Leon stepped inside the room in his royal outfit, his cape flowing majestically as his mother followed behind him.
He scanned the room and the first person he noticed was the redhead who kept her gaze lowered like the other servants.
Averting his eyes from her, he locked eyes instead with King Albert before turning to Matthew and Alice.
A ting of guilt washed over his face but he successfully kept it hidden as he walked over to pull his seat out.
"You may sit," he waved his hand over to the people and all of them dropped back to their seats, eating their food.
Queen Sonia sat and Melina came forward to serve her, putting some meat on her plate.
The queen's eyes narrowed at the maid, observing her rare features and trying to remember where she had seen her.
She knew it was the same person her son's eyes had been following but that wasn't all. There was something else that drew her to this female.
Melina, on the other hand, was oblivious to the stares she was getting from two prying eyes.
Her mind was on a different difficulty...a problem she now had to deal with and it was her powers.
She was slowly realizing that it was beginning to manifest itself with basically anything she desired...which only meant now, she had to be very careful what she wished for...the things she cursed upon in her head.
That would not be an easy task especially for a servant girl like her who had a lot of enemies.
She definitely didn't want to get caught off guard with these newfound sides of her life.
She would have to go see Kilgharrah by nighttime again today to make sure the dragoness was fine and seek help on how to handle her sudden predicament.
As she basked in her thoughts, two prying eyes gauged her unawares, one trying to recall a memory and the other just enjoying the view of her.
The room filled with chatters and laughs as Leon abruptly raised his hand in a halt, quieting everyone.
"We're gathered to celebrate as elites our dear knights who fought with us during the war...with their life."
Everyone's gaze turned to Telma and Matthew who were the only knights present from the battle.
They looked relaxed and perfectly fine, their bodies healed and if one observed Telma from a human point, he seemed normal.
Only King Albert and Melina could feel something was off about him.
Leon continued, "To Telma Driyonne, our brave Knight, miraculously returned from the dead and my trusted Advisor whose recovery from his illness is a blessing to the heavens!"
He raised his goblet in a toast and the assembly erupted in cheers and applause as Telma and Matthew smiled humbly, basking in the praise.
King Leon's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as he gazed at his knight and advisor.
However, as he turned to his sister, Alice, his expression shifted. A flicker of sadness and resignation danced in his eyes, and he glanced at King Albert, who sat at the head table, a smug smile spreading across his face.
Alice, sensing something amiss, exchanged a confused glance with Matthew, who looked equally perplexed.
Amie, oblivious to the undercurrents, continued to chat with Telma, celebrating his return as she glared at Matthew from afar.
King Leon's voice, laced with a hint of reluctance, cut through the merriment. "My friends, family, and honored guests, I must reveal a truth. King Albert's aid in our time of need has not come without a price."
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on King Leon. Alice's brow furrowed, her mind racing with foreboding.
She looked at Albert whose grim expression earlier had lit up and her heart skipped a beat before she turned her gaze to Matthew.
Matthew had no idea what was happening as he sat comfortably with a smile plastered on his face and when he sensed the Blondie staring at him again, his smile increased, unaware of what laid ahead.
"Our King of Savannah has indeed been of great help to us and I must say I couldn't thank you more for your incredible act of sacrifice but as it is, there is always a bargain for us all."
He looked around him again, seeing how everyone turned confused.
"The price..." King Leon continued, his words dripping with sorrow, "...is my sister, Alice. King Albert has requested her hand in marriage, and I have agreed."
The dining hall erupted into stunned silence. Alice's face paled, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal as she looked back at Albert, finally understanding what was happening.
Matthew didn't at first understand as he tried to take in the information he just received before looking to his friend, King Leon with furrowed brows.
Leon didn't dare look back as he kept his head straight ahead, feeling his heart clench for his dear friend.
He knew he was supposed to inform him of this but he couldn't bring himself to tell something so heartbreaking.
Matthew's jaw dropped, his expression a mixture of horror and disgust.
Amie's smile faltered, confusion etched on her face. It didn't sound like bad news but neither did it sound like goodnews either.
What was going on?
King Albert, however, beamed with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "It is a fair trade, King Leon. Your kingdom's safety for the hand of your lovely sister." He turned to Alice who glared with a death stare at him.
As the weight of King Leon's words sank in, the assembly remained frozen in shock.
Alice, still reeling, felt as though she had been punched in the gut. Matthew's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep sadness and helplessness.
The celebratory atmosphere had been shattered, replaced by an air of tension and foreboding. The evening, once filled with joy and gratitude, had taken a dark and ominous turn.
"I don't understand." Alice finally opened her mouth to speak a she threw a death stare at her brother who seemed startled.
....
This chapter is a bit rushed. Please keep in mind that I have been very occupied and lost some of my drafts making it difficult to write them again.