Kitanna
Chapter 109: BARGAINS OF THE BANISHED

Chapter 109: BARGAINS OF THE BANISHED

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: GOD SAVE THE QUEEN 👑 ~ TRADITIONAL ARR. ELGAR]

The news about Misam being a spy all along replaced the gossip of Khelan being banished. It was as if the palace was in that seasonal hotspot where all the juicy fruits fell at a particular spot. In this case, the juicy fruits were replaced by gossips among the palace servants, which started from the maids. Everyone wanted to chip in or even argue about how they knew Misam was not to be trusted. Others said it was just a lie, that the princess was losing her mind and wanted to harm maids. It wouldn’t be long before she got her claws on others. The gossips ripened day after day, making the palace a noisy place to stay.

These gossips did not pass Hieron by; they latched onto his windows and doorstep, according to him, but Nix did not believe. He knew his grandfather enjoyed listening to gossips more than anyone.

The following morning, Kitanna, who now stayed in her father’s room as she refused to stay in the room that was used by Almaria, stood close to the vanity mirror as the maids helped her fit into her dress. It was a big gown adorned with heavy jewelries, and her hair was folded round, fixing a bigger hairpin on it.

Kitanna felt her head spin, and her body sway after the dressing was completed. She turned to look at the maids, "I don’t need to be told that I look like a clown right now. I can’t even keep my head straight because it feels heavier than my neck. Remove all of this." The princess ordered.

The maids passed each other a look; most of them had been in charge of dressing Almaria and Larel, so they knew how a queen should be dressed. And that was how the princess was dressed at the moment.

"Princess Kitanna, today is your first official meeting with the ministers and a few prospective suitors. You need to look your best," one of the maids spoke up, with her head still bowed.

Kitanna chuckled at the mention of prospective suitors; she had heard in the morning that about five men from different kingdoms had arrived at the palace. Some even came with their bags to spend time in Morado.

"I was asked to be awake throughout the court meetings, even though I know it’ll be very difficult. But with these all over my body, I’m sure I’ll pass out before I take two steps." Kitanna raised her hands to pull out the heavy hairpins; she saw her reflection cast on the mirror, her cheeks were painted with the brightest red, and her lips embalmed with a pepperish red. She really did look like a clown.

Kitanna frowned at the maids, "If you were a man and you see me stepping out, would your first instinct not tell you to flee!" She sighed, her head already spinning because of the heavy makeup and robes.

The maids immediately started removing the ornaments and hairpins; some untied the straps of the heavy dress. When they were finally done, Kitanna inhaled deeply, like she had been trapped for air for a long time. She picked up the large jade earring that rested on her ear earlier on.

"This should be used to hold a cup, not on someone’s ears." Kitanna muttered. She wouldn’t dare dress like the Queens before her; it’s only punishment disguised as style.

Quickly Kitanna’s dressing was replaced with her normal gown and a slight makeup which didn’t have to add too much to her cheeks. Then a stud earring which was still visible because of the shiny diamond on it.

The lady-in-waiting announced the presence of the head eunuch, Felipe, stepped inside the room and bowed to the princess. He was surprised to see the princess dressed in her usual style; it was her first court meeting, but nothing had changed about her dressing. His opinion not needed in cases like this, Felipe spoke the information he had come to relay,

"Princess Kitanna, the royal court is ready." He announced.

Kitanna gave him a nod in return; it was her first day to sit and listen to the affairs of the kingdom. She prayed to her father and mother to give her strength to talk wisely and rule justly when the time comes.

The princess looked at the mirror one more time; her face now looked better. Her lips were replaced with a nude faint pink color, and her eyes were painted with the same shade as her dress, light purple.

The young woman now started walking to the royal court; she noticed that all the maids and servants came to greet her. As she passed through the corridors, they all bowed in respect. Kitanna caught sight of Clephas and Severus standing on the side with their heads bowed, and she went to meet them.

"Clephas...I was thinking you would immediately come back to your position of working by my side. You don’t need an invitation." She smiled looking at how finely the man has now aged.

Clephas raised his head slightly, his shoulder still bending, "I have been assigned to work for Lord Hieron but with your words, I can always come back to you." The eunuch prayed for the princess to call him back to her side. Working with the elder White Lord was draining for a man of his age.

Kitanna smiled, "That’s even better; you can let me know if you want to retire. Thank you for all these years Clephas, thank you for filling in the gap, thank you." She smiled, remembering her old days in the palace with Clephas. The usual teasing he knew very well affected the man, but she didn’t stop, and for once the man never stopped worrying about her. Even when he was accused and imprisoned, the man still stood by her side.

Kitanna reached out for the man’s hands and hugged him gently. Clephas returned the hug, his eyes moistened with tears of joy. He remembered how the princess grew up, her rough training, but she didn’t let it deter her or break her. She fought to keep her innocence and purity.

"My little princess," The eunuch whispered. "I knew you’d be a lot of things, a survivor. But a Queen? You are really your father’s daughter." Clephas said after he was released from the hug.

Kitanna smiled; she turned to look at the man beside Clephas. It was Severus; she gave him a nod.

After her emotional moment, Kitanna walked through the passage that led to the royal court; she could hear the chatter of the men inside the room. She exhaled quietly, counting her fingers before she moved to open the door. She heard someone call her from behind.

"Princess Kitanna..." The voice sounded almost like a whisper; if not that Kitanna was sensitive to the passing sounds because of her excitement, she would have missed the voice.

"Princess Kitanna..." The person called again, walking out of the shadows.

Kitanna frowned when she saw the person who was calling her. "Bareea, I heard you have been sick, and in bed. You refused to eat or feed your child; is your ghost here to hunt me?" Even in the serious moment, Kitanna couldn’t keep her sarcasm away, and she had spoken with a serious look on her face.

Bareea shook her head, "I am still very much alive princess. Please I have come to beg you for something" the former maid, then concubine now banished knelt down holding her hands out in plea said.

"Please think about my child; he is just a boy caught in between all these mess."

Kitanna furrowed her brows, "I did think about him, that was why I said you have the choice to stay in Morado instead of being banished with your child’s father."

Bareea shook her head again and this caused Kitanna to raise her brows, "No no, I read somewhere that if you have a child. You don’t need to go ahead with the marriage; I know you princess Kitanna you don’t wish to marry any random man. You have your virtues and morals."

Kitanna turned fully, now interested in the discussion, "What are you suggesting Bareea?" her eyes filled with mirth.

"Adopt Labre as yours, think about how his life would be if I take him out of the palace. Please, help me. I know I’ve been wrong in so many ways even after your warnings but I beseech you to help your fellow woman." Bareea said shamelessly meaning every word she had uttered.

Kitanna sighed, "Bareea, go and get some rest. If you are afraid of how your son will be treated, I’ll allow him to stay in the palace. He didn’t do anything, but I’m more worried about leaving him with a mother like you."

The princess turned and said, "I will act like I didn’t hear what you said; I have a meeting to attend." she opened the door and stepped into the courtroom pushing back the offer Bareea had made behind her mind.

Bareea stood up from her kneeling position when the princess entered inside the room; she turned and made her way to where Khelan was now kept until he is exiled.

Khelan stood up immediately he heard his door open, "Did you tell her about it? What was her response.

Bareea shook her head in disappointment, "Are you sure that it’ll work? She only agreed that Labre should stay in the palace but not to adopt him."

Khelan paused his lips for a moment and then said, "Mother said Kitanna would be moved by it, except your act was not done well. That child is our only rope of survival, once Kitanna adopts him, he becomes the heir to the throne. And you know what that means for us." He remembered the words of his mother clearly before they were imprisoned.

’Use the child as a wedge; he will help us reclaim our throne.’

Khelan turned to look at the maid, his face marked with disgust. Even to beg for her child she was not capable, his jaw ticked.

"Where is the child?" He asked.

"With Larel," Bareea replied.

Khelan folded his arms, "I hope he doesn’t forget you because you barely spend time with him. You are just a good for nothing."

Bareea felt bad with the words spoken to her; not waiting to hear another insult she left in search of her son. Their only hope of survival.