In part ten, Hyakinthos convinced Tanya and Alyssa to be ambassadors for humans. Their first test is to impress the Imperial Commander. Read on to find out what happens next!
The sound of many footsteps woke Tanya and Alyssa from their slumber. As they looked out the windows, they realized they could see each other. “Hey, Tanya! I can see ya!” Alyssa shouted. Tanya shushed her and motioned for her to look down. "That’s a war procession," Tanya said as quiet as she could to Alyssa. “Looks cool to me. So many of the soldiers look good, too.” Alyssa sighed and blushed. “Ya think if I can’t get Hyakin, maybe I could get one of them?” The maids knocking on their doors ended their conversation.
Hyakinthos and Laurus waited for them in the hallway. “Listen, princesses, you must be on your best behavior.” Alyssa swayed over to Hyakinthos. “Ya told us that yesterday. Is it really that important?” “Yes, it is,” Laurus said as he looked to the ground. “Let us prepare to greet the Imperial Commander,” Hyakinthos said then took a deep breath.
As they walked along with them, Laurus stopped them. “Stay here until we call for you.” Hyakinthos and Laurus walked forward to talk to a dark haired man who towered over them. He made Hyakinthos look short by comparison. He had a thick meticulous beard that stopped a little below his chin. He had similar eyes to Laurus, yet he had a colder look to him. They spoke in their language and Laurus bowed. Hyakinthos signals for them to come forward. “I must introduce you to Princess Tanya and Princess Alyssa.” Tanya bowed and Alyssa curtsied. “Ah, so these are the ladies I have heard so much about.” As he walked toward them, Tanya could feel a strong energy. It felt like ice water and thick fog. “It’s nice to meet such lovely humans.” He grabbed Tanya’s face. “Interesting,” he said after he smirked. He walked toward Alyssa and grabbed her face. “Ah, I see. Also, interesting.” He chuckled to himself. “Prince, you have no wife. Neither do you, Laurus.” Laurus bowed while Hyakinthos gave a soft smile and nod. “Princesses, I do not know if this has been revealed to you or not. The Prince can choose anyone he desires to be his wife. However, Laurus can only choose someone who can protect the future queen with her life.” He looked them over. “I don’t believe either of you measure to that standard.” He chuckled to himself. “Why’s that?” Alyssa asked puzzled. Tanya grabbed Alyssa’s arm and glared into her eyes. “You see, Laurus is the Crown Prince’s bodyguard and his valet. He trained for this position his entire life. His wife must also protect the future queen as her bodyguard. Neither of you has the appearance of fighters. Well, one of you is definitely sturdier than the other.” Alyssa could feel rage gathering in her. Tanya could see this and tried to calm her by patting her hand. “Laurus should be able to marry who he wants. Why not just hire someone to be her bodyguard or something.” “Princess Alyssa!” Hyakinthos interrupted then smiled at her. “The time is drawing near for the welcoming banquet. We should make our leave.” Tanya felt relieved at that moment and smiled at Hyakinthos.
“Wait.” The Imperial Commander’s deep voice echoed through the hall. He took slow deliberate steps to face Laurus. Tanya and Alyssa could see his breath quicken as his eyes stared at the floor. “Is the rumor true?” The Imperial Commander leaned over Laurus. Tanya noticed Laurus do a hard swallow. “Which rumor, father?” His voice came out almost like a squeak. “I heard you let the prince outside of the border again. Once again, I ask you. Is this true?” Laurus took a deep breath. “Yes, father.” Tanya and Alyssa heard the sound of the impact before they saw his hand move. Laurus fell to his knees while propping himself up with his hands. “How dare you embarrass me! I trained you to be obedient to the crown! You are to follow EVERY ORDER PERFECTLY!” Under a cascade of deep breaths, Laurus said in a clear voice, “Yes, father.”
“Why do ya gotta be so hard on your own son? I mean he looks sad enough as it is. Why don’t ya have some compassion for him?” Tanya tried to shush Alyssa. The Imperial Commander took a deep breath. “He is my son, so I shall do as I please.” He then kicked Laurus with the top of his boot, knocking him over in the process. Laurus rolled over while squinting his eyes to formally kneel.
Alyssa’s eyes teared up as she screamed, “That’s enough!” Tanya grabbed her and whispered to her. “Calm down we can’t do anything here.” Alyssa pulled away from Tanya to stand in front of the Imperial Commander. “He didn’t deserve that from ya. Ya should treat him better than that!” The sound was so quick, anyone barely heard it. Alyssa’s face turned sharply to the side and begin to swell. “How dare you speak to me with such a tone. I do not care what foreign princess you are! You will not disrespect me.” Tanya walked in-between them. “Imperial Commander, please…” “You stay out of this.” He growled at Tanya. She was afraid to comfort Laurus or her friend. She felt the situation was becoming more dangerous by the moment. She hoped with all of her heart that Alyssa would stay quiet, at least now. “How dare you!” Alyssa said. “Damn it, Alyssa,” Tanya mumbled to herself and took a deep breath. “Princess Alyssa! Don’t say another word. Do you know who you’re in front of? This person controls the entire military in this country!” Tanya looked at him. “Please forgive her,” Tanya said her eyes welling up with tears. “Please, I’m begging you,” Tanya said on her knees. She was on the verge of tears, trying not to cry. Alyssa held her face with fire in her eyes. “Please don’t say anything else, Alyssa!” Alyssa groaned. “Alyssa, please ask for his forgiveness!” Tanya pleaded. “I ain’t asking him for nothing. He slapped me, Tanya, didn’t ya see that.” Tanya looked to Hyakinthos with tears in her eyes. She wanted him to do something. He just shook his head with his hand to his mouth. “I will not forget your disrespect, Princess Alyssa, was it?” She growled. “Yes, that’s my name, and don’t ya forget it.” “I will not,” he grinned. As he looked to Tanya he gave a different smile. It made her skin crawl. He stared into her eyes and gave her a nod of recognition. She could feel that icy feeling in her soul almost overpower her. He bowed to Hyakinthos. Then, said something to them in their language to which Hyakinthos replied.
Tanya stood after he left and went to check on Alyssa. “Alyssa, I’m sorry.” Alyssa didn’t respond to Tanya for a second. Tanya turned to help Laurus. By that time, he already pulled himself up and knocked the dust off his clothes. “Why ya gotta always take their side, huh?” Alyssa asked Tanya in a quiet tone. She then ran off in some random direction holding her face. “I will inform them that you both are ill. That is why you may not attend the banquet. In the meanwhile, you look for Princess Alyssa.” Tanya nodded at Hyakinthos' directions. “Princess Tanya,” Laurus bowed deeply to her. “Forgive me for not properly informing you both of my father’s disposition.” She placed a hand on Laurus’ shoulder. “Don’t worry, you did.”
Tanya searched around looking for Alyssa. She pretended to be ill around the servants who passed by her. “Princess do you need a remedy for your cough?” One maid stopped her. “Thank you. I highly appreciate it. But at this moment, I am far more concerned with Princess Alyssa. She ran off in a fever. I’m trying to find her.” The maid gasped. “Do you need assistance in finding her?” Tanya quickly it over. “No, however, I thank you for your kindness.” The maid bowed to her and took off to search more.
Hyakinthos and Laurus returned to find Tanya still searching. “We do not have a long time, the banquet will start soon and I must attend. Let us quickly look for Alyssa. Let us divide ourselves.” "Hyakinthos," Laurus growled. “You are my responsibility. If you are harmed in any way, I will face severe consequences.” Hyakinthos interrupted him in their language and ran off to look for Alyssa. Tanya watched Laurus shake his head and sigh. “Let us quickly retrieve her,” Laurus moaned. “We shall take the servant’s path around the palace.” Tanya nodded. “I’ll follow you, Laurus.”
Image Credits
Hallway by Scott Fitzpatrick from Pixabay
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