The Curse of Thir
Chapter 26

Avoiding Clanece had become as difficult as avoiding her own shadow. Where ever Naveen went, Clanece was but around the corner so Xylee had taken to occasionally running ahead of Naveen to check around the bends of the castle walls.

Sometimes she’d manage to spot him and quickly divert both herself and Naveen in a new direction, other times he popped out of doors and acted surprised at the coincidence of bumping into them.

The only non Clanece domain remained to be Naveens room; Xylee hoped it would remain this way for as long as it was necessary for him to be here. There were four more days left till Master Lemoine returned with his ingredient and hopefully a fresh perspective on the attack on Naveen. So far Gelnane had managed to come up with three different conclusions none of which really rang true.

“Do we have to go?” Xylee sat at the window seat and refused to budge.

“What happened to all that ‘learning is fun’ talk? Don’t you want to learn things anymore?”

“Learning is fun, but I just don’t want us to go today.” Naveen folded her arms and impatiently tapped her foot in annoyance.

“Is this about Clanece again?”

“..no...” Xylee shrank in her seat.

“”Xylee, just give him a chance, he is a lovely man once you get to know him. Besides its not likely that we’ll bump into him today, we have defensive training today with Gelnane and you have a fitting for formal wear and light armour.”

Xylee descended further into the velvet chair at the mention of Gelnane.

“We have to go. My father demanded that we go, he believes that the knowledge of how to defend ourselves will benefit us in light of the attack, also I believe that it might put his mind at ease and he might even call off the ridiculous amount of guards plastered at my door.”

Xylee didn’t stir even an inch.

“Xylee... I don’t understand. Your behaviour these past few days has been really odd, and I don’t believe it’s just because you don’t like him.” Naveen felt exasperated by her behaviour, “I know where both not brilliant with this whole friend thing but, I know that we’re supposed to be able to tell each other things.”

“Like what things?” Xylee disliked her own conduct, but found it near impossible to retrieve a sane version of herself, especially with Clanece about all the time. He somehow aggravated her insides when she attempted to show herself the follies of her actions and see how much she had gained from what little she had had. But when she thought of her past, she ended up more confused which made her dislike Clanece more so, which was actually impossible because she already hated him.

“Anything, we can talk about anything. How we feel, why we feel how we feel and so on. It seems a bit stupid and boring I know, but it helps and then we can have more fun. You like fun don’t you?” Her question although light-hearted was quite real.”

“Yes, I do like fun Naveen.”

“Then tell me what and why, even if it’s something you think I won’t like.”

A twitch of annoyance ran through Xylees face. Naveen was still a princess and didn’t seem to understand that this was the closest Xylee had ever been to any human or thing, and to Xylee it seemed unnatural to interact like Naveen desired. She had never shared anything with anyone ever and now all of a sudden, humans were being nice and expecting all sorts of things back, not to mention she now had time to feel her stupid feelings shifting about her and she didn’t like it one bit.

“Please just talk, maybe I can help.” Naveen pulled the dresser chair closer to Xylee and sat down.

Naveen stared intently at Xylee expecting her to break the seal on her lips and allow the outburst of emotions to pour out. Nothing happened, besides a twitch her and there on her face.

“Xylee, come on its easy, just talk. You must have told someone something once upon a time-”

“I’m not human!” Xylees sudden interruption surprised Naveen.

“I know that-”

“No... I don’t think you do... Humans call me demon and run away, they don’t question if I have feelings and if I’m ok.”

“But I’m human. My father and the three guards and even Clanece, we care.”

“Only because they say I saved you.”

“But you did.”

Xylee sighed. “The point is... it was... I was... my life, it wasn’t good and I had no time feelings, now all I have is time and I don’t like what I feel.”

“I’m not exactly sure where you are going with this.”

“Neither do I but its how I feel, and you asked.” She placed her head in her palms she felt confused again. “I should be happy, I know... I know I have more than I ever dreamed of. I’m not with them anymore and I shouldn’t have anything to fear because I... I am protected by a King and Princess.” Looking at Naveen she smiled. “I have a friend, I’ve never had one before,” flashes of a screaming boy intruded on her thoughts, she shook her head, “it’s all so much more... but, I’m terrified, angry and happy, that doesn’t make sense does it.” The images where there, then gone.

“Why would you be terrified and angry? I won’t let anybody hurt you Xylee.” She leaned in closer, placing her hand on Xylees knee. “I promise.”

“I believe you.” Her eyes watered over and she felt even more delusional than before as she continued to speak. “That’s why I’m terrified, I’m afraid I’ve lost it and this is just a fantasy I’m living. One day I wake up and... I’m back there.”

“This is no dream Xylee.” Her grip tightened, “You don’t need to be scared.” Xylee nodded and then got flushed in the cheeks as she stopped herself from saying why she was angry.

“What is it?” Naveen noticed the redness in Xylees cheeks and grew even more concerned.

“... Nothing...”

“Is this to do with why you are angry?” Xylee nodded again and looked out the window at the white wispy clouds. The wooden legs of the chair screeched loudly as Naveen pulled it more forward.

“You don’t need to worry you can tell me anything.” Xylee frowned and considered the merits of voicing her ridiculous dislike of Clanece. Her common sense won but her tongue managed to outwit her.

“I don’t like how he is around you.”

“What? Who?”

“... Clanece...”

“What do you mean?”

“... all the things he does and says when he is around you, or what he says when you leave me alone with him, I just want to hit him.” She huffed and seethed.

“Like what?”

“He picks you up, calls you beautiful and magnificent, and then he makes stupid jokes and you both laugh....” She noticed confusion on Naveens face.

“But that doesn’t mean you should be angry or dislike him so.”

“... I don’t like the way you...talk with him or act. Or laugh.” Xylee shrank herself in the chair as much as possible. Naveen lifted her hand and crossed her arms to think.

“Are... are you jealous of how I treat him?”

Xylee shrugged, perhaps she was more jealous than angry but she found it hard to differentiate between the two. Naveen pondered Xylees inaudible confession.

“But... you have no need to be jealous, you’re my friend. He is a man and it’s expected of me to behave differently with him.” Xylee arched her eyebrow. She didn’t get it and Naveen could clearly see it.

“umm... Women act differently around men than they do other woman.” Xylees face still remained puzzled.

“If both parties, man and woman, are not married it’s expected that they act in a flirtatious manner with one another.”

“Is it a written law?”

“No... It is just something that’s done.”

“Am I supposed to do that?”

“No you don’t have to, it’s just normally expected.” Naveen felt satisfied at her explanation.

“... What exactly does flir-ta-tious mean? Is it like bedding someone?”

“What? No! No no. No.. No it does not mean that.”

“Oh ok good.” Xylee felt relieved that Naveen hadn’t been with Clanece in that way.

“Bedding someone is supposed to happen after marriage, which happens after a courtship in which flirting takes place-”

“IS CLANECE COURTING YOU!!?” Xylee stood up suddenly looking horrified and feeling even worse.

“Calm down Xylee.”

“But is he courting you?” Her voice was considerably softer.

“He’d love to, but no. I don’t think I’d mind that much if we did, he is rather handsome but nothing would come of it.”

Xylee sagged back into the chair. She was shocked; Naveen wouldn’t mind if they did? Why was she so disgusted by that thought? She didn’t want Clanece; anybody could have him if they wanted that cocky bastard. But picturing Naveen with that little El-ta sent shivers down her spine.

’...then why....’ Xylee looked at Naveen and shook her head. ‘...that serves no function... what so ever... I can’t... that makes no sense.’

“The thing is Xylee, my father is one of the more lenient kings, he promised that I could choose my suitor and I want to love whoever he maybe. Love is key.”

“Love serves no purpose,” Xylee spoke more to herself than Naveen, “it makes no sense.”

“That is the biggest lie I have ever heard from anybody in my entire life Xylee. Love is the biggest factor of all. My father told me how important it was between him and my mother, he said if there wasn’t love there would be no me.” Naveen bobbed her head at the importance of that statement. Xylee was vaguely listening to Naveen.

“You will never lose our friendship Xylee, no matter who courts me and I end up marrying, I’ll always be there for you and you’ll always be there for me. So you don’t need to be angry or jealous.”

Xylee sat before the princess feeling beyond her emotions. Her realisation was pointless and added to her distress. Talking about feelings was the most retarded idea she had ever gone along with.

“So, do you feel ok enough now about everything?”

Xylee nodded, dumfounded.

“That’s great, we have just had our first discussion as friends and I helped you.”

She stood up feeling proud of her self and dismissing Xylees look as her normal confusion.

“How about we go for our defence class now, I’m sure Gelnane is growing impatient.” Xylee agreed and got up. She should forget about her little discovery, nothing would come of it but pain.

Gelnanes lesson proceeded without incident and Xylee brainlessly went about with his instructions. They fought with wooden sticks learning mostly how to parry and block, whilst Gelnane chose to mime a sword rather than actually use one.

“Well I believe that that is enough for one day, unless you wish to be late for your other important engagements.”

“Thank you for the lesson Gelnane.” Naveen placed the wooden swords down on the table and made to leave but stopped. “Have you found out anything Gelnane?”

“Unfortunately, whatever happened to Gavan to cause him to attack you, died along with him. His body held no clues and no signs of that blue light you, Xylee and the other three spoke of. I am truly sorry Princess Naveen.” He bowed politely.

“Perhaps, Master Lemoine can shed light on the matter. He will be here soon enough.”

“Yes perhaps he can.”

“Come on Xylee, you have fittings to attend.” Naveen led Xylee through the corridors twisting about here and there till they entered a small room well lit with electricity. A small man and two assistants bowed as they entered.

“Here we are, today you get some fancy clothes, and maybe some extra things if it goes well.” She smiled at Xylee who returned it earnestly forgetting what she desired to forget for a split second. Over the next few hours Xylee found herself in-between a blur of measuring tape and fabric. Soft, coarse, silky thick and wispy material brushed swiftly across her skin. The tailor and his assistance worked speedily asking few questions here and there.

Naveen sat patiently and watched the flurry of activity occur before her. Xylee looked excited and scared. She found it sweet and couldn’t help but smile. A knock at the tailor’s door stirred her from the admiration of Xylee. Naveen opened the door slightly as not to let any unwelcome eyes replace the underclothes that Xylee found herself in.

“Oh... Clanece...” She looked back at Xylee to check if she had heard him. She seemed distracted by the attention she was receiving from the tailor and his seamstress.

“What are you doing here?”

“Am I interrupting?”

“...no...” she stepped through the small opening of the door and quietly shut it behind her. Xylees ears twitched, closed her eyes and strained her ears to hear what was being said past the thick walls.

“So what is it Clanece?”

“Ah yes, perhaps it is not best for me to ask, but, as I am already here...” He shrugged and smiled his dashing smile.

“What do you want to ask Clanece?” Naveen folded her arms and eyed him in mock suspicion.

He grinned again.

“I have asked the King if I may court you.”

“...what? But I thought...?”

Xylee wobbled in surprise and almost fell off the bench she was standing on.

“I discussed it at length with him, yes. I told him I have collected enough money to buy a small earldom near Ridgare. I promised him, if you are willing Princess, that if we marry I shall not seek the thrown unless it is your wish not to rule. That is if you are at all interested in me.”

Xylee hopped off the bench with a trail of fine cotton dangling from her back and stood nearer to the door. Her heart hammered furiously in her chest.

“Well, I won’t lie Clanece, I do like you and I replace you very handsome. You quite possibly know that I was enamoured with you at one stage... “ she laughed lightly at her confession. “I’ve known you for some time now and I do enjoy your company... perhaps.... perhaps... Yes, I am interested.” Her tone of voice sounded official and dutiful but Xylee heard nothing but yes. Her ears flopped down and she gave up listening, going back to her stool she stood waiting for the bereaved tailor to finish his lecture on moving about whilst he was busy. Not that she listened.