Destinare: A Destined Tale Of Time

IX Always.

Julianus sat upon a chair inside of his room. The late afternoon sun was flooding inside through the glass drawing irregular shimmers on the marbled floor. The rich aroma of the tea was blessing his nostrils as he closed his eyes to take a little break.

‘This peace,’ he thought. Recalling his crowded schedules in Kemet. The time to just sit back and enjoy a cup of tea wasn’t often. But above all else, he was thankful for the time he was able to spend with his daughter – not that he has any idea where his daughter is at the current moment.

Despite the anxiety, he decided to stand back and allow Azmeralda to have her own time alone. He knew that at some point the imperial palace would grow stuffy when she never got to see the world.

‘It was a good choice to come here,’ he thought, sipping of his tea before he heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Julianus said, glancing over his shoulder as the dark-wooden doors swung open.

“Greetings, Your Majesty,” a young knight said, his black hair falling in curls to curtain his tanned skin as he bowed deeply.

“Yes, Alexander,” Julianus greeted. “It proved to be a good decision to come to Makidia after all…how is Azmeralda?”

“The princess just got back to her chamber to get ready for the banquet,” Alexander said, holding his head low. “She was escorted by Prince Tiberius Pantera.”

Julianus held the cup midway to his mouth and turned his to look at his knight. Something inside him seemed to be triggered…jealously, perhaps. However such feelings are vague to someone like Julianus.

“Hold your head up,” Julianus said, after a long moment of silence changing the subject. “This is a vacation after all. You should take it easy while you can.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Alexander said, straightening his 6’3 frame. “You honor me with your kindness.”

The corners of Julianus’s lips curled up into a vague smile. “Is there anything else to report?”

Julianus might have asked Alexander to retire however, he wouldn't sleep at night without knowing what happened in the world around him. Luckily, his men are the perfect fit for the task.

“The last guest for tonight’s banquet has arrived this morning,” Alexander paused, choosing his next words carefully. “Crown Prince Iraj Arman of Persia, Your Majesty.”

A loud c***k of glass echoed in the room.

“Your Majesty!” Alexander exclaimed, watching the blood and tea dripping in thick drops to soak the fabric of Julianus’s trousers. “Are you alright?!”

The cup that Julianus was once enjoying, was now shattered to pieces and scattered on the ground. The pieces of the porcelain cup pierced the balm of his hand. The pain was numb almost vague as a more painful memory began to eat at his insides.

‘Iraj,’ he thought, the name was like a dagger to his heart.

“He is here?” Julianus hissed, his mouth barely moving.

Alexander already tending to his wound. Julianus pulled his hand gently away, finally taking a look at his own wounds as they soaked the handkerchief Alexander used. But his eyes were looking beyond that.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty,” Alexander hesitated. “I’ll call for a physician right away! We can’t have your wounds get infected. Please excuse me!”

Despite wanting to hurry on his way, Alexander awaited approval from Julianus. That was the extent of loyalty Julianus had with his men. Their very movements can’t be done without his approval.

Julianus waited till the doors were shut after the knight before he turned back to look at his wounds. He didn’t feel pain, instead, his eyes lingered on the now soaked fabric of the handkerchief. A cruel shudder went through his body as flashbacks ran before his eyes, the thick blood dripping from his hand to the bloodied floor.

He forced his eyes shut along with fractured memory. ‘What use does it bring to recall this now.’ he sighed, clenching his fist as he leaned back in his chair.

“After all this time…” he mumbled with his head rested on the chair. “The memory still tears me apart…?”

His words sounded like a question directed to his own soul. A voice from within came to answer…

‘Always,’ it said.

~~~~

Time flew by as the palace went on uproar to get ready for the banquet. The sun was already low in the sky. The preparations were reaching an end as the nobles started arriving at the front gate and guests started to leave their chambers.

Azmeralda was in her own chamber, sitting before the mirror as Canaria styled her hair. She already changed into her dress of white and gold. The colors that resembled Kemet the best. The front was laced with white layered under the silk, reaching just at her knees. The back of the dress reached further down as it went behind her. It felt cramp inside the layers and layers of fabric, but the beauty was worth it.

“I’ll pay more attention to the waves of your hair,” Canaria said with a proud smile on her face. “In Makidia wavy hair is uncommon so I would like the Princess to stand out.”

“You know I don’t like attention, Canaria,” Azmeralda protested with a pout.

“You are a Princess and the daughter of Emperor Julianus,” Canaria reminded, sounding surprised that Azmeralda was unaware of her position. “Not to mention the lone heir to the throne of Kemet? How couldn’t you like the attention? Just wait a few years after you bloom and news of your beauty will travel the world to bring you suitors.”

Azmeralda sighed in defeat. The handmaiden has got a point, but there was always something uncomfortable about the eyes fixed on her every move. The thought made her shudder. Nevertheless, Azmeralda was looking forward to this big event. She was reminded by Tiberius’s promise to be there tonight. Though she hoped that wouldn’t make him suffer at the hands of the Queen again.

Canaria placed a tiara atop Azmeralda’s head. The golden arms of it join at the center to form a star holding the diamond in place, followed by several smaller jewels ones on each side. A gift from her father. She always kept it saved for a proper occasion, and there was nothing better than an occasion like this.

Canaria stepped back to admire her handiwork feeling proud. She looked at the princess in awe as she took in her entire attire.

“You look so beautiful, Princess,” Canaria said, sounding as if she was on the brink of tears. “Just like your late mother.”

Azmeralda stood up to take a look at herself and she has got to admit that Canaria did a great job in dolling her up.

“It’s all thanks to your beautiful hands,” Azmeralda said, turning around to look at the tail of her dress.

“You are flattering me, Princess,” she said with a smile, bowing her head.

Just as she finished the words they were interrupted by the knock on the door. Sir Alexander walked in and stepped aside giving space for Emperor Julianus to come through.

Julianus walked dressed in a black suit, embroidery decorating the front as the buttons on the side secured the jacket shut, medallions attached to his chest pocket. Golden threads complimented the wrists and the high collar. A cloak on one shoulder secured with similar golden robs. In his walk, you could sense the charisma emitting from him.

As his honey eyes noted the presence of Azmeralda, he lit up. His pupil dilated at the sight of his beautiful daughter. A long moment went on as he held his gaze on her, the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile. Azmeralda felt her cheeks heating up and fumbled with her fingers for distraction.

Julianus couldn’t help but be reminded again of the days that are long gone. The days of his early years with his beloved wife, Cleopatra. The reminder brought beautiful thoughts and sensations to him, but the tragic end of the story never failed to follow. He shuddered as he shoved the thought away.

“You look as beautiful as the sun in a cold desert night,” Julianus flirted, covering the distance to Azmeralda. “Now shall we head out?”

Julianus held out his hand and Azmeralda gladly took it, welcoming the warmth of his hands on hers. It gave her comfort that she knew like the back of her hand. She held her head up and smiled at her father as he looked down at her.

“Yes!”

~~~~

The banquet was one like Azmeralda had never seen. The chandelier hung at the center, blessing light onto the couples who already started dancing. The air was dense with the smell of champagne and wine getting served, along with food set on each table.

Azmeralda sat on the table that stood a step higher than the rest of the floor. As Emperor Petrus’s guests, Kemet got the table closest. Julianus sat back in his chair and enjoyed the sweet taste of the wine.

Azmeralda never thought of the struggle that they were going to have regarding the seats. Romanus and Victor were at the other far end of the table. The two brothers leaned forward to gaze at Azmeralda like sad puppies. Right next to them there was a seat still empty. ‘Tiberius’s place,’ Azmeralda noted, looking at the crowd hoping to spot him. ‘He’ll come, he promised.’

Julianus glanced over at Azmeralda as he sipped on his wine. “Is there something bothering you?” he asked, bringing the cup down.

“N-No,” she said, leaning forward to gain sight of the other end of the table, paying little attention to her father. “I’m alright.”

Julianus raised his brow, his eyes followed her eyesight before they noted the two princes at the other end of the table. He sneered. “The night is yet to begin to have patience, Pumpkin.”

She sighed, sitting back in her seat. The paintings on the ceiling caught her eyes again. As the nobles started to flood in, Azmeralda passed the time by deciphering the drawings loaming above her head.

Every now and then, a different noble would step up to greet her father. As his daughter, she has got no choice but to be at his side.

“Can’t I just go?” Azmeralda asked, looking over at her father who had his eyes closed. Something told her that he was feeling just as restless as she was – after all she is the lion's cub.

“You have to wait to greet everyone first,” he muttered, his lips barely moving to make his voice raspy. “Then you are free to play around.”

Azmeralda was not convinced but she nodded anyway. There was little to be argued after all, and perhaps she was indeed just restless with the excitement.

“His Highness, Crown Prince of Persia, Prince Iraj Arman!”

For starters, Azmeralda barely paid attention to the name being announced at the entrance. But the c***k she heard as if something was about to break, brought her back from her daze. She glanced at her father, seeing his eyebrows arched in anger.

‘Why would he be angry?’ she thought, eyes lingering on her father before she noted how they were fixed ahead without wavering. Her eyes followed his glare, and it was put upon the heavy wooden doors on the other side of the hall.

The doors clattered on the hinges as they swung open, revealing a man that was quite familiar to Azmeralda.

“Oh, right,” she mumbled, remembering their little encounter back in the foyer hall. She recalled he was called Iraj.

“Have you met him?”

Azmeralda shuddered after she glanced over at her father. Now she was certain that there must be something bugging him, and at the moment that seemed to be Prince Iraj. ‘But why? I don’t think we have ever encountered someone from the Arman family,’ she wondered.

“Earlier this morning,” she confessed. “I happened to be at the entrance when he arrived and I saw him then. He said that I looked just like someone, but he never said who.”

With every word being said, Julianus’s face got darker. A shadow cast on his eyes making them look almost black and ruthless.

“Greetings, Emperor Julianus.”