3 Types of Love

The royals sat at the top of the stairs, Romano and Istvan speaking to one another in a different language excitedly. Cathlinn was quiet as she watched Simon, Carmichael, and Mei speak together below. She could see how this society viewed their higher classes by the way this hall was set up. It made her uneasy in a way that only being outed brought. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm as she took in everyone eating.

She brought her hand forward, taking a deep breath before twiddling her fingers and imagining soft lines of something flowing. Her hand was suddenly grabbed and she pulled her hand back quickly. "Your focus is strong and you're making many people uncomfortable," Istvan stated.

"Ah, that's right," Cathlinn slowly nodded as she leaned away, grabbing at a few bits of fruit and eating them. "Forgive us, Romano, but I believe it's almost time for us to go. We have overstayed our welcome."

"Already, dearest Princess? We haven't even demonstrated your newfound skill to Istvan yet," Romano whined. He leaned forward and pulled her closer, moving her face up by her chin. "And you haven't graced this space with enough light. Smiling should do the trick if it's you."

Cathlinn rubbed her face a bit as she glanced back at the three below, "I have many places to visit and many people to meet, your grace. I don't mean to be rude in saying this, but my time can't be monopolized by you I'm afraid." Romano stared and chuckled, his face getting closer and Cathlinn's chest pounding from her heart.

"What if I don't want to let you go," he hummed. Cathlinn covered his mouth with her hand as he came dangerously close, her eyes sharpening in almost a menacing manner. It made his eyes widen slightly.

"I think you've misunderstood something," Cathlinn snapped. "I have a duty and while I am very thankful that you proved to accept me as I am, your grace, there are many a suitor who I have to consider. Be gracious and patient, your grace, and I'm sure it may just work in your favor."

"How enchanting. You sound more like a man with a whore, your highness," Istvan snickered.

Cathlinn turned a bit red and moved away, rubbing her face, "I'm sorry. That's not what I meant at all, gentlemen." She then smirked, her thoughts returning to old jokes that would have made people laugh. This wasn't the place or the audience for it, the two wouldn't understand it anyways.

"You already seem to have a harem of your own in the making though," Romano nodded slightly. "Tell me, do you find any of them attractive?"

"They're society is too-"

"They're all attractive in their own way," Cathlinn answered. Her face turned a bit red and she sighed, "But there's this thing called a crush, your grace, and sometimes it is better to glance from afar than to partake in the temptation."

"A woman in love," Romano hummed.

"No. Not in love," Cathlinn sighed softly. She went to continue but was interrupted by Istvan.

"There is a difference between admiring and actually wanting to give your all to someone," Istvan stated.

"Precisely," Cathlinn nodded. Her face turned a bright red as the two kings leaned closer, "What? A girl can dream."

"It's adorable how wide you are," Romano snickered. "I wish you were interested in me like that. Our kingdoms would be grand and beautiful."

"Not a smart decision, Romano. They tend to meld other a culture until it becomes their own," Istvan playfully hit Romano's shoulder, a smirk on his face.

"Ah, Istvan," Romano perked you and motioned to Cathlinn. "You should spar with the dear princess. She's quite the opponent and a quick study."

"Is she," Istvan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cathlinn. "I'm afraid the fighting styles of the tribes is too brutal for a woman of her stature."

"Is that a challenge," Cathlinn sniffed. "Because even when I lose, I'm winning." The two raised their eyebrows at that and Cathlinn could have hit herself in the face when she realized her reaction.

"Your tone changes back and forth so often now, am I supposed to accept that," Romano asked. He wiggles his brow while he leaned forward, an expectant look in his eye. "I don't really care for formalities. I've humored them long enough, Princess."

"Simon would have a fit," Cathlinn have a nervous chuckle and she grabbed more fruit before stopping. The three below were staring up, the men looking as if they were in shock and Mei having a devious smirk on her face. "Oh boy, they're up to something and it's not going to be good."

Upon leaving the next morning, Cathlinn was bombarded with gifts and smiling faces of the staff from the castle. Simon has told her that she had proven an easy guest to handle and that they were more than thankful that they barely had to do anything for her. She sighed as Mei plated with her hair, putting in pins and clips as she saw fit. "Cathlinn, you're very easy to mess with," Mei nodded after a while of her shenanigans.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're very patient and accepting," she sang. "I could be messing up your whole image and you're letting me."

"I trust you wouldn't," Cathlinn snorted quietly. "Besides, what are you going to do? Make me bend over and show you my ass? I didn't think you'd have that in you." Mei gasped and gently tugged Cathlinn's hair in reaction, earning a giggle.

"You're such a-" Cathlinn felt something warm splatter the back of her neck, the droplets running down into her shirt. She turned a bit to stare at Mei and froze. The arrow through the woman's throat had caught Cathlinn off guard and panic began to register.

"Simon, Carmichael, get," she barely finished as they fell from their horses. Mei slumped into her back and she reached around to stop her from falling only to sit up and stare at a curtained wall. What just happened? Her hands lunges forward and she shot from the bedding, earning a grunt and whine from Mei who had her head on Cathlinn's chest. Her feet didn't make it as Cathlinn tripped over them, hitting the floor with a loud thud and drawing attention to herself.

Was she crying right now? What was that supposed to mean? Her arms pushed her up, Mei quickly next to her and sitting her back to get a better look.

"Cathlinn," Mei asked. Cathlinn grabbed Mei's face and she pushed her chin up, staring at her throat. "Cathlinn, you're scaring me. What happened?"

"Don't sit on the horse," Cathlinn choked. "Whatever you do, don't sit on my horse. I'm begging you."

"Cathlinn, breath," Mei pulled the woman close when she saw the pure terror in her eyes, rubbing her back. "You're having a panic attack I think. You have to breath okay? Follow mine if you need to." Cathlinn choked as she clung to Mei. That was the third time she had seen everyone die in her dreams. It was beginning to make her wish she didn't go to sleep again.

There came a knock at the door and Mei slowly stood, walking to it. There was a protest while Cathlinn stood up and hid the fear to the best of her ability. Her arm was grabbed and she turned on Istvan, her fist lashing out in reaction. He stumbled a bit, staring at the ground as he grabbed her jaw and glared back at her. Whatever he saw made his body relax, the hand holding Cathlinn's arm loosening.

"I will be traveling with you for a little ways," he stated. Cathlinn stared blankly at him before staring out to the balcony.

"Do whatever the fuck you want, sir," she nodded. His eyes narrowed and he grabbed her jaw, making her look back at him. His eyes were deep but there was something calm there, something that was stirring as they stood like that in silence.

"Dearest princess," he sniffed finally. "Your guards and your scholar aren't just your trusted allies. They're your friends and family it seems."

Cathlinn stiffened and when to retort, stopping at the fan against Istvan's neck, "Get out. It's rude to be in a lady's bed chamber at this hour when she's-"

"She had a dream that wasn't a dream, dear assassin," Istvan nonchalantly moves the fan aside, releasing Cathlinn. "And if it was the same as mine, than you wouldn't be pointing your weapon at me."