Luther changed into his royal robes, his robes were as pure as snow with golden ornaments on his head and body. Standing on the window he mind was lost in time as he remembered his wedding with Hwan. Luther kept playing with Hwan's ring on his finger, there was a knock on his door.
Hwa sat on his couch and poured traditional strong wine for himself, he drank the whole cup ignoring the knock. The person gently knocked until Luther permitted them to enter. The standing on the door was his half brother Theon.
Theon bowed his head to show respect, "Greetings my King, can I have a word with you." Luther gently placed his empty cup on the table, "I don't have time to hear your half assed apology…leave my room Theon."
"It isn't half assed, you fled without giving me a chance to properly apologise. Please do not hold a grudge towards my son…punish me for my deeds." Theon knelt on the ground as he pleaded with his angry brother.
Theon was one of the best warrior of Equilia, a few survived a battle with him. Luther walked closer to his brother, he replied, "I do not hold a grudge with anyone yet, but let me make this clear now. If you lay a hand on my son and his mother…instead of bearing a grudge I shall crush your heart in my hands. Leave my presence."
Theon passed Luther's closest friend and advisor on his way out, his face was boiling with anger. Pointing on the hallway Nyx lightly chuckled and said, "I cant believe he came before me to see my dear friend."
Luther lightly kissed Nyx on her cheeks, she was a beautiful woman with unique flawless features. "At last a refreshing face, Nyx you look as beautiful as ever." Luther poured her a cup of wine.
Nyx taking her seat replied, "Says the man who surpasses all maidens of this realm. News travel fast, I heard of your arrival in the midst of my shopping at the far east." Luther and Nyx were close childhood friends, the late Queen and Nyx's mother were cousins.
"Out with it Luther, I know that look." Nyx placed her cup on the table. Luther closed the door and locked it, teasing him Nyx said, "This is why people always think we are having an affair."
"When I left this place the world thought I was running away from my crumbling marriage, but the truth was I wanted to find someone who could make me feel alive. I know Kyra tried her best to be a good wife, but my heart couldn't just open up to her…with all that she did I never felt hurt or angry towards her. When she slept with Theon…I saw a chance to escape this world for a while." Luther's eyes were fixed on the ring on his finger.
"When I left this realm ,I was born into a broken similar to mine, I wanted to clear my head for a while before returning here. I had given up hope of ever finding love but then he appeared, my heart couldn't just leave him. All the emotions I never felt poured right back…I found my light in Hwan. We had our hardships since we were both men…"
"A man? Wow he must be a real gem to catch the eyes of this guy." Nyx was completely surprised his friend was in love with a man. Luther lightly chuckled and said, "I love Hwan regardless of his gender. Our symbol of love is shown through our son Junta…"
Nyx dropped the cup in his hands, "What?! You weren't impotent all this while! I thought you went limp because of your son's death. Wait how did a man bear a child?! man your story needs more booze to understand." Luther grabbed the jar before Nyx poured another cup, she was a terrible drunk.
"Kyra sent the demon to the realm I was to force me back here, at first I didn't mind because I had nothing to fight for. She crossed he line when her little puppet destroyed half the realm and almost killed my son and Hwan…I knew if I continued to be in that world Kyra would stop at nothing till she has me in her strings. I can only wonder how painful it is for Hwan to accept my death in that world." Luther buried his face in his hands to hide his tears.
"You should be grateful at least you found the light you wanted, your father felt the same way. Unlike you he had no power to leave this realm and find what he truly needed, his anxiety drove him to jump in the Dark hole. The banquet is about to start…we have to go. You were elected the Queen's groom given your power trapping you in a world your father sacrificed his life to keep you away from." Nyx had a sad expression on her face as she recalled the scene when Luther's father killed himself.
Luther placed his crown on his head, "I need to make this place safe before I bring them here for the mean time I trust you shall keep them safe. Show no mercy to those who try to harm my family." Nyx sighed and replied, "I have a daughter and an idiotic husband who needs me. I can make exceptions since the Crown Prince is involved."
On her way out Nyx met up with Kyra, she bowed her head as a sign of greeting the Queen.
"The banquet is almost starting, the official and priests are already here. You look lovely my King." Kyra helped him to fix the tilted crown on his head. Luther looked deep in her eyes and replied, "Thank you Kyra, are the children here for the celebration?" Kyra had children with other concubines, but she had no child with Luther.
Fake smiles were plastered on their faces as they walked hand in hand in the royal court, all species originated from Equilia. Nyx was the advisor of the court, she was dressed in red symbolising the her species the fire Phoenix. The sculpture in her hand was her deadly weapon.
Nyx bowed before the royals, "Greetings the Creators of all being, thank you all for coming to this banquet. Today we are gathered here in celebration of the return of our king. Let us raise a toast to more prosperity!"
Through the banquet Luther kept his distance from his wife, he greeted the children and other respectable guests. Theon went over to the royal seats, he whispered, "Is it true King Luther has a son?" Kyra placed her cup on the table, "We can discuss this later…my husband is here please get to your rightful place."
Luther was never bothered when he saw the two of them together, he continued to greet the visitors. Other male concubines tried to flirt with him but he turned a blind eyes to their efforts, before the banquet ended Luther tapped his glass to grabbed the crowd's attention.
"Can I have a minute of your time? I am honoured standing here as your king, may Equilia continue to flourish and prosper as we expand in creation of other realms. To Equilia!" Luther with a smile on his face raised to a toast to the audience.
Kya escorted Luther to their room, he looked at their bed and said, "I will ask the maids to transfer my clothes to the guest room. I can not sleep in bed absorbed with different scents and dirt of other men." Kyra didn't want to argue with Luther, "I will ask them to replace the furniture. Please Luther, I am tired of fighting."
"Do you think it is only the bed that bothers me, everything in this room disgusts me." Luther clenched his fists, his breath was heavy. Kyra held his cheek and said, "We are married Luther, we are husband and wife…do you know how I felt watching you cuddle with him. I created so much huddles…problems but instead of drifting you apart it just made you closer. Each night countless time I would ask myself what I did wrong for you to choose him over me…were is it that l lack Luther?"
Kyra's eyes changed to white, she continued, "I am the Mother of all realms, everything belongs to me including you. I can create and destroy realm at my will Luther, you seem to have forgotten who I am…" Kyra set the bedroom on fire, the both of them stood in the midst of fire.
Kyra bit Luther's lower lip, she licked the blood and said, "I guess we have to share the guest room till our bedroom is fixed. Forgive my slippery hands for destroying our bedroom." Kyra absorbed the fire in her body, but the damaged had already been done.
Kyra left the room first humming a cheerful song, Luther knew it was a threat averted to him. Luther look at the burnt picture on the wall, his eyes popped out when he saw the portrait of him, and Hwan half burnt, "She has always been watching."
Luther took a bath before he joined Kyra to sleep, they slept back to back far apart from each other.
The breakfast table was filled with smiles and bliss since Kyra's concubines and children were present. Kyra had three children, her first born was girl named Aria with her first concubine Leo. Aria was the owner of the Herolia realm, her family settled in that realm with her.
The second child was a son, his name was Inesh the ruler of the Nurilia realm. His father was also Leo. Lastly Kyra had a child with Theon, his name was Madara. Waiting to be Crowned the successor of Equilia, he was in charge of his own realm Trapilia.
The realm where Luther disguised himself as Ji Lie belonged to Kyra's late son who died soon after birth. That was the only child she had given birth with Luther soon after hey got married.
Leo was the only concubine with the highest rank, others were merely civilians and sex toys to Kyra. Leo was a beauty on his own, when he smiled the maids all blushed with their faces hidden behind the trays in their hands.
"It is indeed wonderful to have you here again, you barely visit Aria and Inesh. Madara is the only one who frequently comes home." Leo looked at his children who were absorbed in their food.
"You are definitely right Master Leo, maybe they hate their mother. Did I raise you badly?" Kyra teased her children who were drowning with guilt. Aria with a smile on her face said, "You shall see more of me in the future mother."
Luther was quiet throughout the breakfast, he barely touched his food. He kept thinking of Hwan and Junta, whether they had eaten healthy food or if they were safe. He was worried maybe Kyra sent in two demons and maybe the other had destroyed his family after he left.
Leo sitting next to him lightly tapped his shoulder, "What is it Leo?" Luther flinched when Leon suddenly touched him, the whole table held back their laughter. Kyra sighed and said, "Leo will escort you to the east, I heard the Priest requires your presence."
"I thought all dishes today were your favourites, you barely touched your food." Kyra was concerned over her husband's health. Luther pushed away his plate and replied, "Excuse me."
Leo arranged for the carriage and foods for the journey, Luther already knew Leo was Kyra's ears and eyes. Luther without a protests submitted to Kyra's restraints.
Luther throughout the journey was absorbed in his book, Leo sat as he watching his beautiful eyes move across the pages. When they arrived, the priest was already waiting for them dressed in his robes. Leo was asked to wait outside whilst they had a private conversation.
The priests offered him a seat, "Your Highness you are here, let us not waste much time." "Thank you for helping me with my requests, in the future don't be afraid to reach out to me." Luther approached the priest during the banquet seeking for help reaching out to Hwan.
The priests busted out in laughter and replied, "The robes are holy, but I am far unholier, I have no idea why I am still a priest myself. This is nothing compared to what I have done in these robes." "That is why you are perfect for the job." Luther grinned at the priest.
The priest drew a symbol on Luther's forehead with his own blood, he said, "You do not have much time, and the process will be painful…" A hole suddenly appeared beneath his chair as the priests enchanted a weird incantations. Luther felt as if his body was being torn in pieces as he went through the hole.
Luther found himself standing at the passage way of the palace, he rushed through the doors in search of Hwan. The palace was empty filled with spider webs and dust on their portraits. Luther ran to their bedroom, he saw the door locked with a spell.
Luther placed his palms together and said, "Release!" The spell was broken, he slowly opened the door and saw Hwan lying lifeless on the bed. Ji Lie touched his hand and said, "Awake!" Instantly Hwan took a deep breathe as he awakened from his sleep.
Luther held his hand closer to his chest, "I am so relieved you are better Hwan, my love I am so glad you are awake." Hwan quickly hugged Luther, with tears on his eyes he said, "You came back for me…I love you."
Luther lightly patted his head and replied, "I love you…I love you very much Hwan. I do not have much time please listen to me…I am glad you are alright Hwan. Please take care of yourself and eat healthy everyday…I hope someday you can forgive me for all my lies and deceit. Protect our son…tell him I love him."
Luther body began to fade away, Hwan kept holding him closer and closer saying, "I love you…thank you Ji Lie." "I…love you Hwan." Those were Luther's last words to his lover. Hwan squeezed the pendant with a ring Ji Lie left for him, it was evidence surely his lover had visited him.
The priest gave a tonic to Luther who was lying on the forehead suffering from intense pain, "I thought for a second you were going to have sex with beautiful maidens of Herolia. I always sneak out for pleasure, the pain is unbearable but it is worth it."
Luther sat on a corner and broke down to tears as he realised all ties with Hwan were broken, with a serious face the priest said, "The night your son was born half of the Lunar moon appeared, in accordance with tradition when it appears in full the Crown Prince has to be crowned. If you fail to bore a child with Queen mother, then that child shall take over Equilia."
"A true heir is produced by the Queen! What nonsense are you blubbering?!" Luther knew Junta was prone to more danger than he anticipated. The priest sighed, "Remember when you were born the blue moon appeared and you married to the Queen after it appeared in full. A true heir is one that comes from your seed, that child is your seed. This is a sign that a new leader has been born, your son is the descendant of the Creator's."