Chapter 9: What Exactly Are You?: Part 2

--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, Dining Hall--

Immediately, Katherine knew he was talking about her avoidance of eye contact. She turned to look at him, but the presence of the maids had already captured his attention.

They all murmured 'Milady' or 'Milord' as they dropped our meals. The food smelled divine but Katherine couldn't muster much of an appetite.

She didn't really pay attention to the food as she was more curious as to what the King had to say to her. "I prefer to be called Katherine, milord," Katherine said respectfully then reached forward to grasp a cup of water.

"Very well, you may address me as Lucian. Forgive me if there have been any inconveniences." She silently shook her head.

He seems so straightforward and uptight, it was quite difficult to know what he'd be offended by, she thought to herself.

"Are you not hungry?" Lucian frowned at her whilst he was munching on a breadstick and sipping what was either blood or wine mixed with blood based on the smell.

Katherine quietly shook her head. "Follow me, let's discuss in the maze." He offered, Katherine felt slightly bad because she had no intention to disrupt his meal.

Lucian stood up from his seat and offered her his hand, to which she accepted as he helped her to her feet. "I'm sure you've heard of the rebellion by now," His tall figure asked while staring intensely at the brown-eyed brunette.

He had to be at least 6'4ft, his entire body shadowed hers in every single way. Now that he was standing, she could see his complete frame properly, he was downright attractive.

"I suppose, I heard it had something to do with the cardinal." She replied. The rule of cardinal chooses the next queen, it's what chose her.

Honestly, rumours of a rebellion had been going around but she didn't think it was true. Seeing as she stayed near the countryside she barely had any opportunities to stay up to date with the current affairs.

When they had reached the fountain at the center of the maze, Lucian turned to stand in front of her. "The rebellion does not believe in the power of the cardinal. They believe that it's leading the kingdom to disaster and that it's time for new ways. Truth be told the past few queens weren't doing what was best for Nydisia including my mother,"

Katherine's head snapped to look up at Lucian in shock, he had just admitted his mother's rule was corrupt.

Katherine wouldn't have known if this was true about his mother's rule mainly because Lady Morgan's manor was off the countryside and quite far from the border, it was closer to the towns than the capital. "So the rebellion wants to take over the kingdom?" She concluded in which Lucian confirmed by nodding.

She frowned at the thought of that and began to speak, "But the rule of cardinal has no control over a queen's command or how they choose to rule. They can't possibly think that something that has been around for thousands of years is bewitched because a few queens misused their power?" It makes no sense for them to misjudge the tradition because there have been some bad outcomes.

"Then you would understand why they won't agree to you taking the throne, and as of now I don't agree either," Katherine was a bit taken aback at Lucian's words.

Was he saying she wasn't worthy? Or that she was below standards? As Katherine was about to respond he cut her off.

"Miss Lily and Lord Killian filled me in on your attitude towards the throne, 'unwilling' I believe was the term used to describe your response. As queen, your duty is to defend and uphold the kingdom, a kingdom that you are yet to love and you cannot rule without your heart." Katherine looked away from him when he mentioned her attitude since she arrived.

"What do you expect? Do I look like a woman ready to heed to the complaints of people that would much rather prefer me dead?" If what he says about the rebellion is true then she's a walking target waiting to be assassinated, Katherine thought to herself.

"How you rule is your choice," Katherine remained silent, in deep thought of how she would be able to carry on living in the castle. "The captain and I will be travelling soon to the Royal Academy, and I would like you to accompany us."

"Of what use would I be to you?" Lucian's cold gaze remained unfazed by her question, and at that moment the sun sparkled against him and his dark red eyes glistened with amusement.

"Well, the Royal Academy is a two-day journey from here by foot. Let's just say I'd like to test your endurance before your training starts."

Lucian passed a finger through the water of the fountain and got rid of the water droplet on his hand before he continued speaking, "You're human meaning you're weak, fragile, and a light snack for most predators including myself, you need to be mentally strong unless physical strength will be unachievable." Katherine felt a shiver up her spine when he practically referred to her as his prey.

His eyes dimmed partially turning golden-hazel, weren't they blood-red a moment ago? Katherine didn't even realize he was supernatural. "What are you?" She followed closely behind him as he continued walking. In the meantime, Katherine awaited her answer patiently.

"My father was an alpha wolf, my mother on the other hand was a hybrid witch and pureblood vampire." Katherine was shocked to hear that he was a hybrid. Being a pureblood referred to people who didn't have their lineage tainted with human blood.

Hybrids weren't rare but they're not something you see every day. Mongrels and mixed breeds were more common than hybrids, so to speak.

Mongrels were any creatures that contained human blood in them or in their ancestry. Mongrel wolves were basically half-human half-wolf, they were very different from mixed-breed wolves and hybrid wolves.

Vampire-werewolf hybrids were the strongest supernatural combination possible but Lucian was more than that, he was a pureblood hybrid.

Most vampire-werewolf hybrids died early, some died at birth and others because their wolves would die out from living without a mate for so long.

Lucian was also part warlock, the male version of a witch, though he can't perform unrefined spells like a purebred witch, which requires being one with nature.

However, that doesn't make him any weaker, if anything it placed him at the top of the supernatural hierarchy.

In the realization of how powerful Lucian actually is, Katherine stepped back, "What exactly are you?"

Lucian's eyes met hers as he smiled grimly.