Treacherous Court - Book 1 of Infernal War Trilogy

Chapter 9 - Fire with fire

Chapter 9 - Fire with fire

And, I did. My braidless red hair bounce freely. The other Masters and announcers were shooting daggers at my hair. It should have been braided, as if to say.

"Care to explain why Lady Adelaena was wrong, Lady...?"

"It's Lady Elizabeth, Master."

"Surely, the lowborn cannot think as a warrior does but..." She scoffs and fell silent when the great master on the center chair interrupted her. "Let the Lady Elizabeth say what she has to say."

"The Lady Adelaena speaks bravely, but she only thinks of winning one battle only and not war. Every warrior must first need a wits, in order to defeat a foe you must defeat them not just by using weapons, strength or magic, but to unwitting them. Second is magic, third is strength and last is weapon. We all know no matter how powerful a person can be, their power still has it limits. In battle, a warrior ought not to rely on its magic." I said, making sense of what I am saying and trying to make the people understand it. No matter how certain i am of my answer, I still felt like I'm wrong. Because, how these highborns are looking at me. But, I ignored them. When I look at the great master, they gave me an approving look and below them has mixed signals that I was afraid that I might get negative signs. Adelaena was shooting daggers at me. If looks could kill, I could have been dead already. I tried to look further away from her terrifying gaze and sat my eyes upon the crowds before me. My gaze suddenly landed on a pair of emerald eyes. Emerald eyes to emerald eyes. The thick eyelashes makes his eyes more drowning and quite pulling. The man pushed his silver hair back and gave me a cold stare. My heart quickened and force my eyes to look back to the masters.

The Great Master who spoke to Lady Adelaena earlier rose to his seat,  and walks towards us. While the second Great Master stay upon his high chair. I watch him as he walks so gracefully towards us and the way his robes dance against the floor. Even Master Gregory were as surprised as Lady Adelaena. I on the other hand, don't know if I should be surprised or honored that I made the great master rose from his high chair. My breath hitches when he got close to me, my breaths were heavier when the first thing he did was grab a hold of my long red hair. He examined my hair critically, and murmur, "touched of fire." He did the same process with my face, only longer to my eyes. I watched him as he watch my eyes. He tugs my ruby necklace, playfully. A hint of entertainment and curiosity cross his eyes.

"The Lady Elizabeth,  thinks like a true warrior. Very well." Was all he said.

When I return to my place with Dylan, Damon was already there. I half expected that these two brothers would be angry at me after humiliating Adelaena to everyone. The princeling brothers grinned at me. Dylan slid his arms around my shoulder and said, "You are savage, My Lady."

"You put the wench to her rightful place." Damon whispers at me, so low so that Dylan and I are the only ones  that could hear him.

"You hate the Lady Adelaena?" I mimic a faint voice.

"I despise her." He said, sternly.

"Well, You despise a lot of things, and you despise me most." I pointed out.

"Well, if it will make you feel better, I despise her more than I do you." He rolls his eyes.

I grinned at him.

"Now that you've humiliated Adelaena in front of everyone. You just made an enemy, Elizabeth. And, Adelaena is not an enemy you want to deal with." Dylan advised.

I glance where Adelaena is standing with her group of friends. All of them were as fair as she is, but no one could deny that she stand them out. With her ivory chestnut hazel eyes and her alluring thin lips and dark raven hair.

"She called me a lowborn." I protested.

"You could have stay where you were and shut your mouth, and stay out of that girl's way. She's cruel and a bully, just like all the vendetta people. They prey on the weak and gets very territorial to their property. Last school year, she made a noble girl from Galapornia jump to her death from the Tower of  Library all because the girl was getting along with Crown Prince of Vendetta."

When the royal brothers noticed the expression I'm wearing, it was Damon who spoke, 

"Don't worry, Elizabeth. No one is entitled to bully you, but me." Damon smirked.

"Starting from this day,I'll try my best to stay out of her way." I said, nodding.

After the orientation, every students goes out of their ways and some were headed to the field and some were headed to the quarters. The Announcer bid us dismissed, he said tomorrow will be the first day of our class, and he even troubles himself to warned me about my unbraided hair. My eyes scanned the room searching for Dylan and Damon, I could use a company right now. When I realized they were not in the great hall anymore, i  stroll outside. The academy is indeed a magnificent palace and yet very fierce to look at. My eyes scanned every portraits that I passed by. The palace is very huge and I think I have lost myself again. It was a matter of time when I heard a familiar voice around the corner. The deep voice that I've grown used to has been on edge. When I turned, I saw Damon talking with a man with silver hair that has a hint of gold. I could only see the back of  silver haired man, his wide broad shoulder seemed relax and at ease. He stood taller than Damon. When Damon's blue eyes landed on me, the man in front of him turned to me. Up close, his emerald eyes was blazing and deepened at the sight of me. His eyes has the same shades as mine, though only deeper and intense. His silver thick brows furrowed, and his nose was of normal size than any other average man. His full lips turned thin and suddenly, he walked away without even bothering to look back. I turned to look at him as he walks so gracefully away from where he just stand. He's beautiful, like an angel.

"What do you want?" Damon snap.

"I was lost again." I blurted, "I couldn't find my way to the female quarters."

"Come, I'll walk you there. We have a long day a head of us tomorrow. The masters will not be happy if they find you lost your way again."

It was kind of Damon to walk me to my quarters. I never expect he would do that though, but I'm glad that he did. Or else, I'll be in trouble again. When we reached the entrance door of the quarter, there was a slender girl who look at us. Her sad and cruel eyes at the same time, stared at mine. I wasn't certain why does she looks at me that way. But she looks at me like I have stolen something from her. As if I have stolen her property.