I loosed a breath in the dim hallway as I headed to my room to freshen up. What the hell did just happen? My face failed to heat up every time those lewd memories made their way to my brain. I almost had sex with Axel. I-I-I did that thing to him. Or more like he did. Why did it feel so blissful when my mind waved red flags at me. Maybe red flags of… Passion? I was such a dummy.
"Drink it."
I jumped from surprise when Lee approached me. The mischievous shadows were seductively dancing across his slender figure. His hair was tied up in a messy bun, and Lee was grinning at me wickedly.
"What?" I hissed as I noticed a goblet of wine in his hand.
"I suppose you would rather devour the king of yours than the actual food."
"Lay off!"
He chuckled softly but fluttered the drink in front of me. At last, I took it and drank the alcohol in one go. Lee's eyebrows lifted as he examined my flushed cheeks.
"Wha-"
"I don't have time to bicker with you."
With a swirl of his hand, the goblet evaporated in the air. I slipped to his side but halted as Penum emerged from the shadows.
"My lady," he bowed at me, and I immediately raced to him.
"Penum, we need to talk."
"Excuse me?" Lee interjected, offended.
Penum led me to the nearest room as my leg muscles quivered, especially the biceps femoris at the stairs.
"Wanna take you bridal style, princess? You look awfully tired." Lee's compelling voice poured into my head. Later the meaning behind his words sank in, and I shot him a brisk glare. Lee's lips curved into a lopsided smile as he relished teasing me.
"Here, my lady." At last, Penum gestured me towards an open door, but before I could even step any further, Lee had stormed in front of me and into the room.
"Lee!"
"I was checking for the safety of the princess."
That sly goon!
The room looked safe indeed as it was a small study one. I took a good view of my surroundings, and then we settled in the chairs at the round meeting table. A little glassy circle was situated above it, floating in the air. One could spin it to be directed at any guest.
"Penum," I started, "Femme was sent off to the other castle, and we should be relieved, but apparently, she was too involved in scheming plans to get rid of me and, therefore you."
"What do you mean, my lady? What has she done?"
"Somehow, she managed to suspect our meetings and shared it with Axel. He was the one that suggested this topic."
"Oh?" Lee joined our conversation as his eyes trailed the complicated ornaments of the black table, "So you weren't just messing around, princess."
"Lee-" Penum scolded his son, but I cut him off.
"Shut it, Lee! I'm fed up with your childish bursts. Will, you act mature, or should I order to bring you a squishy bear?" My eyes were burning holes in his displeased ones as I firmly prompted myself on my hands.
"Okay, okay. Go on."
"I don't need your approval. Just equal devotion to our alliance." Then I faced Penum as I grabbed the handles of the chair and settled comfortably in it, "What's that man's deal that claimed to be Axel's father?"
***
"You should have never come," Ash stated emotionless as he was leaning on the wall of the vast meeting room.
"How could I neglect my son's wedding?" Abigor laughed as he placed his long legs on the rectangle-shaped table. His glowy blue hair danced across his forehead. Both of the sides of his hair were shaved. Only the top of the head remained dense with bluish-black hair.
"What about you, my son? Having trouble with women?" He turned to Harley, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Fuliko kept staring at the man with a blank face. Voidness covered his attractive features as his cute little muzzle remained quiet.
"Leave him alone, for fuck's sake!" Danu inched towards Abigor with a warning tone. Frenzy-filled eyes glaring at the grinning man. "You are crazy!"
"Enough!" Ash's voice shook the walls as everyone fell silent.
"I see why Axel treasures his advisor this much," Abigor guessed and flashed Ash his malevolent grin.
"You would never grasp that."
The huge door flung open as everyone stood tall, straightening at the commanding tone of Axel. Then they bowed at their master except for Abigor, who stayed in his position. Fuliko struggled in his seat, but Axel raised his hand at the fox to stop.
"Excuse me," Fuliko mumbled, ashamed that he couldn't match dragon men.
"I can't get it. Why do you have this mutt with yo-"
The ear-piercing shriek resonated in the room as something sparked, and Abigor's sliced tongue dropped on the surface with splashes of maroon liquid. Dismay slithered its way up to Harley as his eyes snapped open while Danu and Ash stood there unaffected.
Fuliko clutched Harley's hand in an assuring manner as he himself was tempted to look away.
In a flash, Axel was beside appalled Abigor. The king unleashed a demolishing punch at his father as the bones cracking echoed in the room before Abigor fell limp on the ground. The marred and twisted face was an atrocious view to bear.
"Drag him underground," Axel ordered lowly as he walked away from the study.
Blood droplets dripped from his knuckles.
"Twelve percent," Danu breathed out as he couldn't take his eyes of Axel's deed.
"He is furious," Fuliko added and examined Harley, who still seemed dazed.
"Harley?" Danu approached his friend and a master with worry-filled eyes.
***
[Rebel]
Penum and I parted ways and decided that Lee would be the perfect candidate for the info exchange. Since seeing me with Penum would hint something to Axel which I feared the most. Our relationship was thriving, and he was growing on me.
We also discussed that killing Femme was out of the table. I wasn't going to drench my hands in her blood. I didn't hate her, nor I cared about her.
But Lee still had to gain the position of my bodyguard to be seen officially dependable male beside me. As for the combat, Penum filled me in that tonight was decided to be a ball's night while tomorrow would be carried on with the fights.
Suddenly I heard a puff of breath and attempted to turn around but was caught off guard. Someone muffled a scream that threatened to burst past my lips. A hand came down on my mouth harshly as I was dragged to the dark corner.
"Wasn't expecting, princess?" A raspy voice brushed my ear shell. My nails dug into the solid obliques of the stranger.
That voice! I had heard of it somewhere. Abigor! Oh, gosh! It belonged to Abigor, Axel's father!
My eyes were about to jump out of their sockets as a hot breath swirled across my cheek.
"We have a long talk ahead of us, Rebel."