“We need to speak, ” king Zareth said and king Budegha nodded.
“I know” he replied.
Just then, queen Elzier walked up to king Zareth and bowed deeply.
Behind her was Mirelle and prince William.
“Thank you for honoring us with your presence” she said and king Zareth smiled, he didn’t respond immediately rather, he looked past her and locked gaze with William.
“My king” William lowered his head in respect and king Zareth smiled in satisfaction.
He had noticed William staring daggers at him.
And at that moment that the peace between Nebuzza and Elarion will not last.
He swept his gaze towards Mirelle who was staring at him with hope and admiration in her eyes.
She was beautiful, but his kingdom doesn’t need a vile woman.
He also doesn’t need a vile woman.
He turned to king Budegha, not acknowledging her presence.
The same woman who tried to destroy his beloved’s image had the audacity to stare at him with such eyes.
He felt irritated by it.
The fact he had already promised peace annoyed him because he would have loved the feeling of gouging out those eyes.
“Lead the way!” He turned to king Budegha and spoke in a cold voice.
King Budegha sighed and led him out.
toward the garden.
Behind them, voices and sounds of music became distant.
King Zareth swept his gaze around and noticed they were alone.
But he saw it through the corner of his eyes.
A shadow.
Hiding behind the tall flowers, and Zareth’s lips curled up in a smile.
He was beginning to like this guy.
“King Zareth!” King Budegha was first to speak.
He kept walking with his hands behind his back.
Zareth stopped and raised an eyebrow at him.
“I still do not trust you, but I believe you won’t object to signing this peace as a decree!” King Zareth chuckled.
He took a few steps forward.
But he did not answer directly.
“Shouldn’t we be addressing those who tried to hurt my bride, or are they so important that you decide to protect them?” “I have taken care of them!” “Have you?” “King Zareth…” king Budegha called out but Zareth shook his head.
“No, you did not!
I saw them staring daggers at me.” He shook his head.
“Tell me, King Budegha, how do you feel with your own daughter almost being ruined by your own son?
Did you feel good?
Sad?
Angry?
Because I honestly did not buy that guilty face of yours.” “It’s a shame!
But I have decided to let it go, because we are still making peace and my bride will not want me hurting her family.
But.
I think, that the peace between Elarion and Nebuzza may not last because the crown prince of Elarion is up to something that may not end well.” King Zareth said and king Budegha was speechless.
“My family will not be a problem” king Budegha’s voice was tight.
“I hope so.Then I will sign the decree and take my bride” king Zareth replied and turned to leave, but king Budegha’s voice stopped him.
“Why Elira?” King Budegha asked “you never told me why you chose her!” Zareth chuckled and faced him.
“Elira is quite interesting!” “That’s not an answer!” King Budegha said.
“How much do you know about her that made you picked interest” “It doesn’t matter!
Just know she will be away from this prison of a home.
And I will treat her better than her father did.
It’s a promise.” Zareth smirked and king Budegha scowled at him.
“You…” “Save your speech Budegha and send me my bride, I didn’t come to negotiate with you.
I shouldn’t be here myself but I needed to make you understand that Nebuzza will keep the peace.
But I also hope Elarion does.
I still thirst for their blood.” He said and the corner of his lips curved .
Then he looked towards where Glomon was hiding.
“Oh… you should train your soldiers more.
They’re too…weak” King Budegha’s jaw clenched but he swallowed the insults.
He then turned to walk inside.
“Come, a chair has been prepared for you to sit and wait for your bride” king Budegha said and led the way, while Zareth looked towards Glomon and their eyes met, he smiled at him while Glomon stared at him with something unreadable.
**** **** Elira gripped Rosa’s hand to soothe her trembling heart.
The news of king Zareth’s arrival had shattered her composure.
She did not want to do this, but had no choice.
Just then she heard footsteps and voices right outside her chamber door, and her face twisted.
It was the queen!
‘What does she want?
Her doors were pushed open without a knock and the queen stepped in.
Behind her was Mirelle and the maidservants from earlier in the morning.
“Oh!
You look gorgeous!” The queen said feigning a gasp.
“Oh I’m crying!” Mirelle acted too wiping a fake tears.
Elira didn’t speak, rather she gently bowed her head.
Then raised her head to meet the queen’s gaze.
“You challenged my orders!” The queen said.
“They disrespected me” Elira replied.
Her voice was so firm and unyielding that Rosa had to glance at her.
“You deserve no respect Elira, you…..” “I do!” Elira cut her off.
“I deserve respect!
I am a princess of Elarion and I also have rights.” “How dare you!” Mirelle was furious.
She stepped forward and raised her hand to strike her.
But Elira did not flinch, instead, she raised her chin… “You do not want to do that Mirelle!
I believe you would not like to offend the king of Nebuzza” she said and the queen recoiled.
“Mirelle!” Queen Elzier called, and Mirelle withdrew back.
“I believe the queen is here to escort me to my husband, the king.
I appreciate it, but I’m sorry that I would have Rosa lead the way” Elira said and bowed.
“So the bat has grown phoenix wings” the queen was astonished but Elira did not respond to the sarcasm, rather she smiled.
“Even though, my relationship with the queen has never been kind, I will still remember you raised me.
I hope the future do you good” Elira bowed and looked at Rosa.
Holding her hand, she gave her a smile.
“Lead the way” she said and Rosa nodded.
She led the way while Lillia quietly followed behind.
At that moment, the queen felt something stir within her with her last statement.
At the grand ceremonial hall, king Budegha was seated on his throne while king Zareth sat on another one that was prepared for him.
At the right side of the hall was king Zareth’s men.
They stood and only let their presence intimidate the whole room.
Then a messenger announced princess Elira’s arrival.
The door opened for her.
The queen was the first to step in, then Elira followed, and a collective gasp swept the hall .
She was breathtaking!
No one in the hall had ever seen her in adorned like this, and this just left them in shock.
King Zareth’s breath caught, but his face had an unreadable mask.
She has always been a beauty and he knew that, but today needed strong words like ‘GORGEOUS’.
Zareth slowly stood up from his prepared stool.
So did king Budegha.
“I will escort her to you” king Budegha spoke.
Zareth raised an eyebrow, “as you should!
Hurry up!!” He said and king Budegha was furious, he glared at Zareth who gave him a smile with his chin proudly raised.
Then slowly, he strode towards Elira.
“You look beautiful!” King Budegha said as he took her hand and he noticed she was trembling violently .
“Calm down!” “I’m trying to” Elira whispered.
“I’m scared” Just then, the king did something that shocked Elira.
He hugged her.
“I have never treated you right, but I can’t let you get married while you’re like this.
King Zareth swore to treat you right, he swore to protect you” He said and Elira looked up at him and strangely, her heart calmed down a bit.
Behind them, the prince face darkened.
Mirelle was seething, while the queen, she couldn’t describe her emotions.
“Shall we?” He said and brought out his hand, while Elira placed her hand on his and smiled slightly.
Then they strode towards king Zareth.
The walk was quiet and her eyes stayed fixed on the floor.
She was afraid that if she looked up now, she might run.
Then they stopped before king Zareth.
The king softly raised her hand and placed it on Zareth’s palm.
The hand, it felt soft and…
familiar.
Elira closed her eyes as she heard the retreating footsteps of her father.
She wanted to turn around and chase after him.
She nearly did.
But her actions were stopped by the hand holding her firmly.
As though reading her thoughts, king Zareth held her firmly but no force added.
The whole room held their breath as they waited for him to lift her veil, and slowly he did.
This wasn’t a love wedding.
Rather, it was a mere transaction.
Once the king confirms the identity of his bride, he will take her along.
No need for merriment.
Even though king Budegha has insisted on making it a little lively to make his daughter feel comfortable.
Letting go of her hand, king Zareth slowly lifted her veil.
Her eyes were closed.
He stared at her for some moments.
Slowly, he reached out and cupped her face.
“Open your eyes and look at me Elira” king Zareth said.
Elira’s breath hitched.
‘This voice…’ Elira thought as her eyes snapped open, and she looked up to the face.
Tall, handsome, brown eyes, sharp jaws, black smooth hair kissable lips and… her eyes widened.
‘Adrian!’ No… this can’t be possible.
Has she thought much of him that she is now seeing things.
Focus Elira, focus.
She closed her eyes and opened it again but, no… “Adrian!” She slowly called out.
“Adrian!!” She called again, a little louder this time, but he did not answer.
Rather, Zareth raised his brows at her.
“Adrian?” He asked.
Elira was caught off guard.
What’s going on?’ She thought.
Just then king Budegha stepped up and smiled.
He had noticed Elira’s reaction and stepped up to soothe things.
“She’s merely nervous.” He said to Zareth and turned towards Elira.
“Pay respect” he whispered and Elira immediately stepped back and bowed.
“My king!” King Zareth smiled, and adjusted.
“Princess Elira!
I have heard so many much about you.
But don’t worry.
I’m a good guy, and I will take good care of you.” he said and king Budegha glared at him.
“Has he lost his mind?” And as for Elira, she was still in shock.
Torn between her feelings and thoughts.
She was sure that this is Adrian, or are they related?
She glanced at him again and her eyes fell on his neck.
Adrian had a tattoo on his neck and behold, king Zareth had the same tattoo.
“What is going on?
Does he not recognize her, or was he pretending?
Was the powder too heavy that she changed?
But this is Adrian right?
Or was she beginning to see things.” Elira was supposed to feel relieved that Adrian was alive, but now, she felt worse than relief.
A finger snapped before her, drawing her back to the present.
“Stop thinking princess, and prepare yourself to leave for Nebuzza.
Your belongings has already been loaded in the carriage.
Are there other things you wish to have?” Elira looked up at him, and then looked at her father who nodded at her.
She wanted to shake her head, but something bugged in.
She nodded.
“Name it, and you shall have it!” King Zareth dipped his head.
Elira knew the rules of Elarion, but she does not know the rules of Nebuzza.
She looked at Zareth whose face was void of emotions, and wanted to decide against it but paused.
She has known Adrian for a long time and whenever he said the word, “name it, you shall have it” she was always sure to have it.
Perhaps, trying wouldn’t hurt.
Or would it?
Then she turned.
All she could see right now was Adrian… “I want my servants with me, my king!”