(Sunniva)

Did the general hear me?

That was not possible. I had barely mumbled the words.

But he didn't say anything, so I just focused on guiding him towards one of the guest chambers, and answering any questions he had without adding my sprinkles of sarcasm. This close, I noticed he smelled like the forest after the rain. Clean and refreshing, soothing to the senses. He didn't overwhelm me as I had thought he would.

My mother remained right before us, and for some reason, she had reduced her pace.

Was she going to eavesdrop on my conversation with the general the entire time?

I tried not to entertain the thought for too long.

I wondered what kind of magic he must possess. Contrary to humans, all elves possessed some magic. I had read about them in books, and now I had met them in real life. Hopefully, he would live up to their reputation, and not spoil elves for me.

“So I heard the Kingdom of Aldaria has a special tradition regarding arranging baths for their royal guests. Will I be privy to it?” he suddenly asked, with a trace of quiet amusement.

I saw from my peripheral vision that he was watching me.

Was this a test the prince put him up to? To see how we treat his subordinates?

It turned out, I wasn't the only one thinking along these lines. My mother was listening in on the conversation.

Instantly she turned, maintaining a smile she had perfected her entire lifetime and answered on my behalf.

“General Silvayn, you are our special guest along with Prince Virion. It will be an honour for my daughter to serve you by arranging the special bath.”

My whole body stilled, and unconsciously, the tips of my fingers dug into the dense muscles of his bicep.

The tradition was sacred, only to be performed during the match-making season between potential suitors.

Prince Virion and my sister were the potential suitors, as my family had ensured. Not me and this General of maje-long-estic eartips!

The anger surged through me like a wave of lava and I couldn't hold myself back.

“Mother! But the tradition—”

She waved her hand to cut me off and killed the complaint before I could even register it.

“It's an honour to uphold such a tradition, Sunniva. Especially for such an esteemed guest.” Her smile turned more forced. “Make sure General Silvayn has everything he needs.”

The nails of my left hand unconsciously pressed into his skin deeper as I tried to keep my composure and not say a word that might land me in hot water.

First this ridiculous corset dress and then this stupid tradition had completely ruined my mood.

I couldn't breathe properly and I hadn't even eaten since morning. This was turning into a dangerous concoction.

“Yes, Mother,” I forced a smile but my hand didn't ease.

With that, Mother walked away with hurried steps, slightly hiking her heavy gown up so she wouldn't trip. Two guards remained behind her.

“Those are some strong nails you have Princess Sunniva. Ever thought of creating a weapon from them?” His smoky voice, laced with humour, dissolved my thoughts, making my attention snag back to him.

Instantly, I realised what I was doing and with an apologetic look, I snatched my hand away from his arm, taking a step away.

“I apologise for the inconvenience—I didn't realise.”

He stood so tall like a pillar supporting one of our castle towers. I hardly came near his broad shoulders. He bent over slightly, invading my space, leaving a few inches of distance between us.

But his stance wasn't intimidating.

In fact, if someone else saw him, they might think he was a suitor—my suitor.

Please! No.

“It's not a serious matter. I was just joking, not trying to make you feel uncomfortable.” He smiled that annoyingly magnetic smile that I knew women likely swooned over and offered me his huge arm again.

From that smile, it didn't feel like he was joking, more like teasing.

And that smug smile. He certainly knew what he was doing.

Quietly, I took it as I led him inside the castle. Our pace matched each other and I knew he was keeping his strides slow because of me. My legs weren't as long as his.

We passed through the vestibules, and I offered him a brief history of the castle as I knew my mother would expect. He listened intently, always nodding his head at the correct occasions. Watching me with his magical eyes as if absorbing every word I said. He even asked follow-up questions revealing he was paying attention.

As we headed to his chamber, I glanced over at him. The man had the whole elf army under his command, he couldn't be an ordinary person. How many battles had he fought? And how many creatures had he slain?

Before I could ask him the question, we arrived.

“Here, this is your chamber. Please, freshen up.” I let go of his arm and respectfully stepped back. “We will meet at dinner.”

I folded my hands in front and waited.

One of his silver streaks had come loose from the bun and fallen straight into his left eye. A little tilt of his head and upward curl of his strawberry-shaded lips provided an amusingly polished smile.

His hand rested on the woven wooden door. My gaze ran over his pale skin where the streams of blue protruded and ran all the way to his sleeves.

“Can't wait for you to draw me that bath, Princess Sunniva.”

Smugness etched into every feature of his face as my smile faltered and I struggled to keep it going.

‘Maybe you will drown and I will be spared,’ I thought to myself.

A princess could hope. Right?

Giving him a half-hearted nod, I walked away.

Gariath remained behind me, the clinking of his armour gave him away no matter how much he tried to remain invisible.

I arrived at my chambers and to my utmost dismay, my mother was already waiting for me with her hands behind her back and facial expressions I hated.

“Sunniva, here you are. We need to speak.” Turning to Eveera she ordered, “Leave us.” Eveera quickly bowed before retreating and closing the door behind her.

My mother dropped all the façade, the smile faded to be replaced by a stern expression.

“Listen carefully, Sunniva.”

And, here we go.

“Everyone knows with your kind of personality and looks,” her eyes made a quick sweep of me from my hair to my feet, nailing her point home, “you will not be snagging the attention of any prince.”

She moved closer to me and grabbed my shoulders, suddenly her face split into a smile.

“But I saw General Silvayn giving you his undivided attention like no one has ever done before. It's your chance. Although you won't be a queen, being a general’s wife will be quite fulfilling for you.”

What? I knew she was just trying to ease the way for Kamlia and remove me from the picture. She didn't want Prince Virion to choose me.

“What are you talking about mother? It's not my time and nor am I interested in getting married,” I flatly refused, taking a step back from her overwhelming presence.

I was used to their jabs, how I wasn't the perfect princess. How I couldn't carry myself like a lady. How I lacked the looks.

But now I was being forced to entertain a man I had met while the sand ran down the quarter of the glass.

“Sunniva, let me remind you that these guests are very esteemed. We are on the brink of a war with creatures we can't fight. Only an alliance with the Elves can give us the upper hand. For that to happen we need them to be content with us. Provide them with everything they seek. That General will put in a good word if you keep him entertained. He specifically asked for you. It's an opportunity you have to take. For your family, for your sister and most importantly for your kingdom. Do not disappoint.”

She made a long speech, playing the family and kingdom card. In truth, she only wanted Kamlia to be chosen.

She knew I would never jeopardise my people, and that the alliance was necessary for our survival.

But I wasn't going to be a goat they could just offer as a sacrifice. I was a person with feelings.

Arguing with my mother was useless, I would have to play this game on my own terms. On the surface, I would remain the obedient daughter but there was no way I was going to let that general touch me or become anything more.

I wasn't going to become his wife.

My dream and goal had been to train for combat and become a war strategist. But my family had reduced me to a mere showpiece with a sole goal to secure a match, get married and be gone from their lives.

“I understand, mother,” I said with a slight sloping of my shoulders, letting her know I had given up.

“Excellent! I will send over the dress you need to wear for dinner. After that, you will proceed to the bath area and prepare his bath. Make sure he has everything he needs and provide the best of your services. No slacking.”

More advice and instructions followed. I just nodded my head, not having the strength to waste more of my time or energy.

After she had left, I proceeded to my bed and dropped myself on it.

I had to use my quill tonight.

I needed an escape from this world after the kind of day I was having, especially with that general and his haunting eyes and mysterious smiles.

The thoughts swirled in my head, and finally, a smile crept up on my lips. I’d give him the surprise and scare of a lifetime.

It was time to show him that he was trying to pursue the wrong girl.