My mind is chaos and everything is messed up.

After what Maêl had told me I can’t focus on anything. I lay in bed, my eyes tired and my body aching. I am ask to attend the meeting regarding our deal. My mind is still lingering inside my thoughts. Seeing Maêl like that was weird but something has bloom deep down in my heart. I can’t name it but it is growing like a venom and spreading inside me like a poison.

I get up and look myself in the mirror.

The dress is fitting perfectly around my curves. The dress is deepest shade of purple and blue, off shoulder with butterfly wings sewed, a matching corset with floral pattern and the overskirt with floral lacey pattern with tiny gem stones of purple and blue embedded to it that shines in the moonlight illuminating tiny stars in the dark sky.

My hair are tied in loose curly bun and with tiny little beads in the twists. I look at myself remembering the time when I used to have nothing but a ragged old dusty and dirty tonic of my father to cover myself and now here I am wearing the dresses that I never imagined in my life I would be wearing or owing.

A knock on the door break the bridge between my thoughts and reality. I adjust my dress one last time and then open the door only to meet an elf guard. He gives me way to walk ahead. My heart is pounding and my legs feels weak. My body is shaking like a leaf but I don’t want anyone to know that I am weak. I want them to know that they don’t hold power over me and I will be the one to fear.

I walk down the great corridors the path becoming a maze, my mind filled with thoughts and my heart pounding hard in my chest. I want to run away and hide somewhere.

And that’s when I remembered I am not changed.

It’s same as the day I was about to be sacrificed. My vision begin to blur and my eyes begin to burn but something rise inside my chest. I can’t name it. It’s not anger nor bravery but something huge.

I am not coward.

I think and take a deep breath. My lungs feels to function normally. I look ahead of me towards the long wooden doors to the court room. My body feels like I’m reborn. And I know what it is. The door to the court room opens and I can see the members of council sitting beside the King. As I walk in I can see the mischievous smile on King’s face.

The King looks young and beautiful. His face like a Greek God, sharp jawline, pointed nose and pointed ears. Plum lips, pale skin, broad shoulders and long blonde hairs. He is ethereal just like other elves but something about him screams power.

He is wearing emerald green robe with gold floral pattern embedded and under the robe he is wearing white silk tunic and tight brown leather pants. His long leather boots kissing his knee. His crown is made of stag horns originating from the both sides of his head.

I felt someone looking at me from the corner of my eye.

My heart skipped a beat as my eyes met with Maêl. Deyanira is accompanying him and my eyes falls on their intertwine together. But something about that makes something churn in my stomach.

I slow down in front of the stairs that leads to the throne and where the King is sitting. I bow down holding my dress. “Rise Verena,” The King says his voice echoing through the hall.

I do as I am told and look up at the King. The council members look at me. There is an old man sitting right to the King. His skin greyish blue, his ears pointed, crooked nose and deserted lips of dark purple shade. His eyes shiny silver with yellow eye ball. He is wearing red robe with matching pants and black silk shirt.

To King’s left is a woman in her mid 50s. Her skin is a shade of shiny gold , monolid yellow almond eyes, Roman nose, plum thin lips and pointed ears. She is wearing her hair tied up into a tight bun. Her dress a shade of burgundy, long butterfly sleeves with floral pattern and long ball skirt with an overskirt of shiny silk of pink shade.

But my eyes lands on someone particular, to the woman right next to the blue old man. She looks young, too much young to be a member of the council member. Her skin pale as ice, red lips resembling blood on snow, face shaped so beautiful that Goddess may envy her. Pointed long ears, beautiful nose, thin red lips, siren blue eyes like ocean and long black hair braided into a towered bun. She is wearing black dress with red flowers printed on it that shines as sunlight falls on it. A ball gown skirt with same pattern and to finish her look she is wearing a small red hat pin in her hair with a black veil. She looks kind but also her aura is screaming, stay away.

“As the time has come for you to fulfill your promise and I’ll do mine. The council is happy and I am also happy.” His mischievous smile is back and I can’t the broken pieces of the puzzle to the place. “All you have to do is assassinate the Crown prince of the Dark court, Rune Azriel Black.” The King’s grin grow wide as he had said something that is very easy to do.

I want to protest but my morals are more important.

Maybe this is my first step in having some power and becoming someone that I have always dreamed of. “I am in your service my Majesty.” I say not showing any signs of fear but of power and confidence.

“Brilliant.” The King says, “Lord Kermis and Maêl will show you the map and we will send for you to Lord Zic to help you assassinate the Crown prince as he is our spy there.” The King say.

“I have objection, your Highness.” I know this voice and soon Maêl stands beside me. “I want to join Verena on this task too. I’ve been training long for this day.” The King shoot Maêl a nasty look. The look of disgust. If a person could kill someone with just glaring this would be the best time.

“You are not going anywhere Maêl.” There is bitterness in the way King just say, “You are going to the Kaguya Kingdom for the blessing from the daughter of Moon Goddess, Asterin.” He says the last words with more tension.

“Bu-,” The King raise his hand in air breaking Maêl in the middle.

Before Maêl could say anything, Deyanira step forward, “We will my sire.” She bows and side look at Maêl. Maêl looks at her for a second or more before he also bows and they both leave.

“Then I must get ready for my departure, Your Highness.” I bow.

“You will leave on Wednesday. And there is going to be ball in your honor. All the slaves and humans are going to be there wearing nice and valuable things for you and to know you.” The King says as he is reminding me or warning me to not to go astray. “I hope you will attend it.”

“Yes your Highness.” I say with a bow and leave the hall.

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TO BE CONTINUED........