Lyra's thoughts swirled as she descended to the grand ballroom, her mother's words echoing in her mind. Secure your place beside Prince Kaelin. But at what cost?
Her flowering gown extended to the soles of her feet. Its silver color shines in the dim light. The crown on her head was no different, drawing all wavering attention.
The ballroom shimmered with candlelight, the nobles of Eldrida and Tenebrous mingling in a sea of luxurious attire. The pillars of Tenebrous Empire: the houses, the shadows, the void, her own family and people and the pending alliance.
Lyra's gaze sought Prince Kaelin, her heart skipping a beat as their eyes met.
He stood beside King Thrain, his posture rigid and cold. Prince Lyonel lingered nearby, his smile venomous.
All eyes were drawn to her, being the centre of attraction, but then her eye was drawn to another female of her age, her dress shimmering in the dark, approaching from the other end.
Her black dress glowed with her hair color, her piercing gaze reeking of fear. She settled into a corner, her gaze on Prince Lyonel.
Lyra immediately understood. The strange young lady is in the same position as her, a bride to Prince Lyonel.
'To that beast?' The thought of it fills her with dread. 'Well, not like I'm any different. I don't even know if Prince Kaelin is human.'
Lyra's eye caught the movement of the prince, her betrothed, his step graceful and elegant, forward. He turned around and bowed his head, paying respect to the king.
''Reign longer, father!''
She knows this move, having practiced it a thousand times over already. Her leg moved instinctively.
She felt suffocated, the weight of eyes piercing a hole in her head. She got to him, standing a perfect inch behind him, like she had been taught. Her left leg took a stance behind the right, her gloved right hand on her chest, and her left hand holding her ball gown.
''Reign longer, your Majesty!''
The once tense atmosphere seemed to disperse at the sound of her voice. She could feel the prideful look of her people drilling holes in her head.
'I did practice a thousand times, so...'
King Gemma approved the union with a blessing, and all the houses welcomed him in response.
Queen Namerie stepped forward, a sacred tome in her hands.
"The ancient ritual of Aethereia's Bond," she announced, her voice reverent.
Prince Kaelin and Lyra stood before the queen, their hands clasped together. Queen Namerie opened the tome, revealing intricate illustrations.
"By the power of Aethereia, goddess of unity," Queen Namerie began,
"We seal this alliance!!
Through darkness and light,
Through shadow and flame,
I pledge my heart and soul,
To our united reign."
Prince Kaelin and Lyra repeated the ancient vows:
"Through darkness and light,
Through shadow and flame,
I pledge my heart and soul,
To our united reign."
Queen Namerie touched their joined hands with a crystal scepter.
"Aethereia, witness our bond.'' she invoked.
A soft glow enveloped Prince Kaelin and Lyra, as if the goddess herself blessed their union.
Prince Lyonel's scowl deepened, his eyes flashing with anger.
The ritual complete, Prince Kaelin lifted Lyra's hand, and together they faced the gathering.
"The alliance is sealed," King Thrain declared. "Let our kingdoms rejoice!"
The ballroom erupted into cheers and applause as Princess Lyra flashed the prince a tender smile; a smile that made him mirror a glare. She was thrown into a mind chaos, relishing that the union is no way in his liking.
As soon as the cheering stopped, he yanked her hand off and raced out of the hall. Confusing silence erupted, and when she made to go after him, Queen Namerie blocked her way.
''You can't go after him, princess, you're not allowed to see him again until the day of your marriage.''
NEXT morning_Tenebrous empire
The elongated bamboo trees seem to stretch as far as the morning light empire
goes; never never-ending circle of refreshing breeze dispatched by the palms surrounding the village of Tenebrous empire. Dawn light peeped out of the horizon, the chipping of the birds an alarm to the empire's morning arousal.
The village buzzed with various ongoing activities, inaudible words a testament to their activity. The goods deliverers push the three-tire truck around the crowded market to supply the traders with morning goods. Cries of livestock polluted the air as the shepherd led their animals to graze their fill.
Tiny feet of the young ones racing through the spacious yet occupied rocky road, to their learning halls, chattering and laughing by the way.
The palace environment was the latter, quiet and eerie looking. Thick vines spread across the maze like black stone walls surrounding the empire center. The palace stood rigid, its structure an enchanting maze tale. Its foreboding secrets are worth talking about, thus creating different fantasy themes that do not correspond to each other.
Royal guards paraded the territory, their feet as swift around all the corners of the walls. As they perform their duties, princess Lyra could only phantom boredom in the morning light.
In her hand was a grimoire-like book, its cover as thick as a wide beast skin, containing a royal inscription. She had studied the way of the Darkdorm family from sundown till dawn, her eyes fast asleep as a result, yet she couldn't shake off the trills from seeing the palace gate open.
She had heard that the gate only opened to important guests, and with her family leaving at first light, seeing the gate opening again was not on her agenda.
She sat by the window, her curious gaze scrutinizing the ongoing activities, mingling with the lazy dawn. Her eagerness didn't have a bound limit, especially the thought of seeing one of the pillar houses of Tenebrous. Although her gaze briefly lingered on those mysterious figures during the ball, it was one of her dying wishes to meet them up close.
She had read about the details of every house.
House of the Mages, led by Grandmaster Kaida.
House of the witches, led by Lady Ottey
House of the Warlock, led by Leader Kaelos
House of the sorcerers, led by Lady Roselle
House of the familiars, led by Lord Valtor
And lastly, the Void.
''Could it be a member of the void?'' She couldn't help but murmur.
As the figure emerged through the gates, her smile slowly faltered at the sight of a boy. He looks no older than the young heir, only that his looks bluntly explain him to be a commoner.
'It seems like they open the gate to commoners also. It wasn't written here, though.'
She gazed at the chunks of paper she held.
Still, her curiosity level only escalated.
'A commoner in the palace, huh?'
He wore a farmer's hat over his head, matching the color of the worn-out slipper on his feet. Yet, his face held a delicate smile as he navigated his way into the palace with ease.
Princess Lyra couldn't help but draw the attention of a palace maiden.
''Could you tell me who that is?'' She pointed.
The maiden glanced through the window at the little boy who seemed out of place. He ran through the courtyard to what looked like a basement.
''That's master Aiden,'' she carefully replied.
''Master? He looks like a commoner, though.''
''Despite his looks, he's the Fourth prince of Tenebrous, born to a commoner and living outside the palace.''
'I think that's a little bit unfair. It was mentioned in the book...I think.'
''Why does he live outside?''
''It was his mother's choice, my Lady.'' The maid replied.
'To avoid the Queen, huh? She seems nice though.'
''Did he come to see his father?''
''He came to see Crown Prince Kaelin.''
'Crown prince?'
She leaned against the window frame again, gazing at the area the boy had disappeared into.
'So that's where the Crown Prince is...it's so far away.'
As the maid turned to leave, she called back her attention.
Fourth Prince? You said Fourth prince,''
''Yes, my Lady, Master Aiden is the fourth prince.''
''So, there is a third?''
''There are a total of ten princes and three princesses, my Lady.''
'Aargh, a long line. It definitely was not mentioned in the book.'
''So...where are the rest?''
...
...
A faint creak in the door drew the pair of bloodshot eyes to the entrance. The door hissed in protest as it was widened further apart. A bit of the torch light penetrated shorn in, same time Aiden pushed himself in a shut the door again.
''You don't seem to value your pathetic life,'' Prince Kaelin's irritated voice rang from no direction in particular.
Aiden laughs, not wasting time, but tracing where the prince's voice came from.
''You're in a bad mood, brother. You used to be happy to see me.''
He found Kaelin cradled up in one corner of a bookshelf.
''When has Kaelin been happy to see you?''
He sat beside Kaelin.
''My mother sent her greeting,''
''She should have sent Kaelin snacks instead.'' The young prince grumbled.
Aiden laughed yet again.
''She did.''
Aiden reached into his robe, pulling out a small package, wrapped in silk, which he snatched immediately.
He watched, with a keen fondness, even as the crown prince shifted uncomfortably.
''Greetings... Fourth brother...,''
''Ah, so you do have manners.'' He chuckled.
Kaelin looks away, unwrapping the snacks sent to him.
''Why have you come?''
Aiden's smile slowly faltered, his once casual tone now low and heavy.
''You woke her up.''
TBC.......đź–Šđź–‹