The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Chapter 106

"I am curious, Prince Zayne. What kind of woman are you searching for?" Kiara asked simply to entertain her father’s wishes.

"One that is not present with us now," Zayne replied. "I do not need help to find a wife."

"I am sure that you don’t. As the prince and a feared general, you must be sought after by many women. Why should you settle now when there is much for you to pick from? I am curious about something else," said Kiara.

"Aren’t you a little too curious, princess? You should end that curiosity of yours before it leads you to danger. It is not a threat but advice," Zayne said to calm James before he yelled. It was too early in the day for Zayne to hear someone being loud.

Kiara laughed, finding his advice to be funny rather than frightening. "I see why you are so feared. You are quite serious and you don’t like to have your time wasted. I am quite like you a little bit. I might have inherited it from my wonderful father."

King James nodded his head in agreement. He walked ahead to give Kiara space to speak to the prince.

"Does your tongue not grow tired of the sweet lies you tell?" Zayne asked, not interested in the facade Kiara put up.

"I don’t know what you speak of. Perhaps if you would explain then I could answer better," Kiara replied. She liked his boldness and how sharp he was. If the prince was like this, how was the king? "It is not my tongue you should worry about."

"I dislike liars but it is not what would stop us from being a match. I would prefer that you stay quiet now that your father is not beside me," said Zayne.

"How unfortunate that I will not do as you want. You may be a prince but you are in my palace with my dear father who will do anything for me. I shall speak and you will listen. You should be my friend while you are here. I can help with my father and my brothers who envy you," Kiara offered.

While Zayne wouldn’t be her choice of husband, he would make a good friend. One that would get her brothers angry with her once more. She needed many friends in high places so Alexander could marry her.

"I have enough friends. I don’t need another who is looking to use me against her father and brother. Find a friend elsewhere. Finn," Zayne called, looking behind him at Finn walking with the others.

Finn walked briskly to catch up to Zayne but first acknowledged the princess with a small bow.

Kiara frowned when Zayne left her side. He was a little too bold but it was expected from a man like him. A little interest in him grew as she disliked how he wouldn’t go along with what she wanted. They could be good friends if he would just listen to her.

"Failing to get his interest in you? It seems you are not as beautiful as the maids speak of you. One of our dear forgotten sisters might marry him," Henry taunted Kiara. He stood beside his sister to inspect Zayne. "I wonder how it would look for them to marry a man higher than you did. Father might then put their portraits on the wall and take down your ones."

Kiara wasn’t in the mood to speak to Henry but he wouldn’t be silent unless she silenced him. "If only he was here to see my point proven," she said, giving her brother the attention he craved for. "It is not my tongue anyone has to worry about. Tell me, how does it feel to be the heir yet not favoured?"

"You. Watch your tongue. You best be mindful that I know of your feelings for that soldier. Watch the way you speak or I shall make his life hell," Henry said, the need to punish her growing but the fact he could not punish her greatly bothered him.

"You would make a fine jester with the way you joke around. You will do nothing to him if you know what is good for you. Just play your part as father’s heir and leave me alone. You are the one who picks fights with me," said Kiara.

"You pick fights with me," Henry argued.

"I do not because you bore me. You wouldn’t make much of a good fight. It is only recently that you got rid of that annoying stutter. You had no choice as it bore father as well. Would you like me to show you why you are not any match for me?" Kiara questioned, ready to put on a show so she would be alone with Alexander again.

Why entertain a man she didn’t want when Alexander was finally in the palace where he belonged?

"How wonderful would it be if father were to replace you with Mateo? You are the useless son who couldn’t join our army to defend the land. It is no wonder why the court is starting to lean to Mateo’s side and he has my full support. You might become a jester after all. Brother," she said in a mocking tone.

"You," Henry raised his hand.

"Brother!" Kiara cried out. She stumbled back to get away from him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lilian asked, going to her daughter’s side. "This is not the time for this."

"She is the one to start it like always and then play like she did nothing wrong. She suggested-"

"What are you doing now?" James’s question caused the trio to be silent. Why couldn’t they get their act together when they had important guests in the palace? "You wanted to hit your sister?" He asked as softly as he could so Zayne would not hear.

"No. I was only going to move her from my side so I do not have to hear the lies she says," Henry answered.

"What could she have said to you that you would act a fool in front of our guest? I am trying to please these bastards so you would not worry about war when it is your time. I have been waiting for you yet you walked with your mother missing the chance to get close to an ally. When will you do something right?" James questioned.

While he was proud of Henry, James couldn’t ignore how Henry failed to step up without a little push from others.

"Father," Kiara touched James’s arm. "Henry wanted to join you but was afraid of going to you at the wrong time. I might have pushed him a little too much to go to you but he would never hit me. It is a misunderstanding. Your children will not attack each other. You must go back to the prince."

"She is right," Lilian agreed with her daughter. It was a small disturbance which did not need so much attention.

"Very well," James decided.

"I was a bit startled by Henry’s reaction. Might I have a moment to compose myself before speaking to the prince? I do not want to appear frazzled before him," Kiara said, her right hand placed on her chest as she tried to calm herself. "Maybe the prince would come to comfort me if I am left behind."

"Have a moment and join us when you are done. I need you at my side," James replied, patting her shoulder to comfort her.