Sleeping God

Chapter 5: Father, Son & Ugly Duckling

Author's notes: This chapter is a bit too short compared to the rest. I'm sorry because my health does not cooperate ^^""

~~

Tonight, Requila's resplendent moon glowed brighter than usual.

Lords and nobles assembled by the palace gate. With their oversized and perfumed gowns, the duchesses giggled with one another. It didn't take long for their shallow pleasantries to escalate into an argument about the sudden ascension of the Requilan prince.

Dimitri, who was on guard duty tonight, crossed his arms and scowled at the fracas. "For Dawn's sake, can we open the door already? These noisy peacocks make my ear itchy and tingly."

"Quiet, my son." the king's right-hand man Desmatius whispered. "It's bound to be a noisy night. King Remus and his spoiled brat seem to be taking their sweet time."

"A very noisy night indeed..." Dimitri sighed and looked to his father's eye, trying to ignore a young duchess who was ogling at his muscular arm.

Desmatius eyed the gawking duchesses with a smirk before facing Dimitri. "Popular as ever huh, son? You're lucky the ladies are thirsty for muscles than brains!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Dimitri raised his brow while grinning. "Are you trying to pull my leg or something?"

Desmatius slapped Dimitri's back with a hearty laugh. "There you go again with your cringy idioms! Oh my...It's been awhile we're together like this."

Dimitri nodded. His hazel eyes twinkled like a star in the dark velvet sky. "Indeed, father."

Dimitri's eyes flicked back and forth from the glowing moon to his father. Since King Remus promoted his father to be his right hand, Dimitri hardly saw him anymore. The chocolate-haired guard smiled at the moon above. The sheer elation on his chest lightened his head, allowing his muscles to relax.

Ten minutes later, they opened the doors. As the nobles marched into the palace, Dimitri spotted an ugly duckling in the middle of the swans. She was wearing a bland, one-piece white dress reaching to her ankles. Her hair was marigold yellow, but the moon's luminosity highlighted it to looked like a glistening silver mane.

Dimitri rubbed his temples, perplexed at her plain appearance. Desmatius followed his son's gaze and clenched his jaw.

"What business do you have here?" Desmatius shielded the door with his body. "Are you sure you aren't lost, young lady?"

The nobles in line behind the lady craned their head in annoyance, peering at the commotion. Whispers of mockery and laughter swept among the crowd. Some nobles were laughing at the girl's yellowing dress.

The golden-haired lady bowed despite the unpleasant eyes firing at her. "Forgive my intrusions, captain of the guard. I'm here to see Prince Riven."

Dimitri's eyes narrowed at her. "What business do you have with my friend? Who are you?"

The lady held out the smooth, verdant brooch. At the sight of said jewelry, the crowd stirred in agitation.

She continued. "His Highness invited me here. I am merely a normal citizen with no noble titles whatsoever....but I need to see him."

Dimitri froze and stared at the brooch in recognition. It was something Riven kept carrying around in the memory of his late childhood crush. He looked at his father for affirmation. Desmatius nodded at the jewelry.

"It's the prince's beloved possession," Desmatius commented. "The prince must have held you in such high regard. This way, my lady."

Desmatius made way for the lady and her friend to enter. Dimitri scratched his head, questioning his father's unusual leniency.

~~

Whoever made tonight's event rundown needed a pay raise.

Riven was grateful that the official signing ceremony would occur at midnight. He planned to use the first four hours of the party to devour grape parfaits sitting on the buffet table. Maybe if he induced himself into a food coma, they would cancel the coronation.

As the prince marched to the dessert station, daughters of noble blood walked up to his way. Oh dear, it was going to be a long night after all.

Above the grand hall, King Remus watched the royal coronation party with a wan smile on his face. His fingers circled the handle of his cane. His misty blue eyes fell upon his son, who was tugged and pulled by the women at his age. He glued his gaze on his son for a while before he whispered. "Oh Dawn, may you watch over my wayward son."

Suddenly, a lady in a stale dress emerged into the throne room. Remus blinked at the unfamiliar sight and leaned closer to the balcony. The king watched his son breaking off the crowd and approaching this mysterious lady. Riven smiled as if his cheeks would swell. A sharp twinge prickled the king's chest. When was the last time he saw his son grinning like that?

The two shared a friendly exchange before making their way outside the throne room. The king's eyes flew wide at the sight. Where were they going? What were they gonna do? Remus pressed his fingers against the balcony and uttered. "Who is she?"

~~

Author's Notes: Thanks for reading! If you love this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment.

 I also accept long-term feedback to feedback because I love reading stories ^^