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Ai fidgeted with the sides of her skirts, distressed to be in the middle of the two tall men, who looked ready to battle. She knew she needed to intervene before it was too late.
"Please Michael, do give us a little private moment. I am convinced Johin would not let me fall to harm." Michael gave her a questioning look. "I command it!" She added firmly before he could dispute.
Michael stared into her eyes for a moment, then bowed and walked away. Ai felt a pang of guilt at this. She knew she was going against what she agreed with her father, but she could tell that Johin was losing his patience with Michael’s blatant disregard for his status. She did not know what the consequences of consistently dishonouring a King were in Bamah, and she did not wish to find out.
Ai allowed Johin to lead her into the garden, which was well-lit with several unique lamps that shone brightly in the dark. They were beautiful, but after the events that occurred a few moments before, she could not be fascinated by them. The Bamish king had remained silent as they walked, leaving her to dwell guiltily on her errors. In Ore, she would never have been allowed to walk alone at night with Johin, even if her grandmother had been with her as a chaperone.
Johin suddenly stopped walking, and Ai was compelled to do the same.
"My dearest Ai, may I say how pleased I am to be rid of that loathsome fellow. He is like a buzzing insect that never leaves till completely crushed."
Ai's brows dipped as she pondered his harsh words towards Michael. She considered expressing that the said man was the knight to whom she owed her life but was taken aback by his next words.
"I am undoubtedly in love with you, Ai." He declared, taking her hand and holding it to his chest. Ai blinked in surprise and reflexively tried to pull away, but his strong grip prevented it. "You may not understand it yet, but I am quite convinced you feel the same way towards me. I could see it in your eyes when our gazes locked at dinner."
The princess was unsure of how the supposed staring contest had been misconstrued as affection. She did not know what the love between a man and a woman felt like, so she had never thought to check her feelings towards him.
He was undeniably a beautiful man, and even Surina had told her that the fame of his looks, and power, was known all over the world. She felt a burst of pride at the idea of being loved by such a man but did not know if what she felt was the same as the love she had read in books or seen in her parents.
"Ai?" Johin called softly, a questioning look on his face. Ai blinked as she realised that she had been absently staring into his eyes whilst her mind took a journey.
"Ahem... " She stuttered. "Forgive me, Johin, for I am unable to make such a bold declaration as you have. I am inexperienced and uncertain of how love should feel."
"Then, allow me to teach you the true meaning of love," he said, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. Ai was so dazed by his actions that she barely registered when his other hand went around her waist and pulled her closer to himself. He dropped her hand and lifted her chin so that they were gazing into each other’s eyes. It was not until she felt his breath on her face that she realised that their lips were inches apart. She abruptly pulled away, feeling faint with embarrassment as she realised that he had almost kissed her.
"I... I must retire now, as I am quite weary from walking around your palace." She turned from him and briskly walked out of the garden before he could stop her. She was most pleased to see six Ore's soldiers awaiting her in the passage and they bowed at the sight of her.
"We have been ordered to escort you to your chambers, your Highness," One of them explained and Ai nodded. She did not know why Michael felt the need to send six soldiers as his replacement, but she was grateful to be away from Johin.
Alone in her assigned chambers, Ai tried to reflect on the events of the evening, but it soon became overshadowed by the thoughts of her grandmother. She recalled in melancholy that she had not received the promised messenger and reflected in deep anxiety the possibility that she had not returned safely. She was certain their company would have arrived at Ore, long before she got to Bamah.
She shuddered at the image of her parents when they discovered she had persisted in travelling to Bamah with no chaperone and half the number of soldiers agreed. She found solace in her decision to return to Ore, if she received no message in a week.
The next morning, Ai again had difficulty waking up early and had to be gently roused by a Bamish maidservant an hour before noon. She attributed it to her restlessness the previous night. The calming scent in the room made the princess want to lay in bed with no worries but she resisted it and allowed the servants to ready her for the day.
Michael was at the door when she stepped out and she suddenly felt the weight of her words and actions the previous evening. She wished she could escape the awkwardness and return to their usual friendly banter.
"Are you well, princess?" He questioned with an air of indifference. Ai nodded, slowly sparing him a glance.
"Did you get enough rest?" she asked, resisting the urge to cower under his intense gaze.
"I am strong enough to never leave your side again.” He said bluntly. Ai frowned and was about to protest, but recalling all that happened the previous evening, she nodded repentantly.
"Michael..." She began, eager to offer apologies for how curt she had been with him.
“Shall I lead you to where the Bamish princess awaits?"
Ai looked up at him and saw a small smile on his face as though he was aware that she was contrite about the previous night. Isa's voice suddenly rang in her head.
Surely you have noticed what a beautiful man Michael is...
She immediately turned away from him, as she came to the realisation that he indeed looked quite dashing whenever he smiled.
“Well, what is it now?” the knight asked, with evident amusement.
“I am quite ashamed of how shabbily I treated you yesterday.” She replied hastily, fearing he would know what she was thinking with his extraordinary perceptiveness.
“Well, you should be,” he responded, and she abruptly turned back to him in surprise, and saw him smirking.
“You are an abominable person, Michael. Surely you know to respond politely to such a humble apology.”
“Was that an apology? Forgive me, I thought you were expressing the shame you felt for treating me shabbily.” His grin was infectious, causing her to smile against her wish.
“Of all the provoking things to say– Well, I shall not dwell on the matter, but I do beg your pardon, dear Michael. I am very aware that in sending you away, I have broken my word to my father. But I knew not what to do, with you incensing the king in such an odious way, I did not wish to fan the flames any further.”
“Well, ma’am, perhaps you should not try to fight my battles.”
“Michael, you must know he is a king, and you are within his territory. Whilst I am quite confident in your physical prowess, I do not wish to test it against a thousand men. And please, do not call me by that odious title! Why, you only say it when you mean to provoke me.”
“I mean no such thing, Your Highness, but if it puts your mind at ease, I shall contrive to be more civil with the Bamish king. He must also respect that I am doing my duty as your knight.” Ai sighed knowing that neither man would be willing to concede to the other. She simply asked to be led to Isa and put the matter out of her mind.
The two princesses sat in a small room with a light luncheon and shared their experiences growing up in their different kingdoms. The Ore royal was happy to speak of Martha, Nathan, Michael and Surina whom she regarded as her friends and confidants. She empathised better with Isa who had quite the opposite of her experiences, but just as bad. Whilst the Bamish princess was highly revered by her people, she had been proportionately neglected by her parents, as though her existence was a nuisance.
She decided to change the conversation to the less depressing subject, of the mischievous and amusing things she did with Nathan, growing up. Isa expressed her awe at the liberties she was given and how she was doted upon.
“I wish I had your parents, for I hated mine.” Ai was spared the obligation to respond to the shocking revelation, as a palace maid walked into the room and curtsied. She then proceeded to whisper something to Isa.
"It appears that a messenger has arrived from Ore," Isa said as the maid backed away. Ai’s hands involuntarily went up to her heart as it began to pound heavily. She hoped to the heavens that it was not a messenger of doom.
“Please Isa, if it is not too much to ask, desire him to come hither.”
Isa nodded and turned to the maid. "Send him here directly,”
Ai struggled to breathe as various thoughts crossed her mind. She rose and began to pace about the room. Could it be evil tidings about her grandmother, or from her father? Each minute felt like an eternity as she waited. She abandoned any idea of continuing with the meal before her, as her appetite was diminished by anxiety. She vaguely heard Isa’s futile attempt at soothing her with calming words.
She noticed Michael raising a questioning brow at her but was too anxious to consider him. After what felt like ages to the princess, two Bamish soldiers entered the room with a man in the middle of them. Ai turned from her pacing to see a familiar face.
"Nathan!" She squealed. It took all her will to restrain herself from running to embrace him.
