Court Pressure Rising
AURELIA/ LEXI
The thick curtains of the Obsidian Hall and the red light of the Underworld partially blocked the air. The air smelled faintly of spicy meat. I adjusted the layers of silk of my ceremonial robe, black with threads of molten crimson woven into it.
"This robe is intended to impress the nobles tonight, Your Majesty."
I remembered Nyx whispering to me earlier as I dressed. 'It's also fashionable to buy in this world.'
The court was noisy with whispers, like bees. I could hear the faint jingle of jeweled rings on the polished obsidian floor. I tried to maintain my posture, as Kael had taught me.
A servant placed a tray in front of me: dark, juicy meat mixed with fermented fungi juice. I nibbled at it unconsciously. Looking around, I saw them, the nobles with sharp eyes, their smiles thin and dangerous. They were fishing; plotting.
'What are these old men planning? Are they planning to take revenge on me for what happened the day before?'
I took a deep breath; it wasn't just their eyes that were suffocating me; the table was also filled with strange food and drink. There were trays of white, glowing jelly, seemingly made from the pulp of the Underworld tree; small stewed animals lined up among the dirty leaves; and glasses of smoky black and blue drinks, as they were lit.
'Wow'
Some of the nobles had gleaming robes, dark blue and purple, with silver and gold threads, while others were all black, with sharp accessories on their shoulders and necks, like ceremonial armor.
'What kind of clothes were they wearing? It seems out of place,' I thought. 'After all, what would I expect from horned creatures?'
I shook my head slightly and focused my gaze back on the table. I took a deep breath.
'What are these foods and drinks?' I thought.
I noticed that some of the glasses had small sparks on their surfaces, as if waiting for a mistake.
'What are these decrepit old men planning? Are they planning to take revenge on me for what happened the day before?'
I stopped my mind, thinking about the nobles, instead reminding myself of everything Kael had taught. Even though my heart was beating fast, I had to stay calm.
"Princess Aurelia,"
The voice was loud, so I turned to the approaching one. I remembered the man's appearance. He was one of the pictures Kael had shown me. Kael introduced each nobleman as he showed me the pictures. Every line of his face was sharp. His hair, black and shiny, was tied back, and his eyes—deep, searching, almost emotionless.
Lord Veyrix
As he approached, his cloak skimmed the floor. "A union with House Draem… or perhaps another suitor… would strengthen alliances."
I was stunned, another suitor. Even here, my charm was undeniable.
My heart raced. That was not a good sign. 'Am I being sold by decrepit nobles?'
I knew the rumors were spreading, nobles eager to tie me to a politically useful being, a being who could claim power through me.
And there he was: Sir Malric. Broad-shouldered, confident, with a kind of charm that made the room lean towards him. His smile was easy. He bowed with great respect.
"Your Highness," he said smoothly. His eyes had been fixed on mine for a long time.
I just looked down at my plate and moved a piece of meat with my curved cutlery, pretending not to notice.
"Hmm, isn't the meat delicious?" I said, clearly avoiding his gaze.
But he wasn't going to be defeated. "You haven't tasted the best yet, Your Majesty," he smiled at me. "I'm sure I can make you happier than anyone you eat with here."
I winced. Arrogant, not handsome. Kael's better, hmph.
"Sir Malric, say that again and you might lose your mouth completely," I said, clearly suppressing my anger.
He smiled, as if my anger amused him. "Aren't you glad someone cares about you?"
I nodded, but my sarcasm was clearer. "No, you're not my type. And you'll never be my type. So, can you stop flirting?"
He suddenly bowed, but the smile remained, as if he was still a winner even though I had humiliated him with a simple word.
The nobles insisted even more when they saw Sir Malric's interest in me.
"A good sign, Your Majesty," Lord Veyrix interjected. "Such an understanding is a rare opportunity. Not to be wasted."
"Understanding?" I smirked and raised an eyebrow at him, then slowly lowered my cutlery. "Are you sure we see the same thing?"
A few nobles fell silent for a moment, but the others continued.
"The Underworld requires stability," added one, an old man with sharp horns. "And marriage is—"
"—an agreement?" I cut him off, my gaze straight ahead. "Or a way to control me?"
I felt the air suddenly become heavier. Tension seemed to be building between me and the nobles. But I will not be defeated; no one can oppress me even in this world.
"That is not our goal, Your Majesty," said the other, but the averting gaze was obvious.
I stood up. Slowly and deliberately. Kael had pointed it out. A way to show that I wasn't simply intimidated by their kind. I had contributed nothing to society except the gossip and control they thought they knew everything about. I wasn't from here, and I wasn't going to be controlled.
The murmuring immediately died down, and they all fell silent and looked at me.
"If the Underworld needs stability," I said, my voice clear and firm, "it won't come from you choosing who I partner with. You have no right to dictate the decisions I make in my own life."
I took a step forward. I could feel every eye on me, but I didn't back down.
"I will be the leader here," I added. "I am not a piece in your game."
"But, Your Majesty—"
"I'm not done yet."
They all fell silent. I looked at each of their faces.
"If anyone tries to force this decision on me, remember, I am not the princess you expected."
I smiled slightly. "And I am certainly not the princess you can control."
No one spoke. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sir Malric, still watching, looking even more amused. I was even more annoyed.
"If you are done planning my life," I said coldly, picking up my cutlery again, "you can go back to your meal."
And then I sat down, as if nothing had happened. The room went cold as the nobles stood still, unsure whether to scold or admire. Kael stepped closer, his presence also noticed by the nobles. They looked at him but said nothing.
I was also a little nervous; there was no reason for Kael to come near me unless I had done something wrong.
'Shit, I couldn't have done anything wrong for these nobles to find out that I wasn't their princess.'
I took a deep breath. I felt the nobles recalculate. The time for socializing had passed. If only I could disappear, I would have.
And Sir Malric?
Didn't stop.
His first attempt, he approached me while I was holding a glass of a dark drink. It looked unappetizing and dirty, but it tasted like wine.
Suddenly, I turned to the nobleman next to me. "Oh, Lord… uh… It's you," I said, even though I couldn't remember his name. "Your horn is beautiful…" I lightly stroked the young nobleman's horn with my finger. "You look… very interesting."
I saw Malric stop from the corner of my eye. Nice. One point for me.
Second attempt, he appeared to my right while one of the noblemen was talking to me, who looked kind.
I suddenly turned around, pretending to look at a servant. "Hey," I whispered. "Have you seen Commander Kael?"
But before the servant could answer, I quickly turned around.
On the third attempt, he was closer. He didn't really stop. I needed a new reason. I looked around. Time seemed to speed up at that moment. I felt like Sir Malric was teleporting closer to me.
"Finally," he said, with a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Nyx!" I called out immediately, even though he wasn't there. "I need help here, uh, my clothes are probably dirty!"
A few nobles turned their heads. Malric? He was silent for a moment, but he still didn't give up.
'That's so ugly. It's really not in his vocabulary to ignore me.'
"Avoiding me, Your Majesty?" he asked, clearly comforted.
I stopped. I slowly turned to him.
"No," I said, looking straight ahead. "You're just overthinking it."
He laughed a little. "Really? You said it anyway. You're just making me more excited."
I closed my eyes for a moment. 'Awful. This is so annoying.'
"Sir Malric," I said, keeping my voice steady, "if this amuses you, it doesn't me. I told you, you're not my type. You never will be, so don't try."
"You're so quick to make decisions, Your Majesty?" He took another half step closer. "Why don't we get to know each other first?"
I backed away immediately. One step. Two.
"Then you're starting wrong," I replied. "Because your first step was to stop."
A silence passed between us. Then he smiled. Still not stopping. I shook my head and looked up at the ceiling.
'Kael… where are you when I need you?'
I heard the soft sound of footsteps enough to make the entire hall turn. One by one, the nobles stepped back, as if someone had passed by whom they couldn't greet.
I didn't need to turn to see who it was.
"Sir Malric."
The voice was low, not shouting and not angry. But enough to get everyone's attention.
Kael.
I turned around. He was standing behind me, his stance straight, his eyes cold and fixed on Malric.
"Commander," Malric replied, smiling slightly. "It's been a while since we last saw each other. How are you?"
Kael didn't move as if he hadn't heard anything. "You are standing too close."
I bit the inside of my lip hard to keep from smiling. Kael's approach was manly, direct, and unflinching.
'Finally.'
"Ah," Malric said, stepping back slightly… but only half a step. "Your Majesty, we were just talking."
"No," I interrupted immediately, raising my hand as if reporting. "Correction. He's the only one speaking."
A few nobles gasped. They didn't seem to be expecting my gesture. A moment of silence filled the room.
Kael looked at me. Just for a second. But it was enough for me to feel that I had done something wrong. That look was a warning.
When he looked back at Malric, it was colder. "Then the conversation is over."
Malric no longer smiled. But he didn't back down either. Instead, he leaned slightly to one side, as if measuring Kael.
"Interesting," he whispered. "It seems more complicated than I expected."
'Complicated?'
I shrugged. "No. It's simple. I don't like you." I said bluntly. No holds barred.
The surroundings were quiet again, but not because of me, but because of the two in front of me.
Kael.
And Malric.
I could feel the heavy gaze of the entire court. And then I noticed, at the end of the hall, a new figure standing. He didn't move. He didn't speak either. But all the nobles… slowly bowed.
One by one.
It was as if someone taller than them had arrived.
More dangerous.
My brow furrowed.
'…Who is that?'
And before I could ask the person next to me, I noticed that he was staring at me. And the way he was staring, it was as if he could see only me in the entire room.
And for the first time all night, a strange coldness crept up my back.