Obsidian's Reign ¹

∷ Chapter 18 ∷

LUCAN RESISTED THE urge to sigh as he surveyed the servants bustling about the halls of the castle, their expressions blank and eyes devoid of emotions as they carried out their duties with utmost care. Shortly after Clara's meeting with the king and the revelation of her status as the princess of the Underworld, the latter thought it wise to formally introduce her to his trusted aide.

Lucan had begrudgingly offered his services to her although he would much rather not. However, he was aware of the king's watchful gaze and felt obligated to do as he wished—extending his loyalty to the princess as well.

Despite the words uttered to convey his allegiance, he could hardly bring himself to mean them. It was something easier said than done for the king's personal advisor. To begin with, Lucan had never been one to trust easily. It was bad enough for a human girl to turn up at Farrador out of the blue, but to be acknowledged as the king's granddaughter and subsequently declared the royal princess? It seemed a little too convenient and suspicious in Lucan's eyes. Even so, he could not deny the authenticity of Clara's birth.

Just then, one of the servants tripped over the carpeted floor, sending the contents of her tray sprawling everywhere around her. Her eyes remained blank as she turned to survey the mess, unaware of the ruckus she had caused. This time, Lucan couldn't stop the listless sigh from escaping him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes falling shut for a brief second. It was going to be a long and frustrating night indeed.

At that precise moment, Clara Avery found herself in a fidgeting mess just within the adjoining parlour of the ballroom—awaiting the start of her commencement as a royal of the Underworld. It was hardly a day since her reunion with the king, her grandfather, and already she was expected to take on her role as the supposed princess of the Underworld. The thought alone was enough to cause her stomach to churn in discomfort. It was a concept she could not seem to grasp despite the many times she was made aware of her status.

Unfortunately for her, it wasn't enough for the king and his advisor to know of her newfound standing amongst the demons of the Underworld. Her position as the official heir to the throne meant that she had to be introduced to the other members of the royal court as well as the higher-ranking demons of whom she might require support should the need for such an occasion arise.

Clara's moment of distraction was interrupted by the arrival of familiar faces she had not seen in a while. The Elite strode in with a dignified air about them, looking dapper in their evening suits. Clara was used to seeing Rylan and Jae dressed formally as was their custom, but to see Zephyr in the same manner of dressing surprised her. He scowled when he noticed her stares, tugging at the buttoned-up collar to loosen the strain against his neck. Sensing his apparent distress, she could not help but give him a look that bordered on clear sympathy, one which he did not appreciate in the least.

"What are you looking at, human?" Zephyr sneered, not particularly happy at being seen dressed in clothes he wasn't comfortable in.

Clara shrugged, dismissing his rude greeting in favour of addressing them as a whole.

"I haven't seen you in a while," she said, making a sweeping glance of the trio.

"Did you miss us?" Jae asked.

She turned towards him, noting his mischievous smile, though she could not seem to reciprocate his mild teasing. Her mind had chosen that exact moment to recall the tensed manner in which their last conversation—or, rather, their last argument—had ended, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. Instead, she offered him a genuine smile, choosing to push those thoughts to the back of her consciousness.

"You look nice," Rylan said, causing her attention to shift in his direction.

"Was that a compliment?" Zephyr asked, appalled at the abrupt and blunt manner it was spoken; and the fact that it was spoken at all, to begin with.