Watch Your Step

NOWEL

''Your Majesty, I still think you should reconsider your decision to make peace with the Arabians.'' Cedric, the Royal white wizard said.

I sighed and turned to face Cedric. ''Iris would be marrying Prince Gafar tomorrow night and you're saying I shouldn't make peace with them?''

Cedric swallowed and spoke, ''No, Your Majesty. What I was trying to say was that--''

''Your words or opinion about this doesn't matter. I made peace with the Arabians not just because My sister fell in love with one of them but because it was the right thing to do. They asked for peace and I gave it to them.''

Cedric nodded in submission.

''Make sure that Prince Gafar and his family stay at the castle is welcoming and hospitable enough.''

''Yes, Your Majesty.'' Cedric bowed as I left the garden for the castle. I went to Iris's room and smiled when I saw her trying on her wedding gown. I saw the faint look of insecurity on her face as she stared at her figure in the mirror.

''What's wrong, Iris? You don't like the dress?''

Iris blushed. ''I like it, Your Majesty.''

I rolled my eyes as she referred to me as, your Majesty. Ever since I was crowned the Ruler of Andromeda and all the power and decision-making that concerns the state was handed over to me, I have always been called, Her Majesty.

''You know that I can't punish my dear sister for not calling me, Your Majesty but just Nowel.''

Iris giggled.

''And I think you look just pretty in that dress. Prince Gafar would fall on his knees tomorrow night when he sees you in that.'' Iris smiled when I said Prince Gafar. She is really in love with him. And I am so happy that she found someone she truly loved and also got to marry him. I am also proud that she has my support in the union.

''Do you...think so?'' Iris asked me timidly, I moved over to her and pulled her in for an embrace.

''I know so.''

The day of the wedding came and all nobles, knights, kings, and Queens from all over the world came to witness the union of Prince Gafar and Princess Iris.

The wedding went as expected and it was glamorous. I had drinks with some foreign rich men and danced with their wives. I watched from afar and in adoration as My sister and Prince Gafar danced together. Holding onto each other they looked like the perfect couple. I was grateful to the eye god for his blessing.

I was shocked when some kings tried to flirt with me. Do I still look attractive even at age forty?

''Your Majesty, May I have this dance with you?''

The King of Great Whales greeted.

''I...em...not in the mood for a dance.''

''What about a lovely stroll? Maybe for once, I could get to see the lovely architecture of the famous Andromeda palace.''

My god, He is desperate.

I sighed and agreed to stroll instead of dancing. And I later regret it.

''My my. What an elegant palace we have here. I can see the good job that you are doing Your Majesty. Andromeda has prospered so much now that it has a beautiful woman like you as its ruler.''

I almost choked but nodded. Keep it together Nowel and wait for the right time to escape.

''Tell me something Your Majesty, Why haven't you married again ever since the...Demon king left you and fled. You are just too attractive to be left alone. It's been twenty years now and I don't think he is ever coming back to you, Your Majesty.''

Those words struck chords of pain in my heart. I don't think he is ever coming back to you. The whole world thought Michael had run away but no one knew the horrible fate that befell him.

A tear fell from my eyes but quickly wiped it off with my gloved hands.

''It's such a pity that demon left such a beautiful woman like you for whatever he fled for.''

This is getting unbearable.

''I wish I had a royal sorcerer and haunt that demon down and teach him the lesson of his life,''

''King Ezekiel'' I cut him short, ''It has been so nice to get to walk with you. But...If you'll excuse me, I have something important that I must attend to in the Library.''

''The Library?''

''Yes, It's very important and personal.''

He chewed the inside of his mouth as if deciding on whether or not he should let me go. But he eventually nodded his head with a sigh, ''It's such a shame that I didn't get to tell you how I slayed a three-headed dragon on my quest to the forbidden mountains. But, anyways, I would let you go and visit another time to tell you the terrifying tale.'' He smiled and leaned in to kiss my knuckles. I almost gagged.

When he was gone, I entered my room to change from my ball gown into a darker hoodie. I went for the stables grabbed a dark horse and rode out of the palace.

The night air blew past me as I crossed the bridge and headed for the forest. I rode fast and hard until I reached, The spit. A popular Tavern for commoners and the middle class. I tied my horse to a stand very far away from where I was going.

I entered the Spit and was welcomed by laughter, music, and traditional dances. I blended in right away and moved over to the counter to have a drink.

I sat down on one of the wooden stools in front of the counter and tapped on the table for a drink.

It's been ten years now since I have been sneaking to the Spit to drink and clear my head off. The pressure of ruling an entire kingdom and protecting the lives of your people from various enemies. Getting your younger sister married off and of course, dealing with the fact of people thinking that Michael fled twenty years ago and left me. It's also sad when you can't tell them the truth without revealing the fact that he made a deal with the devil and he was a demon.

I sighed.

I tapped my fingers on the table again to catch the attention of the person behind the table giving out drinks. He finally answered with a frown on his face. ''What?'' he spat. He does not know who I am.

''I want a drink, please.'' He hissed and turned around to prepare it for me. Rude.

The man finished my drink and I watched in disbelief as he passed it over to the person beside me. I cleared my throat as he went back to his business. He did not even bother preparing another one for me.

''Uhm, excuse me sir, but I think I asked you for a drink.'' I tried my best to remain calm.

He faced me with an irritated look, ''So?''

''But you made one and passed it away.''

''Listen, I only serve regulars and not creepy hooded freaks.''

I was...taken aback. Then he turned around and ignored me.

''Hey-!''

''You can have mine instead.''

I stopped myself from lashing out or strangling that rude jerk as the stranger beside me slid his drink toward me. I blinked.

''Uh...Thanks.''

I did not hear him say anything. My curiosity got the best of me and I shifted to behold the face of this nice stranger who could let go of his drink for me.

I only caught a glimpse of his blue eyes sharp jawlines and dark hair that rested beautifully on his shoulders. I gulped, He looked handsome too.

He felt me staring at him and turned, but I quickly looked away to avoid his gaze. I buried my face and tried my best to hide from him.

I don't want him catching me staring at him.

Heat rose to my cheeks as I felt his own eyes on me. Oh, good god, don't tell me he is staring at me.  I swallowed and drank as fast as I could. With the way his eyes have not left my body, He must be some shameless pervert. I immediately drowned the whole cup in one gulp and stood up to leave. As I was making my dramatic departure from the Spit and trying to escape the potential pervert, I bumped into something and fell. I was surprised when I did not reach the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me first before I embarrassed myself.

''Watch your step, Gorgeous, or you will fall and hurt yourself.'' He whispered inside my left ear and my cheeks were boiling red.

I snapped out of my little...I don't know what happened to me and stood straight.

I turned around to face him and thanked him for saving me and then disappeared. ''Thank you so much for...''

The remaining words died on my tongue when I met with a pair of dark blue eyes with specks of red in them. A very familiar hairpin on his shoulder-length hair.

I gasped, ''M-M...Michael?''

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THE END