Chapter 51

"EVERYONE FREEZE! LEAVE HER!"

Slowly, they eased away from me. It's him —Julian. What the hell is he doing here? I searched around remembering Luna —then I saw her at his feet. Our gaze meet and she came running to me. Naughty girl, she went to call for help— but why Julian? I stood up from the cold ground. The demons bowed as he moved closer and I flushed with embarrassment. He held my hand and raised it.

"she is your leader!" he yelled. "she's Commander Claudia, the new army head."

They all fell on their faces. One of them, looking like a leader spoke. "oh milady, we are very sorry. We never knew it was you. We've been locked down here all our lives. We've heard a lot about you but we've never met you in person. " he stood u and walked over to me. As he did the others followed. "I'm Hoshi. The leader of this pack" I just nodded."no one is allowed to walk in here without permission from the king. We were just doing it job."

I had questions but could not utter a word. I was tired. I walked over to him around tapped his shoulder. " it's okay Hoshi. I'm glad you're doing your job." Ignoring Julian, I walked back to my horse and drove home.

***

At the stable, a messenger announced to me that I was being summoned by the king so I followed him.

When I got to the upper room, the king's private chamber, I met Julian there. How fast? He casted me an evil glare and I did the same.

"you sent for me" I said as I walked in, paying no homage whatsoever. I don't think I'll ever learn to do that. Both the King and Julian do not deserve my respect.

Wait... Am I proud? Whatever...I should be proud anyway... Sometimes at least.

"have your seat, Commander ..."

" I will stand. Thanks anyway."

The room feel silent, the atmosphere thick. I know the cause of it. How can a mere commander be so daringly impossible?

"prepare the army for wat with the southern province."

In-house war? Demons fight each other? Interesting.

"my brother rules there. I'm ready to take my land back. We're going to fight and we must win."

He stopped. When I got tired of his silence I broke it.

"is that all?"

"do not talk to my father like that?" Julian attacked. " Learn some Milords or My king. Aren't there rules where you come from?"

You pervert! I swore beneath my breathe.

It took me a long time to control my anger and focus.

Katrienair ignore him ...for now.

"Mi...lord..." I managed to say. "is that all?"

" we will have visitors tomorrow. They'll join the army. Prepare a royal entourage and all. It's a war you must win Claudia or else..."

"i know!" I interrupted. That's his usual statement. 'win or die.' Rubbish!

" 'ilord'

He grinned, the first visible expression since I entered this room. " you should learn to give respect, rogue. Remember who you were. I am your king and you are a subject to me. I can bring you down anytime I like..."

Why does he have to remind my I this Everytime. He can't break me—if that is his goal.

"Leave. Go do your job!"

I left in fury. Gush, today can't be any better.

***

Julian entered my chamber just as I was about to lock up the door. I've reserved my comment there but would not now. How dare he? I sat at my favorite spot, the right end of the couch and buried my head in my palm.

" Are you okay, Katrienair?" he questioned.

Oh now it's kat-i-ri-na...my subconscious hissed.

" what was that all about?!" I asked him.

He just smiled—a smile that was supposed to annoy me more but surprising didn't. Oh my... I'm changing!

"i was only being Prince Julian."

"thats not it"

He sat on the other end of the couch. ""you should learn to respect my father."

I pursed my lip, raised my head and castedhim a glare. What the hell? Respect his father? I never anticipated this kind of talk from him especially in private.

"i mean...at least a little." he swallowed. "he's not usually this kind. Besides, he should be able to trust you... As a loyal servant who had sworn to him—to his kingdom."

Yeah, I should allow him trust me with his darn life in fact.

" You jerk!" I swore. "you insulted me. How dare you?"

" I'm sorry Commander" he bowed jokingly. " I won't do that ever again."

" Damn you!" I laughed.

"so we're cool?"

"a bit. Why're you here?"

He arched a brow. " I'm your assistant. You should not question my presence all the time."

"well let me remind you that this is my private chamber not the training ground."

"whatever...My cousin, Raleigh is the one visiting. He's coming with his soldiers to help my father win against his father. How stupid? " He hissed.

"demons betray each other too?" I chirped in, to show that I'm following, whereas my mind has traveled yet again. .

"we're best at that." he paused. "more reason why you should give your king more respect. You would not want to give those strangers something to think of..."

"ill try"i winced. "i try to ' Milord' him sometimes. "

A maid walked in and served our food. He must have asked her for it when he entered. We ate quietly. I spent most of the time stealing glanced at him while ensuring that 'redness' wasn't visible on my face. It's amazing how grown up I've become but still behave like a teenager sometimes. Joel's cute, like Cindy said back then in school but hi dark aura...

I now understand.

Wait Katty, what are you thinking? You can't like a demon. 'Dark aura' isn't your thing, is it?

«it is, it's always been. » I giggled within. Joel is my first love, Julian isn't. I love the selfmade Julian—end of story. After the meal, I thought he'd leave but he lingered.

"going to study." I announced as I walked towards my study but he stopped me.

"Wait. About..."

"if it's about the dungeon. You better not say a word. I'm not ready to hear any of that." I walked away, Luna leaping behind me.