Aisha wanted the ground to open up and eat her whole right now.
"Why do I have to get caught up in this mess? I only want to come back home," She grumbled as her eyes darted from one party to another.
She admitted that she was glad to see the King again. It was as if he was her knight in shining armor.
Or not. Because he has a higher position than a knight.
Or another not, because he has a different agenda why he was here. He must have been finding her an inconvenience, a sabotage to his plans.
Still, she was thankful, as she really didn't want to stay at this Manor.
No matter how beautiful it is. It just appeared like a glamorous coffin, with dead bones inside.
But then, why did it feel like she was being torn apart?
If she chose to leave the Manor, does that mean that the King would not get what he was after?
She stared at him with his towering height. His smoldering eyes were penetrating into hers.
Her heart thumped an irregular heartbeat. And she knew it was not out of fear.
She did not want to trouble him. But she didn't want to stay in this land either.
Just then, a bright idea came to her mind.
"With all due respect, my lord, Your Majesty," she bowed down to everyone. "Your servant is a loyal subject of Gaea. Whatever the decision of the King is, I would gladly oblige."
Her head remained in a bowed position as a sign of her humility before the royalties in front of her.
Lord Emilio seconded the motion as he also made a formal bow and declared in a loud voice, "We are at your disposal, your Majesty."
Lord Lycano's men looked at each other and decided to do the same.
It seemed that Lord Lycano was left with no choice. With a growl, his shoulder-length black wavy hair went down as he bowed down to him.
Aisha clamped her lips to compress a smile from showing. It seems that it's working!
Now, everyone's back to honor their King.
However, the ball was now in the King's Court. If he chose for her to stay, he would get what he was after. If not, he would lose it. But still, it wouldn't be her fault.
Of course, she wanted to leave. But not to the point that something important for the King would be compromised. She's not that stupid and selfish.
She readied herself for whatever his decision would be.
She looked around her. It's not so bad to live here. Maybe she could adjust. For a month or so. And then she would try to escape again if she could.
She was lost in planning her survival when the King cleared his throat. It was as if he was already ready to state his decision.
"Thank you for your devotion to the King, my lady, and everyone present," Leandro bowed down to them. "It is my decision then for Lady Aisha to live in the Northern Gaea."
"But, your Majesty," Lord Emilio stepped nearer to him as if he was about to say something.
But the King has already made up his mind. He lifted his royal rod as a signal for Aisha to step forward and obey his command.
Aisha was stunned. Did he really say it right? Does that mean he chose her freedom over his kingdom?
Aisha's usually talkative mouth couldn't utter a single word. She felt relieved that she wouldn't have to stay on this side of Gaea.
But she felt guilty that there is a price that the King has paid.
She clearly recalled that the merchants came to the Southern Lands with their lives on the line. If they mentioned their death, their task must be too great. That means it is important for the King, too.
Lord Emilio, Lord Lycano, and his men knelt before the King as he raised his rod.
"Who am I to contend?" Aisha muttered to herself.
"Thank you for your grace, your Majesty," Aisha bowed down to him.
Then she slowly walked to his side of the Manor, the one nearer the door.
The King's aesthetically handsome face hypnotized her, making her see nothing but him. Her own heartbeat with her every step.
As she drew near him, she could smell his scent again, that rich, earthy, and manly scent. Slowly, her fears started to melt away.
She could see the King's plum lips curved in a tight smile as she walked to his side.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she wondered why he wanted her to leave this place. Was it because he wanted to protect her from Lord Lycano? Or because he wanted her for himself?
The King turned his back on Lord Lycano and was about to leave when Lord Lycano spoke up.
"Your Majesty, you said you were going to discuss something about land estates?" He followed up, with a sarcastic smile on his face.
Perhaps he wanted to emphasize the opportunity that the King lost because of her.
The King turned back to him and answered quickly, "I believe you already have your answer, Lord Lycano. Let us not waste each other's breath. Gaea is a prosperous and bountiful land, living independently of other realms for centuries. I believe it will continue to do so, with or without anyone's help."
Aisha could see the black veins in Lord Lycano's neck starting to creep up.
Fortunately, the King finished the conversation early.
"Anyway, thank you for your warm hospitality. I truly hope we would meet again at a more opportune time," he tilted his head in a half-bow to him, then he abruptly turned around and walked away, leaving a seething Lord behind.
She could hear him gruff, "Surely we will meet again, Your Majesty. I will get back what is mine."
She quickly ran forward to the King.
Lord Emilio followed after her, with him being the last in the queue.
"Your Majesty," Lord Lycano's servants that they passed through bowed down to him.
To Aisha's delight, she saw a Dracus and its huge wings. She recalled how it brought her to the Castle.
She was scared and itching to leave, then.
But this time, she felt peace and joy, as if she was even desiring to see it again.
**********************************************************************
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it. Abraham Lincoln
Aisha almost skipped as she walked forward to the Dracus. Her heart was beaming with joy that she didn't have to stay at the Lycus Lands for long.
Anyone could see that it was a beautiful Manor, elegant and pleasing to anyone's taste. But the place was as creepy as hell. Especially the owner.
Though he has a mesmerizing countenance, she didn't want to live with him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Forgive me for the inconvenience that I caused you," She said as she was now inches behind the King.
It was he who helped him get out of there. And she was really guilty of the trouble she caused him.
They were now outside Lord Lycano's Gates. A Dracus was waiting for his master, King Leandro. There was another Dracus. Perhaps it was for Lord Emilio.
She expected to hear an answer from the King. But he just walked speedily ahead.
Aisha's shoulders dropped as she observed his reaction. She heaved out a long sigh as she readied herself for what lies ahead.
What did she expect? He could have had a pleasant day discussing with Lord Lycano about royal matters. But he has to bother himself because of her.
"It will pass, my lady," Lord Emilio whispered to her behind her back. He must have witnessed how the King ignored her attempt to reconcile with him.
"Is he angry with me? Will he punish me? What will happen to me?" Aisha mumbled as she walked at a slower pace, so she could be beside Lord Emilio.
Lord Emilio didn't answer her at once. He looked forward and gave the King a glance. "I am really not aware. But one thing I'm sure of, he will not let this go unnoticed."
"Oh my gosh, what does that even mean?" Aisha clutched her chest.
"I just don't want to bother anyone with my presence. And I want to find my family," she sighed as she thought about her reasons for leaving.
Her heart sank as she recalled them.
She has no idea if the world really ate up itself. Or if someone from her family is alive.
She was lucky to be alive and breathing. And this place seemed to be too magical to be engulfed by her world's catastrophes. But she doesn't want to live here alone.
Also, she didn't want to portray the role of someone that was clearly not for her.
She was staring at her feet as they dragged along the grassy grounds when she saw a pair of two gigantic feet in golden sandals, stopping her tracks.
To her bewilderment, it was King Leandro. He turned his back and faced her.
"Then you should've waited for me," King Leandro growled at her.
His amaranthine eyes were filled with anger that Aisha's knees went weak, making her unconsciously step back.
He didn't transform into an Incredible Hulk or turn into a beast, just like the previous beings that she has encountered.
But with his appearance and foreboding demeanor alone, one would immediately drop to her knees and beg for his mercy, which she immediately did.
"Forgive me, my King. I deeply regret what I did," She uttered sincerely.
Yes, she should have trusted him. But how could she do that when she just met him for the first time?
She has been friends with Melissa, Jake, and the others, and yet they have betrayed her.
Her actions must have melted the King's infuriated heart, as his tensed figure slowly relaxed.
His breathing gradually returned to normal. His aura calmly transformed from being fearsome to being considerate.
She could feel the wind numbing her skin again.
Lord Emilio quickly went to her side and bowed down with her. "Pardon me as well for my negligence in taking care of Lady Aisha, your Majesty."
To both Lord Emilio and Aisha's joy, the King gave a positive response.
Or not?
"Apology accepted. Nevertheless, there would be consequences," He said with great authority that Aisha's heart wanted to get out of her rib cage.
She didn't dare defy his statement. He's the King and of course, he must set the parameters, so there will be peace and order in the land.
She always saw it in drama series.
Aisha drew in a deep breath as she imagined herself being pulled by two horses in opposite parts.
Or being hanged in a guillotine.
She was thinking of what those consequences meant when King Leandro uttered something.
"I will take you somewhere. Come with me," He lifted his big powerful hand, asking her to put her dainty one in it.
Aisha gazed into his purplish eyes. They weren't flaming, just like a while ago. It seemed like he was calmer now.
Aisha felt her stomach twirling inside her. Where could that place be?
Will that be in a lion's den? Or a seashore with lots of hungry sharks? Her pulse quickened, making her bite her lips.
"The King is waiting, Lady Aisha," Lord Emilio prodded her.
"I-I'm sorry. Can I just choose how I would die? Can you just poison me instead? You know, the one who would make you sleep forever?" She asked with an awkward smile on her face.
Still, she extended her slender arm and put her fine-boned hand in his. As she did so, her tensed feeling slowly dissolved away.
Somehow, his nearness to her, made her feel safe. Or maybe because he has just saved her a while ago from the wolves' mouths, that's why she felt safe with him?
She noticed King Leandro clamping his lips as if he was suppressing emotions that he didn't want her to see. It all happened in a fraction of a second, as he quickly returned to his solemn look.
"Lord Emilio, you can go back to the Castle now and carry out my orders. Lady Aisha and I will be with you shortly," King Leandro commanded him.
Lord Emilio quickly bowed down his head, rode on his Dracus, and flew away.
Then King Leandro helped her seat herself in Draco's neck.
Since it was her second time, she was not as frisky as the first ride.
Still, her muscles were tensed as they traveled the Gaean sky as they seemed to be traveling not to the Castle, but to the North-Eastern part of Gaea.
****************************************************
You are free to make whatever choice you want,
But you are not free of the consequences of that choice.
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