~Laith~
The bells of the holy house rang three times. A white glimmering light shot out from the palm of my hands and to the congregation that gathered to hear the holy word of the goddess.
My white linen robes shone with a golden light. I stretched forth my hand and cast the light on the people of Liradia. On the festive day bless them and celebrate the union between Prince Caelan and Princess Zakishi.
The bell rang five more times to end the prayer function. I retreated my hand and sat back down. Closed the holy book and turned around to the royal family.
Rhon picked up the tray carrying the fabrics that we were blessed with in the ceremony. He handed it to me, and with a heavy heart, I accepted the tray and sauntered over to Princess Zakishi.
"May you have a happy married life," my wish for her came from a place of hurt. Every word wounded me on its way out to her. It pained my heart to hand over fabric that would be used to make clothes that would aid in taking someone dear to me.
Unfortunately, I wasn't in a position to refute her the tray. My eyes slowed to the side and caught a glimpse of the second prince. He sat beside the princess in his regal elegance, unfazed by my presence.
"Thank you, Incirion," she bowed her head receiving the tray and the blessings.
I got up and turned on my heels to leave. My work was done and the rest of the function didn't require the Incirion's presence. "Hold on," the queen spoke out. Calling my attention and everyone's to her, she offered me a bright smile before continuing to speak, "You aren't only the holy Incirion of the nation. You are Prince Caelan's friend," she let out.
The word 'friend' replayed in my head over and over. It was the label of my relationship with the second prince. A friend, that is all I was, all I am and all I'll ever be. Neither he nor anyone else will have it any other way.
"You must stand by him on this day as his friend. For it is the most important day of his life," the queen added dramatically. I shot a confused gaze at her. How was it the most special day for him?
Prince Caelan and Princess Zakishi were only supposed to offer food, water, and clothes to the poor. A good deed to please the goddess to have a long and fruitful marital life. Nothing grand was going to happen.
"After the functions planned out for the day. I've decided to get Princess Zakishi and my son married in front of the whole of Liradia," she announced sensing the confusion in the air.
My heart missed a beat. The talk of their marriage has only been talked up until now. The queen's words fell on me like ice-cold water on a stormy night. Which sparked tears in my eyes.
I felt weak. The news was too much for me to bear. With everything I've been through the last few days. The second prince's royal wedding wasn't something I was mentally, physically, or spiritually prepared for.
Everyone was shocked by the queen's declaration. The second prince locked eyes with me immediately. I caught sight of pain in his eyes. Pain that made my blood boil, how is it that he can be shocked with this news when he brought it up on himself?
No one asked him to get engaged to Princess Zakishi. He keeps insisting that it's something he needs to do. And now it was time for me to accept his decision. To close the door leading back to my past and look forward to a freeing future. One without the second prince holding me back with his lingering feelings that have no substance.
"I'll be happy to see him through today," I told 5he queen. The words came out forced and a little insincere but I couldn't help the bitter taste in my mouth.
My eyes were watering. Knowing that after dusk, only Zakishi will have rights to Prince Caelan. His love, affection, and life will all belong to her.
I clenched my hands over the hems of my robe. Trying to remain grounded and not lose control. I took slow deep breaths to slow my racing pulse.
"How lovely," the queen said.
My world came crashing down on me. A tear fell from my eye and hit the ground. The sky thundered and the earth quaked. The saint and everyone else became alert.
"The evil one," the Saint claimed. "An ominous shadow is looming over us," she said calling everyone's attention to the surroundings. They looked east and west, up and down to see if they could locate the evil one. Unknown to them, the power that they were fearing was coming from me. From the pain I was feeling which was flowing out through my tears.
'The ominous shadow is me,' I wished to scream out.
A pain I dared not voice out. Out of fear of the hatred it will spark in people's hearts towards me. My tears flowed down my face, each teardrop causing the world to shake the moment it touched the ground.
My eyes glanced at Prince Caelan's back. Watching him take a fighting stance with his sword drawn out and his fingers aligned to the sky ready to summon lightning at any given moment. He was so caught up in the monster that he couldn't find he barely noticed the one he was creating.
"Master, your eyes," Rhon spoke. Taking a stand in front of me to shield me from the world. I caught the reflection of my eyes in his, and my body froze. Giving me a moment to register the shock of my pupil that had divided into two and darkened with malicious intentions. "We should leave before someone notices," he instructed.
I concentrated the dark energy into the bracelet to release it from my body. However, the energy inside me refused to obey me. It seemed to have a mind of its own and refused to be removed.
I panicked. My teary eyes scanned the faces in the crowd. "Where is Zephevi?"