Chapter fifty-eight: Cassius POV
I left the banquet hall, pissed off and bristling. The King's dopey face and that of his mistress burned into my mind's eyes, only fueling my anger further. If I didn’t need to find Runaxt and Anyula, I would have marched back inside and stabbed him. The older the soggy prick gets the more mentally unwell he grows.
I paused at the end of the corridor, looking in both directions. Servants flinched at the very sight of me, cowering out of fear. Three of them ducked into a room – wisely disappearing. One, remained, gaze cast down to his feet.
“Where did they go?” I barked, voice sharper than intended.
The servant jolted before bowing low. “W-who your highness?”
“The twins from Eunto.” They had to have gone this way. Given Anyula’s temper she would have avoided the majority of the staff and made her way down one of the two directions.
“Um, they-they went down the hall.” He pointed a shaking finger behind him.
“Grow a spine.” I snapped, as I walked past him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him shaking uncontrollably. Shaking like a leaf out of fear. Disgusting. I walked down the hall and turned the corner, pausing when I heard the sound of the Ameriste language being spoken in rapid fire beats behind a door to my right.
Yep. She’s pissed. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me. Anyula stood in the center of the room, words still firing from her mouth. Runaxt leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking frustrated and exasperated.
“Why are you here?” Anyula turned, mouth pulled into a thin line. “You are the last person I want to see.”
“Would you believe me if I said it was for diplomacy?”
“Diplomacy? Hah!” Anyula stomped over, poking me in the chest. “Your father ruined diplomacy the moment he opened his mouth.”
“Anyula, Cassius isnt-”
“Shut up, Axt.” She tossed a dirty look over her shoulder. “You weren’t the one insulted and treated as lesser.”
Runaxt sighed, tugging on his hair. He tossed a look my way, begging for help with his eyes.
“Anyula, throwing a temper tantrum isn’t going to change anything.” I crossed to the table. Why is there no damn wine in here?
Anyula hissed a string of curses at me and walked over, her hand balled into a fist.
“Anya, don’t.” Runaxt jumped forward, wrapping his arms around her body – pinning her arms against her sides.“Don’t start something with Cassius.”
“Let me go.” She stomped on his foot, practically spitting. “I will destroy you.”
Runaxt sighed, lifting her off the ground. “Please, sister, calm down and-”
“Calm down?” She snarled, whipping her head back and slamming it into his jaw. “You think telling someone to calm down will work, you foolish horses ass!”
Runaxt grunted, tightening his hold. “I only-”
She swore at him in their native language – threatening to sink her blade into his eye.
These two are never dull. I turned around and crossed to the sofa, sitting.
“Cassius, please say something to her before she goes after my manhood next.” Runaxt whined, glancing over at me.
“What do you propose I do?” I shifted, crossing my arms. “She’s your sister.”
“I will kill you both.” Anyula bellowed, smacking her head against her brother's jaw again.
“You can’t kill us.” he let out a breath. “That will start a war.”
“And what the king was trying to do isn’t grounds for battle?” she turned her head, narrowing her eyes at me. “I will never marry someone like you, you heartless demon.”
“That obnoxious demand of marriage wasn’t to me, you harpy.” I shot back, stretching. “She wanted you to marry her son.”
“What?” Anyula froze, shock replacing her outrage. “That boy is a child.”
“Indeed.” I nodded, tapping my finger against the armrest. “She only cares about power and securing the right he doesn’t have to the throne.”
“Is that why she ignored our customs?” Runaxt asked, tilting his head. “She’s a spiteful crone.”
“She didn’t just ignore them.” Anyula huffed. “Put me down, Axt.”
“Oh, right. Yeah. Sorry.” He opened his arms and dropped her like a sack of flour.
Despite my hopes that she would end up on her ass, she landed gracefully on her feet. “Did your King not learn our ways before we arrived?” She smoothed down her shirt and quickly fixed her hair.
“Atticus, the puppet King, doesn’t learn anything that doesn’t have to do with that woman.” I bit out venomously.
“Who do you think he was speaking to about the marriage?” Runaxt asked, taking a seat on the floor. He crossed his legs and leaned back on his arms, staring at the ceiling.
“Does it matter?” Anyula snapped, jabbing her foot into his thigh. “She was making shit up. No one from Eunto would ever bring up an arranged marriage. Not even under duress.”
That is the question though, isn’t it? I mused. Anyone who had an ounce of education knew that Eunto does not, under any circumstances, accept political marriages. Unlike the culture of the Empire, citizens of Eunto marry for love. It was unclear if Lovine’s words were pure ignorance or a ploy to throw off the twins. What game is she playing at this time?
“Not only did she demand a marriage, but before you arrived, she – in that idiotic indirect manner you country nobles excel at – insulted my attire.” Anyula huffed, crossing her arms. “She is not a royal, perhaps I can challenge her without fallout.”
“No, you can’t.” I shook my head. “Her destruction is going to be from my hand.”
“You want our help, yet you won’t let me defend myself?” she snorted, taking a seat on the other sofa. “What about the King? He’s as rude as she is.”
“Anya, stop trying to murder people.” Runaxt grumbled, wobbling to a seated position. “Again.”
“This is why I was chosen to be the next ruler instead of you. Axt. You’re too soft.”
“I choose to be a lover when I can.” he shrugged. “Maybe you should try it some time.”
“And sire five children as you have?” She scoffed. “I think not.”
“My children adore me, I’ll have you know.” A goofy smile spread across his face. “Even their mothers have no issues with me.”
“They’ll send someone to apologize to you by the end of the night.” I interrupted, not wanting to hear another ramble from Runaxt about his harem. I heard enough of it over the years to know if I did once more, I would cut him myself.
“Ridiculous.” Anyula grumbled. “When insult is given, one must apologize personally. I will never understand your backwards country.”
“They can’t help it.” Runaxt shrugged. “It is what it is.”
“When they do.” I leaned forward, resting my arms on my legs. “Do not accept it.”
“Didn’t you just tell me to calm down and not take offense?” She raised a brow, snorting. “Which is it?”
“Why would we not accept it if the time isn’t ripe yet?” Runaxt cocked his head, stroking his chin. “Shouldn’t we…be accepting or something?”
“Under normal circumstances, yet. However, with-” I paused when a knock sounded on the door.
We glanced over and I didn’t have to think about who it was. I could feel the nervous energy coming off Jean before he even opened his mouth. He needs to be educated on his timing.
“Prince Cassius?” Jean asked, knocking once more. “Are you in there? The ball will be starting soon and you can’t miss it.”
“Who’s that?” Anyula stood and walked to the door, pulling it open. “Oh.” She sighed, bored. “It’s the ferret.”
Jean sighed, scanning the room quickly. “It’s always pleasant to see you as well, Princess Anyula. Hello, Prince Runaxt.”
“Jean!” Runaxt jumped off the ground and scurried over, pulling Jean into a bear hug. “How’s my favorite little man doing? Have you lost weight?” He turned his head, frowning. “Cassius, why are you not feeding Jean?”
“He’s not a pet, you oversize mutt.” I pushed off my legs, walking over to them. “I could always get him a watering bowl. With how much he yaps at me, it wouldn’t hurt to let him quench his thirst.”
“I am not a dog!” Jean pressed his hands against Runaxt’s chest, feebly trying to break free. “Why does everyone treat me like this? I do my job – and well, might I add – and this is the thanks I receive?”
“You may as well be one.” Anyula grinned. “Always biting at Cassius’s heels and begging for a bone.”
“I- What? I never did-”
“Jean, you’re giving me a headache.” I cut him off, prying him away from Runaxt’s grip. “Why is there no wine in here?”
“Because it’s not a normal reception room.” Jean grumbled, straightening his clothing. “Do you have any idea how long it took me to find you, your highness? I thought you would have gone to the garden after that display during the banquet, but you weren’t there. I only found you when several of the staff were mocking a servant who soiled himself. Did you really have to scare the boy so bad? He was a new hire as well. I can’t believe-”
“I think you should mizzle him.” Anyula poked Jean’s cheek, leaning forward. “Unless you want me to do it for you?”
“Don’t you dare.” Jean jumped back, hiding behind me. “I am not going to let you beat me up again, Anyula. We’re adults now, please stop-”
“Jean, enough.” I reached behind me, pulling him forward. “Stop flirting with the Princess.”
“I-I would never flirt with her!”
“I don’t care, Jean.” I snapped, walking toward the door. “Since I have to attend the ball, you inform them why they shouldn’t accept that woman’s apology.”
“What?” Jean blinked a few times, face turning white. “You’re going to leave me alone with them? Really, Prince Cassius?"
“You’ll be fine.” I stepped into the hall. “Probably.”
“Wait a moment don’t-”
I shut the door between us, and turned, walking away.
Jean would accurately express what needed to be done. He may be annoying, but he wasn’t a fool. His mention of the garden, pulled up the memory of when I was last there with Lady Kyla. The idea of running into her almost made me grin. After all the headache I’d endured, toying with her would be a nice distraction.
This is going to be fun.