Princess of the Damned Read Online Free PDF Page B

kingdom. She would lead the way, but she would keep that little secret to herself. Besides, the group she was leading was fewer than three hundred. They didn’t come to battle.
    The red city rose in the horizon before the sunset died out. The shadow of the city wall blanketed over the landscape. Crimson flags flapped violently against the wind. The city gate was waiting for the arrival of the guest.
    “ Give the child back to me,” She said to the soldier holding the infant. The soldier kept his promise and returned the babe. She bowed to the prince, but before she could turn away, the tip of his blade pushed back the hood of her cloak. Her amethyst eyes looked up, stunned, and quickly pulled the hood over her head. He’s seen her face!
    The soldiers nearby who’ve seen her face could only uttered a string of gibberish due to the shock. She silently cursed herself for being so careless. If the prince decided to abduct her, it would be troublesome. She didn’t want any bloodshed.
    The prince kicked the horse on its side and rode passed her. She let out a sigh of relief and then fled away.
     
    The feast was bursting with life with the presence of exotic entertainers from faraway lands. Fire breathers, jugglers, and dancers in sheer loose gowns circled the feast table. The female servants made haste in serving wine to the noblemen and court officials, while the male servants replenished the tables with lavish foods.
    Laughter was plentiful in the air.
    Sayan sat at the honored guest seat, overlooking the banquet. His host, the King of the Western Kingdom, sat adjacent to him instead of on the throne. The King didn’t look old, but the grey streaks of hair gave away his age. The dark circles under his eyes indicate restlessness. He probably hadn’t had a good night sleep in a while.
    The king offered him a toast.
    Coming late to the feast was a young woman dressed in a ruby silk gown, heavily embellished with gold jewels. Her pale and delicate face was a sharp contrast to her raven black hair. She bowed her head slightly to the King and then to him.
    Sayan had never met her, but he knew who she was. The princess of the Western Kingdom was known for her beauty, good taste, and extravagance spending. He had heard many other things, but he was never the kind of man who listened to the words of mouths.
    The princess’s dark brown eyes looked up at him. She was frightened at first, but the feeling quickly subsided to make room for a pleasant surprise. Her future husband did not have the face of a demon like the rumors had said. For a princess, her thoughts were too transparent. Perhaps that would be a good trait in a wife. He could always get what he wanted to know from her without so much an effort. He was starting to have interest in doing business with the Western Kingdom. This marriage arrangement may not be such a bad idea.
    “ Forgive me!” a servant girl mopped down to the ground. The entire court became eerily quiet. “Please don’t kill me!”
    Sayan looked to his left shoulder and followed the trail of spilled wine down his cloak. Now he doesn’t need an excuse to leave. Even though marrying the princess of the Western Kingdom may seem like a good idea, he needs to think it over. The woman could cause him more harm than good.
    Sayan got up from his seat and headed toward the front exit. Not even the King uttered an objection. His men followed him out.
    He drew out a sword by reflex when he heard suspicious rustling sounds coming from the three branches above. He looked up and saw a young girl standing barefoot on a thin tree branch. Her left arm was holding on to a branch above her shoulder and her right arm was reaching for a large ripe peach. Her fine, brilliant, and silky hair hung from leaves to leaves.
    Images rushed back into his head.
    She clumsily stepped on the train of her pale pink gown and lost her balance. If he hadn’t caught her in time, she would have tumbled onto the ground and probably broken