Into the Light

Chapter Eleven: The Obnoxious Prince

Silence filled the courtyard, nobody moved but everyone smiled. The first thing the crowd did was either bow or curtsey, which even Larmina had to do since the pair of rulers were watching them. Her head was pouring with inner rage.

    Nobody should bow down to these savages.

    Yes my dear readers, she thought very highly of the king and queen indeed. But at least she had an excuse to not hold the thief's hand that seemed to make her buzz anymore.

    "Your Majesty, King Darius, what a wonderful afternoon it is today." Kaden grinned and spoke in a way that you would precisely expect a cheeky thief to speak.

    The Queen beamed at Kaden as the two walked slowly down the grand steps, oblivious to the fake act. She was wearing an elegant white laced gown with long, frilly sleeves. The top parts sagged to her shoulders. She had red hair that was braided and curled into a bun. The King had a tan buttoned down tailcoat with beautiful silver embroidery, and a pair of white trousers. Dark maroon boots finished the look, simple and elegant. Even his dark blonde hair looked regal. "And who might you be?"

    "Kaden," he bowed. When he came up, there was a mischievous smile on his lips. "And don't you look even more ravishing than the rumors, Queen Merida." He winked only to have her smile spread wider. Larmina gagged inside of herself as she watched with an award winning acted smile. 

    "Why thank you Kaden." The Queen turned to her husband, "Well isn't he just charming Darry?"

    He muttered something and covered it with a not so subtle cough.

    "Right..." She winked at the both of them, "Gotta keep it professional." 

    "Anyways! You must be famished after that long grueling trip. Why don't we give you a chance to freshen up and join us for supper."

    "That would be lovely." Larmina gave her smile her best attempt.

    The perky Queen seemed to realize something and her face lit up with realization, "Of course! Pardon me, where are my manners?" The Queen chuckled a laugh that sounded like silver bells. Larmina watched as she turned around and called up the steps. "Bently?! Please inform Lexen to come down immediately."

    "Yes, Your Majesty." One of the large men by the door bowed once and headed inside.    

    The King and Queen stood patiently smiling their adorning smiles, which the sorceress thought were only there for show, they did have an audience after all. She herself had on the most fake smile, and she couldn't tell if Kaden was joining the acting club or not.

    "So! I hear the festival is coming up," the thief began, trying to cut off the awkwardness.

    The King let out a small breath, silently thanking him for a change of conversation. "Yes indeed, the Leki Festival is in about," he turned to his Queen, "three suns darling?"

    She nodded her head, "I personally can't wait. The lights and fireworks that will be shot up into the night sky get me excited every year."

    Kaden smiled, "What a wonderful way to celebrate Lekima's birthday. Right Larmina?"

    She jerked out of her trance. Was someone talking to me?

    "Larmina?" He began again and she whipped her head to face him.

    "Yes?"

    "Don't you think the fireworks and lights are a great way to celebrate Lekima's birthday?"

    "Certainly." She was originally not going to say anything more but the thief gave her a look that seemed to say, Speak or die, and she grudgingly obeyed. So sporting another fake grin, making sure to show her pearly teeth, she continued. "I remember when I was little, about seven or eight of age, my baby sister and I used to walk outside into the field next to our house that night and just watch the fireflies fly endlessly into the sky. It was the one day when those little light bugs came by the thousands, no, come to think of it, maybe it was by a million. The field was pretty big." She suddenly frowned and said quietly, "But, now there is no one to watch it with me anymore."