The White King's Favorite

For someone who was getting arrested right in front of them, Yassim seemed strangely calm and composed. Cessilia and Tessa exchanged another glance. They had tried to stop the soldiers with Tessa taking a step forward, but Yassim had asked them not to. It looked as if the old man had already anticipated all this, and was surrendering willingly, although it was odd. Moreover, none of the soldiers were actually acting rude to him, or had even tried to bind him in anyway. They simply flanked the former counsellor, a hand on each of his shoulders and the other on their spears. There was obviously some respect there; perhaps because Yassim was obviously not going to resist them in any way.

"My ladies," he said very calmly. "I am sorry for deceiving you. However, this shameless old man would be very grateful if you could accompany me again."

The two young women once again exchanged another glance with each other. It was obviously all part of his plan. From the way those soldiers had arrived right away and focused on Yassim rather than them or even their Dragon, there was something at play here... Cessilia nodded. She already trusted Yassim, although it was obvious he had deliberately hid some of the truth from them. She was also curious to see why he had risked everything just to bring her here.

"C-Captain," whispered one of the men. "What about the... that..."

He was obviously sending worried glances towards the Dragon behind the two girls, although Krai didn't seem to care at all. The soldiers were visibly confused, and not prepared for such an issue. Tessa chuckled, crossing her arms.

"What? Never seen a Dragon before?"

Meanwhile, Cessilia turned around and walked back to Krai, gently petting his neck. She then whispered something to the Dragon, who took off with most of their luggage still on its back. The girls only had time to unload one bag each, but that wasn't an issue for now. Turning around, she smiled gently at Yassim, bringing some relief to the old man.

The soldiers were confused by the situation here, and were exchanging glances. The six of them were already doing an impressive job at trying to do their job while faced with a Dragon just a minute ago, and the arrival of the two foreign women with an exiled counselor... Sparing them any more questions, Yassim gave them a gentle smile and joined his hands down together like a benevolent grandfather.

"Alright, gentlemen. His Majesty should be holding the morning court right now... Shall we get going?"

"Counselor Yassim, those women..."

"Those ladies are my guests, and I believe His Majesty would like to meet them also."

The soldiers were troubled, but at least, they knew what to do next. Would the King really be happy about the exiled old man coming back with strangers? They had no idea what gave him so much confidence, but they were willing to roll with it. It wasn't their heads that were at risk here...

The little group began moving, the six soldiers staying close to surround all three of them. Tessa was sending glares each time her eyes met with one of the soldiers, or they inadvertently came too close. Cessilia was more absorbed in the architecture around them. Unlike the Dragon Empire's Imperial Palace, this Castle was mostly composed of large, grey stones, and small spaces. The first corridor they walked through to get inside was surprisingly narrow to them, but it still had small little windows of tinted glass every three or four steps, which let plenty of light in. Unlike the white marble she was accustomed to, this castle had the same stones for walls and floors, and at times, a long jute rug would appear to cover the uneven stones. Everything in here felt foreign to the two young women, and they started walking close to each other without even noticing. Cessilia was surprised how little water fountains would sometimes appear randomly on a wall, or in a little sculpture in the middle of a crossway between corridors. The ceiling was lower than the high ones compared to their home, but it sometimes had strange openings that would give a little view on a floor below, or above, like a balcony.

At some point, they walked into a corridor that had the right wall half-open, and showed a large square room below. A handful of people were there, working on desks in what seemed to be a little library, or a study. It was very silent, and none of them even raised their heads as Yassim's group walked upstairs. It was obvious everyone was used to those little balconies, but it fascinated Cessilia. In her aunt's palace, all the corridors were very wide and had arches so one could see the gardens on either side of it, and the rooms had a ceiling high enough that no man could reach... In here, it felt as if her father would have only had to raise his hand to touch it.

"I'm very sorry I wasn't as honest as I had hoped to be with you, my lady," suddenly said Yassim. "There are circumstances... I am grateful for your benevolence."

Cessilia didn't answer. She understood that Yassim only meant to apologize, but wasn't asking for her forgiveness. It was too soon for her to judge. Instead, the young woman was a lot more curious about what was going to happen next.

Finally, the guards stopped in front of a pair of large blue doors. Although they clearly led to an important room, they still looked small to the two young women, and Tessa frowned, wondering if two big wooden panels were actually meant to protect anything... They could hear what was going on inside, too. Some people were loudly shouting at each other, apparently trying to make a point. The soldiers hesitated for a little while, waiting until there was a bit less noise to bang the doors and enter.

heart of the Castle. A big round room, with large windows with blue-colored glass, and an impressive mosaic under their feet. Their entrance caused everyone present to

wealthy in some way. Tessa glanced over their wooden or silver jewelry, the colored fabric of their clothes, and the few fur capes. Yassim clearly hadn't lied about the wealth difference. The two young women were like

whispering conspicuously. Because they were standing behind Yassim and four of the soldiers, they could only see more and more of the room as they walked further in. Unlike her cousin, Cessilia was more absorbed in the architecture around them than the dozens of stares they were getting. This was the only room with a

dare you

deep voice resonated within the room, sending a chill down

his presence by everyone else's reaction. Cessilia glanced around them. Everyone in the room was tense, and were suddenly looking down, as if they had been scared to make eye-contact with the King, even by chance. Only the people seated were looking in their direction, their eyes going on either Yassim or the two

But worried for whom...?

King," said

words as sharp as blades. "How dare you defy your

didn't disobey, my King. I merely

woman to be killed by my hands, Yassim? Do you think I'd indulge them for the sake

wasn't scared of these people... However, as she glanced to her right, Cessilia's expression didn't seem to hold anything like fear either. Instead, she had her green eyes riveted right ahead, looking almost... expectant. Her cousin's chest was rising up and down to her accelerated breathing, and her lips were slightly open. Tessa released the fingers on her bag,

task of finding him a prospect wife. Your Highness, you said this old counselor of yours was allowed to bring one, and, if she became your majesty's Queen among all

try, you senile old

remain by my master's side, my

of the men seated. "How dare this traitor come back! Your Majesty, you don't have to listen to this decrepit traitor! The candidates have already been chosen!

head towards the King, and his eyes opened wide in fright. He immediately went

heard

to you because I gave you reason you'd be allowed back?

bowed slightly, and every soldier stepped aside, letting

was lighter than anyone else in the room, and yet it was a warm, beautiful brown-copper shade that contrasted with

turned to the King, waiting to see his

anything like

the scars on his exposed torso visible to all. Yet, he was standing out more than anyone else in the room. His white hair, as white as snow, was falling in irregular waves on his large, muscular shoulders, a striking contrast to his dark skin. His face was sculpted with thick lines, and a square jaw with a few spikes of a growing beard sticking out. Despite him looking no older than thirty, there was something scaringly deep, ancient and scary in his dark eyes. The dark circles beneath them made it even worse, burying his irises deeper in the shadows. He didn't seem human, or like he was the same kind as the other people standing in the room. He exuded an aura of

only one not to display an ounce

living painting. There seemed to be no one else but those two people, and all

Yassim was shocked by what he was seeing. Before any of them had realized, the King was standing, his eyes riveted on the young woman as

is Princess Cessilia, daughter of the Dragon Empire,