Luna's Dilemma

Chapter2

My earlier question linger in the air, the man's expression stoic as the colour in his eyes disappears slowly, he finally speaks.

“Good morning my princess, your father requests your presence”. His voice is deep and raspy.

That did not answer my question and I made sure to show him that I am unsatisfied with his response with a deep frown on my face.

I quickly scan the mysterious man, the kingdom's crest resting on his right shoulder suggests that he is a knight, this calms me down, a little.

“You haven't answered my question”.

“Judging from the fact that you are currently staring at my arm, I can tell that you already know who I am”. He responds, his face unchanging, shoulders erect, chest puffed out.

I continue to stare at him, then it clicks, he is the same man from yesterday! The blood splatters on his face plus my refusal to look at him made it difficult for me to remember.

My eyes widen as I move backwards, getting out of bed and keeping a distance between us.

“You killed her”. My tone sombre as I feel something Bubble within me, rage, regret, betrayal.

His features soften, slightly at the sight of the lost look on my face. “She didn't give me a choice, she resisted arrest, attacked everyone, injured some, she was too aggressive, I had to do something”.

My eyes trained to the floor as his words continue to ring in my head, my heart cracking at the memory of the times we spent together, my eyes glazed over at the reality of it all being a mirage, an act.

I feel hands on my shoulder, I look up to see my dad, a sad smile on his face.

Seeing him causes me to let it go, the tears I struggled to keep at bay now an uncontrollable stream running down my face, I am engulfed in my dad's arms, his soothing palm caressing my back as I soak his shirt with tears.

After a while I am calmer, my wailing reduced to sniffles, tiredness washes over me, the strength to move from my dad's embrace non-existent.

“Let's go eat Hun”. My dad says as he picks me up bridal style, giving the knight a look of dismissal on his attempt to help him as he takes careful steps downstairs, to the dinning.

I let it happen, not having the motivation to murmur to my dad for his over pampering action, my sour mood causing me to loose appetite despite the scrumptious aroma of my favorite food hitting my nostrils.

I recline on my chair, catching a glimpse of the knight standing a few feets away from me, I scrunch my brows not understanding why the man is still here but I brush it off, concentrating on trying to put some food in my system.

My dad looks over to me, sensing my discomfort he cuts up the pancakes on my plate, raises the fork with a piece to my mouth.

I grumble a bit, feeling babied by the act, i reach to grab the cutlery from him but my dad immediately moves it away from my reach, smiling as he motions once again for me to open my mouth.

I give in, not finding the strength to struggle. My mood getting lighter as he becomes playful, imitating the sound of an aeroplane while feeding me, though I cringe at the overly high pitched voice, I can't help the little smile that makes it to by face.

After a few spoons, we are interrupted by a servant quickly shuffling to the table.

With a bow he announces “The elders are here to see you my King”.

My father freezes, his eyes darken and his once playful demeanor concurts into an irritated one. His hold on the fork tightens as he responds in a monotone voice. “Let them in”.

As the servant scurries away to fetch the guests, the feel the unease radiate from my father not wanting to make his mood even more sour I don't inquire on the reason for the switch up and just stare blankly at the remnant on the table.

Footsteps approach us, and with each step the air in the room gets thicker, the tension palpable, making me shift in my seat.

“Greetings your maje…”.

“Just state your reason for being here, I’m about to go get my daughter her medicine”. My father cuts them off with the coldest tone I have ever heard from him, not facing them, eyes concentrated on the food as he continues to feed me.

“Ok, but can the girl excuse us?”.

“I said speak!”.

The men shudder at the aggression laced in my father's voice, not wanting to push any more of his buttons they begin.

“We want to inform you that it's time for the rites.”

My father's head snaps up, brows furrowed as he tries to process the words.

“I thought I made it clear that I am not involving myself in your so called rite.”

“I'm sorry my king but you don't seem to have a choice”.

“Who are you to tell me that?.”My dad cuts in almost immediately, viens popping out his head as I sit in confusion, not understanding why he is getting so riled up.

“My king you need a capable successor, one that can lead us to victory in battles and protect us in trouble”.

Then it hits me, of course it's about the throne and how weak I am to rule because I am a female.

My dad shakes his head “ I don't care, I am not doing it, my daughter is very much fit to carry on my legacy so drop it!.”

The men look at each other and sigh, feeling like they are hitting a brick wall as my father remains undeterred to participate in the ‘rite’.

“We are just trying to look out for the interest of the kingdom your majesty, we don't mean any…”.

“You're dismissed!”. My dad growls at them, his eyes illuminating a bright green, they jerk up in surprise, not expecting to see this side of my father.

Sincerely, neither did I, I can literally see the spoon in his hands bend from the force of the grip he has on it, his jaw clenched like he is about to pounce.

The elders give a brief bow and hurriedly make their exit, the castle now plagued with silence, the workers walking on eggshells so as to not earn themselves a yell from my father.

I bask in the quiet atmosphere, staring blankly at my father, not knowing what to do nor say.

“Let's go get your medicine”. He finally says in a monotone voice, after minutes of seething. I get on my feet, lett

ing him support me as we make our way to my room, a tense silence lingering in the air.