I'm sorry for the delay, the previous week. I was going through some problems which needed my undivided attention and that prevented me from posting. I hope y'all will forgive me. Xoxo, Boredsky.
Chapter 11
A magnificent ship sliced through the calm sea. It looked formidable, its masts arrogantly piercing the sky, yet it bore patches here and there as if recovering from a dreaded illness.
"Your Highness, the coast is clear," a young, long-haired man reported, bowing his head slightly.
The Prince was wrapping a bandage around his hands. "Good. Check for damages and send me the report. Account for it in monetary terms."
"It has already been done, my Lord. Shall I send for... payments?" The man wore a mischievous smile, the moonlight glistening on his dark skin as he licked his lips.
"Who is it, Bentley?" the black-haired Prince questioned, studying his assistant's countenance.
Bentley grinned and shrugged. "Whoever said I knew who it was?" He unsheathed his dagger, cleaning the tip with a red kerchief as though preparing for something important.
The Prince's expression remained calm, his frosty silver eyes scanning the luxurious wooden chamber before he sauntered to the bed. "Perhaps I should reduce your allowance.It seems you've become incompetent. But by how much? A hundred? Or a—"
"Wicked!" Bentley interrupted, a look of horror on his face. He rolled his eyes and took a seat. "It's your elder brother. The First Prince."
The Prince hummed in response, his face impassive. "I thought he was smart, unlike the pampered one. You know what to do." He pulled down his sleeves and donned a glove.
Bentley nodded in response, his eyes gleamed with a nebulous light.
"We have arrived. I think I can smell an apple pie," Bentley said, sniffing the air before leaving the chamber.
The ship sailed smoothly toward the golden shores of Eldoria. The kingdom sprawled in the distance, lit by dots of lights.
"I do hope he is still alive…" the Prince muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
Back in the Solaré Palace, the ball was in full swing. Garran had managed to keep most people from getting too close to Sera, but despite his efforts, they had become separated.
The soft tunes of the piano glided through the air. Garran stood in a corner, a glass clutched in his hand, his eyes tracking Sera's every move. The beautiful princess moved through the crowd as the perfect host, unknowingly captivating every noble in the room and flaunting her grace. Garran's jaw clenched when he saw one particularly eager lord take her hand. Just as he moved to intervene, a figure blocked his path.
"Duchess Wilfred. A pleasure to see you here," Garran exclaimed, taking the Duchess's hand and kissing it. A satisfied smile graced the elderly woman's features.
"Always a gentleman. Your mother would be proud of the man you've become."
Garran's pale blue eyes shimmered for a moment before he nodded respectfully. "You flatter me, Duchess." He turned to the young woman standing quietly beside the Duchess, her cheeks flushed. "And who might this beautiful damsel be?"
Duchess Wilfred beamed, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders. "This is my niece, the daughter of the Chairman of the Merchant's Association. Carrissa Wilmont of the Wilmont House."
Garran's eyes widened in realization. He took Carrissa's hand. "I didn't know Lord Wilmont had such a beautiful daughter."
Carrissa's cheeks burned brighter. The Duchess, seizing the opportunity, swiftly excused herself, leaving the two alone.
"Did you come with a partner, Lady Carrissa?" Garran asked politely, his eyes already scanning the crowd again. A subtle frown appeared when he didn't see Sera.
"I did not, my Prince. I came alone," Carrissa answered, her mind screaming at her to remain calm. She looked up at the Prince, his lemon-blonde hair tied neatly back, and found herself mesmerized.
"I see… would you excuse me for a moment? I will be right back," Garran stated, a tight smile on his lips as he departed.
"What is wrong with me?" Carrissa murmured to herself, taking a glass of wine and retreating to the edge of the ballroom.
On the other side of the hall, Sera finished speaking with a noble and turned away, exhaling wearily. Her sapphire eyes scanned the room until they landed on a head full of black and grey hair.
She approached the group elegantly. "Greetings, gentlemen. I hope the ball is to your liking."
"It truly is. You have outdone yourself this time. I heard you planned everything."
"You flatter me, Sir. I merely did as I was told."
"You look stunning, and older than when I last saw you. How fast the children of today grow," remarked another man, dressed with opulently like many who had come today however, he had an air of supremacy surrounding him.
"You are too kind, Lord Devrane," Sera chuckled.
Lord Devrane nodded, seemingly satisfied. "You would make a good wife," he stated.
Sera's smile froze. A lump formed in her throat, but she maintained her composure. "I would like to speak to the High Steward for a moment, if you please." She swiftly changed the subject, her gaze locking onto Minos, who had remained silent.
The other nobles, including Lord Devrane, took the hint and departed.
Once they were in a semi-private bubble amidst the crowd, Sera's polite mask hardened. "What is the real purpose of this ball? Don't tell me it's to celebrate my brother's breakthrough. I know that's a lie."
Minos maintained his polite smile. "It is for the Prince, my Princess. I am quite confused by what you're implying."
"Lord Devrane, the President of the Grand Assembly; his son, Erin Devrane, the Duke of Relanor; Carrissa Wilmont; even Duchess Wilfred is here. And you want me to believe they all came for a simple celebration?" Sera's expression was one of pure disbelief. "You must think I'm a fool."
Minos smiled and nodded.
"You are smart, my Princess. If you've deduced these people are here for something greater, then I suppose you already know what it is. Now, if you'll excuse me." Minos attempted to walk away, but Sera blocked his path, her arms folded.
"It's for my marriage. You are going to announce my marriage, aren't you?"
Minos smiled but didn't respond.
"Does Father know? Of course he does. But I don't even know who I am to marry. Can't you tell me?" A subtle hint of anxiety crept into Sera's voice.
Minos stared silently.
"Is it true?" Sera asked, her face now deadly serious. "What you told Garran yesterday—is it true?"
Minos paused, genuinely shocked. He hadn't known Sera overheard their conversation. He let out a quiet scoff. "How much did you hear?"
"Enough," Sera whispered, her voice barely audible over the violins. "Enough that I could contain it."
He couldn't comprehend her calmness. In her position, he would have been a whirlwind of emotion. "Then you should understand I am not the right person to ask. Perhaps you should ask your brother and father why they are managing your life for you. Would you look at that?" The polite smile returned to his lips as he looked past her. "Ah, Garran. Your sister wishes to speak with you."
He bowed and left, a frown etching onto his face the moment his back was turned. 'This is not good.'
Sera turned to her brother, but before she could utter a word, he jerked her by the hand and pulled her out of the ballroom.
"Garran… Garran…where are you taking me?" Sera questioned, trying to pull her hand from his grip.
"Garran!" She finally wrenched her hand free once they reached the balcony. "What is wrong with you?"
Garran paused. "Why are you so stubborn? Let's go." He reached for her hand again, but she pulled back, a hurt expression on her face.
"What is wrong with you, Garran?" Sera's voice was a pained whisper. "You've changed."
The wind howled in response, the hall turned silent only accompanied by the distant music. Garran's gaze flickered with quiet exasperation.
"I haven't changed. I'm still the Garran you knew." He tried to close the distance between them, but she retreated.
"You lied to me. You could have told me. We could have solved this like siblings." Sera's voice broke.
"Sera… I…"
"I'm not a toy, Garran!" Her jaw clenched, and she trembled, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I have feelings. You could have… you could have simply told me you wanted to rule. I wouldn't have argued."
Garran's heart ached under her gaze. He looked down, unable to meet her eyes. "I wanted to protect you."
"Protect me from what? I abandoned all my friends because you didn't like them. You didn't like me going out, so I stayed a recluse. And now, what?"
Garran opened his mouth, but no words came out. Sera stared at him in utter disappointment before turning and leaving the balcony.
Garran stood rooted to the spot, a myriad of emotions in his pale blue eyes. The air was cool as the winds danced with his hair but he felt hot as he tore open his collar button. He then turned and stalked off in the opposite direction.
Sera stood behind the large doors, inhaling deeply and dabbing at her eyes. She stepped back into the ballroom just as the clock began to strike midnight.
A series of sharp clicks echoed through the hall, drawing all attention. King Hendrick stood on the dais, an amiable smile on his face as he looked down at his guests.
"I want to thank you all for coming. I hope you are enjoying yourselves." The nobles smiled in response. "This ball is to officially announce the marriage between my daughter, Princess Seraphine Caelthorne, and… Erin Devrane."
The ballroom fell into a dead, stunned silence