Meeting with the princess

Raziel got water for Luciana to rinse her mouth and wash her face. They then went out.

Luciana insisted that they visit Lord Kruger's mansion. She had made sure to bring along with her her arrows and bow, the only weapon she knew how to use.

Raziel not wanting to turn her down, agreed. He too wanted to meet this infamous Lord that had killed her family.

They entered one of the town's carriage that would lead them to Lord Kruger's mansion. The coachman was going to wait for the carriage to be full, but Raziel insisted that he took only the both of them, and paid for the empty seats.

"How do you feel now Luciana?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. Sometimes I feel it is not true, and that I will see them one day. It is too cruel to be real."

"I understand you." He said to her, and she smiled sadly.

When they got to Kruger's mansions, they saw guards stationed all around his gate.

Raziel held Luciana's hand and walked to the gate. She still had her head covered so they would not recognize her.

Raziel's face held an intimidating expression as he walked to them. One look at him, the guards could tell that he was someone high up in the societal ladder.

"Is your Lord in?" He asked them.

They offered a bow to him. "No my Lord. He has been on a journey for two weeks now."

Raziel then turned to Luciana to know if she heard, but he saw her staring unblinkingly at one of the guards. A bulky looking man who would easily intimidate people.

"You know him?" He whispered to her, not caring that they could hear him.

Luciana didn't answer, but instead she reached for her bow and arrow that was hidden in her cloak. Before Raziel could even fathom what she was up to, she had shot the man's leg. Then swiftly she shot his chest, purposely missing his heart.

"What is the meaning of this Luciana?" Raziel asked her in surprise.

Meanwhile the other guards rushed to attack her, but Raziel stood defensively in front of her.

"He assisted Lord Kruger in killing my family." Luciana said, unremorseful.

The guards that reached Raziel had their body disfigured. Some had their hands broken, others their legs.

One of them shot an arrow at Luciana, but Raziel caught it and went after the guard. He easily caught him and snapped his neck, which eventually led to his death.

Meanwhile the bulky guard that Luciana shot still lay on the ground, bleeding and unable to breath. He wasn't dead as Luciana didn't shoot his vital organs, but the poison was spreading slowly in him. The others wondered why he was still laying there from a simple arrow shoot.

Raziel suddenly grabbed Luciana, and ran with her to take the arrow out of the man, before zooming off. They knew that the poison would kill him.

He only stopped when he came to a forest they both do not know.

"Why did you run?" She asked.

"Back up was coming. I couldn't fight with you there. What is it?"

"I was hoping I could see Duke Elric. I know he would have been worried about me. I want to let him know that I am still alive."

Raziel frowned at the mention of her going to see the duke.

"How are you sure you would be safe with him?"

"I don't believe he will harm me."

"Your belief might not be the reality." Raziel didn't know why, but the idea of her going to see the duke didn't sit well with him. "And we will be here soon again to search for your sister. You can see him then."

"Okay."

"Are you ready to go back?"

"Yes. But do you know where we are?"

"We are going to find out."

Raziel picked her up again, and after roaming around for a while, they actually found their path. Raziel moved slower, and they reached the castle in five hours.

Luciana fell asleep when he stopped, and he carried her to her room, not minding the eyes that were on him. After that, he asked the maids to make sure that food was available for her when she woke up.

When he left, he maids couldn't help but gossip among themselves.

"Who is that girl that the prince takes so much care of her? She even stays in his quarters." One maid asked.

"Yes. She's even a human." The second maid said.

"Human?" The first maid asked.

"Of course. I believe she is his mistress. She is so lucky. Even the prince's former bride to be didn't get to be treated as such." The second maid said.

"I heard she was a slave, and the prince bought her." A third maid chimed in. "She even had fights with Rebecca."

"Oh. Interesting. It is rare to see anyone of the girls fight Rebecca. I like her already."

"We should leave before the prince sees us here talking about him." The second maid said, and they all left.

The next morning, Raziel woke up to the sound of knocks on the door. He stood up to get it. It was Lorenzo.

"Your highness, the Queen to be is here."

"You mean Evelyn?"

"Yes your highness."

Raziel shook his head. "She's one desperate woman. I wonder why some people purposely deprive themselves of something as sweet as sleep."

Lorenzo chuckled.

"Now what is the news?" Raziel asked.

"That's the news your highness."

"You came all the way to disturb my sleep only to inform me about a princess I don't care about?"

"She's going to be your step mother tomorrow. And I also came to remind you that you would be meeting with the daughters of some noble men today."

"See you later Lorenzo." Raziel said, before locking the door on his face.

He had already forgotten about his meeting with his father, where he agreed to meet the daughters of some people that he didn't know.

Without dwelling much on it, he went back to bed.

Not up to five minutes had passed before he heard another knock. Who was it this time?

He went to open it, and found a knight there. The knight bowed.

"The king demands your presence now."

Raziel let out a sigh before he decided to go see his father, who happened to be in his chambers. He sat on a sofa, and Evelyn sat next to him. Guards stood on either side, and they seem to be having a conversation.

"Your majesty." Raziel greeted his father.

"Excuse me my darling. Let me speak with my son."

Evelyn nodded, and the king faced Raziel.

"I called you here to see the princess, who would soon be your queen."

"I am sorry father, but I already know how she looks like."

Evelyn frowned, and she bowed her head as if hurt.

"You couldn't even offer your greetings son, and you dare not speak of her in that manner."

"I will make sure to keep that in mind when she becomes queen." He said, but the sarcasm in his voice was not hidden.

"If this is what you called me for, I will be on my way."

"You would be meeting with the princess of Crestland in an hour. You'd also meet another princess, and a duke's daughter who is to become a duchess."

"Send the first girl to my quarters when she is here. I would be waiting for her."

"Be nice Raziel." The king warned.

"Trust me I will."

It got to an hour in no time, and the princess of Crestland was already there. Raziel decided to check on Luciana before he goes to meet the princess.

He knocked on her door, and she heard her voice asking him to come in. She still sounded drowsy. He pushed the door and entered.

"Did I wake you?"

"No. I woke up not too long ago."

"It seems you had long hours of sleep." Raziel said.

"No. I was awake all through the night. I was only able to sleep at dawn."

Raziel frowned.

"Did the nightmares come again?"

She nodded. "I see them every time I close my eyes."

"You'd be okay alright. It's time for my meeting with a princess. I have forgotten where she's from."

Luciana chuckled. "So you are actually having the meeting? Good luck then." She really didn't believe he would end up marrying anyone. He might do something that would make them leave.

When Raziel left, she stood up and silently went after him, wanting to watch the whole process.

Raziel entered his dining room to meet the princess already seated. The tables were already filled with food and wine, and decorated to exhibit a romantic atmosphere.

He walked forward and took a seat without bothering to look at the princess's face. He then took a glass and poured himself some wine. He took a sip before turning to her.

"And you are?"