For a moment Xavian just stared at the woman in shocked surprise. "Sister!" He breathed out in disbelief.
She smiled warmly at him and before she could open her mouth to speak, Xavian rushed over to her and engulfed her in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're here."
"Me too Xavian." She said hugging him back. "I missed you so much my little prince."
Pulling away from the hug. She looked him over from head to toe, her red eyes full of fondness. "Wow.... I've only been gone for a few months and look at you now .... You're looking too handsome for your own good!"
Xavian scoffed lightly "Stop flattering me sis," He said and crossed his arms playfully. "I thought you forgot about this brother of yours Iris. After all you abandoned me for that snot-nosed Prince". Despite his words a grin broke through his lips. "When did you arrive?"
"Oh my God Xavian! Iris gasped at him "How dare you talk about my husband like that?" She hit him on the shoulder playfully. Xavian only flashed her an unapologetic smile.
"Anyways," She continued, shaking her head. "I just arrived and came to see my mischievous little brother." She said pulling his cheeks adoringly. This brother of hers was just too cute and handsome.
"Iris, stop it." He complained. Just then a maid came in and informed them that lunch was ready. Iris instructed her to take it to the patio- she wanted to dine with her brother there. The maid bowed respectfully and left.
The siblings left the room together, chatting and teasing each other as they made their way towards the patio.
*****
"Father is being completely unreasonable," Xavian complained bitterly to his sister. "He knows how much I hate that place and yet he insists on sending me there..."
They had already finished lunch and were now catching up on the six months Iris had been away. The conversation was going well until Iris mentioned the tournament and Xavian's mood turned completely sour.
Iris had told him that the reason she came home was to see this year's tournament on behalf of her husband, The crown prince of Aetherwyn. But the very mention of the tournament turned Xavian from being cheerful to a whining brat in an instant! He kept complaining while Iris calmly took a sip from her glass, feeling quite amused.
"So you're saying Father is making you supervise the tournament just to punish you?" Iris muttered, trying to let his words sink in.
"Yes." Xavian groaned.
"And you're really doing it?" She asked again.
"Yeah...." Xavian slumped back on the chair defeatedly. " I don't have a choice it seems"
Iris sighed softly. "Wow. I guess I overestimated you, Xavian." Iris murmured to herself.
Xavian frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked but Iris didn't seem to hear him.
"Seems like I owe that old man now." She continued mumbling under her breath with a frown on her face.
Xavian instantly became suspicious. Something was definitely up. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her but she was so lost in thought that she didn't notice.
"Iris ....." Xavian called out. snapping her out of her thought. "What were you talking about just now?" He inquired.
She blinked and shook her head saying it was nothing. She gave him a sweet smile but it only deepen his suspicion. In fact, he became even more convinced she was hiding something from him.
"Iris.. Tell me" He insisted.
"I said it was nothing Xavian," She waved her hand dismissively. "Ooh, look at the time. I think it's about time for me to rest. after all, I've had a long journey" She said. attempting to leave, but Xavian grabbed her.
"Sis, what are you hiding from me? Spill it...." He demanded while grabbing her hand.
"Okay fine....." She said defeatedly. "I'll tell you jeez." She sighed and slumped back on her seat.
She took his hand and stared deeply into his beautiful blue eyes which was completely different from her deep red ones and said. "Promise me you won't get mad... Okay"
"Okay.." He assured .
"Are you sure?" Iris asked. and Xavian nodded.
"Well..... the thing is...." Iris began, Then she closed her eyes and quickly said. "I made a bet with father a few months ago about you supervising the tournament this year." She said it in on breath.
"What!!" Xavian exclaimed rising to his feet.
"Calm down okay" Iris said as she pulled him down to sit. "Look we made a simple bet but whether or not you end up supervising the tournament was actually up to you." She explained.
Xavian's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I meant what you heard." She almost rolled her eyes at him. "Look , Father and I made that bet on simple terms....." She shrugged. "I bet that you won't be the one to supervise it and father bet that you would most definitely supervise it...." Xavian listened carefully.
"When I asked him how he was so sure.. He told me that he was going to assign you a few personal bodyguards and if either of the guards stay till the tournament..... then It means you won't do it. But if you make all the bodyguards quit or 'disappears' before the week of the tournament then you will undoubtedly supervise the tournament." Iris explained.
Xavian was speechless. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. That old man actually took a gamble on him. Gamble was an understatement! He had set a trap for him and he fell head first into it!.
"I was so sure you wouldn't do it.... sigh.. It seems I was wrong." She said, looking like someone who just lost a fortune.
"That sly old man." Xavian breathed out disbelief colored his face. He couldn't help but laugh at himself as realization dawned on him. "That explains why he wasn't angry when Sir Otis left. I knew he was up to something but I didn't expect this at all."
"Cheer up little brother...." Iris said as she patted him on the back in an attempt to comfort him, "Look on the bright side .... I'm here and I'll keep you company during the tournament okay." She offered him a soft smile, but he just scoffed. "there there....." She continued to pet him
Later that night in the king's chambers.
King Othniel stood by his window, watching the night sky. His hands clasped behind his back enjoying the serenity the night sky offers. But his peace was soon interrupted by a guard who came to inform him that emissaries had returned.
"Let them in." He said without glancing back. The guard bowed and took his leave.
Soon two men in black cloaks appeared in the room. These two were Sir Aldric and Marcus. The bowed in honor of the king.
"We show our respect to our king!!" They said in unison.
"You have returned." The king said calmly. "Did you find her?" He inquired without turning his gaze away from the stars.
"Yes your majesty..." Sir Aldric replied with his head bowed.
"And?"
"Forgive us your majesty, but your servants bring both good news as well as bad news for his highness." Aldric said, reluctantly.
The king gave them a nod. "Go on. Tell me." He said expectantly.
The two men hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to break the news to the king. They looked at each other as if communicating through there eyes , who should speak next.
"Speak!" The king ordered, finally turning to face them.
"Well..... Your Majesty..." Marcus began, but faltered.
"Spit it out.." King Othniel said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice at their delay,
"Well, your Majesty... it took us quite some time to find her. Approximately a week before we finally found her in Bronts village," Aldric explained. "We searched according to your instructions, looking for a woman wear a distinct black mask engraved with a golden butterfly, and following the description you gave us about her."
"Good." The king nodded. 'But why Bronts village though? What was she doing living all the way out there?' King Othniel thought to himself. Of all the cities to choose from in the whole of Valencia, she chose Bronts village?.
"When we approached her, She had been a bit reluctant to welcome us, but she eventually did...." He continued, tensed. King Othniel listened intently to his report.
"We told her about your request and she agreed to come to the palace but..." He paused and looked at Marcus. He was worried about what might happen when they tell the king. Because so far their king had been calm. What if he suddenly became mad when they tell him that Miss Aziliah refused to come with them?
"But what?" King Othniel asked still calm, with his expression unreadable and aura suffocating.
"But Miss Aziliah said she would come... but only after the tournament My Liege and she did not specify when my Lord..." Aldric finally said. "believe us my Lord we had tried our very best to convince her to come with us but she still refused...." He bowed deeply, bracing himself for what's next and so did Marcus. They didn't dare lift their heads.
The room fell silent after Aldric's words. No one made a sound. The king was quiet and that alone intensified the two men's anxiety.
They waited for them king to scold them for failing him, for failing their mission but..... nothing like that came. So they lifted their heads and what they saw shocked them.
The king seemed delighted, in fact he looked.... happy!! He was even.....smiling!!
A/N: Sorry for the late update everyone😅😅something came up. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!