Chapter Eight : Another Side Of Him

Meanwhile, Ixin was in the palace, in the capital of the night land, dealing with internal issues of his clan. He was sleepless for several nights, having troubles sleeping ever since he learned how to rule the kingdom. Her face of that previous night didn't leave his mind. Sighed when he remembered that she misunderstood him and had to do it for the sake of his brother. He was so confident about what he was doing, moreover, wanting to achieve his goal until his brother would become the ruler of the nights.

"Your highness. Princess Yeona doesn't wanna have her meals. It's already been few days," The maid spoke with a shaken voice bowing her back.

"Didn't I order you to make her eat no matter what?" He was sitting in his huge black and silver desk reviewing his papers then glared at her for what she has said.

"I'm sorry. I tried my best but she almost killed me," Cried the maid not daring to look at him.

"Enough. Take her out," Ordered the leader carelessly.

"Please, your highness! I beg your mercy!" Shouted the poor lady as she was taken out forcefully as he sighed.

"Zelo," Called Ixin while his two subordinates were standing on his left side. "What would you do to someone like Yeona to make her eat?"

"I dare not say anything about the princess, your highness," Zelo bowed his head was not afraid of what he'd face.

"So, for you, if you have such a sister, you'd not say anything," He turned to look at him. "I said what would you do not what would you say," Continued, glaring at him as the fire demon bowed his head.

"I would try to talk to her and sort things thoroughly, so I'd not be unfair to her," Zelo spoke confidently.

"You think I'm treating her unfairly?" Asked Ixin in a cold way not taking off his eyes from him.

"I dare not say that. It's just I've kept watching over her ever since she was training and doing her best to prove to you that she deserves to be one of your subordinates. She has been practicing for days and nights just so you'd see that and be proud of her then accept her," Explained the subordinate which was surprising from the way he spoke. The night leader was silent for a while until he stood up to tap on his shoulder then left the hall.

"Are you crazy? How can you talk to him that way?" Levi wondered in surprise while the other shrugged.

"He asked me and I've given my point of view. What else would I be doing?"

"I guess he didn't get mad with that," The red haired dude replied while Zelo clenched his fist thinking about other things.

He had been liking her ever since they were kids. His father was one of the nobilities close to her father, the king. They first met when Zelo first entered the palace at the age of eight while she was four. They were spending time together playing in the night castle. She had always grown flowers around him when he was being bothered by it. Until they entered the Lunar Eris for their superpowers control and kept watching over her and got closer everyday. He intended to marry her knowing she was only focusing to be Ixin's demon subordinate instead of holding the princess and sister title.

"I said nobody is allowed to enter my chamber!" Shouted Yeona while Ixin was the one opening the door.

"Even for me?" Replied calmly getting closer, sitting on her bed when she was lying down.

"You don't accept me as your subordinate. What are you doing here?" Pouted the little flora girl crossing her arms to her chest.

"I see that my little Yeona is mad at me," Gently murmured the older brother. "Why do you want to be my subordinate?"

"Because it's been my ambition and dream to realize. So that when you're fighting or encountering anything, I'd be there to protect you and help you to protect our clan," She claimed trying to convince him.

"How can you protect me when you're not even eating?" He asked when she had nothing to say. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me. I'm the one supposed to protect you, not the opposite," He explained calmly looking at her.

"I won't get hurt! I'm stronger now, brother. I still can hold on without eating too."

"But I don't allow my subordinates to starve themselves," Smiled coldly glaring at her then stood up.

"I told you, I'm...," She started and suddenly stopped, turning her head to look at him surprisingly. "Wait! You mean you're letting me in?!" She got up to hold his arm smiling hugely as he nodded smirking lightly and left her jumping from happiness, eating a lot from joy.

Ixin knew what he was doing. He had just tried to avoid mistakes while paving the way clearly for Sinian to rule comfortably. There were many demons opposing him because they thought he wasn't as experienced as his older brother, and went far by creating conflicts between them while Ixin did his best to eradicate such things. He went back to the hall finding Zelo and Levi discussing military matters, bowed to see him entering.

"I entrust my sister to you to protect her since she's joining my subordinates. I've done just like you've suggested, Zelo," Started the demon leader glaring at him. "If anything happens to her, or gets hurt by any mean, I'll make sure you won't breath the next minute," Continued threatening while the fire demon clenched his fists.

"I won't let any of that happen, your highness," Replied confidently bowing his head and convincing himself to be able to do it. She wasn't easy to control neither to order around. She was a princess. However, he took it as a chance to prove himself that he was able to protect her all their life.

In an early morning of that week, Julian got out to the light chambers' garden, stretching his arms and taking a deep breath closing his eyes. As he turned left, he eyed Juli practicing calmly in total focus, facing a mini fountain. She looked so light like the morning breeze making her slow motioned moves while closing her eyes and focusing on the wind sounds. It was the 'Panrao' practice that many of the air element summoners focus on because of its levels and aim for higher ones always.

He was getting closer to her slowly not intending to bother her. As she felt a change in motion suddenly, she turned to attack fast. The king avoided her attack as she slid, about to fall down. He held her with his left arm as his other one was behind his back.

"Your highness," She murmured whispering as their eyes met. He smiled lightly helping her to stand up as she blushed. "My apologies. I didn't notice it was you," Admitted while looking down.

"You're awake early, knight Juli. You're being too cautious and seem uneasy even while practicing," Julian spoke in wonder, joining his left arm to the other one.

"I am trying to reach a higher level. I'm so weak, I barely managed to defeat demon Yeona," Juli confessed in confidence, clenching a part of her outfit.

"You are not weak or else why would I accept you as one of my subordinates," Smiled the light leader cheering her up while her eyes shined brightly from his high words. "You have just graduated from the Lunar Eris. Don't rush your practice and make more researches about it; it will surely help you improve into higher stages of the Panrao practice," He continued as he was looked around enjoying the atmosphere.

"I appreciate your highness words and advices. I'll do my best to deserve being your subordinate," She bowed and about to finish practicing.

"Knight Juli. I'm telling you to go back home to your family. They must be waiting for you to comeback gloriously for becoming a knight. Practicing can wait."

"But, I want to do more tasks and at least be close to Jaelin," Hesitated the blue haired girl.

"Everything can wait. In addition, you're forbidden from seeing her until her two months punishment end. So, pack your things and go home. That's an order!" He smirked gently leaving her in confusion. She had no choice but to follow his orders since she was his fellow.

She packed her things before midday meal and left to the Han mansion where her mother was waiting. At that time, Ethan was tasked to bring the painting of to-be-queen for Julian and to search about the whereabouts of Jaelin. He had been on a trip to downtown the light capital where he got what he needed for his king. Julian had always been curious and aiming it'd be Jaelin ever since he had seen her for the first time.

"Your highness! Ethan is back from his mission," Evander announced, entering the study of the king.

"Tell him to come here first," Julian ordered in excitement standing up.

"Good morning, your highness," Ethan bowed when entering the study.

"Drop the formalities," He got closer to him. "Did you find it?" Asked in a hurry.

"Yes. That's the painting of your to-be-queen," He spelled in a sad tone.

"How about knight Jaelin?"

"She's like an unknown. Her parents died when she was a child and she's been raised by her relative before she entered to Lunar Eris," Ethan explained while the leader's heart was bumping hard.

"Who's this relative?" He asked freaking out but not showing it more than it was obvious.

"I couldn't get her name. Most of them said she lived in the shadows. No communication with other people around and hiding herself with a hood. It's what an old man mentioned and said he knows nothing more," He explained further letting his leader tremble for knowing that she was not about to be his queen. He clenched the painting taking a deep breath and opened it. Eyes widened, the painting fell down while Ethan was shocked.