Jealousy (He Hates It)
AURELIA
The excitement could still be heard from outside as we returned to the palace. It followed us inside.
The Obsidian Palace had changed. The halls were darker, but alive—surrounded by tall obsidian pillars draped in silver banners. Purple flames blazed in shallow bowls on the walls.
As we walked down the palace corridor, my three servants, Nyx, Celetine, and Morgana, were behind me, while Kael was behind them.
I could hear the three of them whispering behind me, soft laughter. My brow furrowed at the sound of their whispers.
"I can't believe Commander's reaction either," Nyx whispered.
"Do you think… Commander likes Princess Aurelia?" Celetine replied, her voice softer.
"Impossible," Morgana interjected. "They're enemies, right? They've never gotten along."
"Then..." Nyx added, "How do you explain Commander's reaction earlier?"
I slowed my pace then stopped.
"Why," I said without looking back. My voice was calm so they wouldn't be nervous about my sudden intrusion into their conversation. "What was his reaction earlier?" I asked.
They fell silent, then suddenly froze. I could hear them breathing in unison as if I had caught them in the act of committing a crime. When I turned around, they suddenly fell silent and bowed.
"G-Grathen, Your Highness," Nyx stammered, still mumbling.
Celestine and Morgana immediately nodded, their heads bowed.
I crossed my arms slightly. "Well?"
The three of them looked at each other. Nyx spoke a little hesitantly.
"Commander," Nyx began. "He froze when you put the skewer you were eating in his mouth."
"She wasn't just stunned," Celine added. "She was restless, as if she was shy and uneasy."
Morgana frowned slightly. "That's not typical for your relationship."
I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"
Nyx bit her lip. "You and Commander were enemies. There was never a second when you agreed on everything."
I frowned. "So…."
Nyx hesitated but continued. "Everything just changed last week. One morning, it was like you weren't Princess Aurelia."
"We weren't the only ones who noticed that your relationship with Commander had changed a lot, My Highness," Morgana replied.
My chest tightened for a second. I noticed that too. Everyone seemed suspicious of my sudden closeness to Kael, but what could I do? It was hard to pretend to be angry. What would I say if we fought? I didn't know anything about him.
I exhaled slightly. "You guys, you're overthinking too much."
"No—" Celestine immediately stopped herself. "I mean…. It's like Commander liked what you did."
"He liked it?" I asked, a little surprised. 'Really?'
"You probably didn't notice, Princess, because you turned away immediately, but I did. When you said it felt like Commander kissed you when you shared food with him, his aura really changed." Nyx's story was so fast that I barely understood it.
"I was just kidding," I said. "I didn't know it would affect him."
"How could it not affect him, Princess? Commander hasn't had a girlfriend." Celestine said softly. "No woman has ever come close to him but you."
"His attention was just distracting before, and it seems even worse now, Princess," Nyx replied.
Morgana bowed. "Sorry, Your Highness. We shouldn't be talking about you."
I waved it off. "Just relax. I asked a question, you just answered it."
"Enough of the whispering. You need to rest, Princess." Kael's voice was cold.
I smiled at my three servants, but I frowned at Kael and turned around, continuing to walk. They immediately followed me.
A few more seconds passed, and none of us spoke. Without thinking, I glanced slightly to the side. Kael was still there, following us from behind. Quiet and distant, as if nothing had happened.
I faced forward again. "Vraeth-ka," I muttered under my breath.
-
The next day, Nyx adjusted my sleeves as we walked. "Your Highness, today is not like the streets."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
My dress clung to my arms, layers of black silk and thin fabric. Delicate threads with traces of silver designs that moved with me.
"Today, there will be a royal gathering," Morgana added quietly. "The Court will be present."
Great.
Kael walked beside me, silent as ever; I didn't notice. We entered the great hall. All was quiet.
"Honor to the Throne," the voices rang out, one after another.
I tried not to panic. I raised my chin slightly. "Shadow be with you."
They bowed. This time… I didn't want to run anymore.
"Your Highness."
The voice was smooth. I turned around. A man was standing not far from me. He seemed to be more deserving of being here than the others. He was wearing a dark, formal robe with red edges. There were gold decorations, but not too many.
I glanced at Nyx, who was the closest to me. "Who is he?" I whispered.
Nyx approached me, her lips moving as she spoke.
"Princess…" she whispered carefully. "He is Prince Darius of House Virelith."
She glanced around slightly before speaking again.
"Their clan is one of the most powerful clans in the underworld, almost on par with the palace, the Blood Crown." Nyx's voice dropped. "They are your closest allies… and also your most vulnerable enemies."
She glanced at Kael for a moment. "He is the one the Court wants for you."
I glanced at the Prince who was walking towards me. I was no longer at a loss.
He was tall, almost as tall as Kael, but with a lighter stance, unlike Kael, who was like a statue but ready to attack. Darius had a charm that didn't need to be noticed.
He moved elegantly, and it was obvious in his stride. His hair was black, as if there was gel that wouldn't get messed up even in strong winds. His face was annoyingly perfect. He didn't even give a full smile, just a half one.
He wasn't like the other nobles there who had to act like stars to be noticed.
His smile didn't reach his eyes. He bowed.
"Grathen for your presence tonight," he said.
I blinked. "Grathen… Prince Darius."
Nyx fell silent beside me. So did Kael.
Darius stepped closer. "I trust the festival pleased you," he said.
"Of course," I replied. "More than I expected."
He stared at me for a longer time this time.
"More than I expected?" he said softly. "Before that."
…That's right.
The former Aurelia wasn't pleased. It's a good thing I knew that. Thanks to my three friends, I had an idea.
"I decided to try new things," I said softly. "Surprising, I know."
Darius was stunned for a moment. He just stared, then smiled.
"Very," he said. "You used to leave before the music even began."
'Shit, does he really know the princess?'
I shrugged slightly. "Maybe I was waiting for something worth staying for."
His eyes looked up.
Interesting.
"Be careful," he whispered. "It's like a challenge."
"Maybe."
Neither of us spoke for a moment. Then he exhaled softly, almost happily.
"Then let me," he said, extending his hand, "correct my past shortcomings."
Shortcomings?
Before I could react, Kael moved. "His Majesty does not need guidance," Kael said calmly.
Darius didn't look at him. "That's not for you."
Have they always been like this?
I sighed. "I can make up my own mind."
Darius didn't speak, nor did Kael. They fell silent. Then I placed my hand in Darius's.
Just to prove it.