The Salem Princess

Chapter 2 : The Second & First Meeting

The next day, Dyvette goes to join the harvest festival with Alma, her best friend.

Along the road, there are lots of typical peasant decorations, lots of traders selling their wares, lots of people dressing up and wearing costumes.

Food vendors lined the right and left of the road, there were also several stalls selling clothes, costumes, masks, and flower crowns.

Dyvette was walking around cheerfully holding hands with Alma, yes, her mother, she said suddenly feeling unwell and unable to attend this year's harvest festival.

Dyvette wore simple peasant clothes so as not to stand out, wore a floral bandana, she and Alma wore twin outfits of different colors. Dyvette is light brown, while Alma is dark brown. Her hair was left loose, and she wore ribbon earrings, making her look even cuter, typical of village peasant girls.

It was her first time going to a festival after five years of seclusion and avoiding events where she would meet a lot of people.

She just shuts herself up, many people come to her house to propose, what if she is often seen in public like this...

Dyvette realized that she had become the center of attention, she was so sorry, she should have listened to Laila's suggestion to wear a face mask.

"Isn't that the Salem princess?" low whispers are heard

"I think so, it turns out the legend is true, she is very beautiful."

"It's been a long time she hasn't been seen in public, her face is very expensive and precious, it's deserved." they stared in awe at Dyvette.

"Careful, her bodyguards are everywhere, lest we disturb her."

"Oh my God... My eyes are blessed by her beauty!"

"I think even blind people can tell that she's very beautiful."

"Only crazy people say she's ugly!"

"That's right! She deserves a prince, it's only natural that she won't accept the proposal of an ordinary man even though he is rich. They really don't deserve it!"

"You forgot? She even turned down the mayor's son's proposal." the whispers are still going on..

Those whispers... Too...... Makes it.... Nausea.

Damn, even five years didn't make her unrecognizable. Dyvette's face hasn't changed much from five years ago. It's not comfortable

Dyvette thought: Am I really that beautiful in their eyes? Oh my God.. I think there are many who are prettier than me! They are too much....

While there are also many girls who see it with a curt face, they are the daughter of rich people if you look at their luxurious clothes. Dyvette felt very uncomfortable..

The boisterous voices of the residents managed to get her attention, what are they fussing about?

"Blessed, Your Majesty..."

"Prince Ankha!"

"Your Majesty, may God bless you with a long life!"

"Prince Ankhamun!"

"Your Highness Ankhamun!"

Dyvette's eyes narrowed at a dashing man riding a black horse, his face displaying a cold, unfriendly look, but that didn't stop the cheers of the residents who seemed to be very flattering on him.

Dyvette looked at him amused, it turned out that there was still a prince on horseback, if her mother was here, she would definitely make fun of her.

Oh my destiny... Their eyes met, the man still with a stern face looking at her.

But Dyvette is no less spicy.

Yve cursed inwardly : do you think you're the only one who can make a face like this, ha? I also could!

Ankhamun looked away after seeing Dyvette cast a war-ready look at him.

"Hey, prince Ankhamun was looking at us just now." Alma gently nudged Dyvette. "He's got a very stern face." she continued in a surprised tone

"I don't care, let's go have a look again." Yve replied nonchalantly, Alma glanced back briefly before leaving.

Now that Dyvette knew what prince Ankhamun was like, he was a far cry from her imagination. And Dyvette didn't care.

Ankhamun turned his head again, he saw Dyvette smiling at the woman she was holding and running from there.

Prince thought: What a strange woman, is she trying to interest me? Only peasant girls competed. Later, if I chase her, she will be ready. Your very old trick....

Ankhamun looked straight ahead again, no smile on his face, except when he was with his mothers and sisters.

Emperor Jamal educated Ankhamun very hard, building a cold, firm, and scary character so that his son would become a respected Emperor.

The festival took place very lively, the people were very happy, danced and performed magic attractions. Dyvette stared in awe at all the shows, she didn't regret coming here. Lots of interesting things to spoil her eyes..

When the afternoon approached, the residents danced according to tradition with their respective partners, until it was almost evening, their enthusiasm did not decrease in the slightest.

"This is how it turns out, it's like being single in a sea of ​​humans in pairs. It's sad." Alma complained,

"You're still breathing until today. It's nothing to worry about.." Yve replied casually

"Yes yes.. You are indeed the cold Salem's princess, I understand. Let's dance, let's show that we are happy being single!" Alma grabbed Dyvette's hand and led her running towards the crowd without looking around.

"Get out of the way! My eyes hurt to see your ugly faces." Alma snapped as she walked, separating the two people who were clinging tightly.

Dyvette just shook her head at Alma's behavior, it seems she drank too much, fortunately Dyvette only drank a little earlier.

******

Ankhamun sat on the prepared throne chair, silent like a fool, watching everyone dance before him. If only his father had no urgent business to go to Zabbana, his father would be sitting here right now.

"You don't want to dance, Prince?" Tahtah, the prince's assistant asked

"Do I look like someone who is good at doing that stupid thing?" he answered with an expressionless face

Tahtah smiled at Ankhamun's answer.

With a straight face that showed his boredom clearly, Ankhamun stopped the glass that was almost touching his lips. A few meters from there he saw the girl, the girl was laughing cheerfully dancing with her female friend. From his observations as a fairly understanding person, the girl was already a bit drunk.

"Tahtah, I want to get information about her as soon as possible." Ankhamun pointed at Dyvette, Tahtah followed his gaze and nodded in understanding.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

Ankhamun drank his wine with a faint smile. His eyes didn't move, Dyvette didn't look at him at all, somehow he felt a little annoyed.

'You are very beautiful indeed. Congratulations, you managed to get my attention, Miss… Ankhamun muttered under his breath

Time keeps turning...

After a tired dance, Dyvette went to find something to eat, her stomach already hungry. She strolled leisurely choosing food that lined the roadside, they each offered their wares enthusiastically as Dyvette passed.

"Beautiful... Try my roast duck, it's guaranteed to be addicting!"

"Sweet girl, my chicken was so tender, the bones even tasted like bread. Unbeatable in Salem!"

"Miss... Try my spicy sweet and sour octopus. This is a secret recipe that has been passed down for seven generations!"

Dyvette gulped seeing all the delicious food in front of her, she looked around and kept looking.

Then her eyes locked on the figure of a man who was sitting dreamily with a grimace on his face, like he was in pain.

It was the man she met yesterday in the forest, what happened? Was he really being tortured by his master for eliminating a pregnant ewe? The man's hands are shaking, is he hungry?

About yesterday, Dyvette helped him look for the sheep for a while, but Esther was nowhere to be found.

Dyvette rushed over to buy the spicy sweet and sour octopus, she bought ten skewers, then bought two large slices of bread, two servings of corn soup, and two green-leaf drinks.

The man walked unsteadily, towards a chair in the garden, Alma had gone to the bathroom, she was really drunk and vomited, they finally separated after they finished dancing.

Dyvette had his bodyguards watch from afar, she didn't want to attract too much attention if she were accompanied by them everywhere.

Dyvette followed the man from behind.

She greeted, "Hi...."

The man turned his head, he looked surprised to see her.

"Hi.... You...." he guessed

"Right, we met yesterday in the forest." Dyvette smiled. The man just nodded after remembering it

"What are you doing here?"

"I am escorting my master, he is still doing his business. So I will wait here." he answered slowly.

Then he absentmindedly looked straight ahead. Dyvette felt sorry for him, somehow, she also didn't know why she cared.. This man was different from all the men she had ever met, maybe because of that Dyvette felt comfortable without feeling uncomfortable with the adoring stares she usually got from other men.

"I bought some food, I don't think I will be able to finish it alone, are you willing to help me finish it?" the man looked nervous and awkward, then smiled stiffly.

"Is it okay?" he asked for sure. That man looks very cautious and shy

Dyvette replied without thinking, "You look pale, I thought you were hungry so I purposely bought more."

Blush...

His face flushed red, Dyvette felt a little ticklish at his reaction. This was the first time she had seen a man blush with his simple words. He must be very poor, and ashamed...

Wait, Did she say some weird words just now?

"Th... Thank you, Miss." Dyvette sat down next to the man, then placed the food she bought between them.

With shaking hands, he took a bite of a skewer of octopus, then chewed it slowly. Dyvette was already so hungry that she didn't pay much attention to it.

"What's your name? Yesterday we didn't get to exchange names." Dyvette frowned at the whip wound on the man's arm, was there a whip wound on his back too? Dyvette just realized because before this he only looked at his face.

"My name is Lucas. How about Miss?" Lucas was sipping corn soup, without looking at Dyvette, he seemed very hungry.

What a bastard whoever is his master! At least give him some food first! Dyvette cursed the person who was his master relentlessly in her heart.

"My name is Dyvette. Don't be too shy, just use me and you." Lucas nodded, after finishing his food, he smiled warmly at Dyvette.

"Alright, if that's what Miss wants." Dyvette nodded in satisfaction.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-five years, miss."

It was the first time that Dyvette met a grown man who was very soft like Lucas, not macho at all, he was also very obedient to her words, truly the epitome of a slave.

Silence for a few moments. They finished the meal in silence.

"Thankyou for the food, Miss. What should I repay you with? I, I have no money now." Lucas looked very careful.

"Did your master whip you?" Lucas didn't answer, he looked down, a look of fear on his face.

Dyvette looked at him seriously, she firmly said, "I want to know the whole story of your life. Think of it as what I want from you for my food."

(Badump)

Lucas worked up the courage to look at Dyvette. It was getting dark, the sun was almost setting.

********

Ankhamun rested in the room prepared for him, he intended to stay overnight, not because he was tired and unable to return to the palace, he just wanted to enjoy his days off before returning to work in the military, and someone had his attention long ago.

He wanted to know who that girl was.

"Your Majesty... This is the data you requested." Tahtah handed over a scroll of notes about Dyvette.

"Read it to me." Ankha was sitting lying down drinking wine, he looked very seductive in such a dress, his broad chest and perfectly imprinted abdominal muscles, who wouldn't fall for Ankhamun's charm?

The prince of Egyptian descent is alluring, not to mention he is very talented and respected. His martial skills were terrifying.

He was once in a fight with the commander in chief in the arena by Emperor, at that time the commander used two swords, while Ankhamun was only given one sword to fight him.

Ankhamun won the match, everyone had seen how great his martial arts and swordsmanship was. Of course it wasn't a real match, neither were their swords sharp, it was more like a training ground, just to show off their respective moves skills.

Because the match was held during the Emperor's birthday, so all the Kings who came watched them. Including Assad, he gave Ankha a Damascus sword as a gift, Emperor Jamal received a lot of praise for his success in educating Ankhamun to become a formidable and great Prince.

At a young age he is already like this, Assad can imagine at a ripe age later Ankhamun will surely become a great leader.

Side by side with Prince Farish, the two future Kings will be invincible.

"Her name is Dyvette Mebraah, she is the only daughter of a billionaire, one of the richest people in Salem. As a child Dyvette won many archery championships, was raised by her own mother, has no father. Until now still unmarried, she is twenty years, refusing many proposals, she also once rejected a proposal from the son of the mayor of Salem who is famous for being an idol of young girls. And she was nicknamed the Princess of Salem."

Ankhamun looks thoughtful... 'A special woman, she is two years older than me. But why was she dressed like a farmer earlier? Whereas other rich women's daughter wear beautiful dresses. How come I've never heard of her before? Ah yes, this is the first time I have go to Salem, and even then because of replacing my father who could not attend. Does dad know about her?'

"Does the Emperor know about her?"

"As far as I know, His Majesty doesn't really care about people's lives in Salem except for business, it seems he doesn't know about Miss Dyvette."

Anka nodded in understanding.

"What is the name of my future wife Tahtah? Isn't she also from Salem?"

Tahtah looked surprised, Ankhamun didn't think that Dyvette would be betrothed to him, right?

"Her name is Estheria Calline, the commander-in-chief's ninth daughter, daughter of his fourth wife, Mrs Leah."

'Ah, it wasn't...'

"How old is Miss Estheria?"

"Sixteen, Your Majesty."

Still very young, two years younger than him.

"I want to propose to her."

"WHAT? WHO?"

"Dyvette."

Tahtah suddenly got goosebumps. Ankhamun smoked a hookah, then blew out the smoke casually with a mischievous smile.

"I want to marry her before I return to the military."

In his brain, he heard a lot of lightning flashing, Tahtah felt dizzy.