14 The Order of the Emperor

I was minding my business reading when the living room door opened, I sigh inwardly thanking Lucianus for finally arriving. I was losing my mind from boredom.

"Good Morning Sis"

"Good Morning-"

I stopped mid-sentence when I saw him, he was loosening his tie, his hair dishevelled, he looked tired, but he was STILL looking good. How can you do that?

"Hello?" He chuckled.

"Ah..." I laughed awkwardly, looking away!

"I see that you're reading"

"I'm just staring at one chapter reading it for the past two hours, I lost concentration the moment I whined at Doctor Edgar to let me go outside he threatened me that if I stepped outside this building he'd let the lion cub maul my face"

"He was just jesting the Holy Beast can't hurt you, you're practically its creator"

"Really?"

"I've read in the Moon Kingdom Archives that the Original Owner of the prophecy made the Holy Beast so that their burden could be lightened even if just for a little"

"How did this prophecy thing happen anyway?"

"This whole continent was once a raging storm of wars"

"Ah, Go figure"

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes"

"Then why don't you eat again, joining me?"

"Are you saying that I'm fat...?"

"I never implied of you being fat, I just want you to eat with me, I've missed you and I want to eat with you"

"I should stop my 21st-century thought process," I said to myself

"You should" Lucianus agreed

"Sure. I'll eat with you no one is going to judge me right?"

"Of course not"

He called for a maid and asked her to bring two sets of breakfast. The maid gave a short bow and left the room.

"Can you tell me more about the Original Owner of the prophecy?"

"There's no other information other than what I said"

"But you said that it was in the Archives? That means it's in a thick one".

"Information in an Archive doesn't necessarily mean that it's in a thick book Seraphine, that information was in a semi-burned scroll tucked away in the deepest part of the Archives"

"Then how did you know about that Information?"

I asked him, he stared at me in return, he just exhaled and gave a tired smile, I raised a brown tilting my head looking at him with a puzzled expression he finally sat down opposite to me.

"I was curious"

"Wow...that is such a bland answer"

"That's the truth"

I shook my head and closed the book that I was just holding at the moment. He leaned back on the chair he was sitting stroking the lion cubs head.

Now that I'm getting a good look at him, he has the features of mom, he had smooth black hair parted making his appearance clean although now he looks dishevelled he still looks good like what I said earlier.

His eyes are black just like mothers, and he has a small face just like moms. He's really easy on the eyes, not to mention he has a very good physique.

"What is it?"

He noticed me staring at him. I looked at him with wide eyes. IS THIS REALLY MY BROTHER?!

"Heh...you're giving me a funny look Seraphine" he smirked

OH MY GOD, AM I FANGIRLING ON MY OWN BROTHER?!

"A-Are you reading my thoughts?" I nervously asked.

"I don't have the mind-reading ability"

I sigh in relief. Good thing I was about to bury myself out of shame. I wasn't thinking anything inappropriate but still…

Fangirling over your brother is embarrassing.

"You are my brother right?"

"Yes I am, how many times are you going to ask?" He gave a joyful laugh.

A knock caught our attention. A maid entered the room with a trolley of food. She spread the food on the table and left shortly after.

"Let's eat"

Both of us ate and I swear my eyes can't help it. I keep on staring at Lucianus unintentionally, my eyes drawn to him.

"Your eyes are just like dads"

"Uh... What?"

"Your features"

"I know I'm ugly no need to blatantly point it out"

He frowned at me. He put the table knife and fork down.

I did the same? I felt like I should,

"Who told you that you are ugly?"

Well shit, flashbacks of three of my exes' came into mind, the bully from Junior High school and that one dude who was a jock that shouted

'Seraphine is fucking ugly!'

"I uh..."

"Seraphine, look at me"

I couldn't hide my expression of sadness from him. I lost confidence years ago I haven't told anyone of that bullying in Junior High nor that Jock dude,

But they did get the karma they deserve since they went missing for three weeks, they also got hospitalised, and they also stopped teasing me but the damaged to my confidence cannot be undone.

I never cared for my appearance ever since then, I only dress up ON occasion I'm just average looking…

"Seraphine!" He stood up leaned forward towards me and shook my shoulders, I look up our eyes meeting "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL YOU LOOK LIKE MOM AND DAD MIXED"

"Isn't that a bad thing?"

"NO!"

"Why are you even shouting...?"

"Listen to me alright?"

"Okay..."

"You don't need to listen to whoever said that to you, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL your hair is beautiful like moms your face is beautiful like dads"

"That sounds strange"

"Your eyes are like neon blue aquatic gems, anyone can stare at it forever"

"Thanks? Hahaha..." I looked away embarrassed.

"The ones who told you that you are ugly, are ugly themselves can't they see how beautiful you are? I also know that you have a good heart"

"How can you say that? We haven't even met not too long ago though?"

"We've been separated for years, but I know that you're still the Seraphine, I know and love" He puts a hand on my cheek and rubs his thumb in circles

"I would have said that what you say is sappy, but since I know you genuinely mean it. I'll just say thanks"

He gave a small smile and sat down again, we continued to eat and chat.

After a while, he needed to go to his office so that he could sort out some paperwork. I went to his office keeping him company and so that I won't lose my mind again being alone holding a book.

"Brother"

"Music to my ears, what is it?"

"That slipped out..." I said surprised at what I called him as well.

"I would like you to call me Brother, like the good old times"

"Doctor Edgar before he left me here to run some errands reminded me..."

"Reminded you?"

"He reminded me that I should ask you about the Order of the Emperor"

"Don't bother with that, you are safer with me"

"But it's the ORDER of the EMPEROR"

"So?"

"Wow, how massive are your balls to ignore an order of the Emperor?"

"Seraphine watch what you say!" He shouted.

"Well I'm saying what's on my mind and I want to meet him, knowing you have a royal relative not to mention an Emperor that is summoning you to come to the Imperial Palace. I'm honoured!"

Nervous but still honoured.

"WE ARE royalty Seraphine, and I'm still objecting, No is a No Seraphine"

"Dear Brother, you are treating me like a toddler I can decide on my own"

"Seraphine-"

"I already dated three times brother, I kissed them and dated them but I haven't had sex yet isn't that enough proof that I'm a grown woman and I can decide for my own?"

Lucianus stared at me, I tilt my head to the side looking at him curiously, he lowers the papers he was holding and groaned facepalming.

"Seraphine steps out for a sec will you?"

"Okay?" I did what he asked.

I stepped out of his office for a moment and the two bulky men who looked like Knights were just outside the door.

"Oh, do you need to speak with my brother-"

Profanity, spewed inside the office, the two Knights looked at each other and exchanged strange glances.

"I told my brother I wanted to meet our Uncle the Emperor, he didn't want me to go and I told him that I'm not a toddler any more and I don't need him to decide for me, I also told him that I dated three times already as proof that I am a grown woman who can decide for herself"

I proudly announced,

"I like her already" The Knight at the left says to the Knight he was with

"We haven't properly introduced ourselves have we, your highness?"

"Oh! Yes I'm Seraphine it's nice to meet you"

"HOW CAN MOTHER AND FATHER LET SERAPHINE BE TAINTED BY SCUMBAG MEN?!"

Lucien shouting in anger.

"It's an honour to meet you, Princess Seraphine"

I inwardly sigh at the word Princess and my name together but I need to get used to it.

"I am the Commander of the 1st Order of the Sun Knights Core. Raulyn Fort" He salutes.

"3 MEN HAS TAINTED HER! SHE HAS BEEN FUCKING KISSED BY TRASH! SHE MUST BE CLEANSED IMMEDIATELY!"

"I am the Commander of the 2nd Order of the Sun Knights Corona. Alfonso Collins"

The two Knights seem like they are in their fifties or forties; they look like fine married men, not to mention they are also good-looking.

"I WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO BE FUCKING TAINTED AGAIN!"

The first commander had a red sash with a golden embroidered sun on the centre while the second one had a blue one. It's the same but the embroidery is a bit strange.

"The embroidery of yours..."

"IF I EVER GO BACK TO THE HUMAN WORLD I'M GOING TO STRANGLE AND TORTURE THOSE BASTARDS THAT TOUCHED MY LITTLE SISTER!"

"My wife is the one that embroidered this Sash it was her first time since she doesn't embroider as a hobby, she is embarrass by it at first, but I told her that I will proudly wear what she makes for me"

"That's so sweet" I cooed

"What about yours, Sir. Raulyn?"

"It's the same"

"Wow! I wish I had a husband as lovable as you two" I praised.

The two got embarrassed a tint on their cheek could be seen, the first commander cleared his throat to drive the awkwardness away.

"His Majesty the Emperor will absolutely be delighted to see you, your royal highness,

"I know, Doctor Edgar told me as well, but I'm kind of nervous, he's not going all formal with me won't he?"

"His majesty is a lax Emperor, you do not have anything to worry about your highness" Commander Raulyn says.

"He's also very nice your highness, but do keep in mind of your image as an Armaclei and as a royalty, word spreads fast after all"

"I understand..." I gave an inward sigh.

"When can I go?"

"You will go"

Lucianus stepped outside having a dark expression on his face.

"You will go when I tell you to go"

"Crowned Prince-"

"MY SISTER" He raised his voice "GOT TAINTED BY MEN" We can feel his seething anger "ALL THE MORE REASON TO-"

"CROWNED PRINCE LUCIANUS STEPHEN KLEON ARMACLEI!"

A voice boomed louder than my brothers, another Knight entered the living room and he had blood on his armour. The strong scent of iron was tickling my nose.

"Stop this stubbornness at once or I will report you to Duke Aether Crowned Prince"

Lucianus immediately silenced himself, his anger subsiding, The Knights stepped forward and saluted.

"I am sorry for my appearance, your highness" He apologised

"No, it's fine, I don't know what you did but I know it's important"

"I will introduce myself then. I am the Commander of the 1st Order of the New Moon Knights. Emile Caster."

"I'm Seraphine, it's very nice to meet you, Sir. Emile"

"The Honor is all mine, Princess" he lowered his head "Crowned Prince, let her highness decide what she wants to do, you do not have any right to restrain her or keep her away"

"Emile-"

"Do I have to tell Duke Aether about this imprudent behaviour unfitting of a Crowned Prince?"

Luciana clenched his jaw staring at his commander, I put a hand on his arm to ease his tense body, he relaxed at my touch.

"Give me 24 hours with my sister, then I'll let her do what she wants to do"

"Alright" The Knights nodded

The Three Knights left the living room, leaving Lucianus and me alone, he looked at me with sad eyes, I was about to say something when he suddenly embraced me. I stiffen at the sudden action.

"Seraphine promise me you'll keep yourself out of danger"

"...Of course I will"

"I'm really worried about you"

I looked up at him and our eyes met, his dark orbs reflected my blue ones. He kissed my forehead and embraced me tightly once again.

"I'll be careful so that you don't need to worry."