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“Zora, how many hours left to breakfast?”

The young maid paused and glanced at the clock. “Two, my princess.”

“Do you think that’s enough to know about someone?”, Waxlyn asked.

“Depends on the person, my princess.”

“It’s Gales.”

“Oh. Why would you want to know more about a farmhand’s son my princess?”

Waxlyn eyed her. “Is questioning your princess what you’re being paid for?”

Zora shook her head, eyes glued to the floor. “No, my princess. Sorry, my princess.”

Waxlyn rolled her eyes. “I’ll try on the dress later. There’s somewhere I have to go first.”

She dashed out of the room and rushed up to the attic, ignoring the servants’ look as she passed them. The chair he frequently warmed was empty so she decided to check if he was in the library. A zap of electricity shot up her arm once she touched the door knob.hissing, she retreated, massaging her affected arm.

“You royals never learn, do you?”

She turned around as he appeared from the shadows. He leaned against the railing and she took him in, eyes raking over the shirt that snug to his skin, his messed-up hair and ripped jeans. He tapped the floor with his foot, and Waxlyn wondered if he even owned a pair of shoes, because he was barefoot.

“You did that on purpose.”

He ignored the accusation. “Are you okay?”

Was he truly concerned? “Why would you care?”, she asked, massaging her wrist. “You’re the reason I got zapped.”

“The correct word is electrocuted. I shouldn’t care but I don’t want any more problems with the royal family.”

“You already have.”

He jerked away from the railing. “How?”

“You disobeyed my brother. You also swore.”

“I didn’t disobey your brother. I merely didn’t want to spoil his birthday surprise. Secondly, I apologize for swearing. It slipped my mind that your ears are not old enough to hear such fine words.”

Fine words? Really? She faced him.

“Now listen to me Gales. You will be punished for disrespecting my brother and I.”

He snorted and walked over to his chair and sat down. “By all means, punish me. Just have it in mind that you would be the first princess I know to do so.”

She glared at him. “I am the only princess that you know.”

He snorted. “Yeah, but not the only one that exists, so stop thinking that you are special because you’re not.”

She hated the way he talked freely, without a care in the world. “I could have you killed for that statement.”

“But you wouldn’t because you want to punish me.”

The way he said it, it was like he was begging to be punished. Like he wanted her to tie him up while she tortured him. She wanted to, but it was unladylike, and princesses weren’t allowed to do such. For a moment, she wished she wasn’t a princess.

“You’re insufferable. A poor excuse of a human being.”

“I believe the correct term is Icelander. If you have nothing else to say, leave. Your peachy perfume is killing me.”

She baffled. “My perfume is not peachy! I don’t even like peaches!”

“Not my problem. If you’re still mad because I swore, then take the only money I have one me and leave.”

She watched, then as he slid his hand into his pockets, bringing out a few coins. He stood up and approached her. She took a step backward.

“What..what are you doing?”, she asked as he loomed over her. Why was he so tall?

“Relax. I only wanted to give you what you came here for.”

He took her hand, and Waxlyn tried to ignore the chills that shot up her spine as he held onto her wrist, pressing the coins into her palm. His hands reminded her of Eloive’s. Rough and warm.

He walked away from her and she quickly exhaled, surprised that she was even holding her breath.

“I have paid my debt, now leave.”

“It’s funny how you chase me from my grandfather’s home.”

“It’s his home, not yours. Plus, you're invading my space.”

“Your space? You’re not even supposed to be here.”

“Try telling your grandpa that. I’m serious Waxlyn. Leave.”

She was shocked. How dare he, the son of a farmer, talk to her this way?

“Now listen, you…”

“Princess, it’s time for breakfast!”, Zora yelled from where she stood at the foot of the stairs.

The young princess cursed. Gales would have missed it, if he hadn’t been listening to her. He frowned, rising.

“Princess Waxlyn, did you just swear?”

She was too nervous to register the fact that he had said her name. “Me? No, I’ll never do such a thing.”

He deadpanned. “But you just did.”

“You don’t…you don’t have proof.”

”Actually I do, I recorded it,” he said.

“You..you don’t even have a phone.”

“It was a gift. Plus, being a spell caster has its perks. My my, I wonder what the world is going to think when I reveal how much of a fake you really are.”

“Nobody will believe you.”

“The people who want their items back will. My! Who would have thought that the princess who takes from people who swear actually swears? Once I tell the world, they wouldn’t want a liar as their princess whether you’re of royal blood or not.”

She was anxious and a bit scared. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“You can’t tell me what to do princess.”

She straightened her shoulders, and tried her best to look intimidating, even though she felt anything but. “I can, and I am telling you now, to forget that this ever happened.”

“Well, that’s not possible because I do have a very good memory, meaning that this, will always be in my head.”

Her resolve crumbled. “I can have them cut off your tongue.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Threatening me now, huh? Look, princess. I made sure this conversation was being recorded the minute you came up here, looking for me. Threatening me after I decided to expose you don’t really make you look like a good princess now does it?”

“My princess! Your food won’t eat itself!”

Waxlyn wished Zora would shut up. “Gales, you can’t tell anyone.”

“Why not? Keeping something this huge from the king himself is kind of treason, isn’t it?”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I made an oath not to go back to that life. It’s why I bought that swear jar. You mustn't say a word.”

He looked at her keenly. “You want my silence? Then buy it.”

“What?”

“You heard me princess. If you want my silence, then buy it.”

She reached into the pockets of her gown. “How much do you want?”

“I don’t want your money.”

“Then what do you want? Name it and it’s yours.”

Gales dragged his tongue over his bottom lip. He had her right where he wanted. “I want you to convince your grandfather to release me from temporary punishment.”

“I can’t do that. He won’t listen to me.”

“But he’ll listen to this recording of his favourite granddaughter swearing.”

“You have to believe me. He doesn’t discuss such with me.”

“There’s always a first. You have three days to secure my release. That’s all I have to say to you. Now leave. Your food won’t eat itself.”

….

While the Icelands and everyone in it got ready for the ball, visiting countless shops and arguing with dressmakers, their queen was busy getting ready for her lunch date with the king. Thjis had promised to take her out of the kingdom for lunch and Dogara couldn’t be more thrilled. To show her excitement, she decided to go commando, in the bustier top and leather pants she had on. She would wear her heels later once Thjis was done with one of his numerous meetings and she was done having breakfast.

The door opened and Dogara chugged down her water.

“Well, your meeting ended early,” she said, pushing away the tray of food.

“What meeting?”

Zikur.

She turned around, and glared at the vampire lord.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be back home where you truly belong?”

“Well, someone had to stay back and protect Wilhelm.”

“I’m sure he can take care of himself. Now leave.”

“I only just got here Ogra. Don’t be quick to chase me out.”

“I don’t care. Thjis would soon be here and I don’t want him to meet us like this.”

“Why? It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”

She huffed. He didn’t get it, did he? She wanted to do something wrong, but she couldn’t risk her position and her family for a vampire.

“I’m a married woman Zikur! Only my husband is allowed in my room. Now, go.”

“If you had exercised a bit patience, I would have been your husband,” he said, making himself comfortable on the armchair next to her bed.

She laughed. “It’s funny how you think I’d every say yes to you Zikur.”

“I would have been an excellent husband. Well, certainly not wealthy like your current husband, but I would have taken good care of you.”

“Current husband? You say that like I’ve had a husband before.”

He just smiled. “How is he?”

“He, who?”

Dogara swallowed. “Novgorod. How is he?”

Zikur sat up in the chair. “Well, I never thought the day would come when you would ask me how our son was faring!”

She sighed. “it’s taking me a lot to ask this Zikur, so don’t stress it. How is he?”

“How about you ask him?”, Zikur suggested as he whipped out his phone

Dogara’s eyes widened. “Zikur, what are you doing?”

“Calling Novgorod of course. Don’t worry, you can have his contact later.”

Frightened, she kicked his hands and the phone fell to the ground. Zikur stared at it before glancing at her.

“That phone was really expensive.”

“I’ll replace it.”

“A simple no would have sufficed. Breaking my phone was not worth it.”

Her phone pinged and Dogara reached for it, frowning when she read the message.

Zikur glanced at her. “What is it?”

“It’s a message from Thjis.”

“And? What does it say?”

She put the phone aside. “That’s none of your business Zikur.”

“Please, do tell. I am dying to know.”

“You’re already dead. How then can you be dying?”

“You’d be surprised. Baby, please.”

She glared at him. “Don’t baby me. You lost the right to call me that when you absconded years ago.”

“Oh, come on! Are we still talking about that? It was for a good cause!”

“How is being dead a good cause?”

“I’m not entirely dead sweetheart. I just don’t have a heart.”

“Of course you don’t. Hanos used to say the same thing until he met Lindsay.”

Zikur smiled. “I see what you’re doing Dogara.”

“All I’m doing is talking to you, which I really shouldn’t be doing.”

“Why not? We’re not doing anything wrong. Now stop changing the subject. What did he say?”

She sighed. “He canceled the lunch date we had scheduled for later. Apparently, his meeting is taking longer than expected. Such a shame really, dressing all up for nothing.”

“It doesn’t have to be for nothing. You dressed up nicely so go out and enjoy yourself.”

“Where do I know Zikur? Where do I go?”

“You can come with me, but you need boots and a coat.”

She giggled. “Where are we going?”

”You’ll see. I’ll be in my room. Meet me when you’re ready.”

She didn’t want to, but she was looking really forward to her ‘date’ with Zikur.