iii. PARIS: The Challenge

All eyes were centered on the pink-haired duke who barged into the throne room. It was the middle of the day when he single-handedly stormed inside the castle walls.

Rin looked at the unwanted guest staring him in the eye, while Maru trembled from his mere presence. He has never affected her in such a way before, but right now he looked like someone who is about to commit murder.

"Well, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, duke?" Rin smirks, hatred obvious in his cold venomous voice.

"I came to return the Queen of Selene to her kingdom," Paris said with certainty.

"Ahhh, that can be a problem. She is engaged to me right now. Hence, she is the princess of Selene and soon to be the queen thereof," Rin said in unequivocal words.

Paris looks at Maru, his eyes questioning but his stance never relenting.

"It is true, I have agreed to this," Maru said, unable to meet his eyes.