Chapter Fifteen : Expecting The Uncovered

Julian was in his wing overthinking about what master Jin had told him about Jaelin. He sensed something wrong about the whole matter and wanted to inquire more about it. However, his main goal there was to meet Juli and talk about their upcoming grand wedding. Ethan and the other subordinates were practicing in the royal barracks. Each one of them was focusing on cultivating their own strengths and abilities. Evander had always been close to Ian since they entered the Lunar Eris together and had done their best to graduate both at the same time. Being under Julian and Ethan's lead was their dream to pursue the great knight example for other knights too.

"Where are you at in your practice?" Ethan questioned both of them when they were cultivating with their moves.

"I'm a little bit far from mastering the Hua'er formulas. I've been confused about few moves though I'm following the books instructions," Evander replied, explaining about the flora cultivations practice and rubbing his hair then looked at Ian.

"It's the same thing for me. I'm struggling with the superpower fields. It seems I can't contain them well since I fail in the beginning of the process," Spoke Ian sighing shortly as Ethan laughed.

"You still have time to master your superpowers. However, since you are both the crown prince subordinates, means you need to be the best among other knights and surpass their abilities," Explain the earth knight tapping on both their shoulders. "I got to check on Julian for now. I guess we'll have to meet knight Juli sooner," He continued looking away.

"I think knight Juli would be upset if she knows about it," Evander expressed with a sad face expression.

"It's his business. All we have to do is to obey orders, okay?" The dark brown haired warned and left to see his leader in his chambers.

"Poor our leader. Being confused and unable to marry the one he loves," Evander expressed pitying while Ian rolled his eyes.

"I don't think he loves her. He's just bewitched by her beauty and boldness. Remember how other guardians were totally into her secretly? It wasn't because they loved her, but because they were attracted to her only," He explained, getting back to his practice as his mate tried to remember those things. "Get back to practice and stop meddling in others' business," Ordered Ian as the other did as he was told.

Julian was in his study, flipping his papers and reading about politics of his country. He had to be ready to hold his people's responsibilities on his shoulder. Sighing and falling in confusion, for being obligated to hold onto the decrees of his ancestors and rule fairly, to realize that his freedom had to be dedicated to his people and for the elements of Ziran to keep their balance. Ethan entered the chambers finding his friend drowning in a dark sea of thoughts and distractions.

"Do you need any help, Julian?" Ethan pronounced smiling lightly, wanting to change his mood.

"Not really. I'm taking care of few matters and just being a bit confused," He replied messing his hair.

"A bit confused? You seem as if you're choked by that," The mate laughed, sitting down in front of him then poured the drinks.

"Any news about knight Jaelin's whereabouts?"

"Not really. I find it suspicious too about her relative Iren. Master Jin is the one raising her ever since, in the palace. Which means, she's never been out of its walls, right?" Ethan concluded while Julian sighed deeply not knowing what to say.

"We need to take care of the wedding matter, first. Let's go to the Han mansion and see how things are going to be," Suggested the light king, having a sip of his drink then looked away.

They both stood up heading for that matter. Julian had to stay confident about his decision and would want to postpone it since there was no way for a cancelation.

Meanwhile, Juli was being educated at her house and told about how things would go. Countess Han was making sure that her daughter appear with her noble status first, before being a knight. Because at the end of the day, she was going to become the light queen of their land. Her sense of luxury was beyond norms. She was paying attention to every detail of her things and the stuffs she was going to take with her. Jewelries, dresses, underwear, hairpins and all she needed.

"Darling, you haven't eaten your midday meal. You should take care of your health before the wedding," her mother spoke when she entered her chambers, finding her absent-minded. "Juli. I'm talking to you!"

"Mother. What are you doing here?" With a sad voice tone replied, turning her head to look at her with a fake smile.

"What's wrong with you? I've been standing here for a while talking. Are you not feeling well?" She sat down by her side worriedly.

"I'm not feeling hungry. I just want to rest this afternoon," The blue haired girl looked away as she hugged her knees to her chest.

"Are you nervous? Is it about the wedding?"

"Mother! Please, can you stop talking to me about it? I'm tired of hearing the same things all over. I just need some space to clear my head," cried Juli, putting her head on her knees as her mother left the room anxiously.

Juli had been anxious about how things were going fast. She had just graduated with the will of cultivating her superpowers and abilities, to be accepted as a real powerful knight. On the other hand, she found herself engaged to the light king whom was attached to her best friend. Deep down, she missed her since they had never been separated. Jaelin was more than a sister for her and more like a hero to look up at even though she was younger than her by few months. She found herself burdened with many responsibilities and ethics. Loaded with learning all the day long about the kingdom and the Ziran world, to memorize their history and be able to catch up in her panrao practice. At some point, she couldn't take it. was feeling lonely even though she was homesick for few years.

"Welcome to the Han mansion, your highness," Countess Han greeted when she was informed about his sudden arrival.

"Greetings to countess Han. I hope I am not disturbing you at this time of the day," Julian and his subordinate greeted at the entrance.

"At all. I'm pleased to have you at our mansion, light leader, Julian. Please, come in!" Happily invited, as they all entered the main hall sitting down. "What bring our king here?" She curiously questioned, smiling elegantly.

"Honestly, I'm here to talk to princess Juli about few personal matters, if you don't mind."

"Of course, I don't! After all, you are both going to be husband and wife sooner," She smiled as Julian faked it then looked away. "Did you have the midday meal? Juli didn't eat anything all the day long. I hope your highness could convince her to eat. She's been anxious ever since she started with her learnings."

"Is she alright? Does anything bother her lately?" He questioned worriedly as Juli was passing by to go out, not knowing that he was there in the hall.

"Juli, where are you going?" Shouted miss Eva.

"I'm taking some fresh air outside. Can I!" Screamed the diva from the entrance when she was about to leave.

"Knight Juli!" Julian cried following her to the main door as she was surprised hearing his voice. Ethan followed him but stayed a bit far because he knew it wasn't his business. However, to protect them both outside.

"King Julian?" She turned to see him going toward her. "Greetings to light leader," She bowed feeling shy and confused at the same time. Her heart was skipping few beats for the fact he was there in front of her.

"Princess Juli. Please, drop the formalities. I'm here to talk about something important. I'll have to take from your time," He gently spelled when he got closer to her while she wondered what would that be. "Well, first, I want to ask about you. Countess Han said you haven't eaten all the day long, and I can see that you've lost some weight. Let's have a meal first," He suggested as she nodded smiling happily.

They both went downtown the capitol, walking inside the market silently. It felt awkward for both of them because their marriage was unexpected and they never knew it'd be that fast.

"I have something to tell you," They both, suddenly, spelled turning to look at each other then smiled since it made them feel more awkward.

"You start first," Julian spoke, trying to make it less formal.

"Actually, it's about the upcoming grand wedding. It is so sudden and I barely managed to keep up during these past couple of weeks. I know it's a huge responsibility to take and I don't want to let you down," Juli started with a serious voice, looking at him then away.

"Do you not want to be married?" He questioned feeling surprised as Ethan heard him and rolled his eyes for what he had just said.

"No. I don't mean it that way. I meant I need more time to take care of things properly. Even though I am a princess already, but still I have a lot to catch up with," Explained the air diva clearly as he nodded.

"I understand that. So, what do you suggest?"

"Can the wedding be postponed? I know it's asking for too much but I also want knight Jaelin to attend. She's my friend and I wouldn't allow myself to get married without her presence," She took a deep breath thinking it was burdening him.

"Well, I can't guarantee it'll be postponed, but I can try my best to convince mother. She's hard to deal with and I bet you already know that," expressed Julian as he smiled gently. She nodded feeling good about what she had stated and happy to be accompanied by him. As they walked few minutes more, Julian found a luxurious restaurant and invited her in, but she was shy to deny.

"I haven't been here before. I didn't know this beautiful restaurant exists," Juli expressed happily, looking around at those magical hanged lights in the air with those red and white sofas put around glassy tables, designed with red and white flowers. A good music played with scented candles hanged here and there. It had got an artistic vibe and a romantic mood.

"It's one of my favorite restaurants. I'll take you here often whenever you lose your appetite. It's got good dishes to taste," Julian smiled staring at her when she was looking all around with dazzling eyes.

"I love this place! It's artistically beautiful," She happily expressed as he smiled when their eyes met for a while. She blushed looking away as he did. Their plates were served as they started to eat. "By the way, what were you going to tell me earlier? You said it's important," Questioned miss Han curiously.

"Well, it's about knight Jaelin. I heard she has no relative and she's been in the Lunar Eris ever since she was a child. Did she ever mention about her parents?" Julian started as she felt a bit sad to mention her. "I know her news about her being punished are spread in the capitol and she's got no family here. So, I wonder who is responsible on her," He continued, feeling curious.

"She told me that they are dead and she doesn't know how they died. She was taken care of by her aunt. I remember I saw her once in our first year when she came to see her. Jaelin cried a lot because she told her she wouldn't come to visit her again. Then, master Jin became the responsible on her," She explained, finishing her plate.

"Do you remember how she looks like? Her aunt, I mean."

"Not really, it was once and we were nine years old, I think. But I only know Jaelin has her eyes!" She mentioned as he nodded. "Why? Is there something wrong?"

"No, at all. Do not worry. I'll make sure miss Jaelin will attend the wedding," He faked a smile as she stayed quiet for a while.

"May I ask you something?" Juli gathered her courage to speak as he nodded. "Does his highness like knight Jaelin?" She questioned when she looked down then at him while he froze for a bit, in silence.

"Um. Well, I'm going to be honest with you, princess Juli. I do like her from the first time I've seen her. I also thought of confessing to her that night on the Peace Era day. It just started ever since.."

"Ever since you saw her in the forest practicing and she didn't recognize that you're the light king until you used the glass watery wall," She interrupted, murmuring coldly while he nodded. "And you inquired about her because you wanted her to be the light queen, right?"

"It's partly like that. I was curious about..." Julian wanted to explain the overall thing while she interrupted once again.

"It's your right to do that, your highness. I have nothing else to say. Now, excuse me," She stood up feeling mad about how he lied to her and bowed leaving fast as he tried to stop her.

Ethan stood up from the other table seeing Juli leaving fast as he ran toward his leader, knowing he had blown up the beautiful atmosphere of that restaurant.

"What happened? What did you tell her?" The subordinate wondered as Julian sighed deeply.

"I asked her about knight Jaelin as she could guess why I've done that."

"How could you do that to your to-be queen? I thought you know that you shouldn't talk about the one you like in front of who likes you. Plus, she's your fiancé!" Ethan quacked, examining him if he was alright in his brain or no. Julian glared at him then left the place, followed by his friend and heading to the light palace.