Chapter 105 Chapter 105
Chapter 105 Chapter 105
“Thank you.” She whispered. “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will.”
As I walked back to my room, I stole a glance at my wrist watch. It was already 4 pm, and the guests were expected to be here by dinner time. I quickened my pace, stopping briefly by Ivan’s wing to let him know he should get ready, too.
—
“You look beautiful.” Dad leaned down slightly to whisper in my ear. We were standing in the foyer, the king and queen, the twins, Ivan, and I.
Usually, the guests would be welcomed by the high-ranking members of staff and led to the throne room to greet the royals, but since our guests were royals themselves, protocol dictated that we greet them ourselves.
I wasn’t too bothered by it since it meant I got to see Rose and Kira again. A pang shot at my heart once I remembered the royal family of Halitus would be missing a member tonight.
“Thank you.”
I ran my hands down my sapphire suit. It was formal and elegant, and a welcome reprieve from all of the dresses I had to parade around this week. I made a mental note to thank Daisyg again for picking it out for me.
The blaring sounds of the drums, trumpets, and saxophone announced the long-awaited arrival of the royals, and the gates of the castle opened wide. The three shimmering portals –incredibly synchronized- first made way for the royal guards from the different kingdoms.
Glacis in their cerulean and silver uniforms, followed by the guards of Avanindra decked in emerald green and bright gold, and Halitus in their pearly white and soft lilac attire.
Each uniform represented the colors of the element and the crystals that corresponded to each kingdom, and as I looked at our guards, adorned in ruby red and obsidian, I felt a newfound appreciation for the small details that made our world.
The guards stood in formation, covering the grounds in an infinity-like symbol that started from the gates to what stood behind the portals, and as the higher ranks stroked their staff on the ground three times, the royals stepped through.
It was all a show of status and power, proven by the excessive number of guards from each kingdom and the crowns and lavish attire adorned by the royals, and I resisted rolling my eyes at the spectacle as I stood next to my family.
I didn’t understand the point of this hour-long presentation; the whole point of their visit was to attend the crowning ceremony and hold the first official meeting with the supreme leader. All of which could have been done in an afternoon.
“Already bored?” Ivan whispered.
He was standing to my left in his fitted light grey suit and his ever so charming smile, and as I stole a few glances his way, I could see why Daisy insisted he attend this debacle. He was born to be a leader. Confident, diplomatic, and oh so very handsome, he belonged to this life more than I ever will.
“Am I that obvious?” I whispered back.
“Not at all.” He shrugged slightly, but I caught his wink.
“Your majesties.” King Ajay, Rose’s father, was the first to greet us. “I’m glad to see you all doing well.” He didn’t look so glad.
“King Ajay, Queen Karishma, it’s so good to have you here with us.” My mother smiled.
“It’s been too long.” Queen Sophie bowed slightly along with her husband. “We’re glad the royals of Agni are unharmed.” She smiled as she glanced at my siblings and me.
“As are we.” Dad bowed back.
“Lisa, William, we’re very happy you could join us.” Mom turned to the leaders of Halitus.
“And once again, we are terribly sorry for your loss.” Dad finished.
“Thank you.” The royals said in unison, grief displayed on their faces even though they tried so hard to hide it.
“Shall we?” Luka gestured for us to head inside, and the royals nodded.
The guards dispersed within and outside of the castle walls, and as my family and I led the way to the dining hall, I couldn’t shake the feeling of a cold stare piercing my back.
We took our seats around the humongous table after chatting for a few minutes. I got to greet Kira, Jasper, and Rose, who were all just as glamorous as their parents. Holden’s young cousin, the future queen of Halitus, remained close to her family.
Conversation flowed as the staff brought out different kinds of refreshments and entrées, and for anyone looking in at this scene, it would have looked like a pleasant affair, but I knew better. The atmosphere was tense, and it was only a matter of time before the inevitable blowup.
“So, Ahri, we heard about that courageous stunt you pulled at the battle.” King Ajay took a sip of his wine.
Not a minute too soon.
“I only did what I had to.” My smile was forced.
“You could have died.” He was relentless.
“It was a sacrifice I was willing to make.”
“So very brave.” His smile reminded me of a cartoon snake. “So very childish.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Under the table, Ivan’s hand rested on my thigh.
“A queen does not throw herself in the middle of a battle like that. You’re meant to lead, not sacrifice yourself.”
“That may have been your approach, King Ajay, but I wasn’t raised to run for cover. I wasn’t going to stand by and watch as my people died for me.”
To my left, my father barely held back his snicker. My mother, however, had no qualms about showing her bright smile.
“You endangered your life and the lives of those around you.” His highness king asshole seethed.
“Don’t think we haven’t heard of the amount of damage your little show of power cost. You could have blown this castle up into smithereens. How are you meant to lead the four kingdoms if you can’t even control your own elements? You’ve been presumed dead for two years, and now you’re back to ruin us all. You’re not a queen, you’re nothing but an insolent child, and I would…”
“You would do well to recognize who you’re talking to, King Ajay.”