Just when they magnanimous dragon took a powerful flight with the Queen of Valcresh holding warily tight to his scaly back, and the Lord had made an exit with the third Princess,
A silhouette appeared underneath the moonlight before its figure came full fledged into the dim brightness.
A cruel smirk on his face and his fist molded into a tough grip, so hard the sound of cracking bones and knuckles greeted the quiet groove.
His plan had flunked once again…
Nevertheless, he stared daggers at the spot they had just left, his smile stiffened when his sight caught the roasted beast laying lifeless on the debris-filled ground.
Therefore increasing his fury.
"Just this time, brother…just this time," his voice smudged with revenge.
Arius clung to the puny fact that his entire plan hasn't been a failure.
At least, he managed to learn one thing from this.
The fact that Midnight, the King's Royal dragon, had made it's appearance to save the useless life of the so-called Queen, meant a lot…more deeper than it seems actually.
Though this wasn't his aim for this perfectly cooked up plan he had devised, but at the end of it all, it resulted in something.
A sinister laughter rumbled loudly in the dark groove, coming from no one else but Arius, the Prince of Valcresh.
"Third little sister, Marionette…" he let his remaining words trail off his tongue in a sing song voice, his eyes holding intentions for her name.
Intentions which surely, will not amount to anything good.
***
Meanwhile…
Finally, having landed in the Castle's grounds, Marlowe didn't hesitate, unskillfully jerking down the huge dragon's back with disquietude.
Fortunately for her, Midnight was so kind enough to lower its form for her to glide right down in a rush.
Its loud growl spooked her when it grumbled again, making her body spasm with a shiver.
Its large and long wings hit the ground, creating a mini earthquake in the fortress of the Castle's ground.
Though with reluctance, Zethan begrudgingly acknowledged the ethereal beast, "Farewell," he said, his tone impassive as always.
As if flinging ignorant ears to the indifferent Lord, Midnight's dark slits stared at Marlowe instead, resulting in an unconscious flinch from her being.
A dissatisfied countenance flashed with the deep depths behind those slits of his, and a low grumble exited its throat.
Disgruntled, the mighty dragon spread its gigantic dark wings and leapt from the ground, flying at a terrifying speed that shot him away from eye's sight.
When the dragon was gone, with his hands behind his back, Zethan marched into the Castle.
Now, no one spotted the anxiety going through the third Princess's eyes.
Her sweaty palms were hidden in the clutch of her skirt.
But, not only her was anxious, Marlowe was as well, as they followed Zethan into the Castle.
Stopping at a large corridor, he ceased his movement, swerving towards them, and a flash of…anger? In his confusingly calm eyes.
"Why did you leave the Castle with her Majesty today? Without seeking anyone's permission?"
Marionette buried her head in silence—nearly trembling.
"I asked a question, Your Highness," he enunciated, louder.
Now it was confirmed what the maids said, 'Lord Zethan wielded the same authority as the King, during his absence'
She had witnessed what that meant.
"My, Lord, I'm sorry, but it wasn't the Princess's fault…but mine," her small voice broke the harsh tension between the two.
Successfully, she earned the Lord's glare.
But she hadn't thought of the consequences of her actions before doing it, now a great pang of regret hit her.
Zethan's cold eyes made her breath cease impromptu. And she blinked—afraid.
Marionette's gaze softened when she heard Marlowe taking the blame for her, the guile in her eyes couldn't be hidden as well, making her look away in shame—lowering her head once again.
Already beginning, there's no harm pushing forward…right?
"It's my fault, my Lord," she bowed her head, trying to look guilty. "I longed to see the outside world again because of being protected in the Castle for too long; so I begged the Princess to help me with it," choosing her words carefully, Marlowe lied with her chest nearly rising up and down due to the skipping beats of her heart.
Zethan's narrowed glare didn't help one bit, it only made her waver in this path she had taken.
One second…two…three, one minute.
But still no reply from the man.
Making the girls more anxious by the time that ticked.
"Go to your chamber, Your Majesty." Finally, came his response in the form of an unpredictable order.
Puzzled, Marlowe raised her shaky eyes to his frigid demeanor.
'Is he not going to punish me?' she couldn't help but muse to herself.
Because surely, it seemed like Marionette was going to receive one, if she was found blameworthy.
But now the table has turned, what next?
Marlowe couldn't help but slid a worried glance at the third Princess, who appeared demure at the moment, like a mute pretty doll that could break at the slightest rough handling.
"I shall not repeat myself again, Your Majesty; To your chamber. Now!" he thundered.
Exhaling in resignation, she nodded docily and began limping away—not to her notice that she was mildly injured.
She had done the best she could to share the Princess's burden. After all, if it weren't for her, she wouldn't have visited her father today.
Sigh…the rest is up to the Princess's fate.
"Your Majesty!"
Plunging in thought, she had not realized how close she was to her bedroom, until the surprised shriek of Merkin brought her out from her stupor.
Marlowe tore a dim smile in response as Merkin's hurried strides caught up to her.
"What happened to you, Your Majesty?" concerned and utterly bothered by Marlowe's battered sight, Merkin inquired with eyebrows drawn down.
Yet, Marlowe gave no response, but only signaled for her to help her get back to her chamber; which Merkin obediently accomplished with no questions asked.
After successfully helping the Queen, Merkin prepared a soothing hot bath and made her ready for the night, before leaving to get her late night dinner, which Marlowe requested for.
While she was alone in the chamber with candle lights still lit, and the full natural illumination coming from the bright full moon, her mind sank deep to the event of that evening.
The fear, the hope…the death.
And of course, the mighty black dragon.
She couldn't take her mind off it.
Only to be suddenly startled by a growl…A familiar grumbling.
And it was coming from…
Marlowe sprinted towards her window, widening the already opened shutters.
A little beam curled her lips when she spotted Midnight, hovering steadily in the night's air, flapping its large, long wings that created a windy sound.
Not long before the curl by the flanks of her lips retracted to a freeze when she noticed something distinct.
Her eyes narrowed to zoom in on what she found…the slit of its dark eyes.
They were no longer onyx black…but deep blood red.
A very familiar shade of red that she vividly cannot forget.