In Your Eyes

CHAPTER 5 - The Library

Sera had now spent three successful days in the capital. Even with all the rumors surrounding the neighboring packs and branch families, the capital functioned like any other city led by the monarchy. Servants patrolled the grounds early in the morning, making sure their work was done before the king awoke. Sera had also noticed that in the entire time since she arrived, she had not once laid eyes on the prince. Since the king’s quarters were at the other extreme side of the castle, she did not need to cross paths with him.

Rismuck visited her only once, the day after she arrived. She had gone along with Tyla’s request to sightsee. She didn’t have anything better to do, and thought it was a good opportunity to familiarize herself with the grounds.

Sera came to learn that the king had a lot of mistresses. They littered the grounds like flies drawn to a beacon. The king would never give them any children and frankly, it seemed he was too greedy with his power to get a queen to share it with him.

Any woman the king beds was given a suite in the palace. He would visit them night after night and probably drown his evil ways on them. Sera had crossed paths with them once or twice. But they snickered behind her back, as if ravishing the fact that she was marrying the prince.

Sera couldn’t care less. Her aim wasn’t to play ‘little wife’ for the prince or even the stupid king. She gathered herself and strolled to the library to continue her aim of reconnaissance. Rismuck had brought her the day before and she couldn’t help herself but be amazed by the sheer size of it. Tyla had said some incoherent words to her before leaving her side.

Sera browsed through the maps and atlases, taking in every detail about the lands and terrestrial landmarks around the capital including the position of guards around the south and north gates. She stayed there for quite some time, taking in every bit of information she could before Tyla came back.

Lost in her focus, she didn’t notice two she-wolves creep up on her until she didn’t hear the books beside her drop to the ground. The wolves that stood beside her snickered obviously pleased at their childish attempt to provoke her.

Sera faced them, her shoulders squared. There was no way she was going to let some bed warmers think she’s a pushover.

“Do you need something?” She asked them.

“You must think you’re something, being given to the prince on a silver platter.” The one with the shoulder length black hair said.

“You must leave her Vienna; it would seem she has not heard the rumors surrounding the prince. Then again, I doubt anyone would want to be in her shoes.” The second one said, and both laughed at their stupid joke.

Sera sighed and rolled her eyes and stared quietly at the girls. They were dressed like exotic dancers, most likely to please the king’s perverted tendencies. Sera concluded she didn’t have time waste on the likes of them and turned to her table.

The black haired one, Vienna, grabbed Sera by the hair, no doubt annoyed that Sera had ignored her taunting.

Sera’s eyes flared, her annoyance obviously reaching boiling point. She grabbed Vienna by the arm, painfully twisting it. Vienna let out a cry and immediately released Sera’s hair. Tyla had made her sit 30 minutes to style that hair.

“Listen to me you bunch of nobodies, I don’t think it’s any of your business why I’m marrying your prince, but for your shakes and mine, if I ever see you within 5 meters of me, I make sure to give you more than just a broken arm.” Then she let go of Vienna’s arm. Vienna fell to the floor, red welts already forming where Sera gripped her.

Both glared at her as they exited the library. Sera glared back at them, twice as vicious. She looked at the books and scrolls scattered all over her feet, her annoyance threatening to peak again. Suddenly a familiar sensation overwhelmed her, and she turned swiftly to see someone towering over her.

He stood a few feet away, leaning casually on a pillar. He stared at the entrance of the library which the two she-wolves had escaped from a couple of seconds ago, before turning to face her. He strolled casually towards her, as if indifferent to the fact that she was a bit annoyed.

Sera took in his full appearance. He was tall, beautifully dressed in formal attire. Clear blue eyes like that of the king stared back at her. A mask adorned the right side of his face, but it did nothing to hide his beautiful features.

He was standing toe to toe with her now, their smell and essence completely enveloping each other. He brushed the strands of hair that had fallen from the up do Tyla had done for her.

“You are as feisty as your name suggests, Seraphina.”

“How could you not tell me that there would be a party tonight?”

Sera sat in a big bathtub, drowning herself in ‘nature’s essence’ as Tyla put it. Two other girls had accompanied Tyla to help her prepare for the night’s events.

“I did tell you my lady, but you were not paying attention. Why do you think everyone has been up and about?”

Even though Sera grew up in a similar setting, she still wasn’t used to having so many hands moving at her every whim. Dresses had piled in on her closet and Tyla insisted her mistress must look her best at the party.

The two girls Tyla had with her helped prep her hair and makeup, while Tyla worked tirelessly to pick out the right dress, as she called it.

“Tyla what’s taking so long?” Sera asked. She was growing reckless with all the waiting.

Tyla giggled from inside the closet. “Just a moment my lady.”

Sera’s whining came to a halt when Tyla came out with the dress in hand. Tyla had told her that every dress was handpicked by his highness, but whichever one she decided to wear was up to her. The dress Tyla held out was a deep red. It was laced from top to bottom, with a fitting bodice, flowing down to a fishtail at the bottom.

“Alright my lady, let’s get you into this beauty. Do you like it?” Tyla asked.

“Absolutely.” Sera said feeling the beautiful fabric. “You have excellent taste.”

“You praise me my lady.” Tyla said gleefully.

Tyla carefully assisted her in putting the dress. Her shoes followed before turning to face the full-length mirror.

Tyla clapped her hands excitedly. “You look exceptional my lady. You no doubt will be the most beautiful person there. I wonder how his highness will react when he sees you.”

Sera’s mind wondered about her encounter with Micage in the library. For all the rumors surrounding him, he had a mysterious feel to him, and not at all the useless figurehead character the people had used to portray him.

“Let’s go my lady.” Tyla said. No doubt she was more excited for this party than her mistress.

Tyla led her to another part of the castle she had not been to before. The main hall was used when the king had a large audience and to host events such as the prince and princess consort marriage announcement to the capital.

She could hear the crowd before they approached the hall, and the smell of different wolves filled the air. Just like during their encounter, she smelled him before her eyes landed on him. Tyla turned following her mistress, before her eyes also landed on the prince.

Tyla stretched up and whispered. “He’s here to collect you my lady. Have fun.” She said before bolting out the way she came.

He was tall. Taller that the other wolves walking all around them. His royal attire, beautifully adorned, fit him like a glove. ‘It had to be custom tailored.’ She thought to herself. When his eyes landed on her, he said something to the person standing at his side before walking towards her.

Sera could feel her heart jumping in her chest, the reason why, she had no idea. If he stood close enough, he would probably heart. She took deep breaths before he got to her.

When he reached her, he bowed and extended his hand. “I hope I did not overstep, Seraphina. This dress truly does look exquisite on you.”

Sera tried not to be affected by his words, so she curtsied and took his hand. “It is a beautiful dress. There is no way I could have refused. Thank you your highness.”

“Micage, Seraphina. We will be married in due time. Just Micage is fine.” He said.

“As you wish your highness, I will try my best to address you as desire.” She said.

Micage smiled but said nothing and led her into the ball.