The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 19: Discussion

Maylyn froze, and now the emotions I could smell radiating off her were so complex my eyes began to water, and the insides of my nostrils burned. I cleared my throat, hoping she'd calm down and relieve me of this uncomfortable, dreadful feeling. She was far beyond reasoning right now, and rightfully so. I had just agreed to a request she was fighting so hard against. But I wasn't going to marry the king of the elves. No, I was going to make a deal with the elven king, but what can I give him that would be worth more than me? That was something I'll have to think about for quite some time. And I'll have more clues once I meet with him. At that moment, I wished I was born with telepathy because then I could've let her in on my plans.

Clearing my throat again, Maylyn finally snapped out of it. Her eyes were icy cold and empty. She was controlling her emotions. I've only seen her do this once. It was as if I saw an empty shell. It was supernatural and creepy. And she only became this way to remain calm. Or else the monster within us vampires takes over, and one can become consumed by it, thus turning into one ourselves, which is irreversible. I'd have to put her out of her misery if that ever happens. Never have I been in that situation, but I have heard stories, and I have seen Maylyn closer each time to such a fate. She bottled her emotions up until they exploded, causing the balancing of the control of the monster within to break.

"I assure you it's an honor to go willingly, Princess Nadalia. You are making a wise choice. The king and the elven tribes will welcome you with open arms," Keyair says, baring an innocent smile, and again, I got a bad feeling from him. I smiled as best as I could without showing what I truly felt.

"I think this sums up all the time we have today. Allow my maids and servants to show you to your respective rooms, and if you are free, please join us for dinner tonight," Maylyn announced dryly while standing.

"But, your Highness, we have yet to discuss the time and day of departure with Princess Nadalia," Arcaius said, slightly annoyed.

"If it is not too much to ask for, I would like to rest for the remainder of the day; I am not feeling too well," I cut in quickly, noticing the dangerous spark between the two.

"Oh? I hope it's nothing too serious. Some rumors implied you had a sickly body. Still, I heard it was only during childhood," Keyair said, standing slowly, taking his time eyeing me while pretending to be innocent and curious, but I could see what he was really trying to imply.

I could hear Maylyn's teeth grinding together next to me as I stood up.  All eyes were on me. Anyone else would've felt singled out, but I was used to it.

"It comes and goes; it's not nearly as terrible as when I was a child. My symptoms tend to be mild headache, fatigue, and a short loss of appetite. But other than that, I'm healthy as a horse. A good night's rest and I'll be full of energy tomorrow, and then we can discuss more on the topic."

I lied about being ill. I just wanted out of there, and I wanted to talk to Maylyn. She needed to hear my plan. From the beginning, even before these two arrived and when the new king took the throne, I've always wanted to travel to the Elven Kingdom. It was always for the Vampire kingdom's prosperity and survival that I felt the urge and need to go. Marlyn has always been against it. She'd say it was too dangerous, but I think it was more because I'd go and stir trouble. Not because I was hot-tempered but because of what happened to Cesteil. We never received a clear understanding of what really happened to the elven royal line and why they've kept us in the dark for so long. Although I was curious, it was better to remain ignorant than to hurt my heart further, for I didn't know if I could bear the details of the history of their deaths.

"Very well then. Until tonight, Queen Maylyn and," Keyair paused, coming to stand closer to me. Gently raising the back of my hand to his soft, hot, and slightly moist lips, he whispered," Princess Nadalia. If I weren't mistaken, one would think you were plotting something."