Your Highness~ [Lumity Fanfiction AU]

[78]

December 31st, three days later, fourteen twenty.

Luz bid her family farewell, gave them the biggest hugs she could muster, and went with Amity to return to Paco. At the castle, Luz was taken and given an assessment while Amity went to speak to the king. "You wish..To court the knight?" Alador rose a brow. "I'm confused."

"What is there to be confused about? I stated clearly, 'Father, I'd like to marry Luz Noceda when she returns from the war that The Empire is involved in.'" Amity hardens her gaze. "Were you even listening?"

Alador sighs, "Princess, please," He pinches the bridge of his nose. "I was listening, I am merely confused..I have already given you permission to court that knight, she is your consort, yes?"

"Yes.." Amity nods.

"Consorts are protected, Amity."

"..What?"

"Your knight, Luz Noceda, a consort, was always your wife. The second I appointed her to you, she becomes of status." Alador shuffles to sit up a bit more on his throne. "Her, banishment, was void from the start. The Royal Family is unable to be banished without trial."

Amity gazes at him, dumbfounded. "Are..You implying that everything we've been through, for the last month, was meaningless?"

Alador frowns, "How many times have I told you, 'If you have a problem, come to me, I'll tell you if it's a real problem or not.'?"

Amity gapes, "How- How long, exactly, has Luz been my wife?"

"Wife is a bit much, consort, yes, but since you agreed that Luz was fine. Oh I'd say..October 24th? (Chapter 31)." Alador taps his chin. "I signed the papers that day, your verbal agreement was heard by 6 other guards so I went through with it."

Amity lightly chuckles, shock evident in her eyes, "But you- Wh-Why didn't you say anything SOONER?"

"You never asked."

Amity's jaw drops, and the king stands. "How could you- My King, you-"

"Have not been properly informed." Alador utters. "And there is a traitor amongst us."

"There- Is?" Amity flicks her eyes down, thinking. "Is there?"

"Banishments are to go through me, first. That did not happen." He looks to a guard. "Bring in Steve."

He bows and scampers off, nearly hitting the wall in his hurry. Steve enters soon after, speeding to the king, "Yes, your highness?"

"Steve, who did you recieve the form for Luz Noceda's banishment from?"

Steve tilts his head slightly, "I..I didn't, your majesty.." Steve clears his throat. "My King, I was never handed the forms, only made aware of her banishment two days after."

"Did you realize this, just now?" Alador narrows his eyes.

"My King, I spoke to the queen about this." Steve shook his head. "You were absent the day I told her, I shared my worry with her, but she assured me all was well."

Alador feels his body grow heavy with thought, the king glancing around, eyes fogging. "But..The queen has been out on business since Autumn.."

A sudden chill entered the three, a soft clack snapping them to their senses, heads turning to the door behind the King's throne. Heels clacked slowly in the shadows, yellow pupils glowing in the dark. And the queen stepped out, smiling warmly. "What's this about me being on business?"

"Odalia," Alador stands. "Where have you been?"

"Here," She raises a brow. "Where else?"

Steve leans forward slightly, eyes focusing, "..Vee?"

Odalia's eyes flick to him then to Alador, "That sounds improper, Steve, do not call me such a thing. Alador, the business you sent me to attend to was..I must speak to you in private. Right now."

Alador swallows, nodding, "Let's go."

He and Odalia quickly leave, Amity looking to Steve, "Did you say Vee?"

"I- I haven't seen Vee in months. Not since she was last here. Camilla is unable to answer, under oath of her whereabouts, but-" Steve gulps. "That- I have reason to believe that is Vee."

"Let's go, Steve." Amity struts towards the doors. "I need you to walk me home."

^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^

Odalia offers Alador a stack of papers, and pulls a letter from the bottom of the stack. "We are very short on time, Alador." Odalia utters, scratching her cheek and leaving a red trail on her pale skin. "Shorter now that their war has started."

Alador flips the letter, tearing through the wax seal and hastily pulling the letter out. It ruffles as he unfolds it, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. Alador jumps away and looks to Odalia, lowering her letter, "You-" Alador breathes out.

"Aren't your wife," Odalia sighs. "Yes, I'm very aware." She scratches at her skin. "Alador, please- Sit, let me finish telling you what awaits.."

"But- Gua-!"

Odalia lunges towards him, palm covering his mouth, as her fingers close over his cheeks. "Cease your cries for your guards." Odalia hisses. "I am a messenger, Alador. I and six others under oath, but I didn't take it as myself."

She stares at him, Alador weakening against the wall, nodding. "I am unable to reveal myself or my name, I will be tracked down and killed if I do. But please, please, if you value your wife and kingdom, you'll listen." Odalia's words come off as a threat, but there is a drop of guilt laced in them.

Fear crosses Alador's eyes, but he nods once more, Odalia pulling away, guiding him to sit. "Alador, I.." Odalia scratches at her skin again. "Titan– I am in pain. Keeping up this façade hurts– Forgive me if I begin to bleed, I am not feeling much like myself–"

Her skin flakes to a pattern of tan and yellow scales before returning to her pale skin, "Are you a–" Alador's mouth runs dry as the word gets stuck in his throat.

Odalia doesn't allow him to speak, and nods, "Yes, but let me tell you of what has happened..And what awaits your wife if you don't obey.."

    Tis, their adventure continues.