Chapter 37 - Engagement

The scene definitely looked like one from a high budget action movie starring Luka as the attractive male lead. The grin on that handsome face made the scene even better.

The chandelier, full of dangerous looking shards of diamond began to sway and as Luka pushed away from it and jumped for the floor there was a scurry screams.

A shout was stuck in my throat and for many that wasn't the case.

"He's falling!!!" Someone screeched in my ear.

"Move out of the way!!!" The nobles cared less for a dead body than their precious clothes.

But Luka didn't fall.

Two beautiful pair of raven wings, like a crows but much bigger appeared behind him and before he met the ground they spread out to a wingspan of about seven feet and he glided right before Raphael.

"What is the meaning of this?" Archie snapped at him, not at all impressed by the scene before him.

"I'd also like an explanation for that", Luka's father, King Brennus glared down at his son.

His son flinched before composing himself.

"Like I said before. I will take her if you don't want to. The princess is precious to both myself and all of Brennus. The very moment you faltered in your decision you lost your claim to her", his words didn't suit a ten year old at all and with his deep voice he truly seemed like an authoritative figure.

Raphael looked perplexed at the scene. His eyes that stared stunned at Luka turned to me hesitantly and then shot back to the boy. His face changed in a way that showed he agreed with Luka, but for a moment there was a flicker. A flicker of a dark hue in his eyes before they returned back to normal.

I caught his hands fisting as he tried to control one of his alters. Which one… I didn't know.

"Well? Do you give up?" Luka prodded at him.

And then it all went black. Raphael was no longer Raphael and whoever stared down at Luka was not at all pleased.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the sight and found myself trying to get to Luka, before it was too late. Before anything could happen.

"It is rude to interrupt a sacred moment like this by such uncultured behaviour", the words that Raphael would never say, uttered right from his very lips. The cold tone Raphael could never possess.

"Ha? If it's so sacred then why did you hesitate?" Luka looked slightly put off by the sudden change in character but he hadn't given up at all. He was still ready for a fight.

"I truly wonder why…" he muttered as he observed the bruised palm caused by Raphael. He turned to Archie with a nod and then searched the crowd before his gaze rested on little me. He made his way towards me, ignoring Luka.

As he came closer his face became slightly softer and I found myself relaxing as I identified the alter. I didn't know his name, but I knew him and gave him a nod.

"Princess. I would like to ask you if you're comfortable with this?" The words he spoke as he crouched down in a position that most nobles would consider degrading caused a spark of surprise in the crowd.

Nobody kept their emotions hidden.

"He's asking the princess?"

"The heir to Harlow is asking for a child's opinion?"

I also found myself momentarily speechless before I felt my first crack of a smile for the night. I had found it so obnoxious when nobody cared for the opinion of a princess who was just valuable cargo to them and Raphaels actions really made me feel Better.

He really was different.

He smiled warmly at my reaction.

Luka watched from the sidelines albeit grumpily but I realised this was his intention. I owed some big thanks later.

"Yes".

What was I feeling at this moment you might wonder?

Relief? That the storyline was following its proper destination?

Terror? That I'd be stuck in a tower watching Raphael flirt with other women?

I wasn't at all sure what it was, but I knew that i was getting attached. And when I watched the clapping nobles as they gave congrats to Raphael and Myself I realised I had gotten sidetracked. Enough that I forgot what I truly was supposed to do.

I noticed that the King of Blackburn hadn't looked at me once. Jirael really didn't show up and the Duke of Camellia, like father, didn't make eye contact with me.

As for the other King, he looked truly dissatisfied and didn't hide it at all. Luka, although he looked annoyed seemed to be convinced that this was a temporary arrangement and made a point to declare that when he finally came round to congratulate us.

"Just because she's engaged to you doesn't mean she likes you", was all he said to Raphael and then to me he gave a look of regret and clasped my hands on his now child sized chest. "I'll come save you princess. I'll find a way".

I found myself chuckling at the boy which made him give me a look that said, 'is this funny to you?'

"Thank you for your appearance Luka. I guess Lance put you up to that?" I realised from his words that Lance must be the true mastermind.

"That guy said you'd pick me if I did that!" He huffed in annoyance and I patted his shoulder.

"If I had-" I bit my tongue to stop the words from leaving my mouth.

'If I had the choice I would've picked you'.

I can't say that to him now can I?

"Let's see each other again", I held out my hand to him which he took glumly.

"It'll be a few years later but when I come back we can get married! And if nobody allows us we'll elope!" He truly didn't care about the noble who gasped around him until his father appeared behind him with a threatening hand on his shoulder.

"It seems my son is troubling you princess?" He truly looked every inch the terrifying Brennus king.

"N-Not at all" I stuttered with a gulp.

He looked scary!!

"Then let me congratulate you despite my frustration and dispose of my no good offspring", he gave me a polite smile before scooping up Luka, who gave an indignant cry before they both disappeared into thin air.

"They really have to teach me that" I remarked to Raphael as I recovered from the mental shock.

Raphael on the other hand was still trying his best to comprehend what he had just witnessed.

Soon enough, Edmund followed in tow with his father. Both of their gleaming silver hair matching and their faces so similar it made it seem obvious that they were father and son.

"Raphael Harlow. You've won a battle fought by many so I commend your achievement." The dukes smile didn't reach his eyes at all and his deathly grip on Edmunds shoulder tightened.

"I'm truly unworthy of this victory and I would've never received it had the princess not agreed", he said those words as if they were the truth and even though they were far from it I still liked the sound of them.

Edmund stared at me as if he expected an explanation. His jewel like eyes transfixed on me as they looked almost hurt yet more than that, frightened.

I wasn't sure why as the duke spoke again before I could ask.

"I wonder if the princess would've agreed to just anyone", the remark made me shoot him an inquisitive look. He took no notice of me and seemed to stare down Raphael challengingly.

But this wasn't Raphael he was speaking to so I found it necessary to speak up.

"I chose Raphael because I want to spend the rest of my life with him!" I smiled and like a child leaned against Raphael.

The duke wasn't convinced and neither was Edmund it seemed. Raphael on the other hand tousled my hair like I was a cute puppy he bumped into.

"You're a bit too young to be saying such thing princess", Duke Arian actually looked kind of pissed.

"Oh am I? But I only want to spend it with Raphael", I answered in fake naivety.

Edmund flinched at my words which made me in turn also flinch.

This won't hurt him, will it?

"Well something you learn while growing up is that feelings can change and since you're a princess-"

"Duke Arian. There are people waiting to congratulate us. It might be best to speak some other time", Raphael skilfully ended the conversation although nobody seemed too fussed about us anymore and rather enjoyed the banquet.

As I watched the nobles enjoy themselves I found myself thinking back to how the king who I was sure changed had still gone through with this. A strange feeling of betrayal began to creep up my heart strings but halted when I caught sight of Raphaels older brother.

I think his name was Dain? I wasn't too sure in all honestly since his only relevance in the book was being part of Raphaels most hated people. Regardless, I should be marrying him. So what exactly changed?

I glanced towards my father. Noticing his brooding face that he wore when he felt truly angered. I must have stared for a while because a few moments later his gaze met mine.

I flinched the moment our eyes met, but I didn't look away. I couldn't. Because his beautiful amber eyes looked at me in the same way a puppy that had been kicked looked.

Absolutely miserable.

I looked away as I came to realise another thing.

Archie held the monarchy by its collar.

"Princess", Raphaels voice bought me back to the present and I looked to him, "that friend of yours with the steel hair seems to want to speak to you. I think this arrangement is bothering him more than anyone else".

At his words I looked towards Edmund who seemed to be enjoying himself among his peers. Or at least he put up a good display of it.

His hands seemed to be glued to his waist as if wishing his sword could appear and he could… well I wasn't sure what he planned from then on, but it didn't look pleasant and the way his hand kept twitching frequently it was painfully obvious that Raphael was right.