Chapter 28: The new mentor!

Selena pouted her lips and scowled at her mother in disbelief. She had thought that she had made it extremely clear her feelings and stance on this supposed engagement when she ran out of the court room without a word angrily.

“Excuse me? Did you just say that Caro Silva is going to be my mentor?”, Selena repeated in disbelief, praying to god that she had just misheard. Why was it that from the time from her birth, everything was decided without consulting her first? She was abandoned and discarded because of a prophecy and strictly controlled by the General and now in the royal palace also, her wishes didn’t quite seem to count.

Her mother stared her down disappointedly. The Queen was used to getting her orders obeyed without any challenge from others, but Selena was becoming a tougher nut to crack and for the life of her couldn’t figure out a way to get her daughter to obey her commands without questioning her at every turn of events. But she couldn’t figure out a way to get into her head again…the last images she had shown her had kept her away from trying again to intrude into her daughter’s mind again. That was a lesson well learned by the Queen that Selena tends to clam up completely or go entirely berserk and batshit crazy when you push her too much.

The Queen let out a sigh resignedly and replied firmly, “Yes, I personally requested Mr Silva to teach you and he has good naturedly accepted to take you in as his disciple even though he had never taken in a disciple in centuries and you will be thankful and grateful to him for his eternal kindness.”
Selena scoffed at her mother indignantly. How dare she command her to feel grateful to Caro Silva?
She had always felt a little awkward with him and after their conversation that day after the King’s abrupt declaration of their marriage, the last thing she had said to him was that she would figure out a way to disrupt their marriage form ever happening and sadly she hadn’t yet found a way and she felt embarrassed facing him.

The Queen’s personal attendant came rushing into her room where she was presently having a not so meaningful conversation with her rebellious daughter.
The attendant bowed deeply, acknowledging both the Queen as well the first princess.
“Your highness, Caro Silva had requested for permission to take the princess outside of the palace.”

The Queen raised an eyebrow at her daughter while Selena continued scowling, this time at the poor attendant who had just delivered Caro’s intentions.

She frowned at her daughter. Her real personality and character were starting to come through. No person changes this fast and Selena and Mia were poles apart in terms of their personalities. If she doesn’t learn to control her emotions, sooner or later someone would figure out that both of them were entirely two different persons.

Caro having years of experience and being a strategist himself had seen through her disguise after their first meeting itself and the Queen intended to make sure that he remains the only outside person to find out the truth. And Natasha Langdon was not a common enemy either. Everyone in the palace had noticed her sudden change of behavior.

The Queen shot her an incredulous look as she nonchalantly dismissed the attendant who had just entered to deliver the news. The attendant knowing that she wasn’t needed anymore, excused herself out, leaving the mother daughter duo alone.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Get on with it!”, the Queen snarled at her, slowly starting to lose patience with her disobedient daughter and Selena frowned disappointedly at her mother.

“Maybe he wants to start your lessons in a unique way. And Selena, I have to remind you that Caro Silva is one of the original three brothers. I advise you not to treat him dismally and offend him. You won’t be able to deal with the aftermaths of his wrath.”

Selena let out a sigh and stalked out into the hall where Caro Silva was said to be waiting for her. For the life of her she couldn’t figure out if he was just a law-abiding citizen or he genuinely fancied her?
Why would he fancy a youngling like her? Selena quickly dismissed the thought from her mind and shook her head. He probably thought of her as an annoying and uncontrollable kid who could make trouble for him in the future if not handled properly.

As she exited the palace, she frowned as she realized that Caro had put quite some effort into his appearance today. Grooming himself in sleek, luxurious, royal robes as opposed to the plain, white ones he usually wore.
Selena looked down at the plain gown that she was wearing and frowned. She was going to look like a common pheasant next to him.

Caro perked up as he saw his fiancé approach him not so enthusiastically.
Selena bowed her head deeply and he politely returned her bow. He hoped that he could ease the distance between them and she could stop treating him so formally and respectfully.

“Your Highness, where are you taking me?”
Caro smiled at her and replied, “To my kingdom. It’s going to be just a one day journey. I have already taken permission from your father, the King and he already got one of the attendants to pack your bags. I thought that teaching the history of Valyria is useless when you haven’t even set a foot outside of the comfort of your home.”

Selena frowned at him, feeling miffed. Deep inside, she wanted to yell at him for his atrocious acts. He literally forced her into a trip she didn’t want to go to without even having the common courtesy of informing her first. It was obvious form his actions, that he treated her like a child. That’s why, he went over her head and took permission from her parents first.

Selena kept a tight smile plastered on her face, not being able to say anything as she watched the attendant mount her bags to the royal carriage as well.
If he intends to travel through all of Valyria’s different kingdoms, this trip is going to take quite a while and the thought of spending more than a week with him was enough to send shudders throughout her whole body.

Caro smiled as he saw her tight and forced smile. He realized that’ she was barely controlling her fury. Even looking at her scowling face was a healing balm to his heart. He knew he had played an underhanded trick in getting her to come, but he didn’t regret it as his objectives was achieved which was to accompany Selena for a trip.

He had genuinely thought that as the future empress of Valyria, she should know about her kingdoms and her people, not just her direct citizens but also the kingdoms that come under Valyria’s rule.
Plus, it would give him the additional advantage of travelling with her and easing the boundaries between the two of them.

“One condition”, Selena said mightily and Caro raised an eyebrow at her, urging her to continue.
“Demetri comes with me”
Caro let out a sigh. He had already figured out that she won’t leave for anywhere without her royal guard and had already come up with a plan to ensure that it would only be them both who would inside of the carriage. He intended to make Demetri ride a horse, diligently following them from behind their carriage. That would ensure both the safety as well as comfort of his woman and he would get to spend some alone time with her.