The Last Offering

Be prepared

Novak

The little girl didn't take her longing eyes off of the direction of our kingdom. It was really interesting to watch her at the beginning but as we got further and further it became clear to me, that she didn't want to go back to her kind. This realization only strengthened my determination to find out what happened in this century at our neighbor. The night before the ba, we have stopped near the palace of Adanford in a forest for some rest and while we were looking at the city in front of us, Uma still looked towards Estermond.

- Uma. - I've called her name and she turned towards me bowing her head slightly. We already learned with Asier that this meant she was listening.

- Tell us about Estermond. - she nodded and Asier gasped. We haven't heard her talk for days and only even a little before that.

- Estermond is currently under the ruling of King Bartholomew the tenth. It's famous for the wealthy mines and rich fields that provide corps to several other kingdoms as well as Estermond. The king had two sons, Prince Taylor who is the crown prince and turned twenty fine this year. Prince Edmund, who is still a young child with his fifteen years, and the king has a daughter, Princess Alma, she is eighteen this year.

- Wow... - Asier said and Uma looked at him for a moment.

- This is the most we have heard your voice since you popped up in our throne room! - I said and she just kept staring again.

- Uma, I have an order to you while we are in Adanford. - she nodded a bit.

- You must try to act carefree.

- I'm afraid I don't understand. - she said and Asier took turn to speak.

- You have to speak freely, try to smile and move less strict. Also you don't need to wait for our orders. Just act as a human. - she looked confused.

- What is it? - Asier asked impatiently.

- Your Highness, I can't act like a human. - she said and I felt my eyebrows run to my forehead.

- Why is that? - Asier asked and I hoped she won't spill the tea. Uma said without any emotions in her voice.

- I'm an offering, I'm not a human. - Asier got angry, I could tell from how he stiffened.

- Uma, we need you to try it. What we are aiming for is to find out their motives. Pretend to be a human princess for one night, okay? - she nodded and sat down elegantly. She took one of the cups wr had and drank a little of the tea we prepared. After that she put back the teacup and smiled gently. I looked at my son who was totally dumbfounded and couldn't hold my laughter back.

- Excellent job Uma! Totally credible!

- You flatter me your Highness. - she said with a gentle bow and smile.

- Dad... I don't know if things can be even more weirder than before, but this feels unnatural. - he said pointing at the calculated smile at Uma's face. She was gorgeous, but we could tell that the smile on her face was a total facade which made the whole image, creepy.

- Is there anything we should be aware of Uma? - I've asked and she stopped smiling. I heard Asier sigh with relief and I smirked.

- The king isn't the brightest individual, the first Prince is greedy and a womanizer, the Princess is a sugarcoated snake. "The only one who deserves to live from that wrenching family is the second Prince Edmund. "- I've heard Uma's voice in my mind, her lips didn't move and I noticed that Asier did as well.

- What about the second Prince? - he asked and she answered emotionlessly.

- He is a child, still not rotten. - her voice was cold and without any feeling behind it while she talked, but that thought in her mind was filled with rage and hate.

- Tell me more about the Princess. - Asier said.

- Why are you interested in Princess Alma, son?

- She might be the key for future peace.

- Are you thinking about an arranged marriage between the two of you? - Asier nodded and what we heard sent a shiver down our spines. Uma's eye somehow seemed to shine in the light of the campfire.

"- Good luck of being a dog of a pampered b***h for the rest of your life Prince Asier."

- She is beautiful, short, with long blonde hair, big light green eyes and flawless white skin. - she said out loud and Asier shook his head.

- Sounds good, I bet she'll like how I look. - Just what is this boy up to? Maybe he took after me in the end! - I thought and we waited for Uma's response.

- Probably, she is fan of beautiful and exquisite things. - this time no added thoughts, but I noticed that Asier blushed a bit by the indirect compliment. He stood up and walked to Uma, he sat next to her and pulled a loose hair behind her ear. She stayed motionless. Asier turned her glance towards him.

- So you think I'm beautiful. - he said and I searched Uma's face for any feelings, just like my son. Instead we heard a thought.

- Yes. "Too precious to live as a slave here under the pretext of marriage". - Asier stopped the teasing and I could see in his eyes that he was caught out of guard.

- We should rest for now, tomorrow is going to be a long day! - I said and the youngsters went to their places to sleep. I sneaked next to Asier and whispered.

- Are you asleep?

- Trying to be.

- What keeps you up?

- My i***t father.

- No! That's not it. Let's think about it... Hm, maybe the fact that the little lady thinks that you are precious being?

- I said my i***t father.

- Yes of course, keep telling this to yourself. But oh the young heart! So pure, so wild! By the way, do you have any idea why is she special? - Asier kept quiet until I poked him.

- Go to sleep FOR f***s SAKE! - he groaned.

- Fine by me, but you are running out of time! This is the fourth day of our bet. Tick tack. - Suddenly a pillow landed in my face, I grabbed it and put it under my head.

- How caring my little boy is! He knows that his daddy likes to sleep with two pillows!

- I'd be happy to push one into your face my dear father.

- So bad that you can't get rid of me that easily.

- But at least you'd shut up!

- Sweet dreams son!

- To you too, dad.