I was summoned to sleep with the Firebird Prince (Part 2)

After I kicked both of the bird-boys out of my chamber, I just sat down on the empty bed and sighed. I preferred peaceful mornings, not such a ruckus. The headache has now fully bloomed in my skull, pushing out any sound thoughts I could have. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples.

I did not like that the bride was considered to be an asset in this world. At least Radovan was asking me to come with him instead of just kidnapping me. On the other hand, Dragan did not bring me here to take me, but to save me from the villagers who were ready to sacrifice me.

And I still have not decided what I am going to do in this world. For now, I was unable to leave the palace voluntarily, if there was an intention to leave Dragan hiding inside me. That was the only explanation why I was able to step out of the castle. If I went out of his territory for real, I would be as good as dead. I instinctively knew that, so there was never intent to leave him once I ventured out of his castle.

After I teach Korvan to read, what will I do here? Read some books, stroll around? Sure, that would look like the best vacation ever, but if I don't find a way to leave this world behind, it will get boring pretty quickly. Maybe I need to break the dragon's curse first? That could work. I have nothing else to do, anyway.

I got up from the bed and stopped next to my wardrobe. I washed myself and put on some fresh clothes, then I stepped out of my chamber. Both Korvan and Radovan were gone, there was only my blanket lying on the floor. I took it into my hands. I will have to wash it.

Once I appeared in the kitchen, I noticed Radovan sitting there. Now he was fully clothed. A simple linen blouse was covering his broad, muscular shoulders. Pants with a high waist were tightly wrapped around his body. Feet hidden in leather boots.

“Why are you still here?” I asked once I saw him.

He flashed me a smile: “I decided to stay for breakfast.”

“Bird grain is in the barn, not in the kitchen,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Tsk, tsk. So cold. You just shared a bed with me, and now you are so distant,” he smirked. “Not what I am expecting from my future wife.”

A loud clacking noise filled the whole kitchen. We both turned around, seeing Korvan standing on the floor, with dishes dropped around him.

“You did… WHAT?” he gaped.

“No, don’t listen to him,” I said immediately. “He is joking.”

“Don’t pretend nothing happened between us,” Radovan added. “We shared a bed.”

I turned to face him. He was laughing, his eyes full of mischief. But mine were full of fire.

“Don’t you dare say anything more,” I growled.

“You are so passionate now, as you were in the morning.”

“You!” I cried out. “Stop spouting such nonsense!”

“How can you dare?!” Korvan shrieked.

Yes, get him, Korvan!

“How could you, you wench!”

I looked at him, confused. The small chicken was now stomping on its feet. His chest puffed out. I thought he was angry at Radovan for saying such a distasteful joke. But it looked like he was furious at… me?

“Wait, are you screaming at me now?” I asked him. “I told you, he is lying. Don’t listen to him!”

“You belong to His Highness! H-how could you sl-sleep with another prince? You are the bride of His Highness! This is treason!”

“Nothing happened! Why don’t you let me explain?”

But Korvan was not listening at all. He scurried across the kitchen, right to the window. He flew straight outside.

“Ah-hah,” Radovan sighed. “He is going to snitch on you to his lord.”

I turned around to face him. “I want you to apologize,” I said.

“Why? It was just a simple joke. The small chicken just doesn’t know how to take it.”

“I want you to apologize to me,” I clarified. “You lied to me and then sneaked into my bed.”

“But you invited me.”

“I was naïve, I thought you were just a simple firebird, that I admit. But you knew that and deceived me. You think that if you turn it into a joke, you will be forgiven, but that was not enough for you. You had to go even further and pretend something happened between us.”

“You mean that we slept together? Yes, that happened,” he smirked.

I swear, it is this man who has a chicken brain, not Korvan.

“Slept as a simple act of sleeping, lying in bed and dreaming, not like making love to each other,” I said. “ Yet you deliberately riled up Korvan, just to make fun of me and him. You see, it made me unhappy, and yet you are refusing to accept your fault. Some things I cannot forgive, even if they are meant to be a joke.”

He was looking at me now, fully serious and committed. All his childishness disappeared. His rich, honey-colored eyes darkened.

“How are you not embarrassed when talking about things men and women do together?”

Oh, boy, if you knew from what kind of world I come from…

“Were you expecting, I will be blushing and giggling like one of those pure maidens of yours, who are enchanted the second you appear before them? I guess this is not your lucky day.”

“Were you already taken by someone?”

“I am not obligated to answer that question, and it's none of your business. Now, I am waiting for you to apologize, and then I will think about whether I should forgive you or not.”

“You are so different,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “Tell me something I’ve yet to hear.”

I decided to ignore him. It looked like he had no intention of apologizing at all. So instead, I turned my attention to the mess Korvan left in the kitchen, and I started cleaning up. I picked up all the dishes and checked them for any cracks. I was able to find a wet rug, and I tried to clean the spilled food from the floor.

I was quiet. And I was angry.

In this medieval world, you could be a charming, seductive prince and do anything you wish. In my world, you would already be called out for sexual harassment. No value in explaining that to him, though. I can only set up my boundaries.

I saw a flash of golden red around me, and once I raised my eyes from the floor, I could see Radovan squatting next to me, picking up broken pieces of pottery.

I looked at him, but he did not return my gaze. Instead, he focused more on cleaning up the mess. I could see a hint of red blooming on his cheeks. So he was embarrassed, after all.

“You playing an obedient boy now?” I asked. “After I scolded you?”

“I…I am sorry,” he said without looking at my face. “I did not think you wouldn't like that. I was too embarrassed to say I made a mistake. So I pretended it was a joke.”

“Yeah, I got that. And I am glad you understand your feelings so well. So next time, please, think twice before jumping into action. I don’t like self-centered princes at all.”

“So,” he looked at me, “will you forgive me?”

Golden sparks were shining in his eyes. Now he resembled a small boy who had been scolded by his mother. This hidden side of him was quite adorable.

“I forgive you,” I said. “Good boy,” I added and petted him on the head.

His lips quivered.

“Don’t do that,” he said. “Or instead of firebird, I will turn into a wolf.”