The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

DINNER

Ajora stood before the enormous mirror as her fingers trailed the fabric of the exquisite gown that a maid had brought earlier for her to wear... Along with the most delicate pair of slippers that she had ever seen in her entire life.

Three days had passed since her arrival and all she had been doing lately was joining the King and his crew in their multiple meetings, where the officers would look at her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain as they interrogated her mercilessly about everything and everyone that she had seen, racking her brains and extracting every little drop of information that they could gather out of her.

She was exhausted, and all she wanted at that point was to go home.

Even when she received daily updates about her father’s improving health, she still wanted to witness this with her own eyes, and she had started being very vocal about it by then… Yet the monarch always found a way to ease her mind and make her momentarily forget about her concerns using his magnetic personality, and this enraged her.

Sighing, she closed her eyelids as an involuntary shiver ran down her spine while she recalled the King’s enthralling eyes looking into hers, cursing herself for not having been firmer during their last conversation.

All her life, Ajora had been a strong and free-spirited girl. Because of that and in light of other recent events, she refused to let anyone take control of her life in the slightest… So, she hated the way she felt around him. She detested that she was completely unable to resist his charms.

-Your Majesty… – She had begun saying with resolution that morning as they walked side by side through the corridors after one of their meetings.

-What did I tell you before, uh? – The young man had abruptly asked, pausing and closing in on her face, looking at her with piercing eyes and making her throat suddenly feel completely dry – Please, call me Ishtun.

-Ishtun… – She’d muttered sheepishly, her sight gradually emboldening as she looked directly into his pupils with all the courage that she could summon from within her racing heart – I’m not an i***t. I can tell that my input here is becoming redundant. You already got your strategy sorted out… So why am I being kept here?

-Honestly? – He responded, slowly approaching her, his sweet breath brushing her face as he leaned over her and playfully grinned – Because I would love to get to know you a little bit better, if you don’t mind… I want to spend some time around you. Is that too much to ask?

-No… But w-why? – Ajora squinted with incredulity, scanning his face for any signs of deception.

-Because I like you – His deep voice plainly declared, making her blink repeatedly at his words and doubt her own ears, his lips dangerously approaching hers – And because I think that you are deliciously intriguing. Isn’t that obvious?

-Me? – She frowned, her chest on the verge of exploding as she miraculously managed to keep her voice steady and her tone casual, feigning disinterest – That’s just absurd.

-Oh, really? – The annoyingly intoxicating man had whispered into her ear seductively – And why is that?

-Because someone like you would never like someone like me – Ajora sternly replied, holding his gaze.

-Who says that? – He dismissively asked, running a finger down her cheek as she pressed her back further against a wall and tried her best not to faint.

-Everyone… - She scoffed, puffing out loudly and staring at him like he was utterly insane – You know? People...

-Well… I couldn’t care any less about what other people think, I am free to like whoever I want – The King announced stoutly, his mouth descending inches away from her, almost grazing her own and purposely pausing – Now, there is nothing I would like more than staying here chattering with you. But unfortunately, I must tend to some boring issues that require my immediate attention… So, I’ll see you tonight.

-T-Tonight? – Ajora had stammered, losing her train of thought completely and looking at him dumbfounded.

-Yes, tonight at dinner – The ruler had casually said, smirking and retreating from her face – I have a surprise for you, so don’t be late.

With that, he’d turned around and walked away, his steps echoing through the walls as she slid to the floor in an absolute perplexed state, feeling her lungs collapsing as she fought to assimilate the ludicrousness of what had just transpired.

So now, here she stood, wearing fancy clothes that she could never afford, and fixing her hair distractedly as her mind wandered towards him for the thousandth time that day.

“Snap out of it!” – Ajora scolded herself, taking a deep breath and stealing a last glance at her attire before heading to the dining hall – “Don’t be stupid, girl. You are smarter than that.”

By the time she reached the enormous gates she had made up her mind. She would share this last meal with him and thank him, then she would tell him that she wanted to go home. No more stalling… He kept saying that she was free to go home whenever she wanted to, right? So, she was going to take him up on his word.

But when she opened the heavy wooden panels leading to the silent hall, and she spotted the lonely familiar figure sitting expectantly ahead, all her previous resolutions dissipated into thin air.

Ajora couldn’t contain her emotions once she recognized her father’s distinct silhouette, hunching over the enormous table, before an obscene quantity of mouthwatering food.

-Dad! – She’d cried out, hurrying towards him as he turned around startled and difficultly stood up, his old frame wrapped in the richest garment Ajora had ever seen him wear. His face showing his evident bewilderment as she collapsed into his arms, and she shed a few joyful tears.

-Ajora? What’s going on sweetie? – The astonished elder asked, his fearful voice trembling with clear anxiety – They wouldn’t tell me a thing! What are you doing here? Have you gotten yourself in trouble? Is there something wrong?

-There is – A manly voice coming from the opposite side of the room declared, making them both turn around to find the ruler calmly looking at them with a big smile on his face – But thanks to your wonderful daughter here, we are still in time to do something about it… So, you should be proud, Sir.

The impressively well-built man approached the stunned father and child, confidently extending his hand and offering it to the man with a captivating smirk. The old, white-haired merchant timidly shaking his palm with a flabbergasted expression.

-Y-Your Majesty – Her father stammered nervously, clumsily bowing to him and staring around with a disconcerted expression – Pardon me, but I don’t follow… What do you mean?

-Please, take a seat – Ishtun replied, gesturing to the enormous table – It is a pitiful thing to discuss war on an empty stomach… Don’t you agree?

A couple of hours later, there was still plenty of food left on the table, but none of them could take another bite. So, the monarch had made the servants take the remaining dishes away, and they had continued their little reunion over desserts and refreshments.

-Well, he was right! I’m so proud of you, kiddo - Her father had said at one point of the night, patting her hand gently and smiling widely after hearing the whole story from the monarch’s own lips - You did good coming here to warn King Ishtun, even if you had to sacrifice our earnings.

-Oh please, don’t you worry about those petty things, Sir - The monarch had said, waving his hand calmly at him - I will personally see that you get the rest of your lost profits. Consider it a little gratitude gift... It’s the least I can do.

Ajora had mostly been limiting herself to silently watching the interaction between the ruler and her progenitor unfold.

Both chatting animatedly and their conversation soon heading to more pleasant subjects after a quick debrief on the impending war situation and an incredibly short awkward start, which the young king had rapidly and effortlessly smoothed out with the old and infallible help of liquor.

But as lovely as the evening was going, Ajora winced with concern when she recognized the clear signs of intoxication surfacing and taking over her father’s behavior, while she noticed that the ruler was completely sober himself.

-Did you like my surprise? – The monarch’s voice drew her out of her own head only to find him staring curiously at her.

-Y-Yes – She rushed herself to reply after a whole blank second, her eyes softening – Thank you so much... Ishtun.

-Well, I’m glad!– The ruler stated, smiling at the now tipsy man and pouring some more wine into his cup, making Ajora stir in her seat uncomfortably - Thank you for accepting this invitation, Sir.

-Oh… don’t mention it – The old man feverishly replied. Visibly flustered and slurring his words considerably. A hiccup escaping loudly from his mouth as a silly smile stretched on his drunken face.

With trembling fingers, he proceeded to grab the freshly served goblet and promptly finish its generous contents in one go. Any kind of self-restraint evidently gone out the window by this moment, the mortifying situation making Ajora´s face turn red with embarrassment.

– You know? – The inebriated merchant mumbled, leaning towards the young ruler in a chatty, intimate tone, letting out a loud snort - I remember when your old man died, and you took that throne! No one would have bet a dime on your sorry ass back then… But you turned out to be a tough motherfucker, didn’t you? I’m sure you’re going to do whatever it takes to keep this realm safe again this time!

He cracked up laughing, slamming his fist loudly on the table and looking smugly into the regent’s eyes as if challenging him – Ain’t you?

-Well, of course – Ishtun chuckled lightheartedly, taking a sip from his own cup, raising his brow at him and smirking – And thanks for the… compliment. It’s the most honest thing that someone has ever said to me in my entire life.

-All right dad – Ajora rushed to intervene, standing up and starting to help the irremediably hammered man out of his seat, glaring at the ruler, who was simply staring at them both with an amused look – You’ve had enough, let’s just go home.

She made the stumbling man stand precariously, holding him and throwing his limp arm around her neck to balance his weight.

-It´s late…. Why don’t you both stay? – The young ruler offered, invitingly waving his hand – There is plenty of space here, I have a chamber ready for your father too, so there is no reason for you to go anywhere.

- I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you – Ajora replied categorically, staring decidedly at him.

-That’s just nonsense - Ishtun scoffed, standing up and swiftly taking the wasted man from her, grabbing him by the arm and leaning him against his body – Come on, let’s get him to bed.

-Oh… You don’t have to do that – She sighed, nodding at her father apologetically –And sorry about this, he just can’t handle his liquor anymore….

-It’s fine!-The King laughed animatedly, eyeing her playfully – I was the one who kept refilling his glass… Remember?

-Did you do that on purpose so that we would have to stay? – She asked, side glancing at him sharply.

-Maybe… - He admitted, deviously smirking at her – Would you be mad at me if I told you that I did?

-No – She replied, rolling her eyes at him – He clearly had the time of his life– Ajora said as they paced towards the door, dragging the mumbling elder.

The long walk through the silent hallways leading to the guest chamber where they’d be putting him in had ended up being awkwardly silent. The incoherent rambling coming out of her father’s mouth as they escorted him through the deserted corridors making things uncomfortable enough for her to want to disappear into the earth’s entrails forever.

Her face turning impossibly red when they reached the luxurious room and the King insisted on tucking her father into his bed on top of everything.

Ishtun had paced quietly beside her all the way to the other side of the palace, their arms incidentally brushing against each other as they approached the room she had been staying in the last few days, both lingering before the entrance.

-I genuinely like you – He had whispered into her ear, holding her hand for a stretching long moment, then pecking her cheek, her knees almost faltering– And I’m not done proving it to you.

That night Ajora had stood before the silent door that she knew led to his room replaying his words incessantly in her mind. Her wavering knuckles suspended inches away from the wooden surface as she hesitantly bit her lip.

“You need to get him out of your system” – She’d told herself, shaking her head – “Just go through with it, and it’ll lose the thrill, you’ll see… Then you can move on, break the spell!”.

So, she had taken a deep, long breath and decidedly rapped her fist on the mahogany plank.

The rushing sound of footsteps could be heard immediately approaching from behind it as the door tore abruptly open, and she found herself staring into his startled eyes.

-Ishtun... Do you really like me? – She whispered, studying his face purposefully.

-I do – He breathed out, bewildered. His arm leaning distractedly on the threshold and a bright smile extending on his face.

-Well… I guess that’s enough – She replied, shrugging off and jumping over him, pushing him back into the room as she shoved him down on his own bed – Let’s get this done then.