Murderous gaze

The marriage ritual was over in minutes. The hall had an awkward silence, it felt more like a burial than a wedding, ceremony.

The prince walked out with Ellen following quietly beside him. A big reception was held in the palace after all the prince did send enough gold coins. It was one of the few times anyone and everyone could enter the palace. many of the commoners were excited to visit the palace even if they would not be allowed into the building. They were not sure when an opportunity will present itself again.

Ellen and the prince walked over to the king, where he was seated. "Father" they both bowed slightly. King George was taken aback by seeing the prince behaving so politely. He at least saves his face and he could have a little assurance that the prince would not be too mean to his daughter.

He has had stories of how arrogant the prince behaves. Even his father king Rodrick was wry of him. King George masks his shock in his emotionless face and nodded his head. With his permission, the prince leads Ellen to the dance floor. He wrapped his hands around her waist and brought her a little close as they dance to the music.

They did not look like a perfect match made from heaven. There were so many contrasts between them. One looked pure and innocent. While the other was evil and vicious. The contrast was obvious for everyone to see. This creates a lot of sore faces. A lot of Bozoa people were already angry seeing their favorite princess been sacrifice but they could do nothing but curse the prince in their minds.

The prince could feel the many murderous gazes directed at him, but he simply ignored them all. Moreover, he was used to this treatment. He knew no match but that was what made him want her in the first place. Besides they could curse all they wanted, he was cursed anyway. As the music came to an end, the prince pulled Ellen closer to himself, a movement that she did not expect. She widens her eyes slightly, a new wave of fear creeps into her.

"do not eat or drink anything," he whispered into her ears. Ellen was shocked at his instructions but she nodded in response. She was not a difficult person to deal with. besides, she had no plans to eat. But again she would have to drink or at least sip from her cup, especially when the king made his toast.

After the dance, they walk, back to their seat and sat down. The table was decorated with food and a lot to drinks.

Ellen and the prince looked at the entertainment in front of them, neither of them was interested in it. Ellen managed to give a small smile, since it was a happy occasion, she is expected to smile. As a princess, she learned to give the right facial expressions irrespective of the situation. No one could see the prince's face so they could not tell what expression he had on his face.

He was not smiling, if anything he was tensed, he found out about his father's plans to kill his bride last night. Of course, he expected him to do something, but murdering the Princess seems extreme, and yet, he was the one regarded as the beast.

When the king is a blood testy demon. He wanted to become more wealthy and powerful. How could a man, who cared nothing about the life of others be seen as human, while him the prince was tag cursed, and a beast because of his ability to change appearance, and manipulate elements?

The World is indeed twisted. His eye was running around the room to catch any suspicious move. He was sure the king will not use arrows since he was sensitive to movement around him, neither would he be stupid enough to use a sword or dagger, so the last option that could pass his protection was poison, this is the reason he instructed her not to eat or drink.

Besides, poison is the easiest method that could be pin on Bozoa. After all, they were the host. He could not let anything happen to the sunshine, otherwise, he might go into complete darkness and become the beast he has been called time and time again.

Before he got the message from the king's Armor bearer, he has predicted that the king might order a surprise attack, so he sent all the troops back to Avalo in the evening of the previous day. Unlike the prince that had a special communication book with his most trusted guards, the king would have to send a bird. So he asked them to start matching back and have Jeffery lead them. If the king should send a message, Jeffery will learn of it on time and inform him.

Who would have thought that the king decides to aim at his sunshine alone? Well, he was still pleased to be with twenty men from his troop that he could trust.

The King raised his cup and made a toast, he watches how Ellen lifted her cup in response to her father. He cursed himself for always missing out on balls and celebrations. He would have at least found a solution to this, instead of just asking her not to eat or drink. Of course, she would have to take a sip from her cup, otherwise, it will be disrespectful to the king. He watches Ellen lift the cup to her lips and took what seems like a sip.

He felt so scared and this feeling annoyed him. The last time he felt this scared was when he was twelve and his mother took him to the hunted house. He opened his eyes to push that memory at the back of his mind. That day changed his entire life, and today will do the same, should something happen to Ellen. He never thought anything in the world could make him so scared again. In fact, he was becoming comfortable thinking he was always one step ahead of his father.

He only just realized that, for him to keep his sunshine safe, he needed to do more and improve, most especially he needed to put the king, his father in his rightful place. His grip on his cup subconsciously tightens as he down it empty, in one go.

Ellen took the cup off her lips, as her face went sore.