After the meal, Ayira and Cian were left alone so Ayira could show Cian around the main palace, the central part of the Othinian palace situated on vast land. The two figures walked around the beautiful garden of the palace where no one was following them. As per the queen's orders, the two were left alone.
"So you are the Prince of Abetha?" Ayira began, finding no need for the formalities of addressing him as they had already met in informal situations.
"And you are a Princess of Othinia," Cian replied, as he continued to walk with her on the garden paths.
She nodded lightly and commented, "Being a Prince, invading the secrets of another kingdom and carrying out secret missions, shall I say it's praiseworthy?"
Cian smiled lightly at her remark and said, "Being a Princess, going against her own father and invading his secrets, is not less praiseworthy either."
She turned her face to look at him, prompting him to look back at her. His blue eyes were calm, refusing to reflect any of his thoughts. Finally, he asked, instead of waiting for her to take the initiative every time, "Aren't you afraid of getting caught and punished by the king? Why take a risk?"
"I am, but I am sure I will never get caught," she said casually, "Trying to do something better for my kingdom where I was raised is what I am supposed to do as a princess. I cannot stop others from doing wrong, but I can try to make it right on my side."
"Hmm, I appreciate the thought," he replied.
"I can ask you the same," she said, "Why take a risk in another kingdom? Aren't you afraid?"
"I can answer the same as you did," he replied, and both chuckled together.
They were both sure they had the same goal and didn't hesitate to take a risk to fulfill it. They continued to walk for a while in silence, not knowing what more to say.
Then, breaking the quiet, Ayira addressed Cian once more, her tone serious. "Prince Cian, there's something I wish to discuss."
He looked at her, "As you have called me by my title, it seems like it's something really serious and important to you."
She nodded and continued, "You are well aware of why we are together here like this."
"I am," he replied and waited to hear her.
"Our families wish for us to get married, but I do not wish to," she said straightforwardly, her tone serious this time.
Cian could see her eyes had determination, and she had already made up her mind. "I understand."
"She does," Cian agreed.
As tea arrived, their conversation flowed. "Prince Cian, I hope you don't mind lingering here a while longer. If we depart too soon, my parents might suspect I didn't offer you proper hospitality," Ayira said.
"I can stay a while longer," he assured her.
With no one nearby, Ayira broached a sensitive topic. "When do you intend to set fire to the plantation?"
"That's not information for you to know, considering you declined my proposition," Cian replied, alluding to her refusal to provide him with the banned herb in exchange for information about the plantation.
Ayira offered a wry smile. "I hadn't realized the Prince, who appears as calm as still water on the surface, harbors grudges."
"Perhaps I trust in your ability to gather the information on your own," he replied evenly.
"Thank you for your trust, Prince Cian. But given our time constraints, how about I provide you with the herb during my next raid on the smugglers?" Ayira suggested, eager to find a solution.
"I don't believe in renegotiating a rejected deal," Cian replied calmly, savoring his tea.
Ayira understood that this man was not going to back down, as she had been adamant at that time. "Alright, I didn't know you were a prince and whether I could trust you. It was dangerous to hand over that herb to just anyone."
"And I praise you for that, Princess Ayira. I am glad you didn't fall for the temptation of the information and didn't just trust a stranger."
"Then..."
"I can obtain that herb on my own," Cian said, "and I believe you can gather the information on your own when an outsider like me can obtain it so easily."
Ayira didn't insist further, as she was a woman with pride as well. "I understand."
"I'll be handling the matter in two days, so you'll have that much time to join in a noble cause. I trust you'll be there to participate," Cian informed her.
Ayira pondered his words. Was he praising her abilities or issuing a challenge? She couldn't quite discern.
Setting his cup down, Cian announced, "I must take my leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Ayira."
Ayira nodded, and they both rose from their seats. Cian bowed politely before departing, leaving Ayira to watch his retreating figure. 'If only he were Othinian,' she mused to herself, 'I might have considered marrying him. A man like him could greatly assist in my endeavors.'