Ink

Chapter 3

My hands were sweating against as I rode the elevator to the hundred and twenty second floor of the palace.

"Breathe." I'm compelled to release a breath I didn't know I was holding."I know you're nervous, but if his majesty knows, he'll surely use it to your disadvantage." I look up at Klaus to see his vibrant green eyes glowing down at me. "And, no, that wasn't advice from Thomas." He exhales and adjusts his tie accordingly."It was original."

"So you're helping me now?" I ask teasingly, even though my voice cracks and only further exposes my nerves.

"Consider it, protecting my interests." He purses his lips and looks ahead."It is your first day after all, and I am your supervisor,"He begins not meeting gaze."I cannot afford you making a fool of yourself and the king thinking that I am to blame for it."

I suppose he has a point

The elevator clicks open and we both exit into a grand hallway with pictures of the royal family sprawled across the walls. They're mainly of the king, each done by a different artist that portrays him as a hero, or a villain.

I had heard rumors that the king collected all propaganda of his enemies to decorate his wing, and now, seeing them for myself, I could see why. They were all originals, beautifully tended to, and they undoubtedly built up the confidence of the king when he saw the work of those he had defeated.

I supposed that I would too, if I had spent the better half of the twentieth century fighting for my rights to my kingdom.

We stop in front of a set of large mahogany doors with gold handles. It radiates royalty. The palace seemed to be fit for a giant, which only further fueled my idea of the kings ego.

Klaus steps in front of me and opens one of the doors. Silence fills the room on the other side.

"What is it now?" An irritated voice growls, and I suddenly have the urge to run as far as I can in the opposite direction.

"Father, there is no need to take your anger out on him."There's another voice. "What do you want Klaus?"

I find myself drawn to the voice behind the door. Klaus trying to see over his shoulder.

"I've brought the new international financial affairs manager, you said you might want to meet her?" Klaus's voice still holds a tone of submissive nature in the presence of his king.

"I'm afraid I'm-"

"Come in."The second voice cuts off the king and then speaks in a quieter tone."Father, you need a break, something to take your mind off of your work."

Father?

Klaus presses open the door and we both enter the large room. Sitting at a large desk by a large window overlooking the whole of Illinkus are the king and a man around my own age. They both share similar features with their dark curly hair and electric blue eyes. I come to the conclusion that this man must be the prince and my hands begin to sweat even more. I had expected him to be attractive, but as he stood well over six foot like his father to greet us and his eyes met mine from across the room, I realized that he was infact, godly.

He began to walk closer to Klaus and I with his eyes still holding mine captive and outstretched his hand. "Mephistor DeLuce, and you are?" I hesitantly place my hand in his and sparks run up my arm as he squeezes it in greeting.

"Alliana Nixon."Oh lord. My voice is soft and entranced as I continue to study his every feature with careful precision.

The strong jaw and nose, and the thick, but not unruly, eyebrows that were raised ever so slightly. Even the faded scar that ran through his right eyelid to the beginning of his cheekbone.