The Red Cloak Society

Chapter 3

Ciella

Ciella made her way up the ornate marble steps to where her father, the King, was waiting for her. He was an aged man, who was probably handsome before the cruelty took over his heart and scars marred his face. His once full head of dark brown hair was thinning and getting wispy lines of grey. The once chiseled jaw, now rounded with years of age and unhealthy eating. His round belly protruded slightly from his embellished royal robes, and his skin lost any vitality, He was shades lighter than the princess, which often made people question his parentage, his nearly pale skin made him seem like an outsider in Solistia. Perhaps it was because even Rais knew the seat didn't belong to him and stopped blessing the King with her rays. He gave her a wicked smile, his black eyes dark as coals, appraising her.

"My dear sweet sun star" he said, rising and hugging her as she approached him. "You grow to be more like your mother everyday, a beauty yet so defiant" he whispered cruelly in her ear.

Ciella curled her hand into a tight fist, reminding herself of the many people watching and forced a smile on her face.

"I just wanted to reclaim the colors as our own father, what type of cowardly court would we be if we condemned a color because of our enemies," she said, her voice loud enough for the nobility sitting close by to hear. She could see their slight nods of agreement.

Her father subtly tightened his grip on her, his nails digging into her skin before pulling back. His face blossomed into another cruel emotionless smile, all light and happiness devoid from it.

"We would be a cowardly court indeed" The king replied, turning to the men seated at the table behind him.

"Behold my daughter, clever and silver tongued yet a beauty that even dreams cannot compare to"

Ciella fought the urge to shift away from her father, casting a look at Elena who stood silently on the side, her face darkened with worry.

"And better yet," he said, his voice booming as he gave her a slimy grin "she is now of age to be wed. And what better honor would it be for her to marry a man of her father's choosing"

She forced a smile on her face

"There would be no greater honor," she said mechanically. She would not give him the satisfaction of her anger.

"Ahh wondrous then, we can let this be both a birthday and engagement party" He said loudly, the court falling into a hushed silence. Ciella blinked, a gasp forming in her throat. The king, sensing her shock simply looked down at her, those dark eyes flashing.

"Oh I fear the years are wearing on me" he said chuckling, the court laughed with him "I almost forgot to mention, I am deeply proud to announce that my daughter has already secured a marriage arrangement. Of course, as any father would be I am deeply saddened to see her go. But I am comforted by the fact that the princess is betrothed to my good friend and ally Lord Varys"

The ballroom erupted in applause, but Ciella could not breathe. Would not breathe.

This isn't happening, this is a dream.

The king knelt down, feigning a paternal kiss.

This is not happening, it's a dream

Father to daughter, king to princess he whispered.

"This is what happens when you displease me"

Not happening, a dream. All a dream

"Congratulations my sun star"

Dream

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