Izrina almost dropped to the ground when she heard Cora's familiar voice. She'd never imagined how much she missed her personal guard until now and to think she almost killed herself just to leave Cora and Spinola behind.
How selfish of her!
"Your Majesty." Cora moved his body to the side, so the guard won't stop him. He didn't stop walking until he was before the king, then he got on his knees.
Neron let go of Izrina's hand for a second, he stared down at the young man with his brows knitted. Then at the guard who was behind him, "Who is this and what is going on here?"
Izrina took the little space to catch her breath, she turned her body around. Rubbing her chest to chase anxiety away.
"Your majesty...." the disturbed guard curtsied before saying, "This young man is among the new recruits... he doesn't know of the rules, yet."
Neron shifted his eyes from the guard and settled it on Cora. "Young man, it doesn't seem to me like you lost your ways or haven't any idea of the rules. You don't come off as someone foolish or slow...." he trailed, glancing at the young girl beside him.
"Why did you seek out my presence?"
Cora inhaled deeply, the king wasn't a fool. He would catch a lie as easy as he speak. Cora knew it was his best interest to say the truth or maybe something close to the truth. He was walking past the place when he saw the king with the princess.
At first Cora had assumed it was for a brief moment, praying the princess will be left alone but everything changed when the king trapped Izrina with her hands above her head.
Cora had to cause a distraction. And now, he needed to be as plain as he could be.
"Cat has your tongue. What is wrong with everyone today?" Neron asked with a tired sigh.
Cora got on his feet, bowed deeply before saying. "I wanted to thank His Majesty for saving my life...if it weren't for you. I'd have been killed."
Neron scanned the young man's face, as if searching for a hint of lie. "I see." he nodded. "It's nothing...a lot of blood has been shed with these hands...I do my best to save the ones I can."
"If that is all, you can leave. I am occupied." Neron waved his hand dismissively. He returned his attention on his newfound toy.
"Rina..." he dragged her name like it was the last poem written solely for him. "Come have dinner with me tonight."
Izrina cringed when she heard her name, her shoulder raised in defense. She hasn't known this man for a long time but his presence already made her uncomfortable.
"I..."
Cora bit his lips, the king wasn't letting Izrina go. He ruffled his hair with his hand trying to rack his mind for another thought. "Your Majesty."
"For the sake of mating stars and all that ever breeds, what the hell do you want from me?" Neron hated being interrupted and it was getting on his nerves.
Izrina widened her eyes. For the sake of what? She was going to come back to that later but first. The king was clearly irritated, and she wished Cora would stop, but she knew her guard would protect her. She didn't want him to worsen the situation.
Cora gave a sheepish smile; one he wasn't used to making his face look paralyzed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. But it seems you don't remember me."
"Do I need to?" Neron asked with a bored stare.
Cora tried to keep the man occupied. "You agreed to what I said concerning whores being treated as humans. It was really a surprise to see a man in power speak the truth about how women should be treated. I'd like to know what made, Your Majesty do that."
"You-" Neron pointed at the young man. "What is your name?"
Cora bowed, "I am Cora, Your Majesty."
Neron snapped his fingers. "Good Cora...what did you ask me again?"
Cora opened his mouth to ask, but Neron stopped him with a hand gesture. "Send it in writing to the scholars and it will get to me. Is that alright?" he turned to Izrina.
"I really hate people like him who act like they know it all." he whispered, though everyone could hear him. "He is still behind me, isn't he?"
Izrina opened her mouth then closed it. Was this king being serious? But she still nodded.
"Come on, let's have dinner."
Izrina noticed Cora was about to interrupt again but she stopped him by saying. "I'm not hungry.... Your Majesty." she finally found her voice.
Izrina knew she had to do it else Cora's head would be the next thing hanging around in an enemy's kingdom. And she was calm enough to speak and hear for herself now.
Neron's lips pulled up but he didn't smile. It was the first time he was hearing the girl's voice without stutter. "She speaks..." he mouthed with a confirmation smile.
"You do look hungry...look at those weak bones." Neron persuaded with a grin.
Feeling her dress now dried on her body, Izrina cleared her throat. She moved her hand with grace resting it below her stomach, She curtsied. "Allow me to formally render apologies for using the fountain-"
"And being an attention-seeker." Neron added.
Izrina had the urge to glare at him, but she didn't. Despite falling from royalty, she hadn't lost her etiquette. She was well-trained and a crowned princess. A true lady never loses her grace. She must remain as refined as she has been trained, with or without her crown.
"Are you cussing me out in your mind?" Neron asked when she noticed the lines forming on the girl's forehead.
Izrina forced a smile, shaking her head. "I would never dare." she replied, moving her hair slightly to hide her face. "Please accept the apologies of your humble servant...who does not deserve a space on your table or to dine with you."
"In translation...you're a mad king and should be avoided by everything living including insects?"
Izrina nodded with a smile. "Yes your-" when she saw the Cora and the guard's horrified expression. She swallowed hard. "I will return to my quarters now, away from your heavenly abode."
Before Neron could stop her, Izrina was already fleeing through the route she walked in from without looking back.
"That lass...." Neron mused with his hand stretched forward. He dropped his hand to the side and sucked his teeth. "I've never been insulted with so much nobility..." he turned to look at Cora and the guard.
"Uncanny....her looks of insult were very much uncanny." he muttered, walking back inside the palace.
The guard nudged Cora after the king had left. "You're lucky he is not in the mood to watch heads roll tonight. Maybe the war has weakened him. You should thank your stars." the man said before leaving.
Cora almost dropped to his knees when the king left. He rubbed his chest. It felt like he had lost all the years remaining in his life. He turned to leave but glanced at the direction the princess took. The king had been right, Cora has never seen the princess look at someone with disdain. Princess Izrina has always been graceful, a precious innocent soul.
"What are you still doing over there. Let's go!" The guard shouted for Cora.
Cora scratched his head, pretending to be lost before he followed the guard.