บท 17: SWORD AND FLOWER
[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: TATTOO~LOREEN]
Kitanna stayed on her bed, the rest of the day she tried to figure out why everyone looked as if they were angry with her. Especially Nix, and why did she feel like there was something crucial missing in her memory?. She decided to do everything in her power to regain her memory.
Days passed in the native town of Wahels, and the princess found herself embracing their way of life. She learned their basic language and how to eat with her hands, witnessing their natural activities and the breathtaking scenery that surrounded her. The simplicity of it all fascinated Kitanna, but there was one thing that continued to weigh on her. Her lost memories. She couldn't remember anything that happened in the carriage that night.
Nix left the palace occasionally to see how the princess was progressing but it was not looking promising. He noticed she was getting comfortable with her life in the small village. He tried to talk to her about how she used to be back in the palace, but Kitanna could not remember what happened or who tried to harm her that night. Nix decided to try a last-ditch effort to help her regain her memory.
"You and I?? Sparring?? " Kitanna stared at the man with a look of surprise on her face. Obviously Nix wanted to embarrass her in front of everyone. She bit her lips in thought before responding "Okay, let's see,"
Nix threw one of the wooden swords to her, just as if her body remembered. Kitanna caught the sword with smooth reflex. She smiled at herself then she held the wooden sword and swinging it gently, the princess winked at Nix.
Nix watched how she caught the sword, it was obvious her body still remembered all her trainings. He picked up another sword and moved to stand in front of the girl.
The spar began, and Nix remained still, watching Kitanna exert herself in the fight. He didn't rush to attack, rather he stayed on his defense. By the first round, she was already breathing heavily.
In the second round, as she rushed towards Nix, he dragged the sword, Kitanna lost her balance in the process. He turned her around making her face him closely.
Kitanna was lost in the moment, Nix raised his hand and flicked her forehead.
"Ah!" Kitanna hissed in frustration. She wriggled herself out of his grip and positioned properly. She was determined to go all in.
In the final round, Kitanna gave her all to get to Nix, but it was futile. Suddenly, Nix executed a swift move behind her, he hit the edge of the sword on her back as if to show her that she lost again.
But at that moment, Kitanna heard a bell ringing in her head. The world started to spin, blood trickled from her nose, and she passed out again.
When Kitanna woke up, her eyes had changed. The fearlessness, arrogance, and sarcasm had returned.
Nix smiled to himself when he saw the girl sit up. Now, this is Princess Kitanna. He thought.
"You would have sent me back to the palace?" Kitanna asked, grinning.
"If you didn't regain your memory, that is," Nix replied.
"I thought you were mute, Nix?" she teased.
"'Thank you for saving my life' is the appropriate sentence," he replied.
"Ah, and you're sarcastic too..." The princess nodded in approval. "So you're the white lord?." she grinned.
"And you're no longer a princess?" Nix tilted his head to the side.
"Why did you save me? Is this some kind of setup? Is Queen Dowager planning to use me from the sidelines?" Kitanna pressed, looking at Nix suspiciously.
She never trusted anyone not even her own mother. If this guard saved her, then there was more to that. Was she one of her mother's opposing forces? Kitanna smiled inwardly at the thought of her mother being crossed by her most trusted guard.
"You came to me. Or did that part of memory not return?" Nix raised his hand to brush off a piece of the silver hair that fell on his face.
Kitanna widened her devilish grin. She was very much aware of what Nix was talking about. Her mind went back to that very day.
Clephas had gone to pray only to return earlier to tell her that the queen was meeting with the high priestess. She sneaked into the shrine as one of the shrine maids then she hid in the fountain. Listening to everything, that was when she heard that Nix was going to be the one to discard her. Her spy job was going well until one of the shrine maids saw her inside the fountain. She escaped through the tunnel where the water flowed out.
After that day, Kitanna tried her best to meet with Nix alone, but the guard was not willing to spare her even a second. He was always with Almaria or the palace maidens.
Then opportunity came knocking at her door, she saw him feeding his stallion that day. It was a sunny day, she removed her shoes and decided to take a walk. She felt the thorns dig deep into her feet but she kept walking waiting for him to come closer. And when he did, Kitanna grabbed the chance.
....That day at the garden " Not the palace please.... I want to give you an opportunity you won't regret" the princess grinned.
When they got to the hide out, Kitanna laid out her plans.
"I know I am your mark.....but what if I promise to give unlimited salt to Wahels through Larel's family. You know her family owns the highest merchant services in our kingdom" she grinned. It was an irresistible offer. Kitanna knew very well how much Wahels only cared about themselves.
Nix listened to what she had to say further.
"I want you to act like you are worried about me in front of the queen. Let her switch her plan up. If she sends you and you fail to kill me, we lose. Let her change you that way she will still trust you." Kitanna grinned.
Looking back at everything Kitanna pressed her lips together. She was never the mark to start with, she choose her mark. The princess tied her hair up in a ponytail.
"I told you the plan would work didn't I?" She smirked when Nix did not respond.
"About the salt, I will need to get back into the palace and get in contact with Larel. We have some unfinished business. But I can't go back there just yet"
" Write to me when you know what to do. You can live here and start a new life if you want," Nix concluded and left without waiting for her response.
Kitanna sucked her teeth. That guard had no respect for her title, he always did what he wanted. She smiled, it was that attitude of his that kept her alive.
Kitanna couldn't help but think, "Psst... Queen Almaria..."
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice when a young girl walked into the room, carrying water and a piece of clothing.
"Greetings" the girl bowed, bringing Kitanna back to reality.
"White lord, he speaks short, no long. But with you, he speaks long," the maiden explained in her limited language, placing the water beside Kitanna and dabbing her legs.
"Oh, he doesn't talk too much? I see... That one looks like trouble," Kitanna sneered, her tone sarcastic, as she took the towel from the girl and started to clean herself.
"What is your name?" she asked, trying to make a friend.
The young girl hummed for a moment, struggling to understand Kitanna and give a better reply.
Kitanna noticed how she struggled to reply, she decided to make things easier for the young girl "Me Kitanna, elder Maleek, you?" pointing at the girl.
"Oh, me... Axilla... bright flower Axilla," the young girl replied with a smile.
"Wow, Axilla, a beautiful name," Kitanna complimented her, petting the girl's hair gently.
Kitanna decided to teach the young girl more about Morado and how to speak better.
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