A Hidden Warning and Secret

"Of course, Prince." Iyana stated simply, curtsying. She walked towards the door and opened it, pausing for a second. A smile graces her lips, and she turns around, bowing towards Lazarus.

"And you may want to be careful with what you say to him." She said, shifting her eyes to Dominick.

Dominick narrowed his eyes at her, making out the slightly devilish smile she gave him.

"You may damage his...princely ego." Without another word, she walked out, closing the door behind her.

Clasping her hands behind her back, she head in the direction of her room to rest before she had anymore duties to attend too.

Once Iyana was gone, Dominick's eyes closed in annoyance. She had to add a remark like that. As far as he was concern, he didn't have a big ego nor was he fond of her mischievous ways.

Lazarus was smiling, clearly amused by this maid's humor.

Dominick averted his glance away from the door to hide a small smile.  "I'll have to teach her proper manners later." The prince muttered lowly, despite the hint of amusement in his tone.

Lazarus had noticed something about his cousin. The disinterested, boring expression he known Dominick to wear was no more. In its place was one that was softened-alive more like it. "She isn't like the robotic maids around this place."

Turning, Dominick headed to his bathroom. He tried to ignore the lingering pain in his rib cage. "That's because she isn't one of them. She's Princess Iyana Samson of Velvet Crown."

Lazarus eyes widened to express the shock he realized was obvious to his face."The princess that's rumored to be unattainable?"

Dominick smiled at his cousin's astonishment. "I wouldn't say she's unattainable, but manageable, like a child, maybe," he said reaching for his toothbrush.

"Really?"

The sounds of Dominick brushing his teeth came to the cousin's ears. Lazarus leaned against the door frame of the bathroom entry. "Just how did you capture such a rare prize?"

He split into an oval sink. "Iyana is not some rare prize." He washed out his mouth and turned to Lazarus. "She's going to be my Queen."

Lazarus pushed himself from the doorway, an eyebrow arched. "You and I both know uncle wouldn't accept her." The corners of his mouth lifted up in a smirk. "Especially since Marissa has been summoned."

"I refuse to commit myself to her."

"So you have a plan, Dominick?" The right corner of his mouth twisted up into a smile.

"I do, but first-" He eyes shined with a determined glow "My princess needs to bloom into the Queen, I know she is."

"And Uncle?"

"Father isn't going to control my life forever nor will I remain the obedient prince. I still have time." He slipped in his thin jacket that held his kingdom symbol. "Now come. Let's meet with father."

A few hours had passed when Dominick returned to his room. His cousin had returned to a room separate from his own and located on the other side of the castle.

Sitting on his bed, he slipped his hands out of his coat. "How am I going to explain this to Iyana?"

The next day, Iyana reluctantly rose from her slumber. With sore legs and arms, she managed to get herself showered and ready for her day.

"Hey, Iyana!" a voice called to her as she walked along the hallway. "How's the prince been treating you?"

"Brenton." She said in a simple greeting, then continue, "In a word...Interesting. Difficult. You name it."

"That bad?"

She hesitated, thinking over her next statement. "I wouldn't say that-he's a fairly... Respectable...person once you get to know him."

Brenton laughed out loud. "No one's said that before."

Iyana forced a small laugh and nodded. "I was only kidding." She said, not wanting to gain suspicion. "He's dry, haven't gotten a emotion out of him all day." She thought back to the morning and closed her eyes.

"Well, since it's obvious you aren't doing anything. Want to help me in the kitchen?" he said, a sly smile playing on his face.

Iyana simply laughed and shook her head no. "Work with the prince for a day, and you won't want to do anything else after he's through with you."

Brenton raised his eyebrow, questioning. Iyana sighed and shake her head, not wishing to go into further details. The disappointment written across his face was obvious, but Iyana chose to ignore it. She didn't want to do any more chores in addition to her current ones.

The two said their goodbyes for the day, and Iyana went in search of her royal charge. Perhaps he was in his room, she thought. Iyana sighed softly as she wandered the halls of Luna Crescent.

What exactly had Dominick said to Lazarus? She hoped that their conversation haven't become heated. She wasn't in the mood to deal with anything stressful, such as two bickering, arrogant princes. She had tossed and turned repeatedly last night, trying to find a comfortable position, all to no avail.

Lazarus was walking down the corridor on his way outside for his tour of the kingdom. He spotted Iyana from a distance. Smiling, he walked up behind her and tapped her on her right shoulder before moving quickly to her left. "Hey you." He grinned friendly.

Just as she thought she had her break from the chaos of her thoughts, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked off to the right to find no one there, being accustomed to the trick, as it has been played on her several times before, and she simply sighed and looked off to her left. The image of Lazarus surprised her, and she cocked her head slightly, studying his face, trying to find his motivation for talking to her. He was harder to read then Dominick, and it drove her insane.

After a few seconds of quietly studying the prince, she shook her head and looked at one of the paintings on the walls. "I don't exactly know why you're here, but if Dominick did something I don't wanna hear it. You're a big boy, you should be perfectly capable of handling it yourself." She muttered, an annoyed tone laced her voice as she made no attempt to hide it, "At least I would think," she added sarcastically, looking back up at him and met his gaze.

"For a maid, your tongue is sharp when in the presence of a royal prince, such as myself." Lazarus chuckled. His gaze traveled over her face. Rumors were right. She's a real beauty. "Ah though you are accustomed to speaking this way." He leaned forward. A smile on his lower face and eyes dancing with excitement. He lower his voice to a low whisper. "Princess Iyana. My my, where's that sense of humor from earlier?" He straightened himself. "I've only came here to wish you a good stay here among the people of Luna Crescent. I do hope you don't harm our little prince. I've heard he captured you as payback for his enslavement. Your king must have been a tough cookie to make Prince Dominick think twice about killing him." He held up a hand in a gesture to say he meant no offend.

"But that's not why I'm here. I wanted to meet you myself. I wanted to see what kind of girl you were. So how about this, fair lady, if Dominick ever become unreasonable-come to the far west of the castle. Find the blue door with a moon face painted on its door knob. Once that is done enter the room and you shall find something most interesting. That is all, Iyana, fair lady." He bow his head slightly and turned around. He hummed a tune as he walked down the hallway.

Iyana stared after Lazarus until she couldn't see him anymore. What's behind this blue door with a moon face knob that's so important to Dominick?

"Iyana! Iyana!" came the voice of an older woman by the name of Jane.

Jane was one of the maids that work on the same floor Iyana was given to clean. "Come quick, please." Jane struggled to breath out her words when she came to a stop in front of the princess.

"Jane, what's wrong? What happened?" Iyana asked, worry lines appearing on her face.

"Just follow me." Jane grabbed Iyana's hand and pulled her along the corridor.