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The Servant's Plea

The weeping of the young girl and the man whose leg she’s clinging to stares with his eyes of shadows as the two servants from Madelyn’s wing gawks at the boldness of this rag-clothed girl. Their eyes agape, their mouths ajar, and their eyebrows has ascended while Xe’Reth’s ferocious eyes go to them. His eyelids narrow, then the bath servants walk out to the corridor through the double doors. Their expressions similar to the other anxious servants.

“I asked you: What is the meaning of this?” Xe’Reth frowningly demanded. His voice, cold and harsh, because she has such revealing clothes, and she doesn’t even look that old to Xe’Reth, younger than him at least. But he can’t act out of place since he recently arrived, so if he messes this up, it’ll give people a bad view on him. Though, if he can make people think that he’s the kind and gentle man he showed at the Sanctuary’s gate, then he’ll be able to make a person trust him easier.

When he gets no response from the two servants, he kneels down to take a better look at this girl, but he catches a glimpse of a smile on her soaked lips as it disappears as quickly as it appeared. Which turns him suspicious of this girl’s goals. ‘Is this a ploy by someone? Trying to make me do something that'll make Malinda angry perhaps? Hmm… Maybe not.’

“Don’t worry, you’re all right now,” Xe’Reth calmly said as his face beams gentleness at her while putting one hand on her shoulder, which she flinches slightly from. “Tell me, who made you like this?”

In a split second, she readies her answer for this man whom she doesn’t know, yet his black hair and eyes do surprise her as her head raises from its drooping way, to look, to squeeze out her last ounce of tears, to make it believable so he’ll pity her more, in the process, she won’t have to leave her perfect home. She needs to take advantage of this man’s generosity. It doesn’t matter if she has to renew her pledge to another master, for the price comes much cheaper if she simply cries to him. To ask for his help. But oh, she will be the one who’ll be played into another’s hand, his hand, to be controlled as a puppet on strings, to do his biddings.

For why not make a handmaiden out of someone Xe’Reth has saved, than to have someone who has no affiliation with him at all? A servant who’s dependent on its master produces a much more loyal slave of duty.

“Come now, tell me so I can help,” Xe’Reth soothingly said as his hand stretches out to her. Which she does take, one hand after the other as his other one comes when she reaches out with both of hers. He smiles as she snivels and pumps out water from her eyes. As she stands up with her rags of clothes, he stares intently to wait for her answer, to hear what her Mistress punished her for.

But before she can open her trembling lips, one of Madelyn’s servants angrily shouts while an erected hand points in accusation, “Sir! Do not listen to this deceiver! She only spews out false rumors, she’s not to be trusted! Her act put our Mistress, the Honored Madelyn, in great distress upon hearing of what she had spread about her around the citadel! Filthy rumors! Untrue words, all false!”

“And what were the rumors then?” Xe’Reth asked as he guides the girl to stand beside him but yet slightly behind him.

“You… It doesn’t concern you, Sir. Now let us dispose of this traitor. She needs to be shamed then thrown out of the citadel, no, out of the city. We have our orders, are you going to deny us?” the servant replied crossing her arms with a threatening foot placed forward.

“Such insolence!” the bath servant shouted with a hand pointing in anger, “How dare you speak to someone of higher standing than you! He’s the Honored Malinda’s lover! Know your place! Hurry, ask for pardon, before our Mistress will hear of this!”

“Higher standing?” the servant responded with eyes inspecting Xe’Reth thoroughly, but her upper lip raises in disgust. “Higher standing... You must be kidding; I’ve heard that he’s nothing but a poor dog who has been given a bone to chew on. He isn’t more than a filthy gold digger dirtying the citadel’s grounds with his presence.”

‘That’s a feisty one, but I guess I better get used to it sooner than later,' Xe’Reth thought as he chuckles at her insults, which turns the servant’s expression sour. She grimaces as she sees the crying one sprout forth a tiny curve of a smile, but she doesn’t retort for her boldness in trying to use Xe’Reth for her own survival. For she would’ve probably done the same.

“Now then, if those insults are the only ones you can give me, unfortunately, I’m immune to drivel. Sorry,” he joked still with a chuckle in his voice, then as he turns to the girl whose face has returned to a sorrow filled agony. “Tell me, what rumors did you spread?”

“Hold your tongue, you little wench! Don’t disgrace your Mistress any further!” the servant shrieked with teeth showing. Meeting Xe’Reth has furrowed her eyebrows while her eyes shrink.

“Sir… It was because she was… she was m-masturbating in her chamber… while she was moaning a name, but I didn’t say what name it was, Sir. And I never dared to do it either,” the girl wailed with a quaking lower lip while her hands shake in a pray to whatever goddess who answer her calls for a flawless performance. “I had no idea that it would spread throughout the whole citadel, Sir. I’m so sorry for what I did, but my Mistress didn’t want to hear me… She… She simply threw me out of her grace… *Hic* I am… I don’t… Please, Sir, you have to help me… *Hic*.”

‘Wow, she’s a shrewd little girl to attempt to trick me with her pleading act of deception. Or maybe she’s just like this naturally? Does she like to spread rumors perhaps, to perform acts?’ Xe’Reth thought with a mask of worry upon his descending eyebrows as he puts a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, again. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you, just stand there and I’ll handle everything.”

“T-Thank y—*Hic* Thank you, Sir…” the girl hiccupped while she beings anew with her crying as hands cover the face to not show anything that might be hiding behind them.

With that, Xe’Reth takes a breath then breathes out as his whole expression turn vile with contempt; glaring narrow eyes directing at the rude servant. Tightened lips preparing for his speech and his ascending brows which surprisingly makes him seem calm yet dangerous.

“I can’t believe that your Mistress, Madelyn, can be so utterly cruel towards her servants for a mere rumor… But I guess that’s expected from her since she’s known to be an arrogant little noble who thinks she can do anything she wants. Though now, I won’t let Madelyn simply throw this girl out because of her own horny act which she can’t even control and keep to herself,” Xe’Reth said vindictively with crossed arms while his head turns upwards, as if he looks down at the servants in front of him, no, that’s what he exactly means to do. To not show any weakness. To not show that he can be threatened by simple servants.

“Leave and tell your Mistress, that I, Xe’Reth Quinery, will not let her cruelty continue against those who serves willingly. Yes, I might be poor, but I know what a life is worth, and it isn’t worth as little as your Mistress has shown to this unfortunate girl, who, only spread a rumor that got out of hand. You may leave now… Because my Malinda will probably be here soon, would you like to speak to her instead? It can be arranged… easily.”

At the sounding of the single word: Malinda. The two servants gulp in anxiety. All of their courage disappears in an instant. They may dare speak haughtily to Xe’Reth, but to Malinda? It would mean that they would be the ones to be thrown out instead.

“L-Let us report to Mistress, come hurry, before Lady Malinda comes,” the other servant pleaded with hands grabbing the arm of the grimacing servant who scowls furiously as Xe’Reth, but she submits as she turns around to run somewhat fast so Malinda won’t find them there with her lover, Xe’Reth. Not even saying anything as they go down the long straight corridor outside of Theresa’s quarters which both leads to Madelyn’s wing and her chamber, and to Malinda’s quarters.

‘Of course, they run away as soon as I mention Malinda… Disappointing, really. I was hoping for a little more argument to be had… It… relaxes me, I don’t know why… Now, onto the task at hand,’ Xe’Reth turns around to see the eye-rubbing fifteen-year-old crying beside him. Not stopping the tears of acting which she does enjoy to practice to get what she wants. He stares with a brow raised while his one hand touches his chin as his other holds his elbow in a pondering stance. ‘So this little girl will be my handmaiden, huh? Well, I guess it’s better than to get an old one since a young one can be swayed more easily into total obedience. I’ll just have to convince Malinda into letting this girl be the chosen one.’

“Sir Xe’Reth, you’re absolutely wonderful! You banished those wenches from the other wing so easily!” the bath servant joyously shouted with praying hands under her chin. The other two also gazes at him in awe, since Xe’Reth’s attire does make him stand out from normal men, especially to those who rarely sees a male. “Come, come, let us get her some other clothes. To change out of those rags.”

“*Sniff, sniff* Thank—*Hic* You… Thank you again, Sir,” the girl cried upon the acceptance. She feels in her heart a real emotion this time. Because if she couldn’t convince Xe’Reth, she would’ve undoubtedly been thrown out of the city. It fills her with joy that she doesn’t need to leave the citadel. Her crying continues as the bath servants guide the fifteen-year-old girl into Theresa’s quarters to sit down.

But what she realizes is Xe’Reth’s name. The eyes widen as she looks behind herself to see the red and black clad man who stares at the corridor in a stance of utter superiority; hands behind his back, chest pushed forward, head holding high, and the proudness on his vicious yet gentle appearance. As if he’s a royal eagle with his slicked back hair seeing his released pray disappear.

‘The name of the one Lady Madelyn moaned about, belongs to him! Wait, isn’t he Lady Malinda’s lover? Hahaha, serves her right for throwing me out! She should experience a shattered heart!’ the girl thought gleefully as her own heart relaxes immensely upon finding out who he really is. Two sisters in love, yet only one will find happiness, the other, total jealousy, and oblivion.

As Xe’Reth turns to go into his mother’s quarters, he catches her staring at him, but she immediately turns forward while being guided by the middle-aged women. Caring for her as if she was one of their own.

“I can’t believe how Lady Madelyn can be so heartless… She’s but a child! To throw her out of the city for something so petty…” she shudders at the thought as her eyes beam gentleness at the girl. “Don’t worry, honey, everything will be all right. When Lady Malinda comes back, Sir Xe’Reth will speak to her on your behalf. Right, Sir Xe’Reth?”

“Correct,” Xe’Reth replied as he closes the double doors, to walk to the blazing hearth. “But I do wonder what she’ll think of this girl being my handmaiden.”

“Handmaiden?” the bath servant responded with flickering eyes of surprise, but her whole face widens in delight. “That’s it! What a marvelous idea, Sir! Lady Malinda did talk about you getting a handmaiden, and what better choice of a handmaiden than a young one you can raise to a loyal subject! One of many to come, I’m sure!”

The girl freezes up fully upon listening to them talk. A handmaiden? Getting to be a real handmaiden with status?!

With a thud, she cascades to the ground as she sits, to begin again; the water flows out of her eyes as she tries to rub them, but her tears just won’t cease its tide. As her quaking lips attempt to hold back the sound which wants to escape, she releases it as she wails out her immense gratitude. The relief she feels and the joy that this event has gotten her can only bring her up in rank to be a handmaiden. Later, an Honored handmaiden as life turns its wheels onwards.

But as Xe’Reth twists his body from his position by the hearth, he raises his scarred brow in wonder, ‘Is that a real cry or a fake one? For someone so young, she’s truly skilled in the art of deception. Though, the sudden news she has gotten is probably too much for her to handle. Yes, a real cry this time.’

“Oh dear honey, you shouldn’t be sad in front of him. Be happy instead and thank Sir Xe’Reth for his kindness that he has given you, even I’m slightly jealous of you. To be a handmaiden to the future Lord of this wing, you should be indebted to him, for giving you this honorary chance of a lifetime,” the bath servant praised while sitting herself beside the weeping girl to comfort her with a hand stroking her deep brown hair. “Come now and sit. While they get you new clothes.”

As she does a jerk with her head to the other two bath servants, they nod, then disappear out the double doors to bring the clothes. While Xe’Reth has moved to one of the windows, to see that the darkness will soon lay itself thick upon the sky. He gazes to the other side of the second floor to see candles being lit by the working servants who’re preparing for the night to come. Below, in the garden courtyard, servants sit on stone benches as torches hang on the pillars which support the upper floors.

Walkways made out of small stone pebbles running throughout the garden, making it quite a place to spend one’s evening in relaxation. A fountain, too, stands in the middle, as the usual traffic of women goes to their designated positions as always.

A deep sigh escapes Xe’Reth’s lips as he turns around.

The girl sits by the long table, and on another chair beside her, sits the bath servant whose arms embraces the girl of fortune in a lovingly way with a smile upon her mouth. Like a mother coddling her daughter.

Then, the wait begins.

The wait for Malinda’s arrival. She’ll witness Xe’Reth in his most attractive posture with his noble-looking clothes while his hair has a couple of strands on his forehead, since the bath servant thinks he looks a lot more striking with those strands, which is only on one side of his temple, and the rest of his hair runs backwards as if he’s a bird of prey.

…………

As night itself set onto Ellenoria and the dinner preparations go as planned, Malinda catwalks brilliantly as the Honored Lady she is with one foot in front of the other while moving down the long corridor leading to Theresa’s quarters, with Tanya following faithfully behind her with clutching hands on her lower body.

The thuds of Malinda’s high heeled shoes resound on the carpeted floor as her dress of marvel sways as her legs take her to Xe’Reth’s location, forward, with precise movements.

It’s a tightly fit dress with two frilly straps holding it up. Her bust size, revealingly big, yet dignified as her collarbones and the slight single crack between her bosoms show. And her truly slender but trained body fits the dress impeccably, perfectly tailored onto her curves since it was made precisely for her use, down to the littlest of details.

The dress has a cut by the lower legs so she doesn’t move clumsily. And her appearance, flawlessly beautiful with her deep crimson lipstick, her powdered face, her eyeliner which brings forth her deadly yet kind eyes, and the jewelry of wealth has positioned themselves on her neck, her ears, her fingers, and in her setup hairdo.

Jewelry of different gems and crystals on golden rings, a neckless with two embroidered rings attached to its silver alloyed string. Her swaying earrings with various decorative markings, and the ornaments stuck to her hair, holding up the well styled bun at the back of her head while under it, long tresses have been left loose to rest on her one shoulder, displaying her kissable neck, her radiating face of beauty which shows on her beaming expression as she goes down the corridor like an Honored Lady.

Though, her nervousness boils intensively inside her pumping heart, since she never wears such clothes as this. The thought of Xe’Reth not taking a liking to it, eats her up, like at the time when she asked if he liked her favorite clothes, which he undoubtedly did. But now, this revealing dress. Will he like it, or will it be too much of a change at once for him to comprehend?

She breathes in and breathes out as shuddering air escapes from her mouth.

“Miss, you need to calm down. You’ll start to sweat and ruin your makeup,” Tanya advised calmly as she taps Malinda’s arm lightly while seeing her flustered breathing. “Don’t worry, you look wonderful, he’ll certainly fall in love with you all over again.”

“Are you… Are you certain that I appear, beautiful? Tell me, please, I can take it,” Malinda asked with tight lips pressing together as she turns to Tanya.

“Miss… You might’ve not noticed, but you’ve changed into a delicate flower that wants to show her man her most beautiful self,” Tanya, with hands on Malinda’s naked shoulders gazes at her anxious expression, while fiddling ring-embroidered hands tries to stop shaking, but her heart pumps and transforms her thoughts to the worst possible situation that might happen. “Malinda, my dear Mistress, you’ll do fine. I may not know how you feel right now, but I do know that he’ll love you no matter how you appear. Now come, let us walk the last bit with courage like you’ve always done on the battlefield because this is yet another battlefield you must conquer. But not with your strength, but with your heart and mind. Now come.”

Malinda for a second time takes a deep inhale as she relaxes her whole body. A meditation of mind and soul, to purge any impurities, the evil clouds that cover her thoughts, to change them to good ones instead. Then as her closed eyes of opens, she breathes out again. Her high heeled foot takes one step towards her own courage, then another, and then another.

Tanya beams smilingly at her as she follows her Mistress to Theresa’s quarters.

…………

As Malinda reaches for the handle that leads in where her lover resides, she hesitates with a gulp. She’s beginning to be afflicted with a horrible daze and sickening nausea. Her heart pumping, her hands shaking, and her quaking lips. With another gulp, she prepares her soul for his obsidian eyes to stare at her whole self. But will he think she’s beautiful?

‘Be brave, this isn’t anything unlike at the Ebon Wall… The charge of enemies coming towards me. My shield up with the others to form a shield wall. Be brave, be… brave…’ She shakes her head, then pulls down the handles. To step into the brightly lit room with the hearth blazing up the place while candles stand erected on the long table and on various other flat surfaces.

There he stands.

Xe’Reth with his newly found posture befitting the man who she has picked to love through and through with all her heart. He’s currently gazing out the window, acting as if he didn’t hear the clicking of the doors. But Malinda doesn’t know that. She only thinks that he truly didn’t hear her come into the room with Tanya at her heels, following, being there to give her a push if she would need it.

Not even realizing that one extra bath servant sits by the long table, waiting, talking quietly to not disturb Xe’Reth’s alone time as he gazes with switching eyes at the sky, at the garden, and at the dark upper levels of the citadel. But with a turn of his striking noble-like body, he shows no other expression than gentleness upon his unmoving brows, his calmly narrowed eyes stare at her body, and his mouth curves upwards as he begins to walk towards her, in a slowly relaxed flow with his feet. As noiseless as it can get.

Malinda, however, shakes in delight upon seeing him in those garments of blackness while the embroidered patterns of crimson ripples throughout the coat jacket with its spectacular artistry. Though as she notices those loose strands covering one side of his forehead, she can’t help but think gleefully, ‘He, he is handsome… So handsome. And he’s mine and only mine… He’s mine…’

“M-My Honored Lady! Excuse us for not noticing you!” the regular bath servant replied, as all four of them who sits by the long table stands up in a coordinated rise of their buttocks. The two bath servants have returned and dressed the girl in a similar yet smaller dress than their own. And Tanya realizes exactly that as she stares intently at the new visitor in the room.

“Excuse me, Miss,” Tanya broke in as she steps forward to get the attention of the bath servants, which immediately makes them lower their heads as her eyes travels from one to the other. “Who is this girl, I didn’t put her here to help… No, I haven’t seen her before in our Mistress’ wing… Who is she? Speak!”

“She… She is…” the bath servant’s head journeys to Xe’Reth’s eyes to seek aid, which he does give, by nodding his head with calmly closed eyes.

“Tanya, it is my fault for bringing this girl in here, they had no hand in my acting. But I couldn’t just stay still when she was on the verge of being thrown out of the city only because she spread some rumor about Malinda’s sister. I had no idea that the Honored Madelyn can be so heartless, to do something as banish someone for such a petty act,” Xe’Reth said cross armed while his eyes narrow as Tanya opens her mouth, but a raised hand from Xe’Reth silences her completely. “Malinda, my love, this is something I can’t forgive your sister for. To play with a life so easily without blinking an eye? Is this how all nobles act? Have you acted similarly? Thrown out someone just because they wronged you? Have you Malinda? Or is this what your sister does by herself? I want answers for the act your sister has committed towards this young girl. A fifteen-year-old girl… Malinda…”

Tanya flickers with her eyes unexpectedly as the news hit her, but sprouts forth a frown, though not a frown towards Xe’Reth, yet still a frown, a deep scowl directed at Malinda’s sister, for Tanya knows of her personality, everybody in the citadel knows. Only her brother or her sister can do something about it, yet nothing has been done since their parents died. A ruthless Honored Lady. Having the support of another woman, Celyssa, who lets her do whatever she wants, mostly everything at least.

“No… She couldn’t… Not now…” Malinda muttered dismayingly as her head shakes in disbelief. This was supposed to be her day of romance! But now her sister has ruined the awaited reunion between the lovers. Malinda’s head turns side to side as if she wants to escape. A frantic hand, shakes in front of her mouth, trying not to show her clenched teeth of pure anger. But Xe’Reth’s questions of seeking answers hit her the most. “No, I haven’t done anything like my sister, Xe’Reth! I haven’t, I promise you. She… She’s a troublesome girl to handle since she has the same influence if she were to put her mind to it… So we let her handle her wing how she likes…”

“Without batting an eye at the people she throws to the side, huh?” Xe’Reth retorted harshly, turning Malinda’s stomach sick from his way of speech. Such a strong woman, yet vulnerable to strikes against the mind and soul. Xe’Reth want to try how far he can go until she admits to him of her wrong doings. But of course, if he goes too far, he might be in some real deep shit.

He begins striding to Malinda with intent eyes staring into her dilated azure globes which gaze in fright the closer he gets. Malinda hasn’t seen this side of him. Why is he angry? Why now when she has dressed her to the fullest, and he doesn’t even comment on it. Such cruelty, such an embarrassing sister she has. Malinda has always tried to keep Madelyn out of trouble since she didn’t have anything else to do. But now? She can’t let her sister be the doom of her newly formed bond with Xe’Reth. Indeed, she cannot sit idly by and let her sister go on living with such manners.

“Xe’Reth… If what you said is true, I will support whatever decision you want to make. I’ve been naïve to let my sister off with her arrogant ways for too long. You’ve opened me, cracked my shell. Reminded me of forgotten memories. I will stand by you,” Malinda said as she grasps her neckless with the two rings attached to its string. “But… We must be going Xe’Reth, dinner will soon be served.”

“Oh, that’s right, dinner. All this talk has gotten me—Never mind,” Xe’Reth replied vaguely as he stands in front of Malinda, staring intently at her slender body, up and down. He’s taken aback, or at least, the mask he has on. “You… I’m sorry, I didn’t notice how beautiful you are in that dress… Wow, is that really you Malinda? And not some Goddess in disguise?”

She averts her head to stare down at the floor for being so immensely praised, acting as if she’s a teenager. Her whole face turns from that worrisome face to a beaming radiation of joy as she bites her lower lip while her head raises again to flicker her eyes at him. The body of Malinda also sways side to side with hands behind her back, showing her robust bosoms fully, not trying to hide them but show them, tease him. She wants to touch, hug, and kiss him. But that can wait.

“T-Thank you, Xe’Reth, you’ve lightened the burden in my heart. Shall we get going? So we don’t arrive late?” Malinda asked as she skips to lock arms with him while her head places on his shoulder, a feeling she has missed.

“Oh, by the way, that girl will become my handmaiden since you said I needed one. So I took the responsibility to arrange everything for her, I just need the guidance of how to proceed. I mean, to finalize the deal for her servitude to me as a handmaiden, because I’m guessing with all this respect for the status, it must be hard to become a handmaiden, isn’t that right?” Xe’Reth nonchalantly said with a smile while being locked to Malinda.

“You did what?” Tanya asked wide-eyed as her gaze travels to the girl who’s dressed in the regular servant’s uniform. The girl’s head lowers to not see Tanya’s flaming eyes which inspect the girl closer. “Sir Xe’Reth, it isn’t so easy as just saying that she’ll become your handmaiden. Papers must be arranged and sent to both the Madam of the house and to the former head-handmaiden, but only one needs to agree for the girl to be instated into your servitude. And she’s too young…”

“Yes, Xe’Reth, she’s too young to be a handmaiden,” Malinda agreed as her head lifts off of his shoulder to gaze into his eyes.

“Too young you say? Hmm, but didn’t Tanya become a handmaiden at the age of sixteen?” Xe’Reth responded victoriously with a smile. The argument is defeated so easily.

“How did you know that?” Tanya asked with flickering eyes and a slightly opened mouth.

“I… I told him...” Malinda said with a drooping head as if she did something wrong, but sighs in exhaustion as she takes a look at the girl with a turn of her body; average in beauty, slender but somewhat short. “Tanya… Take the girl to Gran, and arrange everything for her employment into Xe’Reth’s service. No words of complaint. Now then. Let us get going, or we’ll be late, Xe’Reth.”

‘I didn’t think she would be so accepting… Oh well, it’s time to head into the tiger’s den, and come out triumphant,’ Xe’Reth thought as Malinda begins to pull him out the doors in her locked armed state. “Take care of her Tanya, she’s a sensitive girl. Goodbye for now. And please, do not forget to lock the door when you leave.”

“As you say, Sir Xe’Reth…” Tanya sighed as she bobs her head in defeat.

With that, they journey to the banquet hall. They go back the same way they came. And as Xe’Reth is about to round a corner, Malinda stops him by pointing down the hallway where she came just moments ago, “You see those doors over there? That’s where my—No, where our chamber lies. It’s close to your mother so I hope you’ll like… Well, you’ll see how it looks later, after dinner.”

“I’ll wait eagerly,” Xe’Reth said as he tries to give her a kiss.

“No, Xe’Reth! Not when I’ve prettied myself up! You’ll ruin my makeup!” Malinda retorted as she turns her head away to pout with her lips. “You’ll just have to wait after the dinner is finished, then we can… cuddle… Maybe even in bed.”

She laughs somewhat innocently as arousing emotions clouds up her mind. Which Xe’Reth acts upon as he lets go of her to arc a bow while a hand awaits to be taken, “My Lady, then would you grant me the honor of your smooth hand? So I might give a kiss in gratitude?”

“Ah… Well… Well, of course, Sir,” Malinda giggled as she plays along with a leg bending curtsy. Then a hand places onto his, and he kisses the ring embroidered hand, gently, as he arcs back to stand straight. “Huhuhu, you’re such a tease, Xe’Reth.”

“I am what I am, my love,” Xe’Reth said with a bob of his head and a chuckling smile. “Come, lead the way to the dining hall since I’ve no idea where it’s at.”

“Yes, let’s go,” Malinda said as she locks arms with him again, then strides down the hallway with her head on his shoulder, moving as a loving couple out for a stroll. They say nothing as they keep going, only enjoying their own lover’s presence, well, at least, Malinda does while Xe’Reth broods over his painstaking headache.

As they move down the corridor leading south, they make a turn to head west, into the heart of the citadel. With a gaze forward, he sees an endless corridor leading all the way to the other side, into Madelyn’s wing, where he catches servants stirring about as usual.

The corridor. It is as long as it is grand; mounted torches light their bodies, creating shadows, the soft carpet stretching who knows where, and as they come to the heart of the corridor, he gazes at it…

Below the marble boundaries where one places its arms to rest. The gigantic ballroom. He inspects the hall carefully to take in its splendid craftsmanship. Two staircases on either side of the two wings, one belonging to Malinda’s side and one belonging to Madelyn’s side. Yet those aren’t the only staircases, they’re just the beginning which leads to the other levels of the citadel.

“Come, down the stairs,” Malinda said as she guides him down the straight passage, and as they come to the flat middle landing of the staircase, they turn south as it bends in that direction, then sets their feet onto the white marble granite; Malinda’s high heels clacking as they touch it, while Xe’Reth, noiseless as ever. She notices it, but she keeps on holding his arm while her head tilts onto his textile-clothed shoulder.

“Where to now?” Xe’Reth asked as he stares around the ballroom, it’s completely empty except for them. As he looks to his left right beside the foot of the stairs, he sees five thrones on a slightly elevated floor.

“Ah, the thrones. We don’t use them anymore. They’re just there for decoration purposes only,” Malinda said with a sigh and tightens her grip on his arm with a saddened frown revealing itself on her brows.

They stopped using them when her parents died. For there were five Tertins’, now only three and Merissa remain. Because Celyssa can never become a true Tertin, only in name.

Same with Xe’Reth, for a Tertin can never be brought in from the outside, one must be born as a Tertin.

But oh, he will not let that stop him from achieving his goals. His children will bring forth his victory through the ages. The kingdom will quake in memory of his name, Xe’Reth Quinery as he goes into legends. Well… he wants to make a name for himself at least. And it is time for him to meet Maldoran Tertin, Celyssa Tertin, and whomever else that might rest in the tiger’s den.

“This way, Xe’Reth…” Malinda sighed as she takes away her saddened eyes from the thrones to guide him towards the middle of the ballroom’s west side, to head into the dining hall.

As the last short corridor leading to the pinnacle of nervousness, Malinda squeezes Xe’Reth’s arm, as her breathing shudders. She tries to gulp but to no avail since her throat has dried up from all the anxiety in her heart. She’s going to demonstrate Xe’Reth to her family for the first time. She can’t mess this up, she needs to be brave, yet, she’s utterly scared for their words of rejection. What if they dislike him?

As she eyes journeys to Xe’Reth’s calm looking appearance, she can’t help but feel secure.

“Aren’t you… scared?” Malinda asked hesitantly as he turns to smile at her.

“Is there something I need to be afraid of?” Xe’Reth answered casually as he silently treads on the granite. The double doors, in front, he readies his mask of total friendliness which will make anyone like him. He needs to make a good first impression on the General, especially him, and not Celyssa. For she isn’t related to Malinda, only a sister-in-law that can be removed if the need arises.

“No…” Malinda replied gloomily with a deep breath as they come to the doors. But when she takes hold of the handles as she lets go of Xe’Reth, she freezes in place, in fear. But with Xe’Reth’s hands coming from behind her to be placed on her own hands, stretching as if he’s hugging her, he whispers enchantingly into her ear, “My love, let us show them our unabated union.”

Through such words, Malinda’s anxious heart releases all of its worries, to burst forth as her hands excitedly pull the door’s handles down, then pushes with Xe’Reth’s help forward. The couple opens the entryways into the dining hall with a head holding high, and a new beaming calmness on her expression as she takes a step to the side while locking arms yet again with her striking man.

They then take their first step into the spotlight, to be judged by family members, to be stared upon, to be together as a couple…

Thanks for reading!

For once I'll try to get out the other chapter sooner since I've finished about 40% on chapter 26. So look forward to it! :D

By the way, the story is moving at the same speed as it always has. Sure. There have been time-skips when he needed to go to certain places, but other than that, it hasn't sped up or slowed down. As this is a slow fiction, I don't think it'll speed up...

Though, when there are useless days which will be coming, I'll skip them as nothing important will happen. These chapters are more relaxing since a horrendous storm is about to hit the fan.

Voice your thoughts! :D

Until... Next Time...

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