Chapter 10: A New Rival
Princess Asteria felt her body so heavy when she woke up.
She didn't even run a marathon or something, yet she felt tired.
Was this her body's reaction since Lord Eros was with her last night?
Wait, Lord Eros? Opening her eyes, she was face to face with him whose face was now just inches away from her, silently watching her.
He smirked as he caught her waking up from his stare. "You snore so loud, princess."
She widened her eyes at him, "Didn't I tell you to leave as soon as possible?!" She whisper and yelled, somehow panicking.
He cocked his eyebrow, "Why? I love watching you sleep. And I don't obey orders, princess."
The way the word princess rolls off his tongue sounds mocking, but she drew her breath, "Fine, then prepare to get beheaded by my father once he'll know."
He snorted, "I'm not scared of anything."
"Your highness!" Suddenly, her maid Vita yelled from the door and Lord Eros jumped in shock.
It was her turn to smile now, "So? Not scared of anything, huh?"
He cleared his throat and Princess Asteria pushed him below her bed.
The door instantly opened and Vita came in just in time for Lord Eros to hide below. She was holding a bowl of water for her face to wash.
Princess Asteria smiled, "Oh, hi Vita."
Vita blinked, confused. "Did…something happen?"
"What?"
"You're smiling now, but you hate mornings, didn't you?"
She decided to laugh it off, "Oh, HAHAHA, I just dreamt of something good." She felt the bed move a bit and she hit it, earning a loud groan from below.
Vita suddenly stopped and looked up, "Did you hear what I heard, princess?"
Asteria looked at her maid with a feign innocence, "Hear what? Are you sure you're not just imagining things, Vita?"
She puckered her lips and looked at her suspiciously, "You're hiding something. I've known you ever since you were in diapers, princess."
"I'll be late to breakfast if you keep poking your nose like that." She said, grabbing the water as she washed her face and stood to go to her huge closet.
"Whatever it is, I'll eventually know it. There's no secret that won't be revealed, your highness." Vita said and she decided to shrug it off. Asteria quickly glanced below the bed and saw that Lord Eros was still below.
"So, chose a good husband yet? How's Prince Galician?" Vita started chatting as she helped her get on the dress. The princess chose her lovely pink and cute puffy dress to wear for today. Vita prepared her hair into a bouncy curl fixed elegantly.
"We must hurry now to the dining hall, your highness." Said Vita and she decided to let her go first. When Asteria was sure her maid has left.
"Lord Eros!" she looked below her bed and looked for Lord Eros but he was nowhere.
Repeating it again, she didn't see him there. He must have left on his own then…that's good, no more worry for trouble.
Asteria then proceeded to the hall to eat breakfast with the king when her foot suddenly stepped on a wet part, making her slip to the ground. She had closed her eyes and anticipated the fall..
But a hand caught her.
Judging by the musk earthy scent, it's no other than Prince Galician.
"Careful princess."
She cleared her throat, maintaning compure, "Thank you, Prince Galician…but get your hands off me. It's starnge how you managed to see me slipping when your room is at the lower level."
He looked at her straight in the eye, "I came to see you and to escort you."
She dusts herself off and said, "I am perfectly fine to walk by myself, thank you."
She continued walking down the stairs and still see him following.
"Are you following me?"
He nodded shamelessly, "Yes, and I'm also off to the dining room so why not let's walk together."
"You're really pissing me off." She mumbled but he seemed to hear it.
"Thank you, I'm glad I am leaving quite an expression from you. I'll keep on working hard."
She gritted her teeth and walked faster so he wouldn't be able to keep up.
As soon as she opened the door, all eyes were on them. From her father to her three brothers, even to the other maids. Lord Eros was chatting with her father, along with Prince Griffith.
She clicked her tongue. Seems that Lord Eros had disappeared earlier not to hide, but to appear extravagantly.
He's doing the opposite of what she told him. He's out here exposing himself to the royals. Goodness, what if her father suddenly knew that Lord Eros is 1000 years old and rise from the dead? Lord Eros, known as the dark mage himself who "betrayed" King Augustus and was killed too?
What more, it was her who revived him?
Her father beamed and was the one who broke the silence. "Well well well, my dear daughter, you're getting closer with Prince Galician I believe?"
She instantly interjected, "I am not."
"Prince Galician, how was your sleep?"
The prince behind her smirked, "It's great, your majesty. I was able to sleep peacefully because of your great welcome."
"I am happy. The King brightened up as soon as he saw his daughter, "I was having a nice conversation with one of your suitors here. Who knew he would be good to chat with!"
"It's an honor, your majesty." Said Lord Eros with a smile.
Princess Asteria looked in confusion at the two. How did he even get close to her father in just a night?
She glanced at her brother's reaction who was also as confused as she.
She caught Lord Eros just casting a glance at her and smiling smugly.
She feigned a smile but gave him a signal to stop whatever he is doing.
What is he even planning? Princess Asteria perfectly knows that he hates the Royal family because of his history with them….and yet here he is, socializing like it's no big deal.
With Prince Galician, Prince Griffith, competing for her, and Mistress Geneva ruining her mood, Asteria could sense that this breakfast not going to end well…she could feel it now…
His majesty the king motioned for them to join in and Princess Asteria instantly sat at her usual seat, beside her father, and to her right was Lord Eros. Prince Galician took the seat across her so now while Prince Griffith was beside him, she has to sit face to face with them.
She can't help but look at her Eldest brother Apollo who has been silently staring at her since she entered. She wanted to have a nice little talk with him and ask about his love life improvement if ever the story was indeed progressing. After all, this novel is all about him.
Later. She took a note in her mind to ask him about it later.
On the other end was the most hateable character she knew.
Mistress Geneva Pallardy.
The king's concubine hometown is the Warkinless Kingdom, the same as Prince Galician.
She caught the evil woman feigning an innocent smile at her but she just returned it with rolled eyes.
"Have you slept well?" She mocked the concubine and Geneva looked at her with innocence, a wide smile on her face.
"Yes, I slept well. I'm touched to know you are worried about me."
Both of them looked at each other challengingly, each not backing down.
"I see my daughter and my concubine are finally getting closer. Finally." The King added and Princess Asteria and the mistress turned to him.
Princess Asteria pursed her lips, forcing her mouth not to mutter any remark.
Calm down self. The king is here.
Wow, what a fun morning.
The reason why she hates this woman is not doing the woman hates her too but all her evil antics and tricks just prolonged this novel.
All Roselle's and her brother Apollo's suffering was all because of her.
Also, the moment she came here to this castle, she had almost died numerous times with all the poisonings she put in her food.
Good thing the king put some food tasters to her before if not, she was surely dead.
Princess Asteria couldn't wait to punish this woman. She's sure to give this woman a good beating.
"So Eros, you have the same name as Lord Eros, the dark mage. Are you sure you are not his descendant?" The King tried to take the question to make the conversation light which made the both of them stunned.
Suddenly, there were flames surrounding the room, heating the tension up.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hiraeth_Faith
Hiraeth_Faith Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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received Weekly Power Status
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