The King of Darkness | ✔️

Chapter Twenty Two

That night I couldn't sleep for the life of me. Every moment I was awake I was reliving memories and every moment I slept I was haunted by them - there was no way of escaping,

I had been tossing and turning for the better part of the whole night, insomnia consuming me from the inside out. No matter how hard I tried or how defeated I felt, I couldn't let myself be dragged into a peaceful slumber.

Serene had come back to my chambers to check on me and had given me some kind of tea that put me asleep before I could even say thank you. I'm sure that I do not want to know whatever was inside the concoction.

However, it was a tea made from heaven itself.

I've just finished bathing and now I'm fetching a gown from my armoire. Of course, the selection of designs is endless. You have an option of black, black, black or surprise black. How will I ever decide?

I choose the black gown with the sparkles that look like the night sky and find that it is fitting seeing the current situation. Weirdly, it feels like my family is with me, my court. That the stars represent every life lost.

I seem to find ways to find my family in anything and everything that I do.

My mind hasn't changed its decision on going to my court. They need someone, they are helpless over there. Before my mother was there to help with any families in need of aid but now... there's no monarch, no palace... there's just nothing.

The ache in my chest becomes unbearable but I take a moment to regain composure before Serene enters the room.

"You look bewitching," are the first words to leave her mouth and I let myself smile at her compliment. Serene's features are beautiful no matter what. Her brown skin is irretrievably gorgeous and her dark hair, which always seems to be in a bun, looks flawless no matter the situation.

"I can say the same about you," I smile and her face flushes.

"Sire is requesting your attendance. He has informed me that you have promised breakfast with him," her eyebrows furrow in confusion. Serene knows how much I despise Darian.

"Promised is rather far fetched, it's merely a bargain," I shrug and she raises her eyebrows knowingly. If anyone knows about bargaining with Darian it's Serene.

"Hm... I may be able to understand where you're coming from," I am more than glad that she is back. It had become so lonely at points. You'd be surprised to know that being hauled up in the same room for weeks straight with nothing but walls to talk to can make you rather crazy.

"I'm ready," I stand and smooth my dress to reduce any wrinkles. For some weird, unusual reason... I feel rather nervous. As much as I have despised Darian at some points in time, I've never felt nervous.

"Are you well, m'lady?" Serene breaks me from my train of thought. I look over to see her face full of nothing but pure concern.

"Never better," I croak. "Let's get going, shall we? Don't want Darian waiting," I try to change the subject and Serene seems to follow along with the new matter of the conversation.

"Of course," her kind smile shines brightly like a beacon amidst the darkness and she leads me to the dining hall.

As soon as my eyes meet Darian's, I have to look away. I am not sure what has come over me all of a sudden but I cannot bear to look his way nor acknowledge him as I enter the room.

Manin pulls out a chair next to Darian, for me to sit and I give Manin a weary smile. "How are you?" I ask before Manin attempts to walk away and I see him look towards Darian as if asking for approval but I stand in front of his view.