Chapter 14.

Kael's POV

“Who gave anyone the permission to laugh so mannerlessly in my court?” I asked calmly, and the court got silent immediately. The absolute silence only made me angrier than I thought I'd be.

I turned to look at Hyacinth. Unlike the previous time when my eyes betrayed me, and I couldn't easily take them off her, I easily looked past her this time to my head eunuch who was at the edge of the room. He was holding my sword, and I was fighting the intense desire to ask him for it.

Hyacinth turned her head to look in the same direction that my head was faced, and she looked back at me almost immediately.

“Now, what are the important matters of today?” I asked, taking a deep breath.

“The country is at peace, your Highness, but some of our traders are battling rogues at the borders.” Lord Thomas stated, and I nodded.

I was about to speak when Hyacinth leaned in towards me again.

“Rogues are the wolves that aren't under your supreme leading, right?” She whispered. “They're mostly made up of people that want you guys dead, yeah?”

I looked at her, clenching my jaws as our eyes met.

“Yes, you're right.” I responded, before adjusting on my chair, and facing the chiefs.

“What are their demands?” Lord Mondrich of the Green faction asked.

“And when did we start negotiating with rogues?” Lord Matthew of the Radical faction scoffed.

“We should avoid bloodshed . The nation is in a fragile state as the health of the King is still deteriorating.” Lord Mondrich mumbled.

“Just as Lord Matthew said, we do not negotiate with rogues. We will send a considerable portion of the army to fight them off. And the King's health is your concern, but I advise that you worry less about it. The royal family is on it.” I ordered, and everyone was ready to move on until Hyacinth found it fit to speak.

“If I may ask, how are you so sure that they're facing rogues?” She asked, facing Lord Thomas. I wanted to caution her, but I couldn't link minds with her, and it only vexed me.

“I'm not trying to argue, I'm only trying to understand.” She said, and I laid back gently, interested in seeing how it'd turn out.

“Well, most of their crops were stolen, and a considerable percentage of what was left were destroyed. These animals only seek to aggravate us.” Lord Thomas muttered.

“I think it's unlikely for rogues to have been the culprits.” Hyacinth boldly stated, and murmurs rippled through the room.

“If I may ask, why?” Lord Kendrick asked.

“Good. The men of the Blue faction seem to have proper manners.” Hyacinth commended, “The rogues are mostly concentrated in the West where they fight the Radicals and the Red faction who seem to enjoy it.”

“According to the books I've read, the Blue faction has barely had any affliction from the Rogues, and I only wonder why they'd spring into action now.” She argued.

“Your men are pulling a scam on you, Lord Thomas.” I said, concluding her speech. She nodded with a shrug.

“My wife pointed at the same thing, but it was hard to believe.” He mumbled.

“Don't bring cases that aren't confirmed to my court!” I snapped, and he bowed, as all members of the Blue faction did.

“Don't interrupt my court proceedings like that any longer.” I ordered, and she nodded, biting her lower lip.

I swallowed hard as my lips gave way, before I took my eyes off her.

We tackled several issues with Hyacinth at constant war with several Lords, and seemingly not giving up.

“Your Highness, can the Queen not speak?” Lord Jethro asked.

“And let you blurt out so much gibberish with so much confidence?... err… No.” She scoffed.

“That was fun.” Hyacinth smiled as we walked out of the courtroom. “We should do that more often.”

I didn't respond, and I only kept walking. She followed behind, jogging gently to catch up with me.

“What do you think of my first appearance in court?” She asked. “I'm pretty sure it was perfect. Soon, they'd all love me.”

“Why aren't you responding to me?” Hyacinth grumbled, and I got sick of it almost immediately.

I stopped abruptly and turned almost immediately. She jerked backwards and hit her back against the wall. I was right in front of her in less than a second.

“Do you always have to talk?!” I growled, lowering my gaze to meet hers. She gulped loudly, maintaining eye contact with me. Her heartbeat was calm, meaning she wasn't scared, and that made me nuts.

Grown wolves cower at my gaze, but all she does is just stare at me, and sometimes eye me.

“Do you always have to be a brute?” She hissed, and I leaned in, grabbing her neck so softly, yet firmly.

She released a gentle gasp, raising her head up without fighting hard to get free from my grasp.

“I've not even shown you half of how brutal I can be.” I snarled, pulling her a little closer by her neck.

“And what's the essence of this show of power?” She slightly raised her neck, touching my hand to push me off.

“To remind you that I can break every bone in your body without trying.” I whispered, taking a step closer as I leaned lower. It felt like I had lost control of my body entirely. Like it had already decided something my mind hadn't agreed to yet.

“But you can't, can you?” A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips, and I tightened my grip on her neck.

“Leave me now, Kael.” She called my name so firmly, I immediately dropped her. I didn't know why I did it.

I told myself it was the name. The way she said it. Like she had the right to.

I hated that it worked.

“There's a full moon tomorrow, don't stay out late.” I warned, walking off immediately.

“Why do you care?” She asked as I walked off.

“I don't.”

Dacian sped beside me, chuckling and smiling as we walked.

“Why are you beaming?” I asked, irritated.

“Because soon enough, the chiefs would soften up, and my plan would work.” He muttered. “And you're touching the Queen.”

“Touching is a strong word to use.” I growled. “I want to break her bones.”

“Yeah… while she's beneath you.” Dacian said with a satisfied smirk.

“If you speak again, I will break your neck.” I threatened, and he immediately kept quiet.