Chapter Twenty

Underworld Realm

Lothaire's Demesne

Palace

•PHAELIN•

I used a dark porous carbon as I sketched Lothaire’s face. I emphasized the shade on his eyes and the curve of his jaw. By means of my finger, I smudged the quantity of darkness in the folds that surrounded his mouth. I smoothened and rendered the portraiture.

It has been three consecutive days from the first time I testified souls in trial and the judges declared I already mastered it. I sat on the bed whilst I waited for him here in our chamber. I received a sudden knock on the door. I ceased what I was doing and spoke, “You may enter.”

I tried to look at who it was.

Lothaire came inside holding a piece of scroll and he closed the door. His helm was on his left hand and he placed it on the bedside table. “My love…” he greeted, “I apologize that I kept you waiting.”

“I do not mind,” I told him as I hid the illustration behind my back.

He noticed what I did and he let out a sm