"Your highness, please wake up. You must get ready for your brother's coronation ceremony."
I heard my servant's voice from outside. "Yeah, I'm already awake."
I, Lucas Ravenholt, the third prince of the Valtoria Kingdom, am preparing for my eldest brother Xandros Ravenholt's coronation ceremony. Taking one last glance in the mirror, I straightened my attire and exhaled softly.
"Lucas! Finally, you're here. Come on, they're waiting for us." My second eldest brother, Gabriel Ravenholt, called out. I hurried beside him as we made our way to the grand hall.
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"His Majesty, King Xavior Ravenholt, and Her majesty, Queen Aria Ravenholt has arrived!" The herald announced. At once, every guest bowed deeply as the royal couple entered followed by the crown prince, Xandros, radiant in his ceremonial attire.
The ceremony began.
Prince Xandros stepped forward, his voice steady and solemn as he took his oath.
"I, Xandros Ravenholt, heir to the throne of Valtoria, swore to uphold the laws, custom, and honour of our Kingdom.
With reverent silence, the late king lifted the crown and placed it upon his son's head. A new reign had begun. Amidst the cheers and celebration, Gabriel leaned toward me witha grin.
"Lucas, shall we go hunting after the festivities," I smirked. "Do you even need to ask? Of course, I'll come."
Lucas's POV:
After the ceremony, Gabriel and I walked towards the royal stables. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of rain and pine.
Then - something faint caught my attention.
"Do you hear that?" I whispered.
Gabriel frowned. "Hear what?"
"Footsteps," I muttered, slowing my pace. "Someone's following us."
The sound grew clearer - soft, deliberate steps behind us. I gripped the hilt of my sword, every sense sharpened. In one swift motion, I spun around. The moonlight glinted off my blaze as it pressed lightly against the throat of a stranger - A Woman.
Her piercing eyes sparkled in the moon light, and her raven-black hair cascaded down flawlessly. Her bronze-tinted skin glowed with a subtle sheen, as if kissed by sunlight, and tiny gold dust adorned the edges of her golden bindi, making it appear as though the stars themselves crowned her forehead.
"Gorgeous."
I whispered, she looked at us as if she been caught in a mistake.
"Lower your sword, Lucas and you! You are not from Valtoria, are you?" Gabriel asked her with curiosity, but in return he got silence. She was simply staring at us with hesitation.
"I think, I asked you something?" A muscle twitched in his jaw, betraying his annoyance; still, he did not raise his voice in front of that woman.
He never did.
"I am Rukmini Nefraya of Nefaria." She replied with a hint of fear in her voice.
"OHH! So, you are here for the ceremony. Why don't you go inside, it is really not that safe----" His words were interrupted by her suddenly burst.
"Actually, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation earlier regarding the hunt. Would you be so kind as to allow me to join you both in the hunt?" My eyes met hers, and I had to look away to hide my smile. Her request to join the hunt left me fighting to contain my amusement. With a grin, I asked.
"You sure you want to tag along this hunt?"
Her radiant smile wavered for a moment, her eyes locking into mine, before she replied, "I have been waiting for the right partners." As her gaze met mine, my heart skipped a beat, and the flutter in my chest catching me off guard.
Author's Point of view:
In the dead of night, one can only hear the distant echoes of horse's movements. As they were going deep into the forest, they heard someone chanting in a low, hypnotic voice, and soon they stumbled upon a mysterious figure. His eyes were covered with a blind fold.
That man crossed his hands, palms facing each other, and fingers splayed. It looked as if he was performing some sort of ritual.
"That hand sign?!" Rukmini exclaimed.
Lucas and Gabriel looked at her. She looked so surprised as she gazed at that man. Soon, her expression turned to terror. Lucas turned to the man again, only to see a big black creature hovering over him.
"Is that a dragon?! Wait, isn't he aware of it? It is dangerous for him!" Gabriel exclaimed, drawing his sword out. Just as Gabriel was about to begin chanting a spell, the mysterious man intervened.
"Who is it?!"
"We would appreciate, if you just show yourself." He spoke again. Just as Lucas was about to speak, Rukmini interfered.
"Don't do anything." She whispered, Lucas and Gabriel looked at her being confused. "Can't you guys see that the dragon is actually protecting him?" She asked them.
"Let me handle this." Lucas said as he slowly went towards that man without listening to Rukmini's words.
"Hey! There is no need to be worried. We were just roaming in the forest and we stumbled upon you." With a gentle smile, he spoke softly, his words barely above a whisper, as Gabriel and Rukmini followed him.
As Lucas drew closure to the man, his features became more defined, and Lucas could see him more clearly.
The man's fair skin was deathly pale. The cold air had kissed his skin with a delicate pinkish colour adding a touch of warmth.
The moonlight danced across his face, highlighting the contours of his features and the gentle imperfections of his skin. As he stood there, bathed in the silvery glow of the moon - skin radiating in the ethereal light, as if illuminated from within.
"Roaming in the night? In this deadly night?" That man questioned them again.
"We are princes of Valtoria Kingdom." A hint of irritation crept into Gabriel's voice as he answered.
"So, that woman is also from Valtoria?" the man's question caught them off guard.
"H-How do you know that there is a woman here?! Aren't you blind?!" Eyes widened at his words, Gabriel exclaimed.
The man replied with a shrug, "I can smell her presence." His voice devoid of emotion.
"Smell?" Rukmini asked his again. She looked at him as if she was looking at a madman. "Are you sure we shouldn't take him to royal infirmary?" She whispered to Lucas, asking him about the man.
"You guys better go back. This forest is surrounded by wild creatures that you don't even know they exist – not very safe for you. it's pass midnight." He spoke.
Unable to read his face, Lucas finds him very different compared to others. He could not say whether it was because of his way of speaking or his eyes.
"Yeah…. You are right. But, before we go, may I know your name?"
"Vihaan. I am Vihaan."
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Lucas's point of view:
Smell presence? He is crazy! Even though he is blind, I can sense something about him. Something far more powerful. Never in my life, have I felt this way. Even the thought of him sends chills down my spine. All these thoughts kept distracting me. I couldn't focus on the book in my hands.
Last night, I couldn't sleep. These doubts… Like, who is he? What was he doing there in the middle of the forest? What does he mean by smelling presence? It sounds strange – unnatural. And… That dragon!? What was it doing there? Why was it protecting him? I mean… Why HIM? So lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the door creak open. Just then, Xandros entered the library.
"Your Majesty?" I asked trying control my smile.
"Hello, my brother…" he let out a soft chuckle. I walked over and hugged him congratulating him once again on his coronation.
"I suppose Gabriel already told you about last night. I'm really confused and distracted."
"At moments like this," he replied calmly, "all one can do is search for answers."
"What? But, today is princess Zahra's birthday. Shouldn't we all be visiting. How can I find answers, when I'll be stuck at a birthday party?"
"Brother, you have no patience," he said, irritation creeping into his voice. Then he continued, "I've got a task for you. As you can see, the head guard has fallen ill. Unfortunately, he was supposed to patrol the forest area with few soldiers today. Nobles from a neighbouring kingdom reported hearing a mysterious sound from the forest. I want you to go and investigate."
"I thought that issue was already sorted out? Did they complain again? I--"
"No one complained!" he interrupted sharply. "I simply want you to check it again."
I paused…
"Wait a second… I know what you're trying to say." I straightened. "Yes, your majesty. I will do as you command. But I am afraid to say that I won't be able to attend the party tonight. Please convey my greetings and my best wishes for their well-being."
"I'll handle everything brother." He said winking as he whispered, "Be glad you have me as your brother… Good luck on your search." With that he left the room.
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The moonlight kissed her tanned skin, and she gleamed like a fallen star, each step she took echoed like music, drawing the attention of everyone present in the room. Even the space itself seemed to radiate with her presence. Her appearance was striking – Navy blue eyes, wavy hair that flowed as if wind itself embraced her. Yet everyone's gaze soon shifted to the creature beside her, bearing the same eyes as her. It let out a soft roar as ran her long fingers through its black fur – "Zahra Roselyn!"
Zahra Roselyn of Celestia – where grace is tradition and strength is inheritance.
(Image)
To be continued....