Human Blood

Meanwhile, Leandro was walking along the parapet walks, observing the daily happenings in the kingdom, when Lord Emilio approached him.

"A pleasant morning, your Majesty," Lord Emilio bowed down to him.

"Good morning, Lord Emilio. What brings you in so early in the morning?" He asked him. Usually, Lord Emilio shows up after he has eaten his breakfast, except when there is an emergency or urgent task that he needs to do.

"I have seen that you have already made a public announcement about Lady Aisha. I apologize for asking, but I hope you would give more time to think about it, your Majesty. Even though she was approved by the Great Theos, human blood still flows in her veins," Lord Emilio urged him. His voice almost quivered while he wrung his hands.

Leandro's attention was completely caught. It was unnatural for Lord Emilio to contradict his decisions. Though he understood him. He was just worried about the safety of Gaea.

He rubbed his chin as he thought about what he said. Yes, there is a possibility that evil desires could be transferred to his offspring.

But then he imagined Aisha, with her innocent beauty and sincere way of speech. His heart fluttered as he thought about her, making him want to see her again.

"Thank you, Lord Emilio. I knew you mean well," he said and was about to leave when a royal guard came in and bowed to him.

"Greetings, your Majesty. Lord Roberto was here, and he was looking for you," the royal guard announced with his hand on his chest.

Leandro's thick silver eyebrows furrowed together. Lord Roberto never goes to the Castle unless he calls for a Tribal Council. He was usually the silent type, not wanting to bother anyone or be bothered in his personal life.

He immediately went to where he was. He was in front of the Royal Chapel and was gazing at the painting of Great Theos.

As soon as he saw Leandro, he quickly bowed down and stated his purpose for being there.

"A reliable source told me that he saw someone who looked like Tarragon in town," he looked first to the left and right before sharing the information, making sure that no one was around to hear it.

Leandro gave him an incredulous look. "I thought he was already banished from Gaea," he gritted his teeth as a vein bulged in his neck.

Tarragon was the previous ruler of Gaea. There was no monarch government then. Only a leader of the Gaean species. But Tarragon rebelled against the Great Theos resulting in his disposal and the rise up of Leandro as the King.

Leandro didn't have memories of Tarragon as he was young when was hailed as the King. But he could feel the pain of the Great Theos whenever he was mentioned. He put his hands on his waist. His elbows were away from his body as his chest thrust out.

"In my opinion, he must have learned that you are trying to conceive an heir with a female human. You must be careful, sire," Lord Roberto asserted with his head bowed down.

"He must have been waiting for the right opportunity to kill me. My future son could have been a hindrance to his plan," he mused as he felt his muscles quiver. Leandro held his temple with his fingers as he breathed out.

"Or he may influence the female human, which could cause your downfall. You know that he also has human blood," Lord Roberto reacted to his opinion.

"I would not allow it," he immediately lifted his head and then turned around. "I must reinforce the security around Lady Aisha."

His amethyst eyes gazed on the royal guards roaming below. There were groups of twos in almost every corner. But is it enough against a rebellious ex-ruler of Gaea? He knew that he was cunning and deceitful.

"I have stated my purpose. I will be leaving then," Lord Roberto bowed down to him.

As soon as he left, he immediately went to Lady Aisha's Chamber to check on her. But she wasn't around. He called on a servant to search for her.

It didn't take him long to see her, which he reported to Leandro at once. Like lightning, Leandro went to the royal kitchen and saw her.

To his relief, he was cheerfully getting along with some servants while eating her food. Though it was unusual for a noble to do that, he was glad that she was safe and sound.

"Tarragon has not gotten a hold of her yet," he reassured himself.

Leandro gazed at her with wary eyes. He will surely know. By now, he knew that Lady Aisha was a simple-minded and humble woman who had no ambition to take over the throne.

But what if Tarragon reached her out when she's the royal wife? Or, worst, when she's the Queen? Is he not making the wrong decision to marry her?

He was deep in his thoughts when he noticed that Lady Aisha was already staring at him.

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"People trust their eyes above all else - but most people see what they wish to see, or what they believe they should see; not what is really there"

― Zoë Marriott, Shadows on the Moon