"Young Lady, it seems that you're in the good mood today. Is it because of the council meeting at the Dark City?" Ariya continued to hum while swaying her long black dress, spaghetti strap with a scoop neckline that offers a laid back and cozy feeling because of its flowy fabric.
"Hmm~ Yes I. AM. HAPPY. VERY. MUCH DELIGHTED." She emphasized every word in a sweet voice but with a contemptuous smile. That particular smile of hers is what captivated her disciples and promised to never leave by her side and die for her. Whatever her reason for revenge, it doesn't matter, as long as she succeeds that's the most important thing for them, to make their Mistress happy.
"We'll be leaving any moment now Lady Ariya, or should I say Queen Shekinah?" The butler said with a proud smile.
"Hm, that's more like it." Ariya chuckled lightly. She looked at herself for the last time in the mirror before leaving the room closing the door behind.
While walking in the hallway, the butler seems to be uneasy about something and decided to ask the Lady behind her.
"Young Lady, how sure are you that they will not recognize you?" He asked worriedly.
"Clementus, dear." she let out a sigh before she continued. "I am using my cloaking spell, also I made sure it will not wear off." Ariya flipped her hair confidently. She doesn't want her subordinates to see her pathetic state or any fear in her. She doesn't want them to doubt her.
"If you say so Young Lady." They have already reached the pavilion where her stallion was waiting for her. She made her way to her stallion and placed herself properly. The stallion was given to her by the rebirth god. In her past seven years, this tall and elegant stallion wouldn't listen to her. The very reason was, because she was weak that time and her magical power was not that strong to battle head to head with the stallion just to tame it. But alas! After many years of hard work and rigorous training, this legendary stallion is all hers to keep.
"You would be the star of them all your Queen. Are you sure you don't want to have even a single guard with you?" Clementus asked worriedly.
"Ahaha, Clementus you're such a worrywart. Don't worry, they won't be able to touch even a single strand of my hair. And oh by the way before I forget, did you send the medicine to the King?" She inquired.
"Yes my Queen, any moment now the King will send me a letter asking how we know about it. I'm sure of it." Clementus smiled.
"Very well, let's see how he will react." Ariya was about to leave when she heard Clementus called.
"What?" She replied rather annoyed. Clementus knew his Mistress' temper so he didn't pressed the question any further and let her leave. As his Queen left, his worried face was visible again. "Why would you send the King a medicine my Queen? Just why?" He let a small sigh and went back to his work.
*********
"King Damian of Kingdom Argona" The meeting at the Dark City has already started and all the noble kings are present. The herald called names one after another.
"King Conrad and Queen Elise with the Crown Prince of Nielsen, Prince Lance." As Lance stepped out of his carriage all the maidens present gasped at his majestic look. He wore a red European tux complementing his black inner long sleeves, in his chest is a gold brocade, two dragons facing each other, as a sign of their Kingdom. As usual, he is calm in dealing with this kind of situation. He smiled pleasingly with every person who approached him and he seemed nonchalant about it.
"King Adrian and Queen Katrina of Alzian with Princess Tatiana."
A girl with a long blonde hair, cream skin, and blue eyes appeared before the door. Her eyes are locked on a certain man wearing red.
"Princess Tatiana." Prince Lance bowed and gave a courteous smile at her. The Princess's giggles didn't escaped the Prince observant eye, though the Princess did her best to hide it the Prince saw through it.
They chatted for a while until another name was called.
"Queen Shekinah of Layla!" Before Ariya could step out, the room was already filled with murmurs about this new kingdom. A lot of hearsays spread throughout the entire Kingdom saying that this kingdom is rich in medicinal herbs thus making their pills and medicines the best compared to any other kingdoms.
"They say that the Queen in this newly built kingdom has a sacred stallion." The Prince already heard this rumor but he never saw nor visited this kingdom once, so he never pry. Prince Lance was about to turn his back on the door when a loud neigh was heard.
"It's the sacred stallion!" The Prince looked at the direction of the door and was greeted by a golden stallion. But what mesmerized him was not the stallion, but the one riding it. Her beauty is captivating, her hair is dancing through the air and her eyes are very dark that it reflects the night sky with glittering stars. That moment he knew he has to have this lady no matter what.
**********
"The meeting shall now commence." Shouted the Herald. Every Royalty were seated on their respective seats. The new Queen, Shekinah, has been the apple of the eye since then. She got jealous looks from Princesses and Queens and lustful looks from Kings and Princes. That didn't go unnoticed by Prince Lance and even Shekinah (Ariya) herself. Prince Lance aura changed into a murderous one. The royalties looked at his direction and regretted it for those looks sent chills to their spine.
"Shall we start the meeting gentlemen?" Queen Shekinah gestured the courtier to open the agenda for today. And the first one made Shekinah smirked and the others shiver.