If Zephyris indeed turned out to be the King, would this enigmatic ruler grant Owen's wish of allowing his sister to depart with Aaron?
Despite the potential approval, Lyra would still face peril as their supposed father would undoubtedly arrange another marriage for her with a different suitor.
Prince Owen let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his eyes, contemplating his next move. The likelihood of the king heeding his plea seemed uncertain at best.
In a sudden realization, Owen's body tensed as he grasped the impending marriage of Lyra by the king.
However, Owen's so-called father has traded him into saving her. The fate of his sister's safety and happiness now rested solely on Owen's shoulders.
It means he must comply with the king's wishes, which includes becoming his bride. Owen felt a lump in his throat as he remembered meeting the king and even punching him. The king had kissed his cheeks, forehead, and hair, so it seemed wise to give in to his demands.
As he reflected on the encounter, Owen realized he had now seen the enigmatic king's face, causing his neck to flush with embarrassment. When he looked back at the king, he could swear Zephyris was smirking at him.
"This guy is going to be, trouble. I have to fulfill this mission, even though I have no idea what it entails," he mused to himself, closing his eyes as sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Owen, I will wait until the King approaches us, and then we will need to find a more secluded location to avoid any eavesdropping," she said, and Owen simply nodded in agreement.
"I don't believe he will come to us unless we make the first move," Owen remarked, turning to face Lyra.
"How certain are you?" she inquired.
"Very certain. Trust me on this," he assured her, knowing that the King had initiated contact with him initially, and now it was his turn to reciprocate. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Follow closely behind me. You don't need to bow excessively. I hope you understand what I mean," he instructed.
Lyra nodded and trailed behind Owen as they made their way towards King Zephyris, who was already seated on his throne, observing the festivities and revelry.
His gaze was fixed on Prince Owen and his sister as they approached him. A sly smile played on the King's lips, indicating that he was well aware of the unfolding situation.
Upon reaching the throne seat, Owen humbly bowed his head and offered a warm smile, addressing the king, "Your Highness, I humbly request an audience with you," he implored.
However, there was a moment of silence before King Zephyris finally inquired, "And who might you be?"
Owen felt a surge of frustration, he knew the King was pretending but maintained his composure, choosing to respond with a polite smile, playing along, "I am Prince Owen, the son of King Rykhard and the late Queen Lily," he stated.
"I'm afraid the name doesn't ring a bell," Zephyris replied with a smirk, feigning ignorance.
"Do you mean to say that you don't know who you are getting engaged to, My King?" Owen respectfully inquired, though there was a hint of mockery in his tone. Despite this, instead of a frown appearing on Zephyris' face, a smile began to form.
"Of course not, but I cannot forget about my bride. So, Prince Owen, would you do me the honor of sharing the first dance with me?" King Zephyris requested.
Owen, no longer bowing, locked eyes with the King, feeling shocked and surprised to the core. This man always managed to surprise him in ways he couldn't anticipate.
Lyra observed her brother, who was thinking on how to respond to the King's invitation.
King Zephyris then turned to Lyra with a genuine smile and expressed his desire to dance with her brother, promising to grant her a wish in return.
Lyra was taken aback by the unexpected offer and exchanged glances with Owen, who also looked back at her with a nod of approval.
"King Zephyris, my brother is willing to fulfill your request," Owen confirmed, prompting Lyra to offer a slight bow in acknowledgment.
"Excellent," King Zephyris exclaimed as he rose from his seat and took Owen's left hand, leading him to the center of the grand ballroom.
All eyes in the room were fixed on the unlikely pair – the powerful King and the Prince often seen as timid, weak and unintelligent.
The scene was a breathtaking spectacle, with a beautiful twist that captivated Owen's senses. However, a clear sense of jealousy lingered in the air, causing Owen to feel a twinge of fear.
"Pay no heed to their envy, for their minds are tainted. Would you care to delve into their thoughts?" asked King Zephyris. Owen hesitated, thinking whether to refuse, but ultimately succumbed to the allure, though a nagging feeling warned him of potential regret.
"Very well, but remember, when the music ceases, so must you," cautioned Owen, his voice soft and measured.
Zephyris, resembling an eager child, eagerly nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he gently placed his hand on Owen's slender waist.
Much to his delight, Owen didn't resist. Instead, he flashed a seductive smile and boldly placed his hand on top of Zephyris', their fingers intertwining in a sensual dance.
The prince's waist was surprisingly slim, accentuating his towering frame and creating a tantalizing contrast between his broad shoulders and narrow midsection.
Zephyris couldn't help but shiver with excitement as he sensed Owen's enjoyment of their intimate dance and the electrifying touch between them.
With the music enveloping them in its seductive embrace, Zephyris pressed his body closer to Owen's, their faces mere inches apart, moving together in a mesmerizing rhythm of desire.
"I adore your slender waist, it's so alluring and feminine," he purred, a sly smile playing on his lips. Prince Owen blushed furiously as Zephyris continued to caress his waist, sending shivers down his spine.
"Now, my beautiful bride, do you see the man standing behind me?" Zephyris whispered seductively, spinning Owen around and pulling him close by the waist once more.
"Yes," Owen gasped, his body trembling under Zephyris's touch. The heat between them was undeniable, and the intoxicating scent of Zephyris's body filled his senses.
The combination of blood, roses, wine, and woods swirled around him, driving him wild with desire. He couldn't believe how real and intense it all felt.
"Do you want to know what is on his mind?" He asked, tightening Owen' waist closer to his.
"Yes," Prince Owen moaned, his eyes going wild as a soft chuckle escaped the King's mouth.
"I never knew my touch had this much effect on you," he smirked. Owen wished the ground could bury him; he hated the fact that this man had his ways with him.
"Instead of paying attention to whether your touch has effects on me, you should tell me what's on that man's mind you mentioned," Owen rudely said.
"He hates the fact that your sister was chosen to be engaged to me today instead of his daughter," he whimpered. "Guess what?" he asked.
"What? I'm not good at guessing," Owen muttered shyly.
"Okay, today he plans to kill your sister. And," he stopped as he brushed his mouth towards Owen's earlobe and bit it before adding, "You and I know your sister is pregnant," he whispered.
Owen froze as he looked at his sister. "Don't stop, continue dancing, my bride," Zephyris said.
"How... how did you know that she's..." he stammered, asking.
"If you want to know, hug me as we dance," King Zephyris replied.
Owen swallowed his pride and did as he was told, hugging the King as requested.
"Good, just as I imagined. I can easily read people's minds. But..." Zephyris paused, wrapping both hands around Owen's waist.
"But what?" Owen asked, intrigued.
"I'll tell you later. Let's say after you become my bride," Zephyris said with a smile.
"Okay, if you say so. But my sister and I need your audience. I'll do whatever you ask as long as she's alive," Owen said softly.
Zephyris smiled with joy, thoroughly pleased by Owen's words. As the music came to a close, he gently halted their dance and charmingly remarked, "Follow me," to which Owen nodded in agreement.
Taking Lyra by the hand, he led her as they followed the king, with his regal guards trailing behind. The ballroom fell into a hushed murmur as they made their way through.