III

After Valoukai storms out of the room, leaving me alone and breathless, I take a moment to gaze out of the window. The sun is still shining brilliantly at the centre of the clear blue sky.

So far, the King and Queen seem to be fond of me. That's a great start, I have to ensure it remains that way until the end of my stay. I can't say much about Princess Fyla, but this asshole of a prince clearly hates my guts.

Well, lucky for him, the feeling's mutual.

A maid hurries to the room, the swishing sound of her feet on the marble floor alerting me of her arrival. She lightly knocks on the door and when I turn, I have to be extra cautious to school my expression to unaffected.

Her lashes are too long and fiery orange. Her ears are too pointy and her face seems to be pinched and drawn to the centre, where her circular lips are blooming out of her green skin. Her clothing is simple, a white sleeveless dress that reaches just below her knees, making her appear like an odd-looking three-year-old kid. Her tail lashing around from what I assume should be nerves.

She guides me to my chambers, two flights of stairs up and past three hallways is where I'll reside until the bonding ceremony.

From the one who spins our fates, I wholeheartedly wish things don't get to mating. That's the last thing I want, mating with my enemy. And who knows, it might mess with my head and consequently my plans.

I note every turn and every step, but not too deep so as to not come off suspicious while the maid takes me to my sleeping chamber.

She opens the door for me but doesn't step inside herself. As I stride past her, she bows her head and, in a pitch scratchy voice begins speaking, "Her highness ordered I shall come and prepare you for the evening ball, my lady."

I nod and with that, she scurries away.

I sigh and look around the room. The walls are maroon, and a ceiling to floor window cuts through the wall across from me, leading to a balcony. The queen-sized bed is placed in the middle of the room and on its right is another wooden door, probably leading to the bathroom.

On the left side of the door, a gigantic wardrobe is placed, with a small desk on its other side, combs, pearls and all sort of ornaments are neatly organised on it, for later use. Pressed against the third wall, is a study desk with multiple stands for candles and a pile of parchments neatly stacked up and a jar of ink placed in the corner of the desk.

My bags are nowhere in sight, but my belongings are already sorted into the wardrobe. With a few additional sparkling and extravagant clothing items added to the collection.

I roll my eyes and plop down on the bed, pulling out all the hairpins holding my wavy hair in place.

Tonight's going to be exhausting, but it's nothing I can't make it through. For a while, I have to be careful to avoid any activity that might lead to problems. After everyone has stopped putting me under magnifying glasses, I should be able to follow the plan thoroughly and find all the maps and war tactics they're planning to use on Demaqual for the upcoming war.

But for now, I can enjoy being treated like a princess. I lay back on the bed and let sleep envelop me.

Three gentle knocks jolt me awake in the dark room, but before I climb out of the bed, the door opens and walks in the same maid who led me to my chambers.

The sun has sunk beneath the faraway mountains, a purplish hue colours the darkening night.

She helps me freshen up, filling a basin with cold water and handing a cloth to me so I can wipe any traces of sleep from my face.

Claiming the Queen has ordered her to inform me I have to wear one of the dresses the royals have decided for me, she puts out an orange gown for me. Too fancy for my taste, but it should leave the girly impression I'm going for. She helps me change into them and I sourly realise, it hinders my mobility to great extent.

Hopefully, tonight matters don't go astray, so there won't be a need for more comfortable clothing to defend and fight off opponents.

Each layer of the skirt is a different shade of orange, darkening as it goes on until the last and the longest layer is bright red. I might as well appear like an actual walking flame.

She styles my hair accordingly, twisting and turning it atop my head, making it appear like a crown.

I notice how longingly she gazes at me through the reflection of the mirror. Guilt squeezes my chest, but there isn't much I can do. These lands are fuelled by unfair treatment. And she's just an unlucky fae.

After she's done and I manage to get her to leave without me, I lock the door behind her and hurry to the wardrobe. Inside of it, I find my blue dress and through its puffy layers, I find the undetectable bow tie inside. I untie it and pull out the small jar of lotion.

Quickly I pour some of the milky white liquid in my palm and rub it all over my exposed skin, to ensure if someone accidentally had iron with themselves and ended up pressing it me, my skin would show a reaction, and singe, like a true-blooded fae.

I hide the jar along with the purple cloth from my mom.

I find my daggers, scattered and tied to my dresses, undetectable between layers of fabric and latch one to my thigh under the dress and another small sword to my calf.

I fix my dress and with a final glance at the mirror, I pull myself to my full height, plaster a smile on my face and stride out of the room.

I don't need anyone's help to figure out where the ball is being held. The music is loud enough that even people from outside the palace ground can probably hear it.

I follow the tune and eventually the number of guards patrolling the area grows in number until I find the entrance of the hall.

Two guards, clad in orange, pull the red velvet fabric shielding the entryway aside for me and I walk through.

For a moment, the magical lights cast by the fire faes all around the place blind me. The glittering clothes, the extravagant appearances, exaggerating their monstrous beauty, it's all too staggering.

Glinting wings, dresses with colour more vibrant than one can ever find in nature, various like the vicious rainbow, hair designs set in impossible twists and turns atop male and female faes. Their faces are either painted to highlight their unnatural skin tone or make it more surreal.

The King and Queen are situated above all, in a carved-out stone wall, their fiery thrones erected in the cave-like hole.

Higher ranked faes are flanking them, mostly generals and famous artists, showing off their area of expertise, in hopes of catching the Royals eyes and earning a magnificent reward. In the far end of the line of Generals, I spot Norvick speaking to a fae with auburn hair and bronze coloured skin. Her hair is styled heavenwards, resembling a flame, and her silver translucent wings are touching the marble floor.

Princess Fyla and Prince Valoukai are nowhere in sight.

Round white tables with white tablecloths are placed around the hall. Each table overflowing with foods, pastries and wine all made with fae ingredients. Edibles that humans cannot touch unless they desire to make a fool out of themselves and possibly end up dead.

They are banned in Demaqual, for people's safety, or used under very special circumstances, with supervision so humans won't accidentally harm themselves. Or other full-blooded or half-blooded faes, who are immune to its cruel magic won't be tempted to turn any human to their evening entertainment.

As I walk deeper into the room, the loud chatter and laughter slowly quiet down, to the point when I reach the middle of the hall, everyone present in the room is staring at me. Even the musicians have brought down the tempo of their songs.

The faes flanking the royals part way as I approach the throne.

At the foot of the stairs leading to the Royals, I bow, bending my knee and dipping my chin as I hold out my skirt at either side of me. A full submissive position. As if saying you have the full power to swing down your sword and part my head from my neck.

I don't look up, but hear the shuffling sound of the King and Queen getting to their feet.

"Come child," King Cyrus' voice booms in the hushed ballroom.

Elegantly, I raise to my full height. With slow, deliberate steps I ascend the stairs, feeling everyone's gaze piercing me from all four sides. My heart dully thuds in my chest. No amount of practice ever fixed my nerves for when the spotlight is cast down on me.

He holds out his hand. I pay attention to even the way I bring up my hand and accept his arm to be graceful, a movement so soft it leaves the one in my line of vision in visible awe.

I dip my chin once more as my fingers furl around his uncomfortably hot palm.

King Cyrus guides me to stand between him and Queen Durgani. Now I understand why they wanted me to wear a dress of their choice.

Clad in black from head to toe, I stand in the middle like a bloody sore thumb.

"I present to you our great late General Morandos and his beloved late mate, lady Cattenia's daughter, and our soon to be princess, Audriea of house Redolfom," his voice echoes in the ballroom.

United, all faes declare as they go to their knees, "All hail the glory of Redolfom."

I'm careful to mask my smug expression with one of shy and a sweet small smile along with it, trying to not think of how all these bastards deserve to be squished to the ground.

If only they knew they were bowing to a half-blood... I'm sure some of them would have cast a lifelong curse on me, alongside scrubbing the skins and inside their mouth until the layers of skin peeled off. If only they knew.

But standing here, over them, looking down at them while they bow at me, feels frighteningly satisfying. As though I'm a step closer to rain hell down on them, especially those who commanded the orders of that cruel day.

The day I lost everything.

One day, I will make each and every one of these monsters who has ever harmed a human, killed or even ordered to kill a human, pay with blood.

I will make them suffer the agony they forced me and countless other innocents to endure.

I will do it, even if it'll cost my life, I will.

For now, they will bow to me, call me their princess.

Until the real wrecking arrives.

⚔︎ ⚔︎ ⚔︎

Thank you for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to vote if you did and comment your thoughts!

The next chapter will be up tomorrow (hopefully).

Stay safe, lots of love, happy reading <3


Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top