Chapter 8

Yifa's POV

We maneuvered through countless corners, ascending numerous flights of stairs. The grandeur of the palace's interior surpassed its modest exterior. Intricate walls adorned with antiquated depictions of peculiar locales and captivating people surrounded us. My attention was immediately captivated by a particular frame we passed by. It held a picture of Killian's parents, the former King and Queen. Killian himself bore an uncanny resemblance to King Fenrir, while Derek inherited a blend of his parents' features, particularly Queen Ruby's fair, blonde locks. The striking azure hue of their eyes mirrored their father's. Lost in contemplation, I inadvertently halted my steps. Black, ever gentle in his approach, inquired softly so as not to startle me, address his as “His Highness”. I shrugged, unable to articulate my thoughts immediately. "I was merely observing the resemblance between the King and... His Highness," I corrected myself mid-sentence. Although Black exuded a kind demeanor, I knew he wouldn't appreciate any informal reference to Killian. In response, he nodded, a faint smile adorning his countenance..

"Yes," Black explained, "the blue eyes have been inherited through generations, and in the Western kingdom, they are regarded as a symbol of power and wealth."

"I don't know much about them," I replied honestly. The truth was, we had been captured by the army before we could cross the borders to the West, so we were completely unfamiliar with their culture and way of life..

Sadly, Black added, "The Queen passed away while giving birth to her youngest sons."

I stared at him in disbelief. Did he just say sons? Plural?

"Sons?" I repeated, my voice filled with astonishment.

"Yes," Black confirmed. "Derek has a twin brother named George. However, you won't see him frequently in the palace because he has taken it upon himself to explore the outside world and train with different people, seeking to become stronger." Black's pride in George's endeavors was evident in his tone.

Upon observing Black's description, it seemed plausible that Black was George's brother due to the way he spoke about him.

"Derek chose to remain here, aspiring to follow in Killian's footsteps and become a revered prince for the people," Black expressed thoughtfully.

It was astonishing to realize that despite their striking resemblance, the three brothers possessed distinct personalities.

However, a sudden recollection prompted me to inquire, "What about their father? Where is the King?"

Black's gaze returned to the picture as he let out a sigh. "After the Queen's passing, the King underwent a profound transformation. He grew feeble and developed an aversion to considering others' viewpoints, as he only heeded the counsel of his queen, his true mate."

His words left me disheartened, as it meant that Killian had essentially lost both his father and mother simultaneously.

The King's demeanor grew increasingly somber, and he became prone to bouts of anger. Killian felt compelled to obey his father's every command in an attempt to bring him some fleeting moments of happiness before his inevitable demise. Black expressed his sadness over the situation, acknowledging that his idealized perception of the royal family as a fairy tale had been shattered, realizing that every story has its darker side.

Recognizing my curiosity, Black hinted at the existence of hidden secrets surrounding Killian and his family. However, he chose not to delve into the details, leaving me intrigued yet unsatisfied.

"We should move on. The King may be searching for us," Black said with a gesture, urging me to follow him. Silently, we continued our walk, each lost in our own thoughts.

"By the way, where are my friends?" I asked, a pang of concern washing over me. How could he have forgotten to inquire about their whereabouts? What if something had happened to them?

"They're safe. We won't cause them any harm. Actually, we've allowed them to stay in the palace with you," Black responded, his voice laced with thoughtfulness.

Thank goodness for that, i gasped, relief flooding through me. The prospect of being alone in this place was daunting, enough to drive me to madness.

"And where will they be staying?" I inquired, curious about the arrangements for my friends.

"I'm not certain yet, but I assure you, Killian won't permit them to leave and return to a life as rogues," Black replied, a soft smile playing on his lips, a sense of pride emanating from him.

Black couldn't help but feel a swell of pride within himself as well. Despite Killian's initially distant demeanor, he displayed genuine kindness and compassion beneath it all.

"Killian believes in fair treatment, regardless of one's status. He believes that rogues deserve a second chance at life," Black added, nodding in agreement with Killian's philosophy.

I beamed at him. There are certain aspects of one's character that people often hesitate to reveal, fearing it might be perceived as a weakness. However, I firmly believe that kindness is both a strength and a precious gift.

"By the way," he chuckled, "I think Derek has some sort of interest in your other friend."

A mischievous smile played on my lips. "I thought I was the only one who noticed."

"Ha! It's obvious to everyone how he couldn’t take his eyes off her," he replied, gesturing animatedly.

I smiled and nodded, acknowledging the additional concern I had: the genuineness of Derek's interest in Elena remained uncertain.

"So, does that mean I'll get to hang out with my friends?" I asked.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not sure. It all depends on Killian; after all, you're his subordinate."

My heart sank at his words.

He was right. Despite being my mate, Killian still treated me as his subordinate, even to this day.

Unbeknownst to Black, my smile faded as I trailed behind him, unnoticed. "Your Highness, I have arrived with the rogue," Black declared, knocking on the door.

We had been knocking persistently, yet the other side remained eerily silent. Growing irritated, I interjected, "I'd appreciate it if you refrain from labeling me a rogue. My name is Yifa," my annoyance palpable.

It had become wearisome, constantly being referred to by that derogatory term. Despite my rebellious nature, I still possessed a rightful name. Black glanced at me, sheepish and seemingly oblivious to his use of the term.

"Apologies, Yifa," he conceded, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Exasperated, I rolled my eyes in response.

Black knocked on the door once more, and a grunt escaped before it swung open. I couldn't help but let my jaw drop in astonishment. There stood Killian, my mate, shirtless. His chiseled six-pack abs were on full display, with the upper section of his v-line teasingly visible beneath the band of his black boxers. I fought the urge to let my gaze wander lower, determined to convey that I wasn't that desperate. Instead, I focused my attention on his face, which was undeniably attractive. His disheveled black hair added to his allure, while his eyes seemed to teeter on the edge of sleepiness. Clearly, our arrival had interrupted his attempt to rest. However, even in his drowsy state, it was evident that he was displeased by our presence, particularly with me. "I apologize for disturbing you, Your Highness," black said, trying to sound as respectful as possible.

Black bowed apologetically as he spoke, "I apologize for the delay."

Killian, clearly smelling of alcohol, asked impatiently, "What took you so long? You were out drinking, weren't you?"

Before I could respond, Black interjected, attempting to cover for me, "Apologies, we got a bit sidetracked. There were some things I needed to attend to along the way."

I knew deep down that it was mostly my fault for our tardiness. We had been held up because I couldn't resist stopping to admire the captivating portraits we passed on our way to Killian's room. Black had patiently answered all my questions.

"Very well, come inside Rogue," the King replied with a serious tone.

I looked up at Killian, taken aback by his words. What did he mean by "rogue"? What was he implying?

Feeling a gentle push from behind, urging me to enter the room, I glanced back to see Black nodding at me, silently encouraging me to proceed despite my hesitation.

"Whether or not you choose to sleep outdoors is of no concern to me," Killian said impatiently. 

"What is it that you desire?" I turned my head towards him, nodding slowly. With hesitance, I took small steps towards his room. The scent of pine trees and rain engulfed me, almost creating an illusion. I scanned the surroundings, marveling at the grandeur of the room. It was spacious, fit for royalty. A king-sized bed, a set of comfortable sofas, a veranda, a spacious bathroom, and even a walk-in closet. My heart fluttered with excitement. Could this be it?

 "This is where you'll sleep," the King declared, pointing at the walk-in closet. My eyes widened in disbelief.

 "What?" 

The King smirked, indicating that he was indeed serious.