What Lies Beneath His Pelt?

CHAPTER 22: PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF SASS

December 25, XX20 || 13:30:03

Daemomachi Castle, Daemomachi, Iasa

As soon as the portal closed, Ciara called on air to purify the space. After that, she formed an orb of indigo light and released it, flooding the room. She then asked the servanuli to make the room look like it wasn’t used before she cleaned herself. She fixed her clothing one last time before teleporting back to the throne room. She sat on Callan’s right-hand side. He reached for her shoulder and squeezed it. She did the same to him. It was their way of relaxing one another after all.

“Introducing, King Fino Carantes of the City of Shufurbs, Opeure.” one of the servanuli who adopted a human form announced as the double oak doors opened. He entered.

His heavy footsteps were accompanied by the thump of the cane on their floors. She noticed that he limped. Two Magistratus flanked his sides and another one walked behind him.

When they finally reached the Prince and the Princess, they stood up. The three of them bowed to one another.

“Good day, King Fino, I hope your trip went well?” Callan asked as he walked down the marble steps that led to their elevated thrones. Ciara followed after him.

“Yes, the road towards the castle is steep and winding but what can I expect from a castle situated on top of a mountain?” He mused. Ciara couldn’t help but stare at him due to the fact that he looked like a thinner version of Calum. This was the first time she saw him in person since when he first came here, she wasn’t allowed to come out of her room.

King Fino was tall and slim, given the fact that his health was frail especially since he had purified strong negative beings with his own life force.

He wore a white suit with a blue tie that matched his icy blue eyes. In his hand he held a silver cane with a snake’s head resting on top, its jaws open, displaying pointy fangs. On his neck, he wore a necklace with a carved dragon pendant enclosing an onyx gem in the middle. His knee-length silver hair was slicked back and tied with a rather loose ribbon

He was intimidating yes, but not as intimidating as Callan when he was mad. However, the way he looked at her, she understood why Calum was scared of him.

He turned his gaze towards her. She forced a smile. Do not let him read your energy.

His eyes were ancient-looking but his gaze was proud and power-crazed.

“Ah, my apologies, my dear, but you must be Princess Ciara? I am honored to finally meet you.” He greeted politely as he bowed. If she didn’t see what he did to Calum, she would think that he was a respectable old man.

“Yes, your highness, I am honored as well to have you in our abode."

“Yes, indeed. We were surprised by your invitation, Prince Callan. It’s a good thing our magic has allowed traveling to come easily. If this were the olden times, sending invitations a week before the event is considered unbecoming.” He continued in a condescending tone, returning his gaze towards her brother. Ciara was glad she had her hands folded in the large sleeves of her robe. She could feel her nails growing due to her annoyance with King Fino's statements and Callan's lack of communication with regards to whatever this event was.

“Yes, well, we are no longer in olden times, are we, King Fino? And besides, the majority of the Regno and the nobles agreed, so I see no problem in this unfortunate event.” Callan replied. Ciara lifted a sleeve to her mouth to hide the smirk, disguising it as a cough instead.

“Is something the matter, Princess?” King Fino’s glare burned through her but she was used to such looks. She was unfazed.

“I apologize, my King. Winter is a difficult month for me and I usually get sick because of the cold even though I have been here for twenty-four years. My health is not the best as I was sheltered and I just hope my sickness will not begin tonight.” She replied in the same overly polite tone.

“Ah yes, just like my dear grandson. He wanted to come here but alas, his body had weakened due to his abilities. He also despised the cold as he was not taught the proper temperature control. It would have been lovely for both of you to meet."

"Ah yes indeed, it would have been wonderful to meet someone who might be the same age as me?" She said innocently.

"I am afraid he is five years older than you and still a bachelor. You are twenty-four, yes? Shouldn't you be betrothed, my dear? I haven't heard of an engagement or a suitor. If this were the olden times, unbetrothed princesses that exceeded twenty-one years of age are considered undesirable and irresponsible." He continued, grinning.

If this was her a few years ago, she could have been hurt by his words but she knew her worth. She grinned back.

"Oh? Like what my brother said, King Fino, we are no longer in the olden times. Marriage is not on my mind right now as I am more focused on helping my brother rule our city and keeping the army in check." She replied fiercely. King Fino's grin fell.

"Shall we go into the drawing room for some tea, Your Highness?" Callan asked as he tried to keep his grin in check.

"No. I just realized how rude it was for me to come here before the party. I shall return to my hotel and wait." He replied coldly.

"Oh. Please we insist you stay here, Your Highness. I hope we did not offend you?" Callan continued. Red colored King Fino's face.

"No, not at all. I believe I was the one who offended you. I shall take my leave and see you later at the party." And he turned on his heel, gesturing for his guards to come with.

"Alright. Let me walk you out, King Fino." Ciara offered. He simply nodded.

Silence blanketed them as they walked and King Fino only spoke to her when he was already getting in the car.

"Princess Ciara, it was lovely to meet you. You remind me of my daughter and I hope you can meet my grandson soon. You two would make a lovely couple."

"I am honored, Your Highness. Hopefully, we will meet soon."

He grinned at me.

"Hopefully." He kissed her hand through the window and after that, they left.

Once the car was out of sight, she teleported back to the throne room to find that her brother was waiting.

"WHAT EVENT?" She shouted as she threw icicles in his direction. He created a wall of ice to block it.

"See, this is the reason why I didn't tell you. I knew you'd react this way."

"You know how much I hate parties, Callan! What, you planned on keeping me here until the f*****g party?" She shouted. She was about to throw more icicles but thought better and just took a deep breath.

"Look, I'm sorry, sis, but war is already brewing and I wanted to make sure we have a strong alliance. I was already aware of the rebellion and was keeping it at bay and was successful until he came. If he died in our territory and under the hands of a Fabukage, his grandfather will use that to his advantage. You knew that as well, didn't you? Isn't that the reason why you told him to hide?"

"I knew what his death may imply but what I didn't know is how you plan on getting support. Why didn't you tell me? I could have asked for help as well."

"I'm sorry." He simply mumbled. She wanted to ask more about it but decided not to as she knew her brother was under a lot of stress.

"It's alright. Just no more secrets." She mumbled as she went to him. She gave him a hug.

"Uh. Another thing. I also plan on creating a different kind of alliance."

Lead weight dropped to her stomach as she pulled away from him.

"What kind of alliance?"

"A marriage." She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as she forced the question out.

"Oh, okay. Who's the lucky lady?"

"Not lady, man."

"Lan! You're finally coming out publicly? What did mom and dad say?" She teased, trying to ease the tension on her shoulders.

"What? I'm not hiding anything! I was planning on betrothing you!" She sucked in a breath as she waited for his next statement.

She knew this day would come. She just didn't expect it to feel this way since she already wanted someone else.

"To who?" She whispered.

"To King General Julian Gallo of Cameria…"

Why does his name sound familiar?

He fixed her with a hard gaze, reading her expression but she kept it neutral.

"The youngest general ruler of the two cities and…"

She braced herself for whatever he was going to say but she could feel her legs trembling.

"The one responsible for your fall and capture six hundred years ago."

She collapsed at the mention of it.

"What? How is he still alive? Why didn’t I know?”

“They are a closed-off Regno just like us. As for how he’ll be coming in an hour. I think that’s enough time for a story?”

He snapped his fingers and the mess she made disappeared. She looked at herself. She was as pristine as earlier.

“Join me for tea?” Callan offered. She looked at him before taking his arm and letting him lead her to the drawing area.