CHAPTER 12

The first thing that I noticed as soon as the doors were opened, was a parade of guards. They came in and took their position as the head security stepped forward.

He was the person that had put me in prison. He was the same damn person, a Royal guard? I tried to remain calm hoping he didn't recognize me. Of course, this was going to be a big mess if he somehow points at me infront of everyone. I didn't wanted that to happen. Why did it have to be him, what a coincidence. My life was taking turns in ways that were far beyond me.

I forced myself to stay put and not slide behind my uncle's shoulder. He announced the arrival of the Royal family as the King and Queen glided inside the room with such grace and demeanor. There presence was so strong that anyone could cower down.

I had seen them before but this felt different, completely different. The King was the first to came in my sight.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a warrior's build honed from years of battle and training. His face, ruggedly handsome, was framed by dark brown hair streaked with premature strands of silver. His features were so striking, sharp and well defined with a square jaw, high cheekbones, and a prominent brow. His beard was neatly trimmed which added to his regal appearance.

He wore a magesctic cloak of deep crimson, lined with black fur. His armor was made of finest steel that was adorned with gold symbols, holding history of the kingdom within. He looked magestic and so did his crown as it sat proudly on his head adorned with the similar 8 stones that I had seen in the chamber, just smaller in size, were the remembrance of the power he held within.He had a confident and demanding presence.

There was something about his eyes though. His ice blue eyes were hooded and dull as if covered by a transparent layer. They were in any way, extremely enchanting, like a trance. He stood confident and tall demanding attention. The one think that was more attractive than anything else was the pendant that sat proudly on his neck. It looked like, it was made of onyx and silver with light trapped within. It was a sight to behold.

Right beside him now stood the queen, the most beautiful woman, that I had ever seen in my life.She possessed an otherworldly beauty that captured and ensnared all who gazed upon her. Her porcelain skin glowed with an ethereal luminescence, untouched by time, making her appear ageless. Her eyes were a striking, hypnotic shade of emerald green, with flecks of gold that seem to dance like flames with her expressions.These eyes were framed by long, thick lashes that added to her enchanting allure. Her hair, a cascade of raven-black silk, flowed down to her waist, shimmering with an almost mystical sheen.

Her lips, a deep seductive crimson, matching the King's cloak, were curved in a knowing, enigmatic smile that was both alluring and unsettling. Her high cheekbones and delicately arched brows gave her a regal, commanding presence. She was tall and statuesque, with a graceful figure.

Her gowns was made from the finest silks in an emerald green hue that matched her eyes. The silhouette had a high collar and sleeves that trailed like shadows, embroidered with gold threads, creating a magnifying presence. The gown itself was adorned with intricate silver and gold embroidery.

Around her neck was a pendant similar to the King, only this one had an emerald trapping the light within.

Her eyes scanned the room like a hawk searching for her prey and then they landed on me. She gave me a once-over as they glided to their rightful positions.

The pleasantries began as everyone greeted them.

" Your Magesty, we are here to meet in your presence as you requested" the bald man spoke representing everyone in the room.

" Do you know why this meeting is in the palace?" King Alaric's voice boomed as he questioned everyone present.

" No..

Nope...

No your Magesty" were thrown around to answer the question of the king.

"Because, I don't want anything discussed here to go out" He spoke out in a demanding tone.

"I heard you guys have already met the Faerelore" the queens voice came. Her voice was so cold and chilling, it gave me goosebumps. So, this was indeed about me. What did I ever do to deserve this. Everyone spoke about me Infront of me like I didn't even existed. It was annoying.

"Our friend Sinclair here has one in possession" the guy sitting next to my uncle spoke as he nodded his head towards me.

"She is my neice, your Highness" My uncle spoke as he nudged me to greet them. All eyes were on me as I shakily stood up to greet them.

"My King, My queen" I spoke politely with a slight bow. I lifted my head to look at them and as soon as my eyes connected with the queen,

I knew...

That...

She knew...

The eye contact that we shared spoke lengths. All of these alarms were going in my head as I thought about what had transpired when I got caught. Was the prince caught? Was he in trouble? Am I in trouble?

"And she is just the name, you said..." The queen spoke again maintaining her eye contact with me.

"Yes, your Highness, she is normal, She didn't inherit her father's legacy. She is 19 already and there are no signs." My uncle spoke about me knowing fully well that I wasn't aware of anything.

" Or maybe, she is just a late bloomer" The King smirked as he looked me up and down.

" Well, I have a proposal for you, Sinclair." The King announced as he stood up to come and stand in front of me.

"I want to ask for her hand in marriage for my son, Prince Aehannik. They will get married on my son's coronation, which is in a week.." The king spoke loud and clear, all of my color was drained from my face and I had no say in whatever was happening. The coronation was in two day, no? Did they move it, because the caught the prince? Doomed, we were. I stood there dumbfounded waiting for my uncle, my only hope, to take my side for once, but all my hopes went down the drain, when my uncle replied.

"It will be our honor, your Highness. She is lucky to be part of the royal family. " My uncle spoke grinning ear to ear as he probably thought of the benefits that he was going to get with this marriage. He had an ulterior motive in hand, I was sure of it. His smile suggested that he had achieved what he was here for.

I made the biggest mistake of my life coming down with my uncle here. Was this a spontaneous decision? They knew already that I had freed the prince? Did they wanted to take revenge? Did I somehow did something that I wasn't supposed to do? There were a lot of questions running through my head as I thought of possible scenarios. Queen Ilaria, looked sweet but I could clearly see through her intentions. It was clear as day in her eyes.

And of all the things, I had to marry the prince. Wasn't he getting engaged with that other princes. How was I part of this situation? God only knew what they did to him, when he got caught. I could only know what happened, If I get to meet him.

Soon the gathering was over. They were influential people, the reason, they were called out to make witness of this situation.

My uncle stood up as he walked up to the King and spoke...

"So Akaris, let's do some paperwork shall we?" He was calling the king by his name? I was confused, more than anything. Just like that they went to God knows where as I was left all alone with Queen Ilaria in this big hall

Was I safe?

That can't be a nice thing, can it?