CRASH.
His words struck everyone.
The Ministers froze.Voices strangled in throats.
Even the chandeliers seemed to shiver, rattling faintly as if they were trying to hold their breath too.
But neither did Isabelle move nor make any expression,just staring right into his eyes,searching. Her heart pounded 'hold it it,hold it in',she begged herself internally.
Isabelle stood,her gold bangles jingling softly with the ornaments on her sandals. Not gracefully nor elegantly. Simply stood, as though her world crashing down was an old acquaintance that had come to greet her again.
The courtroom held its breath, waiting for the tremor in her voice, the quake in her step.
It never came.
"Meeting adjourned," she declared.
The awaited crashout never came,no drama,no tremor nor quiver. Just a ruler ending noise she no longer wished to entertain
She turned and walked out, her pale golden sleeves trailing behind her like the silver wake of a blade freshly drawn.The courtroom had not yet caught its breath. Whispers clung to the high ceilings like cobwebs, trembling with every hesitant shuffle of feet, every careful glance toward Declan. The Queen had vanished behind the heavy doors, leaving the room suspended between shock and disbelief. Some dared not speak at all, while others murmured fragments of outrage, half-formed questions, or the beginnings of conspiracies.
Declan Moore remained. Motionless. Calm. His dark eyes followed the retreating Queen with a measured intensity, taking in the sway of her veil, the glint of her bangles, the cold steel in the tilt of her chin. Not a flicker of surprise crossed his face. Seeing had always been his specialty and he saw calculation. Where others heard chaos, he heard opportunity. He did not bow neither did he move.
A murmur rose among the ministers. Felix stepped forward, fists clenched beneath his robes "You.." but he paused at the subtle signal Declan gave—a simple tilt of his head, an almost imperceptible shadow passing over his expression. Felix hesitated, aware that Moore was not merely a man of protocol; he was a man who understood leverage, a man who could bend circumstance without raising a hand. And for now, that leverage stood quietly scrutinizing him.Declan Moore chuckles,running his hand over his long blonde hair,his brown eyes twinkling.
'Oh Christencia,what an interesting little kingdom you are'he thought shaking his head. He sends an interlink message "Isha you really found something interesting this time".
Isabelle's chamber was quiet when she entered. The soft thud of her footsteps echoed faintly off the polished marble floor. She exhaled slowly, allowing herself a brief moment to feel the weight of the day settle into her shoulders and she found herself on the floor,back against the door.
She felt like letting it all out,her eyes were filled but refused to spill,she tried over and over again but they refused to bleed, burying her face in her laps,she let her heart scream as much as it wanted since her throat refused to obey her too. It also didn't favour her too,Nothing did.
What if
Startled,she stands abruptly refusing to believe the thought that just came into her head.
Her wrist-object hummed faintly, a reminder that every choice, every act, carried a cost invisible to the untrained eye. The box on the table seemed to pulse in response, as if aware of the tremor in her heart.
Declan Moore did not leave the courtroom. Instead, he lingered near the threshold, observing, calculating. A faint smile tugged at one corner of his lips—not one of amusement, but of recognition. The Queen's restraint fascinated him. Fearless, yet tethered. Powerful, yet aware of her limits. In her silence, he saw a storm contained. And in storms his respect for her rose.
'Maybe one day. One day, maybe I would truly bow my head to you..'
****** ******* ******* *******
"I knew nothing good could come from those creatures,they always look down on us humans,hmph,a human woman Queen to the largest Vampire Kingdom,what a joke,they just want to humiliate her Majesty"a older Minister said outraged.
"But sire thats the Chief Advisor of Visconsia(The capital of Aila)" a younger official said.
"Marriage to Aila isn't necessarily a bad thing,at least The Queen can finally fulfil her duty to her kingdom"another older Minister says not hiding his calculatng eyes
"Fredrick,do you dare say that again?..."Minister Clien's voice flared with anger startling everyone in the courtroom
" ....10 long years"Clien says fuming," 10 years since a 13 year old sat on the throne twice her size,10 years since a 13 year old picked up broken pieces of a shattered kingdom and transformed it to the shelter of 200,000 thousand average old and young people. Where were you,you piece of shit"Minister Clien barked at the man as remembering everything added flames to his anger. His tone pitching as he pointed his fingers at the man. Everywhere had become deathly quiet,only Clien's accusing voice could be heard.
" Where were you when a 14 year old,kneeled in front of THE COUNCIL when Emaltan refused to keep their own end of trade deal,you claimed to be sick but could attend the celebratory dinner?.."Not giving the other man a chance to refute.
" Where were you when Perrusselvia came to Christencia with a perfunctory trade talk just to spy on us,everyone knows that their drinking capacity is very high,yet none of you.."he says pointing at all of them." None of you could man up and drink,were you not there when a 15 year old accompanied them in drinking throughout the night and successfully sent them off the following morning with a successful trade alliance despite the fact that she had a week stomach..."
The older man continues to call them all out not sparing them even a shred of dignity.
"....At 23 isn't it because of her that a worthy crown prince is returning to us ? Yet without a second thought you're sending her into a pack of lions,just to soothe your male ego. She has no obligation toward people like you."
Clien's voice had cracked as he felt choked up but he refused to back down.
" Don't think I don't know what you're thinking you shithead,let me tell you now,as long I,Clien Whitmore still breathes,as long as one person from the Whitmore family still has breath the royal family of Christencia will never change hands"He finishes
"Father.." Luke his son call pleading
Breathing in and exaling" Mongrels,every single one of them"he spits again
" When Christencia was in ruins,i didn't see you fulfilling your duties either,you shithead"Clien said,a question more than a statement.
" And whose fault is that" another Minister who had been standing unnoticed says causing the entire room to go eerily quiet.
"What?" Minister Clien couldn't believe his ears...
Fredrick's face that had been scrunched up because of Clien's words slowly turned Into that of mockery meanwhile the faces of the younger scholars and officials turned into confusion. It seemed like the older ministers were now speaking in parables.
" Just because nobody mentions it doesn't mean it didn't happen. You don't praise a mistake being corrected,it is the responsibility of the one who made the mistake to correct it.....I wish to withdraw now Vizier"the other Minister says.
****(Vizier is Minister Clien's title,it means chief minister second only to the ruler)
***** ***** ***** ****** ********
'Did you hear everything '
Declan Moore interlinked the other person who had been listening in.
'KILL'
Declan shivered as the his entire body went numb with the coldness seeping in to his body.
how could he say that like it was nothin
'My Lord I doubt Lady Elle would like that,instead it would delay the marriage'
'Mmm....' the man on the other end says considering
Declan Moore had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the next words.
" When she steps out of Christencia,do it. Let's help her clean up,they're annoying"the other man says before cutting off the mind link.
Declan sighed as the red in his eyes dissipates letting the beautiful brown come out again.Declan sighed as the red in his eyes dissipates letting the beautiful brown come out again.
He remembered the day,Ishekirn got the message from Fabian. Tsk.
FLASHBACK
A month ago
Visconsia, Aila--The Central
"You love me?..." The melodious baritone of the man rings out in the room,asking as her chuckles
"... Why... I'm so thankful" he sighs reclining lazily on the throne as he raises his legs on the right arm of the chair revealing smooth ankle and feet with long toes.
Propping his chin with his left hand using the left arm of the throne as support.
" My dear,who asked you to love me?" his soft questioning voice in contrast to the increasing chilliness in the air.
Fear gripped her,as realization hit her
"You're not his Majesty" she say shaking as she continues to struggle to move
"Eh?Now why would you say that?" Ishekirn says his face looking downcast faking a heartache over the words he heard. His charade was stopped as a man materialized right next to the throne causing the woman kneeling beneath the throne to go into reels of shock as he couldn't believe her eyes.
"I don't blame you though" Ishekirn said turning his head to look at his mirror image standing next to him.
Long raven black hair spilled over his shoulders like a silken waterfall. His face was sharply sculpted ,his cheekbones honed like blades exquisitely crafted by the creator himself. His lips were striking,chiseled at the edges,they curved with arrogance.
His eyes were the most dangerous part of him, luminous violet, unnervingly bright but it was like a vortex threatening to suck everything in.
He was built like a man drafted by destiny before birth,tall, commanding, carved in deliberate lines. His shoulders were broad and slightly angled, giving him that inverted-triangle silhouette that many wished for,not excessively bulky but intimidating in it's span.
His chest was long and we'll defined beneath the red deep neck he wore ,his torso tapered down into a narrow waist and firm hips. His arms powerful but elegant,muscles taut and refined,his forearms thick,his hands were big,his fingers long. His legs were long-,structure for movement. The robe draped over him did little to hide the reality,he was tall, proportionately tall,balanced in a way that made his height seem natural almost hypnotic. It didn't just enter a room,it claimed it. He wasn't everyone's handsome man,he was just captivating.
The only difference between the two men was that,on the forehead of the man seated on the throne a small red ember mark burned ,glowing faintly like sigil kissed by fire itself.
Ishekirn gazed as if starstruck as if the face he was looking at didn't belong to him. "...Ah,so good looking,I totally understand you, I don't blame you. I love me too" Ishekirn says shamelessly.
Feeling the burning gaze on him,Simba started to shift,the mask peeling away not ready to deal with the Man's shamelessness today. Feeling free from the troubles the other Man's long hair disguise caused him,he runs his hands through his red hair.
"Tsk,boring"ishekirn sneers at the man.
She should have known,she should have listened,her father's repeated warning rung in her ears now. Even now the sweet smile on his face had not changed in the slightest. Right there it dawned on her,He wasn't simple,he was cruel and heartless,he had no feelingshe was... soulless.
Remembering all the rumours circulating about him,they were neither lies nor close to the truth at all.
Dismayed,she laughs hysterically as her years flowed.
"I curse you,may you find someone that would make your heart beat and when you do,may you never find happiness"she says bitterly. Feeling her limbs able to move now,she reaches for the wooden stakes dagger hidden in her sleeves and stabs into her heart. Blood spurts from her chest as she falls to the white marble floor,a sad smile graces her lips and her eyes slowly loses life.
Ishekirn sighs,"Now,Westie is going to nag,little red you'd be my witness,I didn't do anything,she killed herself" Ishekirn felt a headache coming up as he purse his lips,but the other man decided to treat him as air.
"Why would she do that,I didn't even get angry when she tried to seduce me even though she's flat chested and ugly,I had planned on forgiving her"he said feeling aggrieved,his purple eyes glistening as he looked at Simba.
Simba ignores him and closes his eyes unable to continue looking at the man's shameless acts.
The door opens,the Eastern, Western,Declan and Moleith walks in. Eastern walks toward a seat and sits down not sparing the corpse a glance,Declan sighs and walks to seat down too without a second glance, feeling pity for the victim.
Moleith bends down to inspect something, looking at the corpse.
Western pauses to look down at the corpse. Raising his head to look at the man looking innocent.
"She's Ralph's daughter, Valerie's heiress"
"I didn't do anything Westie,I only smiled,asked a question and changed to a more comfortable position..." Ishekirn shrugs." Ask little red" he says pointing at Simba.
"So ugly" Moleith's voice filles with disdain interrupts them.
"Right??I said the same thing ,I was....." Ishekirn begins
"No the stab is ugly" Moleith's says yawning,he's eyelashe fluttering struggling to keep his eyes open.
"..."
They all settled down.
"Kirn" Western calls out in a serious tone causing the other men to look at him.
"Whatever it is that you're about to tell me had better not disappoint me" Ishekirn says as his playful smile disappears replaced by an indifferent expression as he yawns.
Western hesitates as he ponders on how to put the words together.
"Why do you always like to complicate things,if you have something to report,spill it and get it over with" Eastern says impatiently not liking the suspense,hmph,he didn't know why, despite the fact they were identical twins he always wanted to punch the other mans face. 'Now look at that expression' Eastern thought looking at Western's strained expression.
"What is it it" Simba asks Western
"Letter from the council"
" And?..."Eastern says not understanding why it made a difference,it was definitely not the first time they'd received their letter. 'Bunch of old fools'
" It's from Fabian this time" he finally says
" Oh really...." A wide smile graces Ishekirn's lips again as his energy rises again as his purple eyes sparkled with interest.
" It's a marriage alliance"
" Fabian is setting up a marriage alliance for me,haha" Ishekirn throws his head back in laughter,his eyes squinting,lighting up the room as the man doubled back in laughter while the other men,even the sleepy Moleith had different expressions on their faces.
"Which princess are noble daughter is it this time" Ishekirn says as he wipes the tears at the corner of his eyes.
"Not a princess nor a noble daughter" Western says his expression somehow.
"Hmmm?" Ishekirn's eyes glowing even more.
"It's a Queen ,the Queen of Christencia" he says
"Is he crazy? A queen. He wants to snatch a wife for Kirn" Eastern asks in disbelief.
" No, she's not married,she's just the Queen to a small kingdom in the other plain" he says dropping a bombshell
"A human!!!" Declan and Eastern exclaimed.
"Really?" Simba asks seeking confirmation
Western nods.
"Not as a concubine,as your wife, that is the Empress of Visconsia and Aila and Fabian signed it himself" Western finally drops the biggest bombshell.
" What!!"
" What!!"
Eastern and Moleith exclaimed, Declan's brown eyes widened in shock. Only Simba didn't have any reaction of any kind,his fingers were busy tapping on the armrest rhythmically.
"Really" Ishekirn asks
"Kirn,I already contacted Lucas, they're ready,just give the word, we'll attack tonight" Western says instantly, Eastern impressed by his rare show of intelligence.
" That old man really knows me well"Ishekirn says as the sparkle in his eyes ignites as a wife grin appears on his lips.
Back to present
He didn't know how he found himself in the garden, yet he didn't even have time to admire it's beauty.It was dark now.
Simba's words on the day he was leaving rung in his ears.
"If she's not worthy,make sure she doesn't get to Aila alive"
'Simba, she's very worthy,so worthy that I fear for her. I hope he doesn't get bored don't
Declan was pulled out of his thoughts as he felt a presence approaching.
Recognizing it,soon saw the man.
"Let me show you to your room,Sire"Felix said not bothering to strictly following proper decorumbut Declan wasn't bothered either,he quietly following the man that had walked away.
Getting to the room,two guards flagged either side of the door not to mention the flay of guards by the corridors they just walked past.
Declan was tempted to tell them that he could easily leave Christencia with their Queen if he wanted to. A smile slowly made it's way tothe mans beautiful lips.
Stopping in front of the door, Felix pushes the door openand gestures inside.
"You know,General,it might interest you to know we are called night creatures for a reason. Do you want to know the reason??"Declan Moore says sarcastic
"When you go to the village,you behave like villagers" Felix said not minding the sarcasm.
"In that case I'll assume you have been having good night rest here general" Declan said testing,probing. His area of specialty.
Sparks as their eyes met,the already heavy tension rising. Even the guards couldn't help but feel sweat trickle down their hair to their backs.
"Guard our guest well"Felix said before turning to leave.