Unwelcome Invitation

Lucy's POV

I was walking back to my study after training with Haruto. The taste of his blood and the scent of his sweat still lingered in me. Although I was in an extremely delighted mood...I was feeling a bit conflicted. I had decided to not hide my inner self anymore...and along with it came the euphoric obsession I had for Haruto but during training, I felt something else, something much darker.

I had felt it before too, just never realised it. The fact of the matter though is that I think I am a bit of a sadist. The pleasure I felt every time I pushed Haruto down, binding his limbs, making him unable to move...I was so tempted to continue even after he completed his task.

"Well, that's what I get for internalizing all my trauma I guess...he didn't seem to dislike it so..." I said as an evil grin appeared on my face.

I was grinning while the lingering imagery was still fresh in my mind when Serena appeared before me.

"Excuse me Princess, a letter has arrived from the royal palace. It is addressed to you, it is from His Majesty The King" she said as she handed me a scroll inscribed with the family insignia.

My mood immediately soured as I felt my fists close in frustration. All the happiness and pleasure that I was feeling just moments before disappeared into thin air as I held the scroll in my hand. I could feel that I was slipping back into my old self.

"Come to the Capital immediately" The only sentence written in it.

All I wanted to do as I held that paper in my hands was tear it and set it on fire right in front of me. I was no longer some convenient existence he could just call whenever he needs to use me but I knew I couldn't refuse, not right now. The sudden change in my behaviour and refusal will raise his suspicions and he might send surveillance to my safe haven. If my father got to know Haruto's origin I will not be able to keep him safe any longer.

I felt my teeth grind against each other as I handed the letter back to Serena.

"Give me another piece of paper" I asked her.

She immediately pulled out another piece of paper and a pen. I placed the paper against the wall next to me and started writing. I was looking forward to spending more time with him in the library, listening to more of his life...knowing that I couldn't get enough of it. But for his own safety, I knew I had to leave. After writing the letter I planted a kiss on that paper as a gift and handed it back to Serena.

"Read it out to him when he comes to the library, he does not know the script of our world. Oh and observe every single thing he does with the paper afterwards...and explain to me in detail when I return" I said as I handed everything back to her and ventured out into the courtyard again, Serena following behind.

The closer I walked towards it the more did annoyance build up as I felt myself moving further away from Haruto.

"Princess, your mana is leaking...please keeps your emotions in check, you know the importance of that more than I do" she said from behind, flinching as she looked at me. The mana leaking from me was clearly causing her discomfort.

She was right, I needed to keep my cards close to my chest. I calmed down and stood at the centre of the round-tiled courtyard. I let my wings appear and reemerge from my back. The dark raven wings enveloped me as I bought them close to my body. I took a deep breath and with a single leap, I took off into the sky and headed straight for the royal palace.

It took me about an hour and a half of continuous flying to reach the palace. Normally I would take a day with multiple breaks in between and a much slower pace. However, I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible and go back to my love nest with Haruto.

I landed with a huge force in front of the palace gates, causing cracks to form in the pavement below me. The guards immediately pointed their weapons at me but the minute I stood straight, their grips became loose. Their hostility still remained though...nothing I wasn't already used to.

I walked through the gates, ignoring their existence.

I walked through the palace courtyard and the inner halls, momentarily seeing the memories of the small amount of time I had spent here along with the fleeting moments I was allowed to come back. They didn't last long though, I had become completely indifferent to the torment I faced here.

I eventually made it to the entrance of the main hall. Surprisingly there were no guards guarding it. I was about to open the door when I heard a sudden noise.

"Lucille!! My child, when did you get here!?" I heard a voice say and I knew exactly who it was. Artoria Tempest Mephistopheles, my mother.

I didn't answer her question, just looking at her as she came running to me. She stood in front of me and just stared at my face for a few seconds before she raised her hand and tried to place it on my cheek.

My body staggered back as I moved away from her touch. It was both a conscious and subconscious reaction.

Her eyes went wide for a moment, and her hand jerked slightly, trying to reach out for me once more but she stopped and dropped her hands behind her. She looked down dejectedly.

"I was called here by His Majesty..." I replied.

"I-I see, I don't want to take much of your time but please can you meet me after you are done...please" she said in a sombre tone almost pleading.

I was reluctant to answer but I knew she would persist. So I nodded and placed my hand back on the door handle and entered the hall. I could feel her lingering gaze still on my back as I went inside.

The moment I entered I saw him, but no words were exchanged. I walked up to the steps leading to the throne and stood in front of him, I should have bowed down in greeting but I was feeling a bit defiant today.

"Welcome my daughter...we have a lot to talk about" he said with a raised eyebrow. Amused at my disobedience.

"Yes your Majesty, indeed we do...."