The Prince Who Did Not Look
927 Words
The Grand Hall of Moonland glowed.
Thousands of moon-crystals floated beneath the vaulted ceiling, casting soft white light across the sea of gathered nobles.
The royal banners of Moonland and Bayland hung side by side above the ceremonial dais.
Kira stood beside her father, King Japha.
Across from her stood the man who was about to become her future.
Prince Kay of Bayland.
He was taller than she expected.
Not imposing—controlled.
His posture was immaculate, his dark ceremonial coat perfectly pressed, his expression carefully neutral. His face looked sculpted by the gods on a good day, he looked divine!!! Yet her heart strangely felt nothing. No attraction whatsoever.
He did not look at her.
The high priest raised his staff.
“By ancient accord and royal covenant—”
Kira barely heard the words.
Her attention kept slipping toward Prince Kay’s face.
It was not cold.
It was unreadable.
“…do you, Princess Kira of Moonland—”
“Yes,” she answered when cued.
“…do you, Prince Kay of Bayland—”
“I do,” he said smoothly.
His voice was calm, too calm.
Applause swept the hall, a gentle cheer.
A polite thunder.
The rings were brought forward.
Kira lifted her hand, his fingers brushed hers as he slid the silver band into place.
His touch was cool, Precise, and then, he finally looked at her.
Just once, it lasted barely a second.
But in that second, something in his eyes sharpened.
Not admiration, assessment, as if she were not a bride—But a variable.
The ceremony ende, and the Music rose.
Nobles surged forward in controlled celebration.
The court flooded around them like glittering tidewater.
Prince Kay inclined his head toward her.
“Princess Kira.”
His voice was low, measured like all prim and proper and all.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You performed your role well.”
Her lips parted.
“My… role?”
A faint smile touched his mouth.
“A difficult position. You carried it gracefully.”
It was not a compliment, it was a professional observation, like a doctor's diagnosis to a patient.
“I hope,” she said stiffly, annoyed, "that Bayland is satisfied.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“For now.”
Before she could respond, General Arvek approached.
“Your Majesty,” he said urgently to King Japha.
The king stiffened.
Kira watched the change in his posture.
“What is it?” the king asked quietly.
The general leaned closer.
She could not hear the words, but she saw the effect.
Her father’s face hardened.
He glanced instinctively toward Kira.
Prince Kay noticed, he seemed to pay good attention to everything.
Moments later, the king turned back to his guests.
The music continued, and the dancers spun.
But something unseen had shifted.
Prince Kay leaned closer to Kira.
“You will be traveling soon,” he said softly.
Her heart skipped.
“…what?”
He smiled faintly, “I read your father’s face very well.”
She stared at him.
“And just like that, you already know?”
“I suspect,” he corrected gently.
She searched his eyes.
“Where will you go, Princess?”
The question was delicate. The tone was not.
“I… do not know.”
He studied her.
And then he said something that sent a thin chill down her spine.
“You should hope it is somewhere quiet," he whispered.
“Why?”
His gaze flicked briefly toward the king, then back to her.
“Because noisy places attract attention.”
Before she could ask what he meant, a ripple passed through the hall.
Whispers, running feet.
The musicians faltered for half a beat before recovering.
Lady Arin appeared at Kira’s side, pale.
“Your Highness… His Majesty, the king requests you again.”
Kira looked toward the dais.
Her father was already stepping away from the court.
Prince Kay watched her.
“Congratulations,” he said softly.
It sounded disturbingly like farewell.
She could still feel his eyes on her as she walked away.....
King Japha sat in his private council, eyes unreadable, and face set in a scrowl that made his 43 years old face look 60.
The reports he had gotten had set him off, and left him completely disturbed.
General Arvek had informed him of a startling piece of information, the Bayland were collaborating with the Detroits, a very strong, and formidable enemy.
It was why he had made use of the last thing he would have ever wanted, a marriage alliance.
The thought of sending his only child, his brave, sweet, headstrong Kira to Bayland as a wife of a political marriage made his head hurt.
The throbbing still persisted, and this was merely an engagement, what would happen when he sent her off, in marriage? He wondered.
"Where are we on the rebels?" He asked as he turned towards general Arvek.
"They are difficult to break in, we tried all manner of torture, but their lips were sealed, at this point, they have earned my respect," Arvek responded.
"Hmmm, things are looking really bad if you ask me though, and this idea is the best, despite his error in judgment, Jonah is an excellent military strategist," Arvek added.
"I know, I am not in dispute of that, but he already sent word that he would not accept, he is probably still angry...." King Japha pointed out with a weariness in his voice.
The knock at the door interrupted whatever he was going to say next..
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD