Chapter 4 - Chaos and Order - Part 1

The first surprise of Luke's day was to find a royal carriage parked in the garden, pulled by two black horses of red mane, made for sure by the magic of the high magician, her future husband.

"Today you're going to try on your wedding dress. Are you anxious? It's mine, but it's going to be tailored for you. It's going to be perfect." 

Aretha smiled as she imagined how beautiful her brother would look in it. 

Luke blushed when thinking about the outfit, it was not uncommon, men wore dresses or skirts and women suits and shirts. He had already worn a skirt or two, but had never worn something so chic. He had never seen such a dress, but it would surely be beautiful.

Before entering, he tried to caress the horses, but as he passed his hand, he felt it go through his hair. They were really magical, after all there was no coachman.

"Aretha." - Called the sister seriously. "Keep an eye on Lily, please."

With a serious look, she replied:

"Don't worry, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again." 

He entered the carriage of black seats and red roof, watching the city pass quickly before his eyes until he reached the palace. He sighed with relief when he realized that a week had passed since the incident with his parents and so the wounds had healed and would not draw so much attention in a change of clothes.

However, that was the least of his worries. This morning he had seen Lily with her arm bandaged. He promptly helped her take care of the burn. And of course, with a lot of anger, Luke went to argue with the employees who seemed not to care at all about disdaining him. They said they accidentally dropped the hot tea, but it was impossible since Lily worked near their rooms and the tea was served in the opposite area. So they would never meet. Why would an employee in the living room bump into one of the rooms during working hours? There was no point. And because of that, he had a favor to ask the prince.

Upon arriving, Artanis was waiting for him with an ironic smile. Luke rolled his eyes, had to learn to deal with the prince anyway.

Artanis helped him down, taking his hand and kissing her soon afterwards. Today, Luke wore black gloves, as did her future husband. Both with white shirts and blue pants. The difference was that the youngest had a navy jacket that covered his shoulders.

"Thank you, dear. " - Luke smiled forcibly as he wanted to remove that smile from the other's face. But, he would have to control himself, for Lily.

"Before the ladies take you away from me for the fitting, I'd like to give you something."

"Good, I need to ask you something, too." 

A curious look took the prince's face. He did not expect such a situation. 

In a swift movement of Artanis' slender hands, the horses and chariot disappeared. So, as Luke had imagined, everything was really made of magic.

The taller one guided him to the garden, which looked different by day than the last time Luke saw him by night. The place was wide with green and flowers everywhere. There were several paths that led to various places, including a beautiful greenhouse made of glass in a white structure, inside there were armchairs, chairs and white sofas with two large tables and three small, also glass and white wooden chairs. All this wrapped in flowers of various types, colors and sizes. The young count inhaled the aroma with a smile. It was delicious. 

Artanis brought him to reality by saying: 

"Come sit down. I asked them to prepare something to eat. " - pointed to the armchairs near the round tables. 

And so it was done. Luke took some tea, it wouldn't get fat, right? But no sweets or bread.

"Thank you very much" - he said politely while drinking the red fruit tea in that fancy cup with golden and ornate details.

"Start you, what would you like to order?"

Luke was surprised at the prince's education. Had something changed?

"What is happening that is not provoking me today?".

Artanis smiled and approached their faces suddenly, causing Luke to freak out and almost drop the cup. 

"Are you missing my provocations?" - asked the blond with white teeth showing.

Luke blushed fiercely and responded stuttering.

"Of course not... I'm just wondering."

"I should say this, you didn't curse me before. Maybe it has something to do with your request." 

The prince finally walked away and took a cup of tea.

The brown-haired one smiled. The other one was really perceptive. 

"There's a new girl in the mansion, she's one of my few friends. Please bring her as an employee of the palace. Lily is very efficient and helpful. But if you stay there without me or Aretha. I don't know what will become of her."

Artanis laughed.

"You say it like she's mistreated." 

Upon seeing Luke's serious countenance, his expression changed.

"That's what happens when you get close to me in that house." - Her future husband said and soon after told the incident of tea that had occurred earlier.

"I will certainly help you. Don't worry. However, you will owe me something." - Provoked the future husband. Even if inwardly, I found the maid's situation worrying.

And of course Luke should expect an answer from the guy.

"And what do you want in return?" 

With a mischievous smile, Artanis simply said: 

"You'll know soon enough." 

Luke didn't even care. Even if the prince could blackmail him, he seemed to treat his employees well. It was not someone so bad, though unbearable.

Artanis moved to get something out of his pocket. 

"Now it's my turn to talk. This ring is your engagement ring, I've made some modifications and it will help protect you. What has to do with our marriage." 

The jewel was gilded with a half circle with what looked like 8 incomplete arrows on opposite sides, carved in black on the object.

"This symbol is the magic of Chaos, it's my symbol, my kind of power. It will complete itself at the wedding with the ring you will receive. And that magic has everything to do with why we got married." 

 Luke moved in the chair, wishing to listen more carefully to the words of the future husband.

After removing the groom's glove and starting to put the ring on his finger, Artanis said: 

 "Chaos and order are completed, they are necessary for the balance to be maintained. However, there are people who want to start a claw to transform the magic of chaos as something dominant, excluding order. With that, everything will be a mess. And so, that your blood is so important to me." 

Luke tried to pay attention to everything, ignoring the feeling of the elder's warm hand on his.

"Have you ever noticed how you and your sister always seek to bring organization and keep the balance of things? You have the magic of order within you. And I need that magic. We need it." 

 Luke felt there was something else, but before he could ask, his fiancé informed him: 

"I think it's time for you to go, we'll have to part. I'll look forward to our wedding day. " - kissed his hand, with the ring in it.

 The young man, without understanding, turned back and there was a woman with pink hair and black skin. She wore the typical clothes of the knights of Athea, dark pants, white shirt to the wrists and married red with golden cufflinks and certainly the sword attached to the waist. 

"Your Highness, excuse the interruption. But, it's time for the future prince to prove his dress for the wedding." 

"Who am I to get in the way, right? Go. It's your time. But I think I should introduce you, after all, she will be your personal guard. This is Samira Erus" 

 Luke lowered his head slightly to greet her.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Erus." 

Luke could see her yellow eyes only when she stood up.

"It is my pleasure to serve and protect you, sir."