The King's Flame

Chapter V - The prince's mistress

- Kira! Kira!

Amarna's voice woke Kira up from a heavy and tiring sleep. A little disoriented, she stood up and scratched her eyes.

- What is it, Amarna?

- Where's Lila? She didn't come back last night! - Said Amarna, looking worried.

- Lila... - Kira said. That question made her immediately remember the night before and it was almost impossible to hide her sadness. - Lila spent the night in the prince's tent.

Amarna looked shocked, as did Mrs. Virrin, who was already on her feet as well. Kira had her moment of shock hours ago, and at the present moment she felt nothing but an uncomfortable frustration. Kira got up, washed her shiny face from dry tears, and dressed herself up. Mrs. Virrin had already prepared the prince's breakfast and this time she noticed that there was too much food. It made her sad, but she was not a child who could sulk until her desires were satisfied. She swallowed whatever she was feeling and, before picking up the tray, she remembered the shirt that was rolled up and wrinkled on her bed. She folded it up, smoothed it out and placed it on her arm so she could carry the food.

Kira stared at the entrance to the royal tent for a few seconds before entering, but knew that nothing could prepare her to see Nichol and Lila together. Tense, she ignored her own nervousness at once and entered the tent; quiet as always and with the partition closed. She placed the tray on the table carefully to not make a noise, and deposited his shirt on the table where the mirror was. She couldn't stop thinking for a second when she helped him get dressed, rubbed his back in the bathtub or shaved his beard while talking about anything. The silver-handled razor was there, deposited on the table the way she had left the last time. How painful it would be to do all those things now, knowing that your sister would be in his bed every night.

A voice from the other side of the tent pulled Kira abruptly out of her thoughts:

- Kira? - Lila said, sleepy, with a messy hair, standing on the partition of the tent, wearing only her bottom dress.

- Hello, Lila. - Kira said, hiding her sadness a little better now. She looked behind Lila and saw that the bed was empty. - Where's the prince?

- He said he was going out to hunt earlier in the morning.

- Got it... I brought breakfast.

- Come on, let's eat.

Kira hesitated for a solid moment, but Lila went to the table and picked up the tray, leading into the makeshift room. She placed the food on the floor and sat on the carpet, inviting Kira to sit with her. Afraid, Kira sat down. Lila started to eat silently and Kira read in her expression that she was not happy.

- Is everything okay, Lila? - Kira asked, not sure if she really wanted an answer.

- I think I’m fine. I don't know, honestly.

- Did he hurt you?

- What? No, he didn’t. It's just ... It wasn't what I wanted.

- Reimfred ... - Kira murmured. Part of her was relieved to know that Lila didn't love Nichol that way. Part of her felt sorry for her sister. But another part of her was still angry that she had slept with him.

- I thought it was going to be the moment that I would forget about him. It was the moment I remembered him the most. It didn't seem right.

- So, wasn't it good?

- It was, I guess. My body feels relieved, but my heart has never been so tight. I keep thinking that Reimfred will never look at me the same way again. Perhaps not look at me at all... What man would dare to look at the prince's mistress?

- I'm sorry, Lila. - Kira said. - That must be painful.

- It is. But maybe it’s better this way. There was no use for those stupid childish feelings that would only bring me pain and problems. Now I just hope I get pregnant.

- What?

- Having a bastard from the prince is my best chance of having a better life. He probably won't want me at court, so I pray that he sends me to a good place. I'll take you and the girls with me and we'll be fine.

Kira swallowed and felt the pieces of her heart break again. The thought of Lila having Nichol’s child was so painful that she felt like crying again, but she didn't, she just continued eating in silence, knowing that sooner or later she would have to accept it, whether she liked it or not. Lila got up and dressed herself, saying that she would go to Mrs Virrin's tent to continue her duties. Kira was confused; she imagined that, as the prince's mistress, Lila wouldn't have to do any of that. Leaving the tray with the rest of the food on the table, they left the tent.

The day passed and there was no sign of Nichol. Some men commented that he was trying to hunt a deer that had escaped him in the last hunt, but that was all Kira could know at that point. She couldn't say if she would like to know more. She dedicated herself to her tasks until she forgot what was happening around her. She wanted to be alone, but she didn't want to feel lonely that way. Her heart was a tangle of painful and confused feelings, feelings she had never felt before. No sadness is like the other. It was mid-afternoon when Nichol returned from his hunt, being congratulated by his companions for having managed to kill the deer. Kira knew he would want to wash up before dinner and that made her anxious. Maybe Lila should be in charge of him from now on, she thought. But while Mrs. Virrin, Amarna and Lila were in charge of preparing that deer for dinner, Kira knew that she could not avoid Nichol forever.

Kira entered the royal tent and found Nichol, leaning on the dining table with his shirt off. He looked thoughtful, taking a while to realize she was there.

- Kira ... - He said.

- Your Highness. - She said, making a short bow. - Should I heat the water?

- No, I would like to take a cold bath today. - He replied.

- Of course.

That same ritual as before was repeated. Kira stood on her back until he undressed and went into the bath. The air between them was strange, the tension was almost palpable. As hurt as she was, Kira couldn't deny how much she liked doing that, being around him that way. But he no longer had that provocative look, those gestures that seemed to bewitch her. He was quiet, contained, as thoughtful and closed as she was. Was he thinking about Lila? Was she the one he wished there rubbing his back? Kira kept thinking about what he was thinking at that moment. But he remained silent, just thanked her when he finished bathing and dismissed Kira before he even got dressed.

The banquet was served in the royal tent. The men looked excited and hungry, with the exception of Nichol and Reimfred who just reacted to what was said to them - for the most part, they talked about the attack on Zurin. Lila was quiet too, holding the wine jar against her body, looking at Reimfred all the time but he didn't catch her look. Kira knew that her sister suffered; unlike hers, Lila's sadness was palpable, as her normal state was lively and cheerful. That dinner seemed to go on forever.

The men left the tent. Nichol remained seated in his chair, seeming not to even focus on what was happening around him. Once again, Lila said with her eyes that Kira could go and she did. It wasn't the same desperate sadness as before, just unhappy discontentment. Kira went straight to Mrs. Virrin's tent, who was standing with Amarna cleaning up the dinner’s mess. Kira had started to help them to be distracted when Lila entered the tent. The three of them looked at her, confused, but she said nothing, just started helping with the cleaning too. Kira went to her and asked quietly:

- What happened?

- He didn't want me tonight. - Lila replied. She looked confused. - Did I do something wrong?

- Don't be silly, of course not. Maybe he is just tired.

- Maybe I’m not even good enough to be a w***e.

Lila looked angry but sad at the same time. She felt used and rejected, even though she didn't love Nichol. Kira hated seeing her like that, because she knew she didn't deserve to feel that way. She felt angry this time, but not at her sister.

The next morning, the same thing as always. Nichol had already washed his face and was already dressed when Kira arrived with his food - he wore the shirt she had fixed. He didn't have the same look as before, provocative and fun, but she couldn't stand looking at him anymore. While he ate, Kira made his bed.

- Thanks for the shirt. - He said.

- You're welcome, Your Highness. - She replied dryly.

- Is everything okay, Kira? - He asked, as if it was a mere formality. – You’ve been weird.

- I am fine. - Kira replied, closing the partition of the tent behind her. - Thank you for asking, Your Highness.

- Really? I could swear there is something troubling you. What is it?

- Nothing, Your Highness! - Kira insisted, irritated once again. - I am fine. How about you? It's all right?

- Me? I’m fine. - He replied, naturally. - It could be better if you tell me why you are sulking.

- I'm not sulking, Your Highness. But I can be.

- I certainly prefer you irritated than sulking. – he laughed.

- Why do you do that?

- That what?

- Tease me like that! Act that way! Why did you reject my sister last night?

Kira saw Nichol's expression close. She had successfully managed to irritate him, even if he was the one trying to irritate her. She didn't feel good about making him angry, quite the opposite. Kira was afraid.

- Who I f**k and don’t f**k is none of your business, girl. Put yourself in your place. - He replied, calmly, but visibly irritated. – You can go.

A small bow and Kira left the tent, feeling hurt. Perhaps the gentle and charming prince was nothing but a delusion of her own.