HANAERUM
“His Majesty, King Rome of Bale!” The Court herald announced as Rome appeared at the doors to the large circular chamber.
Trumpets followed and the members of the court stood up as he walked in.
“You may be seated,” Teriel said once the king sat in his rightful position in the courtroom.
The king’s hair was styled back, not one strand of ginger hair out of place. His midnight blue suit was sharp and tailored exactly to his taste: tight around his arms but just enough to move. On the suit were the usual royal emblem and several gold emblems displaying his prowess in combat and warfare.
The members of the court sank into their seats quietly knowing what to expect at this meeting. The king had promised that he would reveal his mistress and some of them had even bet on who he would pick. The atmosphere was tense and even in the quietness that would follow, they could feel the tension.
“The meeting will start now,” Teriel announced.
Kain, seated in the front row just beside his sister, Monica, raised a hand. His eyes glinted in mischief and the king suppressed an eye roll.
“Speak, Kain.”
“We, that is, I and the members of the court, understand that the king made a promise to us.” There was a low murmur in the room. The king put up a hand and it died down.
“I believe that it is our right to know this night, the king’s mistress.” The glint in Kain’s eyes shone even brighter. He was certain that the king wouldn’t find a mistress and that would be a gateway to ruining the king. “Or his choice for Queen.”
“Thank you, Kain. Sit, please.” Teriel gave a curt nod. “Does anybody else have anything to say?” The room was silent.
The king wished to slap the smug look off Kain’s face. His eyes hardened as he took position in front of the members, sapphire eyes scanning the room taking note of the members present. Monica, as always, was clinging to yet another Lycan. She had her claws in Duke Telirus this time, the drunkard. The old king showed no emotions, seated across from her.
“As Kain said, I am required to show the mistress to the court.” He cocked his head. “I am glad to announce; I have found one worthy.”
“Really, Your Majesty?” Kain laughed, smiling mockingly, “I find it hard to believe that…”
He was interrupted from his musings by the large oak double doors opening, causing the sudden outburst in the room to quieten.
At that moment, Skye walked in, followed closely by Elora, a collective gasp following as the members wondered if she was to be the king’s mistress.
Kain, sat slowly, face pale as he watched Elora ascend the stairs. He turned to the old king and the old king Nathan’s expression mirrored his. Everyone was shell shocked.
“I present to you, Elora, the daughter of a traitor which turned slave at the king’s decree.” Rome introduced, causing the members to quiet down. “She will be my mistress and my personal slave along with her siblings and they will serve in the Castle without pay until the time of their sentence is up.”
Kain raised a hand, eyes wide open and hands slightly trembling. He still hadn’t recovered from the news but he had to salvage the situation. “Your Majesty–”
“You speak when I say so, Kain.” Rome cut him short, looking at him squarely. No one was going to disrespect him today or any day following this one. He had let them have their fun long enough.
Kain’s face fell, cheeks taking on a pink hue as murmurs arose again. He raised a hand again, unrelenting in his efforts to salvage the situation, waiting for the king’s notice. The noblemen went silent as Rome raised a brow in his direction. Everyone wanted to see how this confrontation would play out.
Rome walked down the podium fully aware that Kain’s hand was still up not bothering to give him leave to speak, taking his time to approach the seats for the noblemen. Finally, he stopped and turned to him. “I see your hand is up, Kain. Speak.”
Kain had never been more embarrassed.
He seethed. “Y-Your Majesty.” He said bowing low even if his eyes spelt murder, “You must be aware that the daughter of a traitor cannot be your Queen. A Lycan Queen for that matter.”
“No one said anything about making her Queen. Perhaps age is catching up with you so you can’t hear properly.” Snickers went up at his scolding of Kain, “She is to be my breeder and nothing more. Her duty is to carry and give birth to children! Surely, you of all people must understand this? Your sister was something of the sort to my father, wasn’t she? Although, she never really quite got the Queenship she wanted, did she? Then again, your daughter was Queen and failed to produce an heir. Perhaps my breeder will be of better service to the crown than your family has been.”
It was a jab that was sure to shatter whatever semblance of power his Father, Kain and Monica thought they possessed. From the way they shifted in their seats, the shots found their targets.
“Your…Your…Majesty…I…” Kain muttered falling into his seat.
“I didn’t get that Kain. Do you understand me? I will not have you wasting our time by dwelling on unnecessary formalities when you can’t even get your house in order.” Rome turned, finding his way back to the podium.
“Y…yes, Your Majesty!” Kain said, louder. His fists were balled to suppress the urge to hit something.
“Thank you, Kain, for your cooperation. Oh, and by now, your brothel will have been raided. Inside sources told me there were tons of under aged girls hidden there. Those found will be brought to the castle to work if they choose to.”
Kain was as white as a sheet. He thought he had escaped Skye’s raid the other day, he hadn’t expected that the King would be that interested in his brothel. He fumed and puffed.
The old king, Nathan, across the room, watched on in utter disbelief. He hadn’t expected his son to make Elora his mistress. She had been his first. He couldn’t believe he let her slip out of his hand so easily. Elora was just what he loved in a mistress. Innocent, large doe eyes, pale skin, dainty features, and an ample bosom. Not to talk of her long silky hair. She would have birthed beautiful children for him.
The woman in question looked shaken, pale skin even paler. Her eyes were glued to the ground as she held tightly to her dress.
The room breaks out in chaos as the king walks out of the room signalling Skye, Teriel, and Elora to follow him.
Rome heard Teriel whisper to Elora, the words stirring a pit of concern low in his stomach.
“Follow the king to his chambers.” He heard his advisor tell her.
He noticed Elora gave a tight nod, out of the corner of his eyes, running a hand down her dress, showing how nervous she was. Skye gave her a small smile, encouraging her.
“Quickly. Before you lose sight of him.”
Rome walked outside enjoying the sun on his face as he waited for his new breeder to catch up. Thanks to her, he had been able to bring down some of his worst enemies today and possibly scared the others into defaulting to his side.
He sat in one of the seats in the private balcony reserved in the Royal Gardens, taking a sip of tea that had been sent ahead for him.
“Your Majesty.” She called stepping closer to him.
Rome looked up to see Elora bow, noticing the dress she wore. Skye had done a good job of picking the dress. His eyes trailed down the neckline and her face seemed to redden as she noticed his gaze. She placed a hand on her chest shifting uncomfortably but that did nothing to shake the king’s gaze as he stared even harder.
“Elora.” He smiled walking towards her.
She bowed even lower when he stood in front of her.
“Heads up, please. I don’t want you staring at the floor as I speak. I am your master.”
Elora was caught off guard by the coldness of his tone and raised her head to meet his eyes.
He schooled his expression to give no sign of warmth lest she harbour misguided hope that what she had heard in the Court room wasn’t true.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“As my breeder, you do exactly what I say. Did you get that, Elora?” He went on, moving even closer to her, so close that he could smell the rose essence that clung to her skin.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I own you. You are my property and I will do whatever I please with you.” He said coldly stepping even closer to her, words deliberately slow so she could absorb the weight of her new position, “Remember, you’re still a slave and if you disappoint me, it’s not only your life that will be in danger.”
She will be paying for what her father had done, with her body.
“Yes, sire.”
“After your time here, you will be sent out to the Blackfoot’s along with your siblings.”
Elora gasped rubbing a hand on her dress as her eyes darted around.
“Yes. Your father’s betrayal put you in this place so if you want to blame anyone you can blame him.” He continued watching her eyes glaze over with unshed tears, “Teriel will lead you to your new chambers where you will await my return.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” She said even though she looked like she wanted to argue.
“You may be excused.” He waved her away. “Take her away.”