. Which brings me to my question. Will you marry me?"
Her eyes diverted from the opened box to my face. Déjà vu swept over us. I used to practice a lot on her when we were kids. Back then, at this time, she would have acted surprised. Her eyes would have twinkled with excitement. I liked her in those moments. Her reactions seemed real to anyone. She would say yes with a squeal. I would lift her and twirl around. Then we would do it again and again until I got bored.
This time there was no sparkle in her eyes. The cloud from before hid the joy that should have been there. I bit the inside of my cheeks, holding back a curse. Thaliah stared at the ring for the longest time.
She sighed. A heavy burdensome sound that squeezed the life out of my soul. She held out her hand. "Okay."
I gritted my teeth and slid the rare diamond on her finger. A rainbow of colors shone in its dept.
She held it up to her face. "An emotion reader?"
The rarest diamond on our globe. It could only be found at the pit of an active volcano. Since Fire Royals were the only people who could tackle the heat of an erupting volcano, there have only been a few and our kingdom held them all. Diamonds that portrayed colors to mirror its wearer's emotions. A treasure bestowed to a treasure.
Thaliah dropped her hand. "Thanks." Her words opposed her actions.
I tsked and resumed my seat. "Thanks for ruining this for me."
She snatched up the wine bottle and gulped down some of it. Not at all Queen-like. "You caught me off guard. You got the reaction I would have given any other man. I'm not marrying you because of love."
"And I am?"
She drank more. "I don't know why you're so annoyed. You can propose to anyone you want to marry. I am sure they'll give you the reaction you desire."
I grabbed the wine bottle from her. "Can I get that in writing?"
She paused. "Like a Royal contract?"
I nodded. Might as well.
Thaliah didn't hesitate with her answer. "Okay. All the clauses from before remains the same. You will have the right to marry any woman you love and have children with her after you give me at least two heirs. If you give me one and you fall in love, I might let it slide but I want three kids. I'll settle for two. After which, you can leave to roam the globe. I'll update you with the situation of the kingdom. That way you will always be in the know as the King. We have transparency at all times throughout our marriage. Before then, you are only permitted to explore Cordal."
Fair enough.
"What if I don't find a lover?"
"The clause still applies. You can go on your little adventure but only after we produce heirs."
I laid on my side, getting comfortable. "What if I want to take two of the kids with me. There will only be one King or Queen. The other two will only be burdened by being second and third."
Silence. Then, "Fine, you may do as you wish, but only if they want to leave with you. And you have to bring them back for regular visits."
I rolled my eyes. What was the point if they weren't needed? Rubbish. "Okay, and what if you fall in love?"
She stared at me as if I had two heads. "That's impossible."
"No, it's not, Thaliah. Queens fall in love too."
"I'm sure they do," she murmured. She squared her shoulders. "The same rules will apply to me. I only marry and court my lover unless I give you three heirs."
"Okay, good." I stretched out my hand to her, and she shook it. "It's a deal."
"I'll have the contract ready for signing on our wedding day."
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
Chantielu
Chantielu Arson and Thaliah's checklist:
An ackward proposal - Check
Two people who dislike each other - Check
A rare diamond - Check
Witty comback and snide remarks - Check
Eaquals the perfect day as couple of the year! A round of a plause everyone
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง