The sun rose high and the sight of soaring towers emerged from behind the green mountains. As the galloping of the horses ceased more and more, Asty could hear the urban ambiance.
She rested her head against the window's frame.
Inside the carriage were Asty, Captain Ironfield and Instructor Yuran. They were all headed to the Capital to rendezvous with the King. The Instructor notices Asty's silence, so he tapped her shoulder to calm her down.
Asty glanced over to the Instructor and found him, smiling pleasantly at her.
"You seem nervous," Yuran handed over a piece of candy. "I hope this eases you a bit."
Asty smiled at him and took the candy from his palms. "Thank you, Sir."
Asty had never felt so suffocated before in her life. Every time she moved her fingers she was in a constant fear of doubt. Thoughts invading through her mind like there's no tomorrow. Why did the King invite her to a dinner? What is inside the envelope she had given him?"Nervous, aren't we?"It was now a common feeling for Asty these passing days. That feeling of an unusual and pining sense of danger. That feeling of uncertainty and having no knowledge of your environment. She was scared of it. She was so unsure that it frightened her.She pauses a while and looked at him a bit. "I-I am, I'm sorry Your Majesty, I can't help it.""Quite the honest one, you are." The King had finished his meal. The maids drew closer and took his used plate away.Seeing that he was done, Asty immediately rushed to eat her food. Every grain, every leaf, every chunk of meat. She gobbled them up. She wanted to finish to
“Your price."She stared at him with confused eyes. Her heart beating faster than it had once was. Her lips shivered and her teeth shuddered in terror. She contemplated for a few seconds what the King had told her. Then she realized.He was selling her someone."That... is very bold of you, Your Majesty." she fearfully whimpered. "I.."The King composed himself and took a step back to give her space to breathe. He directed his sight on her. She was trembling and she wanted to leave. She was trying to hold back her fright against his presence and knowing the type of woman that she is, he knew that she wouldn't want to disappoint him.At least that's what he believed in.
"I need you Asthenosthene, Chesterfawn needs you."His words resonated in her head for a few seconds. She felt the heat of his hands swarm around her palms. As if she could almost feel the burning desire of saving his country.She did not respond as her brain pondered more and more.The looked down. "It is all right if you do not agree." he pauses for a while. "But do know that the Count will destroy Chesterfawn," he glanced over to her. "including your loved ones."Asty placed her palms on her mouth. Her legs started to tremble and balls of cold sweat formed on her forehead.She could not believe it.Chaol. The man h
"I am growing weary of watching these two's drama, Owl. When do I come in?"Owl sighed. "Do not be impatient, Lord Chaol. You want this to go well, don't you?"Chaol rolled his eyes in dissatisfaction. From the trees, he watched through the King's window."What are they even talking about?" Yvonne chimed in, spreading balm across her lips. "They seem to be having fun."Chaol's brows furrowed more. "Tsk." he scoffed. He then continued to observe the two."You're freaking out." Yvonne told him. "At this rate, the King and the human would probably end up falling for each other.""Yvonne," Owl called out. He glared at her and she returns t
Athena waited patiently near their cabin's doorstep for her daughter's arrival. A few minutes ago, a chaperone from the palace had visited her while she was doing her laundry and told her a few disturbing things about why her daughter was summoned into the Palace.The chaperone was an old man dressed in blue and white silk, the Palace's signature palette.She could see the moon rose from behind the haunting trees. Suddenly, she hears a faint galloping of horses from the distance. From behind the trees, she could see a carriage coming towards their cabin.She sighed in relief as she recognizes that it was the same carriage that had taken Asty into the Palace.The navigator of the carriage hopped down and opened the door, to which her daught
“Bye Asty!”The young girl waved her hands in response to Noelle’s goodbyes. “Bye Noelle! Bye Mrs. Pickinns!”The elderly tailor gave her a smile and waved her hands too. “Goodbye Asthenosthene.”The navigator of the carriage hopped aboard and prepared the horses. Asty listened carefully to the sound of the cart’s cogs as the wheel started to spun. She gazed outside and whispered to herself. “I’ll miss you guys.”Chaol listened and observed her. Her lips were tightly pursed in a line, a sign that she was somehow uncomfortable. He noticed how she tugged her sleeves to hide her hands as if she was cold. “Asthenosthene.”&
Silence remained in the air. The navigator tried so hard not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but from where he sat, he could hear everything from the gaping window. He sighed and yelled at the two from the front.“Get a room, will you?!” The Count and Asty widened their eyes, realizing the position they were in. He gently loosened her wrists from his palms and returned to his seat as if nothing happened. Asty remained wordless throughout the duration of their transport.
The King's rival insinuates a question. "What exactly is 'disappointment' to you? I do not believe you understand this word. You are a man who have succeeded behind belief in such a short span of time."The King didn't know whether he would be flattered with his sarcastic compliment. "Disappointment. It's a simple term. If she bears dislike towards you, then I'd be disappointed.""And then what?" Chaol demanded an answer. "If she dislikes me, what would you do?""Then you'll know." King Garland replied almost instantly. Confidence was evident in his firm words.Chaol decided to retreat for bit. "I'll know what exactly?""You ask too many questions Count, as if you've never lived enough."