Crown in The Mist (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The Palace was enormous. I think it's slightly bigger than that in Carnes. The cobblestoned pathway was bordered with short maple trees. In the distance, I could see topiaries carefully and elegantly trimmed. And...is that a maze garden? 

Royal guards were stationed at the gate and some are roaming around the huge expanse of land in front of the castle, where we were walking. The cobblestone path led to the steps a few meters away which also leads to the entrance of the palace where there were two royal guards stationed.

I glanced at Ares beside me. "Do they know?" I asked.

And he knew what I meant as he said, "Yes."

My heart ratcheted into a thunderous beat. What I ate this morning turned leaden. An illegitimate Princess will be the future Queen consort. I don't think it will sit well.

"Do they know I am a thief?" I asked, gulping as he gave me a sideward glance.

 My father," he said, "is the kind of man who has a way of knowing things if he wishes to. I bet Pierce or Exene has told him about you and maybe he has done his own research about your background. So I bet he does, now." 

I don't know if I should be relieved that the King hasn't executed me yet knowing I am a thief. Or worried that he knows I am a thief and that he might tell the Queen of Carnes I am here, hiding.

We stood in front of the door and the Royal guards greeted Ares before they opened the double doors. My heart is still not calming down that I gripped Ares' hand.

He gave me a questioning look.

"Do I have to pray now?" I asked.

"For what?

"I don't know," I said. To my surprise, I felt his hand squeezed mine. Maybe he felt me getting tensed. I've only seen this in movies I watched from the foggy glasses of the shops beside the road during those times when Christmas is coming and they'd flash movies about Christmas romance. I find it really stupid and unnecessary. I haven't even thought about getting a boyfriend. I have flirted but never have tried attaching myself to somebody in a romantic way. 

Yet here I am, bound to meet the parents of Ares Magnussen, my soon-to-be-husband if everything goes well. Such irony. 

"You'll be fine. Let's go," he said without letting go of my hand. We passed by a series of wooden vase stands with fresh flowers on it. Its scent filled the air. It bordered the carpeted pathway leading to a grand twin staircase with a massive door at the center.

On either side are a series of doors. Ares led me to the huge door at the center where his family might be waiting. Another two guards are on either side of the door. So I figured, It must be the throne room. Ares clung my arm to his as we walked closer to the door. I hated the sound of my high heeled shoes against the marbled floors. It made so much sound because of the quietness of the place. It takes too much attention.

The dress I'm wearing is the only thing that made me look like I belong when we finally entered the double doors. I didn't know who was inside but my eyes were on the two big chairs on the dais. And the King was seated on one of them. I couldn't see the expression on his face but my heart was thundering. I could see Pierce and Exene on the foot of the dais. I couldn't see Natasha, Liliana, or Ares's sister anywhere. And that's when I noticed the people around. They were servants busy scuttling around.

I gulped when we reached the foot of the dais. The King was just I expected him to look like. I've seen him sometimes on TV. Ares got his father's stormy grey eyes. And I know that he'd been handsome in his younger years, just like his sons.

They looked like they were in the middle of discussing something important when we arrived. I felt the gaze of the King upon me, then to our intertwined hands. I did a small bow as a greeting and Ares did the same as he said, "Father."

The King's gaze went back to Ares and he grinned. "Here I was, thinking you've eloped with this girl. Pierce and Exene told me about her."

Ares's answering glare towards his brothers did not escape my eyes. Pierce started playing with his knife while Exene suddenly found his nails interesting.

"I was planning on telling you but these ..." he eyed his two brothers. "But I was busy," he continued.

The King's gaze was now again on me. "Busy hiding her?"

Pierce and Exene's head whipped towards the King. I felt a tight knot twisting in my stomach. I felt Ares' hand tightening around mine. "Of course, you knew."

And right then, I know the King already who I am.

His father did not answer but only waved a hand and stood from his chair. "Let's talk about this after lunch," was all he said before he sauntered to the exit going to where the dining hall probably is.

Exene clapped Ares' shoulders. "We didn't tell him. He somehow knew," he said and smiled apologetically to Ares and gave me small smile. I felt Pierce's hand on my shoulder as they walked towards the dining hall. I looked at Ares and he just nodded.

My heart kept beating faster every step I make towards the door of the dining.

The dining hall was as grand as the throne room and the people who I was looking for earlier are in there: Natasha, Liliana, and the two sisters or Ares Magnussen. I bit my lip when I beheld them all in their dresses. And the Queen sat on one of the chairs, her kind eyes surveying me.

Ares stopped halfway to the table. He looked at everyone and removed his scarf. "This is my soon to be wife, Rainia," Ares introduced me and I felt my cheeks getting hot when all of their eyes now on me. But I fought the urge to hide and looked at each and every one of them. Then I managed a small bow.

"Nice to meet you," I said briefly. There was a brief silence before the Queen stood up and walked in front of us. I gulped when I saw how serious she looked. She wasn't smiling. Her face was totally unreadable. She looked at her eldest seriously and then to me.

"What have you gotten yourselves into?" she said with enough bite in her words. Her kind eyes were laced with fury as she looked at both of us. Then to my surprise, her eyes went to Ares' neck where I left a mark. I looked at the floor when the Queen's gaze landed on me.

"We can talk about that later. We can't have the food waiting," the King said gently. I closed my eyes firmly when the Queen turned around and went back to her seat. The members of Ares' family gave a brief introduction.

Then Ares' twin sister Muriel spotted the mark on his brother's neck and snickered. "Nice mark you got there, brother." Pierce and Exene were now looking at the mark and their eyes went to me then to the mark again. All I could do was close my eyes out of embarrassment. Ares, on the other hand, doesn't mind it, though. And I aspired to have that level of being unbothered. 

They were smiling at me. I don't know if that was sincere or out of sympathy. They probably know what I am. Who I am. And that I am not someone who should be beside the Crown Prince of Oregon.

But in my defense, it wasn't me who initiated it. It was Ares. I have no fault in this at all. The Queen, in particular, is obviously not fond of having me here. Knowing my background, who would? And I already know what the outcome is of today's visit. 

With that in mind, I gave them my sweetest smile and I started to dig in. If they're going to kick me out, might as well taste the food before I go. I might be sent back to Carnes and get executed. At least I've tried the food of the royalties before I die. I could feel their eyes on me as I feasted on the food on the table. Ares in particular was staring at me and wasn't touching his food. I looked at him and his untouched meal. I nudged my chin towards it.

"Aren't you going to eat that?"

His brows furrowed but I didn't wait for his answer and I started taking his food too.

"I want to meet your cook. The food is..." I closed my eyes as I savored the rich flavors. "...this is heaven on earth," I exclaimed and I heard one of Ares' sister chuckled. The one who looks exactly like him, his twin, Muriel.

"Van and Maurice would be happy to hear that," she said, giving me a kind smile.

"This might be my last meal so forgive me if I eat like this. But last meal or not, I think I will devour this whole table, either way. No wonder being a royalty never gets boring," I said and munched on the tender meat. They were all looking at me. The Queen was just wide-eyed as she watched me eat. At least there was no disgust in her eyes but pure surprise. The King was also looking at me but amusement danced in his eyes. I could see Pierce biting his lip, stifling his laugh, and Exene looking at Ares' reaction.

"What do you mean your last meal?" Ares leaned and whispered to me. I saw how Muriel and Samantha raised their brows as if they couldn't believe what they're seeing.

I shrugged at Ares. 

"What are you talking about?" He hissed. His brows furrowed even more and that might be the first time I've seen him show any kind of emotion.

"You know, Ares. You seem more human if you continue to ..." I gestured my hand on his face. "...change your facial expression often."

"She's right, Ares," Muriel chimed in and we smiled at each other. I heard Samantha chuckled. I could see Liliana in front of me, smiling at her food.

"See? If you just did that maybe I could have fallen ---" I did not finish my sentence when Ares gripped my chin gently and let me face him. Exene, in front of us, choked on his wine. I could have sworn I heard a collective gasp from the other side of the table.

"What the hell are you talking about, Rain?" he said. There was enough bite in his words that the swagger and confidence I had earlier vanished into thin air.

"That's enough," the King intervened. Ares held my gaze a moment longer before he let go of my chin. I looked at the Queen and she was looking at Ares, confused.

"Rainia, I believe my son offered you a proposal?" the King asked.

I nodded, "Yes, he did. With all due respect, how did you know about that?" I asked but then realized I forgot my honorifics. So I added, "Your Majesty."

He just nodded as if understanding the situation. "I have sources. And I also know you are the illegitimate daughter of the late King of Carnes." He rested his hands on the table. "And you were a former thief."

I met the King's gaze. "I am, Your Majesty."

"A particular Shadow is wanted all over Carnes for stealing a certain treasure. The Queen of Carnes has just told the neighboring places about it. And you are Shadow."

I gulped. Aizen. Aizen must have told the Queen. The Queen will have the free reigns to execute me. Hunting me will not be hidden from the public anymore. 

"You are considered ... a criminal in your country. And any sight of you from any of my lands, by law and protocol, I will report it to the Queen Regent," he said as his eyes went to Ares then to me. I know that. I already know that from the very first time I inserted my hands to the first man I stole from. But I wouldn't be killed because of that. I would be killed because I was an illegitimate daughter. It's messed up.

I looked at the King and I could feel the tension in the air. It was as if we already know what he's going to say but too we're nervous to listen to it, anyway.

"And with that being said, I'm sorry Rain but I can't accept you here in my territory."

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