~Bend the Knee~
The delicate sunlight pierced through the curtains when Niamh's lashes opened like black butterfly wings. She blinked multiple times before she rolled over the bed. She buried her face on her pillow and after staying for a few seconds, she finally rose.
She looked through the window and smiled, seeing that it was another bright sunny day. However, her smile didn't last long as it faded away and git replaced with a shocked expression.
She recalled all that has happened last night but her mind couldn't process anything other than watching the twilight with the prince, eating with him and after that, she slept.
She had a feeling something must have happened after she slept but she couldn't remember anything no matter how many time she shake her head to remember.
She sighed deeply and hopped down from the bed just to discover she's in her night wears. She was like "how the hell did I get into this wear?"
Almost immediately, a knock came at the door and she ordered to come in. Kieran and Ophelia walked in.
"Good morning M'lady" they both bowed.
"Morning" Neev mumbled. In the next second, she was standing in front of them.
"Did you girls change me into this, last night?" She asked, her eyes darting curiously.
The two maids stared at each other and giggled, mischievously.
"Yes My Lady. But you gave the prince a tough time. We hardly got his telepathy" Ophelia answered. A mischievous smile dancing across her lips.
"T...t.. tough time?" Neev stuttered, her cheeks burned at the thought she did something crazy in her sleep.
Just like a flash, her voice echoed in her brain. 'Don't leave Damsel'. Her eyes widened in shock.
Did she really acted that crazy in her sleep!
Her hands flew to her mouth as she blushed hard. The first question that came to her mind is 'how do I face the prince now?'
"My lady?" Kieran called teasingly.
"Where's the prince?" Neev asked.
"First Prince Lansel left the palace before dawn" Kieran replied.
Unexpectedly, Neev's expression dimmed. 'why did her leave so early?' she shrugged her shoulders and replied herself
'maybe he has something important to do. He's a prince afterwards'
"My Lady, we should wash you up. There's a banquet you need to attend" Ophelia stated.
"A banquet?" Niamh repeated.
"Yes my lady. The Queen hosted a banquet for the first Prince to celebrate the unity of the two new cities of Precious Stones, the silver and golden cities. Previously known as the Calm Region and Dream Nation" Ophelia explained.
Niamh furrowed her brows, she remembered once when they went to the Sapphire City, the prince told her he'll unite the Calm Region and Dream Nation to stand under the Moon Realm. So he was serious! He fulfilled his promise!
Prince Lansel, prince Dionysios and Severus appeared in Master Demosthenes' castle in the Calm Region. Lansel was leading the way as they stood in the courtyard. Lansel expression and aura speaks danger. His sea green eyes were glimmering with an impending storm, a merciless chill was suddenly emitted from those intense eyes, reflecting the wildness of a beast.
His brutally gorgeous face was hard and emotionless. Master Demosthenes was facing Lansel, behind him is Iphigenia and the rest of his subjects.
"What are the princes doing here, this early?" Master Demosthenes asked, teasingly.
Lansel's intimidating gaze pierced through his soul, locking him down in the spot that made him chill more than the freezing temperature.
"Kneel and pay your respect to the Princes of Moon Realm" Marius' cold voice echoed.
Master Demosthenes scoffed in disbelief.
"All of a sudden, why should I bow down to these little boys?" Demosthenes asked, mockingly.
"The Prince's order is expected to be done without any question" Severus spoke this time.
Demosthenes burs into laughter and then frowned.
"Still didn't get the reason why I should bow" he proved stubborn. Lansel's eyes blazed, a warning was burning within it as he glared at him.
"Bend the knee and submit to my orders. Only then I might spare your lives" Lansel's cold voice was finally heard. He wasn't referring to Demosthenes alone, but including his subjects.
His voice was smoldering with all the rage and danger in the world that send chills down to the spine of anyone who hears it.
Master Demosthenes gulped down the lump in his throat, seeing how serious and dangerous Lansel looked made him really scared but then, he won't just give in easily. At least, not yet.
"Bend the knee!" Lansel's voice echoed again. There's a certain authority and finality in his voice that when he gives order, it is expected to be done without question but Demosthenes here is trying his patience.
Well, he still proved stubborn as he shook his head.
"I won't. I live in this castle. I serve no king!" Demosthenes stated as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Hand me my sword, Severus"