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Chapter Three
"How's the girl?" Princess Sabrina asked Nina the moment she met her at the entrance of the palace clinic.
"My lady, Madam Nazar is already tending to her wounds," Nina replied, worry etched plainly on her face. The poor girl had been badly assaulted; who wouldn't feel for her?
"Let's not disrupt Nazar. We'll come back later today."
"Okay, my lady," Nina nodded.
"Oh, that reminds me, Nina. I want you to inform the palace head maid to come see me. Tell her the princess has something important to discuss with her."
"Okay, my lady," Nina said with a bow. As she was about to leave, the princess stopped her.
"And also, you should get me some fruits on your way back," she ordered.
Nina nodded and asked, "Just as you like it?"
"Yes, just how I love it," Sabrina confirmed.
Nina bowed one last time before hurrying off to fulfill her princess's order.
Knowing she had no urgent matters to attend to except for the scrolls her father had ordered her to review—and none of them were pressing—Sabrina took her time walking to her chambers. Normally, as a princess, her walk was always poised and regal, with her head held high. Her enchanting beauty was undeniable; she was simply perfect for being a princess.
As she walked slowly but regally to her chambers, she took the opportunity to observe the palace, taking everything in. Palace maids and guards stopped abruptly when they saw her, acknowledging her with respectful bows. She would simply nod her head or wave her hand in response.
As she entered the main royal family building where her room was, she saw a gallant figure approaching from the same direction.
General Jade? What's he doing here?
She slowed her steps, allowing him to catch up to her.
"Your Highness," he greeted with a bow, dressed in his usual black attire, his sword tucked at his side.
"General Jade," she acknowledged, eyeing his appearance. Clad in black pants and an upper robe—all black—he looked like someone on a mission, his sword fixed tightly at his left side. His face gave away no expression—stoic and blank.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. For the first time as Princess Sabrina of Badrith, she felt someone wasn't intimidated by her.
He looked straight back into her eyes and replied, "The King sent for me, Princess." Not once did he lower his gaze, amusing her even more.
Such nerve! He intrigued her.
"I'd love to congratulate and acknowledge your victory personally. Care for a cup of tea tomorrow evening?" she offered, making sure a tone of superiority and authority was laced in her voice. She didn't want him to have any other thoughts.
"I'd love to honor your request, Princess, but a royal General doesn't have such time to squander."
It felt like a slap, but she didn't show her embarrassment. He truly was interesting, turning down a princess's request—especially hers. Considering a time with her a "squander"? Such guts!
"It isn't a request, General; it's an order," she said, this time with more authority and finality.
"You may go see my father," she added dismissively, walking away to her chambers.
General Jade. Such a mysterious and strange man. For some odd reason, she felt something off about him. His eyes—they held not a single emotion. They looked so cold, dead… lifeless.
Apart from being extraordinarily good-looking, he had a savage look. He looked brutal. That explained why he won every war he led. How he got into the palace and became such a special person to the king also intrigued her. The king, her father, was someone who didn't trust easily.
As she walked slowly toward the hallway leading to her quarters, a small, petite maid scrambled to her front, her head bowed.
"Afternoon, Your Highness," she greeted.
"Afternoon," Sabrina responded, recognizing the girl as Sally, her father's mistress's handmaid.
"His Majesty, the King, seeks your presence at the palace court now."
Her father sought her? Why? For Sally to be the one to deliver his message meant his mistress, Lady Ashley, was with him.
"You are dismissed," she ordered, not sparing Sally a glance.
"Yes, Your Highness," Sally bowed one last time then scurried out of sight immediately.
Abruptly, Sabrina changed her direction, walking regally down to the palace courtroom. Why would the King send for her? He probably wanted to give her more scrolls to interpret.
She sighed. All for being a princess in a powerful kingdom. It came with many responsibilities and duties. A lot.
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