10 ✨ C H A P T E R N I N E ✨

Chapter Nine

I got you.

~*~

After saying that he'll pursue her Vanus was called by another guest and have to excuse himself. But before he left he told Lyma that he'll be waiting for her response. As for Lyma, she was too surprise to even move an inch. That's when Avarus found her, staring blankly.

"Pandora?!" That was the fifth time he called her and if she didn't respond Avarus decided to call for the knights. But luckily Lyma's sanity was pulled together just in time.

"Avarus?" She was bewildered to see him and the look on his face did not help. "What happened?"

"That's what I want to ask you!?" Worried expression is on his face. And both his hands have somehow made its way to Lyma's shoulders and pulled her to face him. "What made you stare blankly like that?"

"It's…nothing. I just remembered something."

"You need to practice lying." His voice is turning cold. "I saw Vanus coming from here and then I saw you in that state. Tell me! What did he do to you?"

Lyma smiled warmly at him. "It's nothing I cannot handle. Vanus just said something silly that it almost gave me a heart attack."

"Vanus and silly in one sentence? What did he say?"

"Something about crows turning white."

"What?" He asked, confused. "I don't understand."

Lyma did not answer his question and just smile the shrug her shoulders as if saying 'Oh, well!'

"By the way, it's getting late." Then she turn her gaze towards the hall where people are still dancing and chatting. "I want to retire now."

"It is getting late. I'll escort you to your palace." He offered but Lyma just shook her head.

"No need. My palace is just minutes away. Besides, you need to sleep early for tomorrow's event. Hunting without sleep is dangerous." Avarus sigh.

"Fine. Then shall we get going?"

Lyma nodded and the two of them entered the hall. They looked for the members of the royal family and bid their farewells before they exited.

After the two go on their separate ways, Lyma decided not to return yet despite feeling tired. She wandered through the bushes of the Main Palace Garden and made her way towards the Pavilion. Since it already deep into the night, no one is left in the garden anymore for guests have also started to retire.

"I'm going to pursue you." Lyma whispered. She sat on one of the divan inside the pavilion and rested her head against the railings. She closed her eyes and instantly flashes of Vanus' confession float inside her mind.

` "I have not liked you from the start. But as I spent time my time here I come to realize things about you. You're loud and reserved at the same time. You are fragile but brave. You are strong-willed and knows what she wants. And you care for others more than yourself. Your character…have somehow…moved me. And without me noticing, my feelings have transformed." `

The prince's words drift inside her mind as if she is still at that moment. She massages her temples using her left thumb and forefinger. 'How …How did that happened?' She heaved a deep sigh as she continue to massage her temples. 'Is this some cliché plotline of a romantic novel?' She wanted to laugh for some reason but the thing is there is nothing humorous about the situation. She continued to massage her temples when suddenly she heard feint steps approaching her direction. She opened her eyes just in time with Malus as he entered the pavilion. "Malus?"

"I saw you walking towards here and thought to come check on you." He said as he walk towards her. "It's getting late. Why didn't you went back to your palace?" He sat beside her on the divan. She is still leaning against the railing and just turn her head to the side to look at him.

Even though it is already deep into the night she can still clearly see him because of the lights around. And because of that, and also because they are closely seated together, she can undoubtedly see how amazing his features are. His rough looking face that he got from his ancestors gives him that strong, ragged and raw aura. And it made him look older than he seems. But in actuality he is just the three years older than Pandora.

His green and blue eyes shine against the light as he look at her. His gaze is not sharp and scrutinizing as if finding fault in her. Though he is reading her as if examining her from skin to her soul, he look worried more than anything else.

"Something happened." It is a statement rather than a question. And it surprised Lyma for a second before she collected herself and then smiled. 'How could I forget that he can actually see through someone?'

"Yeah. Something did happen." She stated honestly. She then shifted herself and sat properly. She stared at nothing in particular in front of her.

"Is that the reason why you are here rather than in your room?" He asked still looking at her. He is still trying to figure out what exactly happened through her subtle movements. "Is it a big of deal?"

"No…" Her reply instantly but she also quickly withdraw it. "Wait…It is." She realized. Then she chuckled a little before sighing. "Vanus is giving me a headache." She whispered but because the two are seated closely Malus still heard her. And his brow shoot up at the mention of a person's name.

"Vanus? What did he do?" He asked curiously. He knew the two are not that close and it is just because of the trainings that they are together. He also knew that their personalities might clash a little for Vanus is known to be a strict person while Pandora has a rather unpredictable nature. "Did he scold you for something?" Lyma shook her head and continued to stare forward.

"It is more like the opposite." She paused for a couple of heartbeats before continuing. "He wants to pursue me." She admitted as her head tilted to the side. She saw the surprise look on his face before a wide grin spread followed by his laugh.

"Did I heard it right? Vanus wants to pursue you?" He asked and when she nodded he roared laughing again. Lyma just smiled and leaned back again against the railings and stared up unto the ceiling. She don't know why she admitted it to Malus. And looking back, she avoided the same question from Avarus and insisted on not telling. But with Malus she just easily gave in. Though they don't talk very much with each other she knew that Malus and Pandora have deeper history than all of the other princes. And Lyma settled with the thought that Pandora is unconsciously comfortable near Malus. "Woah! That made me laughed so hard. I can never imagine him saying that to you or to someone in particular." He commented after he calmed himself. Lyma nodded in agreement. "But if he actually told you that then that means he thought it through, right? And so he is actually serious about it."

"I know! That's why it is giving a headache." She complained as she closed her eyes again. "If the news of him pursuing me would go around and he actually confirmed it. Conflicts and discussions will arise. I know how other people view courtship and marriage. For them it is something that should brought upon positive impact to the household name." She heaved a deep sigh as she continued. "Urgh! To think I thought he was the last person that I should be wary about regarding this kind of matters."

Malus shifted his position and also leaned on the railings. He stared blankly at the ceiling as he answers. "How about I start to court you, too?" Lyma instantly opened her eyes upon hearing his suggestion. She turn her head to his direction with knitted brows. She examined his face as thoughts ran inside her head. 'Is this guy serious?' Malus did not move and just stayed leaning against the railings face looking up. Lyma heaved a sigh then turn back to stare at the ceiling.

"If you're going to pursue me, what benefits would that make?"

"I can help divert some attention and add uncertainty to public's expectations." He said in matter of fact tone. As Lyma listened to his reasoning she started to see the light of his suggestion. Adding Malus to the equation would add more uncertainties and the focus would not be focus on only her and Vanus. She nodded as facts connected inside her mind.

"That's plausible. You really deserve to be the captain." She complimented him and he smiled as he turn to look at her.

"Of course." He replied playfully.

***

Lyma is standing inside the royal tent together with her two brothers who are busy doing preparations for the hunting event. Gustave is putting up his breast plate and is being assisted by his personal attendant, Michael. While Guerrier is still busy reading documents for the hunting event to make sure that the affair will run smoothly. Robert is standing beside him and is just aiting for any orders for him. Lyma on the other hand is just standing and watching as the scene unfolds in front of her. Though her attention is not in the same place. It is still stuck on what happened earlier. She can still feel her blood rising with just the thought of it.

~

Everything was well at first. Lily was helping her do some final touches on her hair. Despite participating I the event she still needs to wear a dress and have her hair done for the opening ceremony and would just later on change to her hunting attire. This set up was insisted to all the female members of the royal family unlike their male counterparts who can just wear their hunting attire for the ceremony.

"All set. You're done, your highness." Lily announced as she finishes her job. Lyma smiled and then the both of them went out of her walk in closet. Just then a knock on the door was heard followed by an announcement.

"Your highness, His highness Prince Malus Sebastian Vulpecula is here and would like to have an audience with you."

Lyma's head snapped towards the door and at the same time Lily's curious gaze swept through her. Then a huge smile spread across Lyma's face. 'Ha! I did not expect him to be early.'

"Let him in." Lyma instructed. Lily nodded and went to the door. She opened it and a dashing man went in.

"Good morning to the star of the kingdom." Malus greeted as he entered the room.

"Good morning t you too." She greeted back. And just as Lyma was about to admire the masterpiece of a man standing inside her room, another announcement echoed.

"Your highness, His highness Prince Vanus Silvestre Ceivre is here and would like to have an audience with you."

Instantly, her eyes met with Malus' and the two of them stared as if asking 'is it show time?' with each other. And after a couple of seconds, the two made a silent agreement. 'This is it.' Lyma thought and heaved a sigh. She turn to Lily and nod her head, signaling the attendant to open the door and let the prince come in. She then sat on one of the sofa and motioned for Malus to sit on the other one that is across from her.

"Good morning, your highness." Vanus greeted Lyma as he went inside. Then he turn his gaze to the other person. "Malus." He greeted.

"Good morning." Malus confirmed.

"It is a good morning indeed. Having to meet the two of you this early in the day. So what do I owe this pleasure of being visited by the two dashing princes of the continent?"

"I would like to be your escort." Vanus replied at the time with Malus as he said. "I'll escort you."

Vanus snapped his head to Malus' direction and stared at him. Malus on the other hand did not move an inch and is just looking at Lyma's direction. Though he is not really looking at her but at the cabinets beyond her. This is because he don't want the string to snap and laugh his heart out because of the situation. While Lyma fought hard not to laugh at the scene in front of her. She cleared her throat and turn her look on Vanus. "Passive." She commented then turn her look to Malus. "Aggressive." Then she smiled. "Having the both of you here is a convenience for me. I will only say this once and I hope you respect my decision. I will acknowledged the intentions of you pursuing me. But I want to make myself clear, I don't do political marriage."

~

Lyma is massaging her temples when Lily went inside the tent and approach her. Lily informed her that the hunting preparations have just ended and the participants are requested to come to the starting point.

Right after the opening ceremony for the hunting event, Lyma immediately changed her outfit and did not partake in the traditional string tying. As a tradition, the ladies will be given a red string that they can give to one participant of the event. The string symbolizes the trust of the owner that the participant will be able to obtain the highest score for the event. And it also signifies who is the most favored participant. Receiving the red string can give a boost on one's confidence and popularity and thus anyone that is participating wants to have at least one.

Though Lyma don't have interest in this kind of matter that is not the reason she quickly fled the scene right after the ceremony. The real reason is Vanus Silvestre Ceivre. She wanted to avoid any contact with Vanus as much as possible. The talk with him earlier in the morning did nothing. In fact the meeting somehow fanned the flame of a rivalry between the two princes.

Together with her brothers and their attendants, they walk towards the starting point for the hunting event. Everyone seems to be already present and is just waiting for the king's signal. As they approach the crowd, Lyma keep looking around to spot the two princes that caused her headache. And that caught Gustave's attention.

"Who are you looking for?" He asked. His gorgeous face is stoic as ever. He wore his usual hunting attire partnered by his personal hunting bow.

"No one!" She defended. "I was just looking around to check on the participants." She tried to excuse. "I haven't given my red string, yet." She added.

"Then give it to me." He demanded. For the past years, Pandora have given her red string to either of her brothers. But not this time…

"Not today. I'm going to give my string to-…"

Even before she added the name, the king have interrupted her.

"Once again everyone, welcome to this annual hunting event. May you hunt safe!" And the loud bang sound echoed signaling that the event have started.

Everyone quickly mounted their horses and ran towards the forest. Lyma decided to start her hunt on the west part of the forest where a stream is located. Unlike her brothers and most of the participants who chose to use a bow and arrow or a crossbow, Lyma insisted to use a sword. Initially, she prepared a crossbow but after her meeting with the two princes she no longer thought that a crossbow would fit her. She was so stressed out that she wanted to break something to relieve it. And so she decided to use a sword. And she also picked the west area near the stream because it does not have a lot of trees and bushes, and so it will easier for her to swing her sword.

She stopped and unmounted her horse when she reached the stream. After tying the horse on a short tree branch, she walked towards the stream. She tried to spot water tracks that have been created by any animals and fortunately she spotted a huge one. The ground was wet enough that one can assume that it was a huge prey. And she was right about the tracks. It lead her to a larger clearing where she found the huge prey. It was so huge that she actually froze on the spot.

Lyma stared at the creature in front of her. The large snake-like monster with the head of a horse is staring at her using its blue crystal-like eyes. Lyma can feel that the air around her is getting colder. And that only means, the Inkanyamba feels threatened and is ready to attack.

She have never seen a real one before. And have only red a couple of books that describes its mightiness. But to actually be able to meet the creature, she was not prepared for it. She did not expect it to actually be the same size as a full grown tree.

'How did they transport such creature here?' She can't help but to wonder despite her current predicament. 'Magic truly is amazing.'

She knew she only have one option and that is to run. 'But what if someone ran into it after me? I don't think a single person can handle this creature.'

She stared back at the creature in front of her. 'Why is it not attacking?' She thought and and suddenly she noticed something different. The lower eye lid of the creature is red as if it was someone who just cried. 'There's something wrong with its eyes.' A conclusion formed inside her mind. 'It cannot see. That's the reason why it did not attack and is just using the air to detect.' Somehow Lyma felt pity towards the creature. It was captured and brought here just to add thrill and enjoyment for the participants.

[Child.]

Lyma quickly looked around when she heard a voice. "Who's there?"

[Child, it is I.]

Lyma snapped back towards the creature. "It's you?"

[Yes. Child of Chaos, I have come to deliver a message.]

Lyma's brows knitted. First, she cannot grasped that the creature in front of her is actually speaking to her. Second, the creature called her Child of Chaos. And Lyma don't' know what that supposed to mean. But Lyma focused on the most important part of what the creature said. It came to deliver a message. "What message? And from whom?"

[Child of Chaos hear thy word. Born from light but bearer of the dark. Pursue destiny's path. Cut all the freed sins knot. Fill the emptied cruse. Feed the fire. End the time.]

"What?" Lyma cannot grasped what the creature's words mean. "I don't understand."

[You will, Child. Soon. It will not be long.]

And then as if like water, the creature's body started to emit steam like in the process of vaporizing. Lyma did not dare to move and watched as the creature disappear literally into thin air.

She stared at the spot where the creature once stands. The grass is still damp from water.

'Child of chaos.' She thought to herself. 'Why did it call me that? Is it because of the curse? If that's the case then someone outside the palace knew about my curse. It said that it was just delivering a message. And that person…'

"Rebels!" Someone shouted and Lyma looked around to locate where it came from. "Help!" The second time helped Lyma locate the voice and she instantly ran towards it. But much to her surprise the location is the same clearing from where she came from. And the fact that the horse is still there means she is correct. She look around and spotted nothing as if there is no one there to begin with. But she knew the voice came from this direction and so she felt that there must be something wrong. She unsheathed her sword and went on a stance. Not long enough a voice came to greet her.

"Greeting to the star of the kingdom." A man with a long beard appeared from behind a tree. "Her Highness, Princess Pandora."

"Who are you?" She asked pointing her weapon towards the man.

"Does that really matter, your highness?" Just then, a couple more people appeared from behind the trees around her. And she was instantly surrounded.