CRUEL KING

The comedy is over.

Chapter 7: The comedy is over

Lori couldn't take her eyes off Ani, who remained as if petrified in front of him.

He was surely waiting for her to say something, to greet him, if only that, but having never spoken to a noble person in her life, she remained silent.

Realizing that she was greatly intimidated by him, he began by releasing her arm, then took a step back.

_ I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten or bother you," he said softly, as he would a frightened little animal. It's just that I've missed you so much and..." he sighed, giving a resigned smile, "I really wanted to see you...".

Anisha looked questioningly at Lori. Had she missed her? What was all the fuss about?

He wasn't thinking of coming back as if nothing had happened, after all this time and especially what had happened in the city?

Breathless, the girl felt like telling him to go to hell.

If it was fashionable among the well-born to play with the credulity of the poor, the curtain had just fallen and the comedy was over, concerning her.

_ Ani...

_ Sire," she said hastily, stepping back and keeping her head down, "I'm sorry, but I've got work to do.

As if to illustrate her point, she raised the hand that held the ropes connected to the baskets.

_ Sire? exclaimed the young man, tilting his head to one side, as if seeking her gaze. Why, Ani, it's me!

_ May His Highness forgive me, I didn't mean to upset her.

As she spoke, she sensed that she had irritated Lori a little more, or who knew what his name really was.

The girl had taken some information and realized, that no prince bore that name on their island or anywhere else.

And as for their monarch, only Noram, the twenty-three-year-old heir, and Clarence, his brother three years his junior, existed.

_ Stop this stupid comedy and look at me! he ordered, in a voice she'd never heard him use before and which, for once, suited his attire better.

Without waiting, and finally feeling that the roles were being properly played, she looked up with eyes shining with disappointment at this man she didn't actually know.

_ Does this satisfy His Highness? she asked, aware that her attitude was more to provoke him than to keep her distance from him.

_ If you're angry with me about the other day," he said, apologetically, "you should know that I'm subject to strict protocol and would never have been allowed to come down and talk to you.

Without softening her expression, she looked at him with an air of feigned incomprehension.

_ So why are you doing it today?

Lori's face lit up.

_ Look around us," he pointed to the sea in front of them, the empty beach on one side and the plains on the other. Here, you can be whoever you want to be, and no one will have anything to say about it. We're free from the shackles imposed on us by our world...

Anisha understood the situation better, and far from seeing her anger subside, she felt emotions surge through her that were beyond her comprehension.

So that was it, she mused, shaking her head as he continued his explanation.

The younger brother of the island's suzerain was bored in his too-perfect world, so he'd come down to amuse himself with the petty indigents that were his subjects.

_ You see, every time I come here, every time I'm with you, I feel different. I forget the rigors that govern my existence. I can be Lori and forsake Clarence, the prince of this island, for a moment...

So Lori was really Clarence. Ani had strongly suspected this, but hearing it from him made a strange impression on her.

_ May His Majesty forgive my effrontery," began Anisha, with a disillusioned smile, "but the poor persons have little time for amusement.

Her face grew stern and she continued:

_ Perhaps you should bring back one of your ladies-in-waiting, and have her play the part of the gullible peasant? I'd be delighted to lend her my rags for the purposes of your games.

She knew Lori's temperament, she knew he was kind, but there was a pride in him that wouldn't have borne to hear the words she'd just uttered. Especially in that rebellious, reproachful tone.

For much less, during their past games, he'd been vexed for days.

_ I see," he said, clenching his jaw in anger, but also in disappointment. I was wrong to come after such a long absence. It's obvious that people change, and contrary to what I'd imagined, you were no exception.

For a man who had left her as a merchant's son and returned as a prince, she thought he had a nerve to say such a thing.

_ Your Highness is quite right, people do change... in disconcerting ways sometimes...

Anisha didn't have the nerve to tell him what she was thinking, but she knew from his blue gaze that he had understood.

_ I won't disturb your peace any longer, then," he nodded and stepped back.