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TRUTHFUL THOUGHTS
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K06 ‖ A Royal Vengeance: Famous Destinations
𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝕲𝖚𝖎𝖉𝖊:
Italic words — the thoughts of a character / a foreign language is spoken
Bold and italic words — a lie, only when Princess Caitlyn's around
Bold, italic and underlined words — the timeline of memories, past, hallucinations etc.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Year 2039
Private Residence of the Royal Family, Saudi Arabia
[ 44 hours left in the game]
The sky was an expense of sapphire blue, dotted with feathery white clouds as the radiant rays of the sun casted a golden glow upon the earth. What a glorious day to wake up to in Saudi Arabia.
Walking down the hallways of the palace, ice-blue eyes of the Norwegian princess carefully traced the exquisite hand-carved wall details as the soles of her shoes clicked against the mosaic floors. The attention to detail was truly awe-inspiring, giving visitors a mesmerizing feel of traveling through time.
Her musings were interrupted when she reached the open air dining space.
As soon as she stepped out into the morning sun, Princess Ishtar of Qatar greeted her with a hug, much to her surprise.
"Good morning!" The Qatari princess greeted her before pulling away from the hug. "How was your sleep? Was the bed comfortable enough?" She worried as the younger girl looked rather gaunt.
Caitlyn felt betrayed by the concealer she applied this morning. Looks like she should have gone for a blush after all.
She gave the princess a soft smile. "Good morning and thanks for everything," she said. "I had a great sleep last night. Everything was to my liking." A little white lie won't hurt. Besides, both her and the prince had done more than enough to accommodate her when she dropped in on them unannounced. "I'm just thankful I don't need to sleep in a hotel room."
"Of course not," said Ishtar. "We're happy to have you here. Come, let's have breakfast."
Ishtar led the younger girl over to a large dining table loaded with so much food that Caitlyn doubts the both of them could finish.
Breakfast included what Caitlyn recognized as foul, balila, flatbreads prepared in a saj oven and served with Zater, white goat cheese and labneh. There were grape leaves, falafel, fresh honeycomb, homemade dates jam, eggs, and even pancakes, waffles, pastries and fresh fruits, green and black olives. Servants were making a thick cream cheese made by draining yogurt through cheesecloth on the spot and then drizzled with olive oil, to eat with pieces of bread from hot loaves. There was Turkish coffee and sweet tea to be chosen from as their beverage.
In the far corner, there was a live band playing soft tunes, enhancing the whole breakfast with a touch of Arabia.
Caitlyn was stunned. Ishtar excitedly dragged her to sit at the table while servants started pouring sweet tea into Caitlyn's teacup. A chef was stationed at the end of the table, ready to prepare the breakfast eggs on request which enhanced the whole experience of an Arabic breakfast.
Caitlyn helped herself with pieces of bread dipped in cream cheese and olive oil as she listened to Ishtar talk.
"I was worried when his highness told me you have a small appetite," she said. "But, I didn't know what you like since Prince Arafat left early before I could ask, so I prepared everything. Oh don't worry," Ishtar added hurriedly after seeing the younger girl's horrified expression, "The untouched food will be given to the servants. I try not to waste food." Ishtar's eyes crinkled as she smiled behind her niqāb.
It was safe to say that this was the first time she experienced something like this. Of all her visits to the Middle East, this was the first time a host went through so much for her.
"Tell me more about Arabic breakfast," Caitlyn said distantly, looking at the scenery instead of those smiling siren eyes.
Ishtar was surprised. "Arafat doesn't tell you that?" She inquired, knowing that the Crown Prince had met up with the princess several times before over a meal. They couldn't possibly have talked about business only. Furthermore, these people are meant to be the prince's friends—ah. It finally struck the princess.
How lonely, Ishtar thought sadly.
"Our conversations are purely business," said the Norwegian princess between sips of sweet tea while being serenaded by the live band. "Prince Arafat is never the type to stray away from that."
The eyes are the window to the soul. Caitlyn thought to herself. For someone who has had their whole face hidden since young, the eyes are the only way of showing emotion.
She wanted to believe that it was genuine kindness.
"Alright!" Ishtar chirped out cheerfully. "So, Arabic breakfast is nothing like European or continental cuisines as it includes a number of healthy dishes."
She listened as the Qatari princess talked about the Arabic culture and several other things while Caitlyn dared not meet her earnest looking eyes. Their talk was fairly one-sided with Ishtar carrying the entire conversation like how she was with Prince Arafat while Caitlyn responded only when she needed to. Throughout their talk, Prince Arafat and Prince Uthman were mentioned several times.
"Poor boy, that Uthman," Ishtar said forlornly. "I had hoped to set the boy free but," she let out a shaky laugh, "I dare not betray Prince Arafat."
"Does he raise his voice to you?"
Ishtar gasped. "Oh Allah, no! He never does that to me, despite what the media likes to conspire about," she said as she helped herself with some pancakes. "Alhamdulillah, he has been the best man I could ever ask for."
Caitlyn turned to her side. Her ice-blue eyes met with the dark obsidian orbs of the Qatari princess.
It was a mistake. To look at those earnest and clear eyes.
As desperately as she wants to believe they're genuine, a part of her hoped they weren't. It takes a lot of effort to mask the emotions shown in one's eyes. It was something Caitlyn could never achieve as much as she tried to. Her eyes speak for themselves. They show her true cold disposition. Her attitude of not wanting to care about anything.
"...His highness always said that Ever Realm has the best education," Ishtar continued. "I want to experience that for myself."
There, not a single lie. As much as Caitlyn expected it, there was not any. Instead she felt like she was being toyed with, like how her cats would play with their prey before devouring it. After so many years, she felt the dread pool in her stomach once again. Caitlyn had recognized Princess Marioara as her leader for her well hidden aggression and strength. She was a smiling demon in Caitlyn's eyes. As for this Qatari princess, with her face all hidden behind a niqāb, she is perhaps the hardest to read.
However, one thing was for sure, the princess meant no harm.
Caitlyn looked away casually, her finger tracing the rim of her teacup. "I just hope Liam isn't affected by this entire thing," words tumbling out of her lips as she uncontrollably admitted her woes. "He's having his qualifiers in October and we're almost starting our summer break."
Ishtar smiled, remembering about the piece of article she read online about the upcoming Olympic Games and the nobles and royals who will be making their next appearances on that international stage.
"You care a lot about him," said the Qatari princess. She knew a little of the relationships between her fellow royals but not many have such a strong sense of loyalty to each other as this princess has with the Australian prince and vice versa.
Caitlyn nodded absently, "We're close." She said, "He's closer to me than to Charles." Thinking back to her actions thus far, her breath hitched. "I don't want that to change," she confessed her fears.
"You're scared he'll hate you," Ishtar nodded understandingly.
"Wouldn't you? I already lost my brother to his group of unruly friends," said Caitlyn. "I don't want to lose him too."
Ishtar let out a gasp and Caitlyn caught the look of surprise in her eyes. "Yes," the Norwegian princess said. "That was the big secret my family so desperately tries to hide." A dry laugh escaped her lips. She sees no point in hiding that anymore.
"I think it's good that you could recognize your woes," the Qatari princess said after pondering carefully, placing a hand on Caitlyn's gloved ones. "Many couldn't. And you knew that you were wrong."
Caitlyn stared at the hand covering hers. "What's the use of that?" she said absently. "I can't turn back time."
"You can't but you can change," Ishtar urged. "Even the smallest gesture from you could make him feel appreciated. I'm sure of it." It was daunting to Caitlyn how someone she barely knew could be so caring and nurturing. Although she knew what she needed to do, it did not feel bad having someone telling her that. At least Caitlyn knows she's on the right track again. "Just, don't make the same mistakes twice and don't lie to him," Ishtar added.
For once, Caitlyn truly felt like a younger sister and not one who has to look after her older sibling. It felt nice.
"I won't," she promised.
That earned a smile from Ishtar. There was a moment of extended silence before the Qatari princess spoke again.
"Maybe you should talk to Uthman, he's been a little down lately," she suggested casually, knowing full well of Caitlyn's role in the entire scheme.
Caitlyn was baffled by the idea. "And talking to me makes things better?" she asked.
"Maybe," Ishtar said with a mysterious smile. She then noticed the untouched food on the princess's plate. "You haven't touched much of your food. Is it not to your liking?"
There it was, the concern in her tone as she spoke. Caitlyn could only sigh.
"It's a marvelous meal, I just don't have much appetite. I'm sorry for wasting all your efforts."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Servants moved to clear off the table. Untouched food was packed into containers and sent to the servants' quarters for them to finish. While they ran to and fro trying to clean up and also prepare the table indoors for lunch, Princess Ishtar of Qatar stayed in her seat.
The princess had a faraway look in her eyes as she admired the Al-Yamama palace in the distance, her hands absently stroking the large and lush mane of her companion, a Barbary lion. As one of the largest subspecies alive, the Barbary lion became extinct in the wild around 1942 and there were only several specimens in captivity found in Rabat, Morocco. This particular specimen was a gift from the Moroccan King to the King of Qatar a decade ago considering that the Barbary lions are the Moroccan Royal Family's pride and treasure, it was the best gift to present to their new ally, the Qatari.
It was a decade ago but Ishtar still remembers how she was one of the King's favorite daughters along with her sister Mayassa. Her father, who wanted nothing to do with the Barbary lion cub, allowed her to have it much to her delight for the Barbary lion, also known as the Egyptian lion, was associated with Sekhmet, the Egyptian warrior goddess of medicine. Ishtar would then often visit her father's office with the growing cub. However those were the days when her father cared for her and her sister.
It was not long before they were cast aside when his third wife produced more daughters for him to pamper.
Ishtar grew up learning that love could be easily given and also taken away. Her lion, now a 10-year-old adult, was the constant reminder that nothing is permanent, especially not a man's feelings.
"Your highness," Ishtar's handmaiden, Karyme al-Bariqi, came over to the princess. She offered her a cup of water.
Ishtar accepted the cup and thanked her handmaiden before downing the drink in one go.
"Your highness," Karyme started softly after she passed the empty cup to another servant. "Is that wise, your highness?" she asked hesitantly, fearing she might have crossed the line. The handmaiden took care to stand behind the princess in case she accidentally stepped on the gigantic lion's tail. "Wouldn't the prince be more hurt if he talked to the one responsible for his current situation?" She warily kept a close eye on the 'royal' lion.
Ishtar hummed softly. "He would, but actions must be taken," she said, a sad look settled in her eyes. "Prince Uthman will never accept an explanation from both me and Prince Arafat. He already had such a bad relationship with his highness."
Karyme still could not see the reason for letting those two meet under such circumstances, or any circumstances at all. Princess Caitlyn was known for her notorious personality in the luxury hotel industry. Would she not be another object of envy in the younger prince's eyes? Her princess seems to think otherwise.
"It's best if he heard from the one accountable for it," said Ishtar, looking over her shoulder at the concerned handmaiden. "Do not fret. The princess is an outsider, Prince Uthman won't overreact or be rude." Ishtar turned away and stared down at her huge lion that kept rubbing its head against the princess's hand, asking for more head-pats. A giggle escaped her lips.
"As for Caitlyn," Ishtar continued. "I'm giving her a chance to right her wrongs, and perhaps, gain another ally."
Karyme was doubtful, catching a little of the princess's plans. "Is she really that useful?"
"Of course," Ishtar gave her handmaiden an odd look. "If she isn't, would Prince Arafat continue doing business with her and her friends?"
"No, his highness wouldn't," the handmaiden replied. "You were right, your highness, but what do you need her for?" Karyme has been itching to ask that question for the start.
Ishtar hummed, scratching the chin of her lion. "Hmm. She's essential for me to get out of my miserable life," said Ishtar, her dark eyes not leaving the figure of the affectionate big cat lying by her feet. "Both her and Prince Arafat."
Then, the princess added softly under her breath. "She probably caught on to my schemes already. I wonder why she let that go."
"Your highness?" Karyme was confused. She did not catch what her princess just said. "What was that?" she asked.
"Nothing," was Ishtar's soft reply.
A pause of silence took place as Karyme stood behind the princess in respect, hoping that she would say something, anything. However, that did not happen as Princess Ishtar was invested in the company of her large feline and was not obliged to tell her handmaiden everything.
Curiosity overpowered her and Karyme blurted out, "Do you really wish to pick ERA's side, your highness?"
"Yes," Ishtar said softly, a smile gracing her lips behind the niqāb. "It can guarantee my escape. Freedom is just an arm's reach away. Moreover, Prince Arafat will support my decision to attend his alma mater."
Karyme sighed. She heard all the stories from the other servants about the terrifying history of that school. Knowing her princess, she would never back down once she set her mind on something.
Ishtar turned around and gave her handmaiden a sweet smile.
Karyme could only sigh and accept her charge's plans.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
2528 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜