11. Dining with His Lordship [I]

Naya and Nick follow Cyla while Nurret walks behind, Naya could feel her legs quivering and her heart skips skeptically as they approach the King's Quarter.

She has dreamed of a chance like today where she would act in her best Princessly manner before His Lordship, but while does she feel like on each of her steps she is stepping closer into her grave? She couldn't be held to imagine how His Lordship find out about her when she has successfully been hidden for almost 20 years.

How will His Lordship behave once he sees her? Will he detect her at first sight? Will she be able to act normal before him?

Her feet were taken aback as they walk if not for Nick's grip.

Cyla lead them to the large dining of the King's Quarter, located at the end of the quarter. Observing thoroughly, Naya seems to not have been in such a place before. Not even when she was a kid. She is certain this place is a no-go area for just anyone.

When she has thought the King will dine with His Lordship at their normal dining chamber but here is exceptional, several balconies gives the clear view of the outside surroundings.

She could tell the outside is a garden. the breeze blowing in are the freshest, also, flowering plants were visibly seen through the balconies.

Why did they miss out on such a beautiful place?

Maybe this is not for his family?

"She is my only daughter... Princess Tinaya,"

Naya drift back to her rightful sense at the voice of King Lippana who solemnly stressed 'Tinaya' to bring her senses back, he sure knows when her heart is astray,

Naya scoff scornfully beneath her breathe, why did she forget she has to behave? She looks down with a mixture of nervousness and anxiety. Nick was already bowing to show his respect to His Lordship.

Right away, Naya feels dumb.

"It an honor to be in your present, Your Lordship"

She sprouts lively smiles, eloquently squelch down by tipping her dress up and bow to His Lordship, after which she stood up beside Nick.

Nick grip her hand, he seems to feel how nervous she is, yet, Naya could not believe her cheeks were still puffy in a smiley shape.

"Uhn!"

A subtle growl shuddered her, heavy and bassy, Naya feel the urge to lift her gaze to see If that was for His Majesty or His Lordship?

No way will His Majesty have such a husky voice, it must come from His Lordship.

She fight to restrict from glancing at him, suddenly her gaze lifted to his, staring intensely with the heavy pound of her heart, a reddish flame narrowly spark out from His Lordship casting upon her, Naya dive around the dining burning with trembles, her voice call for mercy, instead, Nick laugh rhetorically at her.

No! His Lordship will not burn her alive! Not In the presence of the King! And never will Nick mock her in such a state!

She feels droplets of sweat running down behind her ears, confusion makes her more tremble.

Could that happen?

She seep down the hunk within her throat, wondering how odd they might be staring at her, which eyes could His Lordship be glaring at her with?

Dreadful or lovingly?

Naya nods sarcastically.

"Princess Tinaya, wouldn't you take a seat?"

"Uhn!" She roused through the murmuring of Nick and his hand pulling her to a seat beside him.

"She must be very nervous to be before His Lordship," Queen Malie said.

"Uhn!" His Lordship breathed.

Naya heard the sound of her teeth grinding against each other beneath her clipped lips, why does the 'Uhn' she is hearing have a way it dealt with her?

Was it true that His Lordship speaks lesser during dinner? That was the latest gist from Nurret when His Lordship last visited.

Naya thought of how much of it she will still hear, will she survive this torment?

"Thank you" She whispered to Nick.

Naya shift her gaze up, aside from Nick, Queen Malie, and His Majesty, she feel no one else with His Lordship, it was exceptionally quiet, yet her gaze was solely on the dish in front of her.

With her terrifying mind, she summon to see those that were present, sneaking, her hand move supported her head by her left cheek to made her glance through, peeking.

Beside His Lordship who she dare to not look in his face was the King sitting, at the left was Prince Eldaxon followed by prince Nickdrah then her, beside her was an empty chair which separate her from Queen Malie.

Who could be missing? She pondered.

Just then The Chamber's curtain opened, "My Lordship!" Queen Mother walks in cheerfully with smiles.

Naya inhaled, while did her sense skip Queen Mother of all the royal family? She must truly be out of her mind.

Naya startled up, this was when she got slight courage to lift her gaze, His Lordship stood up to approach Queen Mother holding her hand, he plants a kiss on her knuckle,

"Awn!" Naya grasp covering her parted lips,

According to the rumor, the King was in his werewolf form? Could he truly have lost his ability to shapeshift? Naya stare at his side view sympathetically,

Her breathing increase.

"My Lordship, I can't get enough of your generosity till I go to my grave," Queen Mother mumbled smiling as her other hand placed over His Lordship's hand against her knuckle.

"You've been living younger and younger all these years Mooma. No sign of you going to your grave yet,"

Naya blinks, did she just hear His Lordship acting casually with Queen Mother, calling her Mooma? She shook her head, she can't be hallucinating again.

However, Lord Edam escorts Queen Mother to sit on the empty seat beside Naya.

Her stomach weirdly knot tracing him until he reaches back to his seat, the sound of his legs on the floor is enough to cease her breath,

"I couldn't eat, waiting for you, Queen Mother,"

Naya exhaled, she must have heard it wrong that he called Mooma. Just then, her gaze lifted only to meet on his,

Her heart skipped.