One Night With The Devil

4. Inside the palace

Yuna stared at the majestic palace before her, her heart thumping madly in nervousness. The powerful aura radiating from the place was making her restless and she thought of leaving time and time again.

But every time she stepped back, her family members' faces flashed in her mind one by one, compelling her to stay still and proceed with her plan.

Yuna had been unable to sleep the entire night. Her mind and thoughts were occupied with what her mother had written to her. 'If His Majesty had ordered them to be captured, why would she ask me to seek help from him? What is happening?' The questions kept repeating, making her lose her sanity slowly.

When the daylight fell, she even considered visiting her family in prison. But eventually, she dropped the plan when she realized that her appearance would only put her in danger too, which was the last thing she wanted. Only she could help her family from their predicament and she had to stay outside, not inside the prison with them.

Since her mother asked her to seek help from His Majesty, she would do just that and fight it out with him till death. Yuna's heart skipped a beat when she recalled the stories she had heard about the King. The man was a Devil, that was how the world addressed him. He was ruthless, cold and sinister and to think that she had to seek his help, Yuna trembled.

'Am I wrong to assume that he will help me?' She wondered and licked her lips, which had suddenly gone dry. Cold sweat trickled down her spine and she felt her legs giving away momentarily.

Yuna hesitated. But eventually, her love for her family got the best of her and she entered the palace. Surprisingly, the guards did not stop her and allowed her in.

Even when she climbed the stairs, the guards did not stop her and Yuna's mind started to reel in suspicion. This was not how it should happen.

With great difficulty, Yuna managed to reach the palace doors that were wide open. She dithered for a moment, only to jump in fright when she heard a voice from inside.

"You may enter the palace. Nobody will eat you." Yuna peeked inside to find the source of the voice and was alarmed to see a man leaning against the wall beside the door. He was hidden in the dark and only on a second look did she notice him.

"Please come inside." The man pushed himself off the wall and appeared before her, startling Yuna for a moment.

His light amber eyes twinkled with mischief while his black hair reaching just below his ears ruffled with the wind, giving the man an unruly look. Yuna had to strain her neck to look at him, he was too tall for her petite self.

"I must have scared you. Please forgive me, Lady. I have no intentions as such." The man bowed before her and Yuna, for once, did not know how to react.

Seeing her remain frozen in her place as she stared at him blankly, the man chuckled, his eyes dancing with mirth.

"I know I am gorgeous looking. But I never expected it to be to this extent that a lady would be stunned into silence." The man bragged and grinned proudly, and Yuna immediately snapped out of her reverie.

"Pardon me for my impudence, Sir." Yuna did not know the man's identity. So, she was careful lest she should disrespect someone she should not.

"Apology accepted even though you were anything but impudent, Lady. Now, if you may," He held his hand before him. "His Majesty is waiting for you."

Yuna's expression changed all of a sudden and she took a step back instinctively. "His Majesty is waiting for me?" She asked incredulously, pointing at herself.

"Yes, Lady Yuna. His Majesty is waiting for you. Now, if you will follow me." The man gestured for her to follow him and waited patiently for her to step inside.

Yuna did not know what to do. While her heart was telling her to run away from the palace as fast as she could, the rational part of her prevented her from doing so. Eventually, she succumbed to the man's wishes and stepped inside, eliciting a huge smile from him.

"May I know your name, Sir?" Yun mustered all the courage in her, her gentle and pleasant voice filling the empty corridor of the palace. There was no one in sight and the fear she was so badly trying to suppress from consuming her started to overwhelm her slowly.

"Before I say my name, please calm down, Lady Yuna. I hear your heart pounding loudly and I am sure it would not amaze His Majesty." The man pleaded softly and Yuna took deep breaths to calm herself.

However, nothing she did helped her. Just the notion that the man beside her knew her name was daunting enough, let alone that His Majesty was waiting for her.

"It might be hard for you. But please trust us, no one will hurt you here." The man added, but Yuna did not trust him.

"It is easy for you to say, Sir. It is not your family awaiting His Majesty's verdict in prison." Yuna sassed, her frustration getting the best of her. "How do you expect me to trust someone who might be the reason for my family's misery?"

The man halted in his place, his intense eyes compelling Yuna to lower her head immediately. However, she raised her eyes again when she realized she was not in the wrong. Her fear vanished the next instant and she stood before him courageously.

"You are highly mistaken, Lady Yuna. There is more to the truth than what you are seeing."

"Please enlighten me, Sir..."

"You may call me Erix, Lady Yuna."

"Sir Erix," Yuna acknowledged.

"Although I would love to reveal all that I know, it is not my place to do so. Let us meet His Majesty before he becomes anxious from waiting." Erix avoided speaking more than necessary, making Yuna frown at him. But she did not force him and followed him until they reached one of the closed rooms.

"His Majesty is waiting for you inside, Lady Yuna. Please." Erix stepped back, bowed to her and, even before she could stop him, he had taken his leave.

Yuna sighed and wiped her palm, which had gone clammy, on her skirt before she knocked at the door. Not knowing what to expect, she opened the door and peeked inside.

It was utterly dark and she stepped inside warily. When she was completely inside the throne room, the door behind her closed, making her jump in fright and the torches lit up, giving the place an eerie feeling.

It was a bright day outside. But inside the throne room, it felt cold and dark. Thankfully for the flame from the torches, Yuna could see her path and ventured further inside before a cold, indifferent voice stopped her.

"I was waiting for you."