Layana sat in front of the mirror, staring at herself while the maid did her hair. She wasn't wearing her usual smile, she's still sulking.
"Your highness, is anything the matter?" the maid behind asked as she noticed Layana's expression.
Layana kept quiet, but after a while spoke "What kind of man do you desire?"
The maid was stunned with the sudden question, but she still opened her mouth to speak "Well, I want a man with a normal life. Not so rich and not so poor. I want someone who respects me and love me for I am. I don't want an all-to-familiar man." She said
"Do you think general Mathias is good enough for me?" Layana asked.
"I don't know the kind of man my princess wants"
"A little like yours"
"Well, in my opinion I don't think he is" she answered "He's a very famous figure. And somehow...I think he's power-hungry"
"Why do you say so?"
"I heard he's an ally of Duke Choi Su Jin, who is also power-hungry. They seem really close" she replied.
Layana sighed "I also do not like him. But grandmother keep pressuring me"
"If I may ask, why didn't you get married before now? Because I know you've met men with normal lives."
"I won't get married if my brother is not here to see it. I can't wait to for him to be free and come back home" her lips pouted, showing how sad she suddenly became.
"Oh... I have heard about him from the palace maids." She said. Well truth be told, they only seem to curse at him and speak ill of him as an illegitimate half breed of the King, who defied his kind.
"Your highness" a maid called from behind them "You have a visitor"
"Who is it?"
"Lady Nayla from the eastern province"
Layana gritted her teeth. How nice! "You may leave" she said and the maid bowed and left. Layana stood up, checking herself out. "How do I look in this dress?"
"Very beautiful and exquisite, your highness" she replied "But are you sure you want to go out with him?"
"I am. But not after making my day....sweet" she smiled, before walking out to the living room where Nayla sat. Her heels announcing her presence. Nayla stood up and bowed.
"Long time no see, Princess Layana" she smiled.
Layana took her seat "Why would the mouse suddenly come to the lion's den?" she asked without sparing her a glance.
Nayla sat down "You didn't even ask an old friend how she was doing"
"The last time I checked, you ruined our friendship" Layana said "I don't know why I didn't kill you back then. My claws are still itching"
"I apologized" Nayla voiced out.
"No amount of apologies would change what you've done" the words came through clenched teeth "Because of you, my brother went berserk. Because of you, so many innocent lives were lost. Including the humans he wanted to protect. But even after everything, he still let you live. It's so annoying!"
"Say why you're here and leave. Mere seeing you makes me want to puke, and I destroy anything that makes me feel that way. You wouldn't want to leave without your heart, would you?"
"I just want to talk" Nayla said with lowered eyes, her voice low. She felt so bad at that moment.
"About what?"
Taking a deep breath, she began"My father has plans to kill Ryan. So I have come to help"
"Hahaha...." Layana laughed, so hard that a tear escaped her eye. "Help? You?" She laughed "Someone please tell me my ears are messing with me"
"I'm being serious, Layana" Nayla couldn't help but raise her voice.
Layana stopped immediately, her face turning fierce "I see you've forgotten your place. Where's the 'PRINCESS' before my name?!" She clenched her teeth.
Nayla exhaled "Princess Layana..." she said "My father has sent his men already to the human world to have Ryan killed. I know where they might be before they get a glimpse of him. So I have come to help in stopping them before they get to him"
Layana stared at her with displeased expression "Thanks, but no thanks. I rather take help from a rat than from you." A betrayer "Tell your so called father to stop sending his minions because Ryan would kill them all. It's his hobby afterall" she gave a wicked smile, and Nayla could only lower her eyes, clenching her jaws.
Layana stood up "You may use the door. As you can see I am about to go out. Every minute of you in this house irks me to the point of no return"
Nayla stood up, taking her handbag "I'll be on my way then" she turned to leave, but then Yana stopped her.
"One last thing" she said "The next time I hear Ryan's name in your mouth, I'll take out your voice box. Now get out" she spoke sternly. Nayla made a gallant attempt to hide her tears as she walked out the door.
Layana took a breather "I should have killed her for daring to mention his name." she gritted her teeth.
"But your highness, his majesty would be angry." A maid spoke.
"Does it look like I care? She doesn't even deserve death for what she did to my brother. She deserves something worse than that" she said "Send a message to the Prince that I would like to see him once I return"
"Yes, your highness"
The chauffeur walked in "The car is ready, Princess"
Layana walked out, feigning a smile to smile to calm her angered self. General Mathias, let's see the main reason why you couldn't marry any princess, but Layana.
*...*....*....*.....*....*.....*.....*.....*.....*....*....*.....*
Ryan leaned against the car, waiting for her to come out. How much time would she take to get ready? He had been waiting for thirty minutes already. Just when he thought of going to her, she came out. She was wearing a pink shirt, and pink mini skirt with flower patterns. And white high sneakers. Her hair flowed down her back gracefully, her skin glowed as the sun kissed it. The moment his eyes fell on her, he couldn't take it off. All he did was gaze, and she did the same.
She walked to him, stopping an inch away "Sorry I kept you waiting" she said. She had been in her room, reminiscing the heated kiss. She was so happy, that she forgot how to smile. All she did was touch her lips continuously, as her heart raced. A faint blush was still visible on her cheeks.
Ryan's lips parted, but no words came out. Why is she just so incredibly beautiful? His gaze was getting intense, making her nervous.
"Shall we...go now?" she asked, and his Adam's apple bobbed.
"Yes, let's... let's go" he opened the car door for her, and she got in. He got in thereafter, driving the car out.