Kitanna
Chapter 127: PELICAN

Chapter 127: PELICAN

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: ESSENCE ~ WIZKID FEAT TEMS]

After the brief introduction, Panha was taken to the room she would be staying in for the period they’d spend in the palace. While Larel went to have a moment with her brother, giving Kitanna and Axilla time to reconnect.

"Is it just me or did you get even prettier, Axilla?" Kitanna smiled, brushing the girl’s hair.

Axilla blushed a little, "Princess Kitanna..." She smiled, "The palace looks a little unfamiliar to me, and it feels like a lot has changed."

Kitanna nodded her head, while crossing her leg on the chair. "Of course, a lot would change because a lot has happened," the princess replied.

"I heard you’ll be getting married soon, so you can ascend the throne. Is it really the Crown Prince of Avon you wish to marry?" Axilla asked innocently, lowering her voice so she wouldn’t provoke anyone.

Kitanna was a little surprised to hear the words from Axilla; it only meant that news has spread already about her intentions to marry soon.

"Do you have another person you wish for me to marry?" The princess replied in a daunting tone.

Axilla creased her brows; she had thought that the princess was attached to the White Lord when she was still in the palace. Maybe it was just her wishful thinking, but she had hoped for it to be true. Was that why she didn’t see the White Lord when she arrived at the palace? She thought.

"Not that I have... I didn’t see the White Lord when I entered. I would love to greet him." The young girl finally replied.

Kitanna smiled, knowing exactly what was running in the girl’s mind. "He’s been busy; I barely see him myself. You can greet him during dinner, and also, his grandfather is around." She paused for a moment.

"Also Clephas," the princess added.

Axilla clapped her hands excitedly, "Wow! Where is he? I can’t wait to catch up with him on everything that I’ve missed." She smiled happily.

Kitanna told Axilla everything that she needed to know that had happened during her absence. Including who Lady Aggie’s murderer was, and the escape of the queen dowager and her cousin.

"Misam? I would never believe she was a bad person. When I arrived in the palace newly, she saved me from being bullied. If anyone should be suspected, I was looking at Bareea. But thinking of it now, she was the one that asked Bareea to squeeze the knife that day in the kitchen. Lady Aggie was still breathing," Axilla said sadly, the memories of that day flashing in her mind. She shook her head.

"Are you okay, Princess Kitanna? What about your memories? Are they coming back?"

Kitanna nodded, "They are, especially the ones with my father. But you know it’ll take time for something that was altered countless times."

Axilla pressed her lips; it was true. The memories won’t just flood in, as they have been trapped for long years. She glanced at the princess’s stomach, where she said she’d been stabbed before. And she said,

"You should be careful, Princess Kitanna. Well, I’m back now to continue serving you and make sure you avoid trouble," the young girl replied excitedly.

Kitanna reclined on her chair, rubbing her eyes gently. "Why? Things are not going well with Larel’s brother? Is it because of the pelican lady? You’re not feeling confident?"

"Princess!!" Axilla held her hand to her mouth, "There was never anything going on with me and Chief Cortez. I was even surprised he was the person who had helped me. But we’ve been just Young master and Maiden, nothing else. I don’t have any interest in living my life on the road; it is harsh and unpredictable. It’s better I stay here, where my family is. And moreover, he has people around him who understand the trade business better. I’d only be a liability." The young girl muttered the last statement.

Kitanna grinned, "It’s because of the pelican lady, then..."

Axilla blinked her eyes; did the princess not hear everything she had just said. "Why are you calling Chief Panha, pelican lady..." she giggled, enjoying every bit of it.

Kitanna pinched the girl playfully, "I see you’re enjoying small talks now, mm? Bright flower." They both laughed.

"Pelican because of how white her skin is and for some reason, her neck is very long. She’s quite a looker though, but I only see a Pelican when I look at her," the princess said casually.

Axilla smiled, biting her lips a little. She didn’t know if it was right to tell the princess about what Panha did to her, but there was no point because Chief Cortez had it solved already, and she was not going back to join the merchant crew; there was no need to make the princess hate someone she barely knew. Axilla decided to keep the story to herself.

"Anything fun happen during your world tour?" Kitanna joked.

Axilla told the princess about the places she had traveled to and people she met on the way. Even when they had met bandits on the way and how they escaped, she didn’t miss telling her about the innkeeper at Odel village.

"You met that creepy man? I hope he didn’t do anything funny to you; I will chop his hands off." Kitanna’s face scrunched in distaste when she remembered the man’s creepy accent and weird beards, which gave off ominous vibes.

Axilla shook her head, with a smile on her lips. Her heart warmed at the thought of the princess wanting to protect her at any slight opportunity. It made her know she had a sister she could rely on for anything.

"It’s so funny how we went to the same village but didn’t see ourselves. I’m glad you’re back, Axilla." Kitanna finally said, smiling at the young girl who also smiled back at her.

Inside one of the visitor’s quarters, Panha applied oil generously to her skin. While thinking of the agreement she had made with the two elderly women. They had told her to visit the palace and meet with one of their people, and that was what she had come to do. She didn’t know that Cortez would accept her advice for them to come to the palace that easily; she had made it seem like it was purely business so that he wouldn’t suspect her for any reason. And without questioning he had agreed.

Now that she has seen the princess, her mere presence annoyed her. The person who had killed her younger sister was smiling and enjoying time with her loved ones. Panha bit her lips, almost drawing blood; she decided to make sure the princess lost everyone dear to her. Deep in thoughts of evil, Panha heard someone knock on her door.

"Come in," Panha replied, pushing the vial that had the moisturizing oil aside. She won’t lie; the palace had a lot of nice things. The bath she used had beautiful scenting stones that made her skin glow after bathing, now the oil given to her felt very nice on her skin. She wished she could have it all, everything Kitanna was enjoying.

Panha decided that she wanted it, everything Kitanna enjoyed. She wanted it all. Her eyes darkened in greed, when she heard the maid’s voice, she brightened her face and turned to meet the servant girl’s face.

The maid appeared inside the room, with her head bowed. "I was asked to tell you that dinner would be served soon. I’ll show you where the dining room is, if you’re ready, Lady Panha," the maid said politely.

Panha brought down her dress and walked to stand in front of the maid. "You don’t have to be so polite; I’ve never been to the palace before. I feel out of place; tell me what is your name?" She asked in a friendly voice.

The maid held her dress tightly; it was not every day a noblewoman asked likes of them questions in a friendly manner. Maybe she should become friendly and curry favor from the woman. The maid thought,

"My name is Catja," she bowed deeply.

Panha hummed, "Nice name, Catja. You look beautiful too. I don’t think you deserve to be a maid; you’d even live better as a nobleman’s wife." She said, praising the girl to get a small smile on her lips.

"Lady Panha, you’re too generous with your words." Catja bowed, now feeling very important; she looked up and said, "You can let me know if you need anything in the palace or want to ask questions. I’ve been serving here for quite a long time." She replied happy to help the woman who had praised her as it never happened before.

Maids were never regarded, no matter how beautiful they looked; most court officials just saw them as tools that could be discarded at any time.

Panha grinned internally; she really picked the right one. This one was quite fickle, and with just a few praises, she was already licking up her feet. She decided to play the dumb card for some time before diving into what she actually came for.

Panha rubbed her hand on her head, "What would a merchant like me possibly ask about the palace? Just let me know who I should avoid; I don’t want to end up in the dungeon for pissing off the wrong person." She threw the bait, her eyes watching her prey with utmost sharpness.

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