~RUNE
I swallowed hard.
Uriel kept watching me with his blazing crimson eyes while his hand did things that weren’t supposed to be right.
Sending electric sensations up my body and to the pit of my stomach.
It took a lot for me not to squirm in my chair.
Why was he torturing me like this?
It made no sense.
No one could see his hand on me so why put it there if this was just an act?
“I— I can eat on my own,” I stuttered as I dared to keep looking into his eyes.
He chuckled darkly, touched my left cheek before pulling away.
And I sat there, watching him dish my food for me.
Even if no one said a word out loud, I could feel the weight of their eyes on me.
Judging me without spitting the words out loud.
And Uriel’s show of care was not helping.
He was literally treating me like a fragile egg.
“Eat.”
I didn’t dare disobey.
I shakily picked up my fork, cut a small piece of the meat and put it in my mouth.
To my greatest surprise, it didn’t taste as bad or bloody as I thought.
It was actually delicious, rich with great spices like ginger, garlic, nutmeg, rosemary and many more.
And the soup was probably this color because of beetroot.
Uriel finally stopped facing me and turned to his food.
How glad that made me.
To know that I could be invisible for just a few seconds.
“Your Majesties and the great Lords of Oraena, in the good spirits of the upcoming festival: The Calling of Orakis,” a man began with so much pride that I could not stop myself from raising my brows at him.
“I, Chief Kairo of House Noon, will be donating all the materials needed for the festival.”
The entire table began to applaud him while I only sat there clueless.
I really wished there had been more information on the Orin back home.
The only thing I knew was that they were monsters— ancient creatures whom no humans could ever survive after setting eyes on them.
So far, I had already contradicted that information.
“You have received the favor of the Royal palace, Chief Kairo,” Uriel answered.
“Favored is the King!” Chief Kairo exclaimed, clearly satisfied.
“Your majesty,” another man on the table began.
“Since we are already speaking of the Calling festival, will you and your Lords also be participating this time?”
“The king doesn’t need to win favor of his people nor that of our god Orakis,” Morrigan suddenly cut in.
“He already has our full respect and Orakis recognizes him.”
Then he stopped to pour himself a cup of wine.
“The one we should hope will participate in the Calling and walk the Path of the Veil is her Majesty.”
My heart sank just as his amber eyes shot straight at me.
Even if I did not understand what this festival was, it was clear this was another open attack on me
The Path of the Veil was surely a very dangerous thing.
“Or does His Majesty object to this as well?” Morrigan demanded.
This was a well coordinated move.
The entire table went silent and even Uriel was unable to say a word for a split second.
I just watched helplessly as he gripped his cup way too hard.
If I had the goddess’ light, perhaps the festival would not have been so dangerous for me.
But I had nothing.
How was I supposed to survive it?
“You are right,” Uriel finally spoke and what was left of my heart sank to the deepest part of my core.
“The Queen will be participating in this year’s festival. She will walk the Path of the Veil and earn the respect of the entire Kingdom.”
I widened my eyes as I turned to look at him.
How could he be so certain about that?
“Are you sure the Queen shouldn’t sit this year’s festival out?” Sylve cut in.
“She’s human, and she has no idea about our customs. She could lose her life in the process.”
I gritted my teeth hard as I felt that now familiar fear slowly creeping up my spine.
Also, why was Sylve trying to protect me?
“The one who walks with the goddess’ blessings shall never perish. And if Orakis truly recognizes her as our Queen, he will keep her alive,” Morrigan retorted.
The tension in the hall grew so thick I started feeling it weighing down the back of my throat, trying to force me against the table.
I have come this far, hopefully, I might survive this too.
Right?
“We will all be participating at the Calling of Orakis this year. No exception,” Uriel finally said and turned to me.
“Not even for my Moon.”
Great, I am so going to die.
For the millionth time.
“Undefeated is the King. He is favored!” The hall exclaimed.
After that, my appetite was lost.
I tried to force a few more spoons down my throat but my stomach kept rejecting it.
My mind was exhausted with fear and I really wished this dinner which had slowly turned into a nightmare would end already.
As if on cue, Uriel suddenly pushed his chair back and rose from his seat.
I looked up at him with worry.
Was he about to abandon me here?
Not that he was any better but at least, I didn’t have to pretend in front of him.
“I think I have had enough food for tonight. Now, I need to spend time with my new wife,” he stopped to look at me before offering me his hand.
I shakily took it and he pulled me up to my feet, grabbing my waist in the process.
“Come, I’ll show you something,” he said with a charming smile.
For a moment, I was confused.
Why was he acting like before he exposed my fraud?
Or was this just his way of coping with the death of my sister?
“O— okay,” I stuttered and he began to lead me out, away from the hall and all the people.
We stepped outside and the cold night’s air instantly slapped at me.
“W— where are we going?” I dared to ask while following his tall and dark frame.
Uriel stopped at that moment and turned to face him.
His eyes were glowing a bright red in the dark now.
All his earlier sweetness was completely gone and replaced by a monster.
The mask had fallen off.
“Where you will face punishment for pretending to be her.”
The consequences of pretending is beyond dire…