“So you are saying he keeps demons close to him and is a demon himself too?” She downed the tea in one gulp, before refilling it with cold tea from the pot. This time, she didn’t try to warm it with her aura, instead, she wished to cremate a body. Her Aunt’s, specifically. She was laying on her office sofa with her legs open shrewdly while the blueprint of the Palaces floated in the air above her. She read through it like this, swinging her stocking clad legs in the air. Laylin gritted her teeth, praying for patience. It was a relief that her office was so high up for someone to snoop around and servants were already reprimanded by her and sent on odd jobs. “Half demon, I suspect! He’s probably a half-demon and would you please behave like a respectable member of society!” Her aunt removed her reading glasses, rubbing her eyes as if kneading dough before pinching the bridge of her nose as she struggled to sit up in the dress. “What do you know of demons, Lassie? How much of t
Taking a tired sigh, he finally asked. “What would make you happy?” She was too miserable, he pitied her. She hadn't had a single day in peace since her arrival in Rakhbar. He hadn't seen her laugh or smile at him or anything. For several seconds she thought about what would free her from this hell or the pain she was in but when she came up with nothing, she asked for something she knew she needed. “...Let me leave.” It was a lifeless whisper, she said it despite the horrible pain that wrecked her apart at the thought of leaving him. Rakhbar will never be her home. It will always suffocate her and she will always have to hide here from the nobles, staff, and even his people. It frustrated her beyond measure. “I wish to leave this wretched place and I promise to leave all my resentments behind. I can’t stay here! I’ll go mad in this horrid place!” He turned his head away as if declining her without even considering. He behaved as if she had asked for too much. “You can’t ever le
“Laylin,” The King sighed out, clicking his tongue, looking down at her peaceful face. He swept his fingers tenderly through her silky rustic strands before he rubbed his chin in deep thought. She had been without a doubt the most beautiful woman he had ever seen but then again, beauty was in the eyes of the beholder, and to him, she was the semblance of perfection. Her unmarred, exquisitely tanned skin, in contrast to his bronze-scarred body, was ethereal. When he heard a woman had survived his beast, he had all the intentions to keep her but when he realized she was marked, things changed. “Little fool.” He whispered, trailing his finger on her delicate skin. He would have given her a position in court and let her stay in luxury without making her the center of his world. The next day he would have taken in another bride from nobles and the public would be placated. But things changed with her status, she was a princess from a nation of humans. If he had appointed a Queen after
It didn’t take her long to place an incident to the face. Rurik. He was with Scarlet’s fiance when they came to take her to Rakhbar. She vividly remembered how they had loaded her like cargo and transported her. She didn’t forget to glare at the man, who wouldn’t stop smirking at her. It was getting on her nerves as of late. She suddenly felt sympathy for her previous quiet guards who hated her but made their presence scarce. When Berilla came to visit her, her brows shot up at the addition to her entourage. She measured him up standing by the door, keeping it open. He had resumed the position the moment he came in while Laylin had just raised a brow in surprise. Her aunt had brought refreshments along with her but after the kind of morning Laylin had, her appetite was a thing of the past. ‘Don’t cry again. You have no reason to feel self-pity.’ Laylin curbed in her rage Laylin sighed at Berilla's constant brow flicker, asking her what was up, “Sir Rurik, excuse us and leave
After an outburst, Laylin had a lot to think about. She walked and walked, Berilla was a step behind her while Rurik was two steps behind, still walking in that awkward fashion. Her punishment was unique and even she knew she was venting because of what Ambrose had said. How could he say she was unnecessarily feeling self pity, it was no different than saying she caused drama because she craved attention! They were walking aimlessly when there was a ton of pressing work to be done but she felt enraged. Her anger obstructed anything but depression. They have surveyed the Palace twice now. The Princess was either cruel or had a lot on her mind. “Bastard.” Her murmur had both Berilla and Rurik’s heads turn to her but she was as expressionless as before. You couldn’t even guess it was her who spoke with how aimlessly she was taking a walk. Berilla took a deep breath to hold herself back from cursing. Her legs felt like they were about to fall off. Rurik behind her was no better, he
“Take your time. I’ll be happy to see you have your fill.” Laylin meant it. Scarlet lips turned up in a weak attempt at a sarcastic smile and waved her hand so her servants turned their faces away. A kindred spirit. They were kindred spirits. Laylin didn’t wish to exhaust herself with the prissy Princess anyway. Besides, she understood her. Not every master saw their underlings as assets, some formed a family, a tribe of a kind. It can happen when you have no one else to rely on or trust. As their superior, you guard them as a mother hen would and punish them when you feel they are out of line. Scarlet would be in a pain, Laylin couldn't imagine. Scarlet gobbled down food like a starved street urchin. She was eating with her hand spilling food and licking cutlery. Despite her empty stomach Laylin lost her appetite for a second time. Tears were brimming the Rakhbar's Princess eye lids without falling while she sniffled and stuffed her face. 'This Royal Family was really bad for
Scarlet's face darkened in that instant. “Are you going to pretend like you don't know me?" Her smile was cynical as if she was ready to tear apart the woman this instant if she dared deny their acquaintance. Laylin parted her lip and pointedly turned to her aunt who looked spooked. “Marquis.” Laylin took a breath to dissuade her but Berilla was more baffled. “Me? Princess, do you think you have met me?” She was even more shocked because ‘The Marquis of Balijour’ was an identity used by several witches and she or any other witch had never gone without the veil on. So it was impossible the Princess had seen her before. Scarlet looked at her shocked and in disbelief, “Do you not remember extorting me when I first bought rations from your guild?” “Ah.” The corner of Berilla’s lip turned up at both the ignorant Princesses who didn’t know the ways of the world and were glaring at her. The Palace sure was a glass greenhouse that limited their brains and thought processes. She could b
“Princess, excuse us for interrupting you.” She barged in unannounced and without a knock. Laylin raised a brow but kept her silence. The maid stepped forward in front of her and eyed the table set in front of her disgust and scrunched her nose at Laylin. “Ehan must be a very easy-going place for uncivilized individuals.” Berilla scoffed, ready to retort, but Laylin raised her hand. The maid saw that and thought she was stopping her to make conflict with maids who work directly under the King. The disturbance could make her lose favor. Her smile widened. “The Princess is a very sensible person.” She turned back and indicated at the trays behind them, “His Majesty has sent you fruits. They are from the far East. Please taste them, the King wishes to know if there is any you particularly fancy. Be sure to express your gratitude later.” She said that, and set them close to the fountain nearby and began clearing away the table with fast hands. ‘Was this maid trying to teach her manne