Chapter 25
1044 Words
{Anya}
I refused to stay in the same room with that outrageous King. Over my dead body would I permit it. But, this did open up new opportunities for my freedom. For example, if I were to get close enough for him to believe that he gained my trust then maybe, just maybe, he'll bring me on a vacation to the human world as he does with Libelle and then I'll run off. Never to be seen again.
Apparently, Ryoko was sent to the frontier. To battle with the rogue dragon Kingdoms because she was our top warrior. Rochelle went back to House Hydra because she was also going to be sent to the frontier. This only made me even more annoyed with King Vulcan because if he kept his word then Rochelle and Ryoko would have been with me in the human world. Not risking their lives for this Kingdom on the front lines.
I needed to speak with Luthor. He might as well give me his opinion about my ideas. Besides, it was risky and he knew more about this palace then I did.
"I'm going to make breakfast here," King Vulcan said as he went to work in the kitchen that was in his suite. My suit and his were identical and made up the royal wing but I had no interest in staying.
"Ok," I replied and waited till his back was turned to slink out of the room. At this hour, Luthor should be in the palace kitchen. He loved conversing about recipes and whatever else the cooks do. I passed by the royal family portrait. King Vulcan's mother was a real beauty. She had long red hair, a slim figure, and gentle eyes. King Vulcan's father was more serious. He had a stern look but the corner of his lips was turning up while looking down on a five-year-old Arin. He had ginger hair like his mother then but now he had his father's hair. A dark black.
I've heard the tales of Queen Romilda, King Donovan, and Prince Arin. King Donovan was vicious and cold toward others as well as his enemies but he was warm and caring toward his beloved and child. But I couldn't possibly relate. I didn't grow up with a mother nor father. Queen Romilda and King Donovan were lost when they went on a peaceful expedition with Arin to the fairy kingdom. But the fairies had been plotting their deaths and the fairies attacked the Royal family's guards. They assassinated the King and Queen but hadn't succeeded in killing the Prince. That night, Arin came home, at the age of ten, the King of Dragons.
I've always assumed that this was where his deep hatred for the fairies came from. The Royal family had an elite guard called the Royal guard. They were the fiercest, vicious, and the greatest warriors of their house. One warrior per High House made up the Royal Guard. They had the most dangerous tasks and were the strongest of the strongest. But they were also brutally massacred by the fairies and succumbed during their ambush. The Royal Guard, the Queen, the King were lost that day. There had been talk about reinstating the Royal Guard but they were just rumors.
In the kitchen, I spotted Luthor piling various foods into a great basket. I tapped his shoulder, "Did you forget about me already?"
Startled he jumped, "Anya, don't scare me like that. But, when did you wake up?"
"This morning," I said. "Hey, um, I need to speak with you in private.."
Luthor frowned, "I can't right now. I have a picnic with Kaida. It's a sunny day to enjoy."
"Yeah, I know," I rolled my eyes, remembering the sun that woke me up. "But this is really important."
"And so is having a picnic with your beloved," Luthor pointed out. He checked the watch on his wrist impatiently.
"I wouldn't be bothering you if what I was going to tell you is crucial," I urged.
He patted my head warmly and settled with, "I'm sorry but not now. How about later? Yeah, we'll talk about whatever you say is important in the afternoon."
"But-" I stuttered but it was too late. He already sprinted off- excited for his picnic with Kaida. Annoyed, I plopped down on a stool and took an apple out of a basket that was right beside the cook. But then someone tapped my shoulder. "What now?"
I turned around and saw a servant boy who looked a bit older than Luthor. He pointed at the apple that I was about to take a bite out of. "Um, you want the apple?"
He nodded and I gave him the apple. He began to chop it up and place it in a pan that had dough. Apple pie. "What's your name?" I asked. He stared at me but didn't respond. I gave the cook beside him a weird look.
"He's a mute," the cook put gruffly and broke into a sweat as I narrowed my eyes at the boy. "His name is....is Oliver!"
"How old is he?" I probed. I haven't seen this man around before or that might have been because I hadn't ventured in the palace kitchen.
"He's twenty-two."
I stood up instantly in front of Oliver. He was startled and stumbled backward. I pulled up his long hair away from his eyes and seriously stared into them. I laughed, "Yep, definitely haven't this guy around. He's new I suppose?"
The was pale for a moment before agreeing. "And...you are the King's beloved?"
My face hardened and I say indifferently, "Yes."
The cook bowed immediately, "My apologies if I was rude, my Queen."
"Get up right now," I ordered. Bemused, Oliver stopped cutting apples to watch. "I lost the tournament so I am not the Queen of Dragons nor do I have the intent of being so. I wish no connection whatsoever with the King but I'm forced to do so. I feel nothing for him."
Oliver shrugged at the cook. Who quickly said, "You don't know? It has been ruled by the court that you won the tournament."
"What?!" I shrieked.
"Anya! There you are, I couldn't find you anywhere!"
"You...liar!"
- Writer
