Spirit of the Light

Chapter Four

The day was uneventful.

Following the disastrous breakfast with the princess, Coulson decided to take a stroll, a long one, around the castle, which led him to the Royal Library. The castle was enormous.

Hall after hall was comprised of countless doors, tall golden archways decorating the entrances to each. Down the hall from the breakfast room, he found the throne room. A huge hall that could fit at least two hundred people comfortably for a ball.

The Castle of Dusk was nothing compared to Ohren's castle. This place was built for someone higher than a king. A higher power. A god.

He knew of the stories of Selah and how the power of light once roamed these halls which he was curiously walking through. Although many in the Dusk Region believed that the Legend of Selah was a mere myth, Coulson refused to lose faith.

Lands full of magic, creatures of unexplainable birth and leaders with more power than ever imagined. Just the thought sent chills up his neck.

There were two giant doors in front of him. Made from oakwood, the doors were primitive with iron studs decorating its exterior.

"Ah, Prince Coulson. How nice to see you roaming around my castle."

His blood stopped cold in his veins at the booming voice behind him. Directing his head towards the sound, he stared at the person coming from the heavily guarded region of the castle that he hadn't managed to explore.

The man standing across from him had white hair, winkles riddled around his sunken eyes. Power radiated from this man. And on top of his head lay a golden crown. No gems. Just pure gold. It was King Sol.

"King Sol," Coulson bowed his head slightly in greeting. "Excuse my snooping. I just happened to finish breakfast and decided to enjoy the exquisite walls of your home." He made sure to accompany his words with an innocent smile. Something ill radiated from the king. He decided he should watch his words.

"Nonsense. Make yourself at home. I assume you had safe travels here?" The king's face seemed to slightly tense at the mention of breakfast. Perhaps word got back to him regarding the not so pleasant encounter with his daughter.

"Yes. And thank you for your hospitality," he was baffling.

"Well, it is the least I can do for my future son-in-law. I hear you have met with Seraph. How do you fancy her?"

"She is an absolute joy," he meant it. Although she was fierce, he understood why. She had every right to act how she did. "I cannot wait to spend more time in her presence, Your Majesty." Appreciation glowed in his eyes. Appreciation for the girl he had just met but felt drawn to.

"Yes, of course. I will ensure she feels the same," his features tightly tensed. As if the thought of his daughter had angered him.

Coulson wanted to object. He wanted to have the king know that he would treat the princess with all the respect in the world. But he held his tongue. He doubted King Sol would care. In fact, he wondered if it would immensely bother His Majesty.

"Well, that's that. Feel free to call upon the servants if you need anything. Prince Sampson will be waiting for you in the gazebo at noon. To discuss matters." As if that was enough of a dismissal, King Sol already paraded away before Coulson could even bid his goodbye. Not that he was in any rush to do so.

Coulson stepped back from the Royal Library's doors and begun his walk towards the gazebo. He would explore the books of this castle another time, when he didn't have the son of an arrogant man awaiting him.