Chapter 33 - Pun the Face“Alright, young dy,” I hissed, my tone dripping with false sweetness. I smiled, but it redatrin. “Spill the beans while I’m still feeling…charitable. What other schemes does that murderous prince of ours have up his sleeve?” I released my hold on her mouth, allowio speak. She stammered out a response, her voice quivering with fear. "He- His Highness pns on wedding you off so-so-so you do-don't have to live with us anymore-" THE F*CK? My mind raced with questions and fury. If that was the case, why'd he even lock me up here? I 't use my damn magiet out of this shitty pce? OKAY, dude's got some real syndrome hitting his head every 2 milimeters per mile. "Okay, whatever. Get me dressed, IMMEDIATELY," I ordered, my eyes glinting dangerously. My gre seemed to terrify her even more, redug her to a stantly bowing mess. The look I shot her sent her scrambling, eyes wide with terror as she bowed, her whole frame practically trembling with fear. She mao assemble herself enough to help, though her fingers fumbled clumsily over the buttons and ribbons of my gown as she assisted me. She kept bowing with eaent, more out of fear than respebsp;It's been 15 minutes ahis Lyriana psycho hasn't e back yet. I thought, gng toward the door. Whateverrrrrr- I've got a thousaer things to do than that. "I would really appreciate some solitude," I stated coolly, moving towards the door. "Don't be armed, I io take a brief walk within the fines of the building." "Un-uood," Calista stammered, bowing once more as I swept out of the room, my mind already formuting pns for what was to e.Lyriana Dawnwhisper With her silky raven tresses and mesmerizing golden eyes, Lyriana exudes a sense of tranquility that belies her tender age of een. Possessing a calm and collected demeanor, she navigates life with an air of maturity and poise. Though introverted, she remains an invaluable resource to those she holds dear, guidand support with discretion and care. Her love for her close ones is unyielding, making her susceptible to their influenbsp;Calista Moonshadow Calista is a ray of sunshine, illuminating every er with her vivacious spirit. Her lustrous yellow locks and vibrant e eyes mirror the warmth of her soul, and at fifteen, she is a harmonious blend of maturity and youthful exuberance. In the pany of her inner circle, her social butterfly emerges, her kind and g nature flourishing alongside her pent for lively versatio, beyond the familiarity of her loved ones, Calista exudes a posed grace, ever aware of her surroundings and the social currents that flow through the upper echelons of society. Always ready with the test intriguing tidbits, she is a captivating source of knowledge and charm. Well.....at least that's what their bio's said~ Well, I guess that's what happens when you pay 5 for a LinkedIn profile makeover and call it a 'personal brand.' Meanwhile, iy, they're still living in their parents' basemeing Cheetos for breakfast, and w why their dog won't return their calls. But hey, at least their bio said they're a 'visionary thought leader'... in their own minds.-Hallway; Moonlit Edifice; M in Elmir- I crept down the hallway of the moonlit edifice, the early m light in Elmir just beginning to filter through the windows. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a pierg SHIIIING followed by a resounding G. The unmistakable sounds of swords g echoed from a nearby room. My heart raced as I noticed a group of men rushing towards the otion, their faces a mix of excitement and . Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself swept along with them, my feet moving almost of their own accord. As we burst into the room, my eyes wide the se before me. Cillian was in the midst of an intense sword-fighting practice. The room was filled with the rhythmic sound of metal meetial, and I could see his muscles tense and release with each calcuted movement. His sword fshed in the dim light, meeting his oppos' bdes with a ferocity that took my breath away. Cillian was focused, his brow furrowed in tration as he parried and struck against an unseen oppo. His footwork recise; he moved with a fluidity that spoke of tless hours spent honing his craft. I watched as he executed a series of teiques—the Oberhau, a downward strike from above, followed by swift thrusts and defensive mahat demonstrated not just skill but an uanding of timing and distanbsp;The way he wielded his sword was mesmerizing. Each swing seemed to tell a story of discipline and dedication. He practiced as if he were preparing for a duel, every motion deliberate and trolled. I could almost feel the tension in the air, as if the very room held its breath alongside him. As I stood there, captivated by his performance, I realized that this was more than just practice; it was a dance—a dance of bat where every step mattered. Cillian’s itment to mastering his swordsmanship inspired me. It reminded me that behind every csh of swords y not just strength but alsy, timing, and an unwavering resolve to improve.-Back to the Present- Stepping out of the training grounds and into the empty corridor, Cillian inhaled deeply, attempting to dispel the lingering adrenalihat surged through his veins. The air was thick with the st of sweat aermination, remnants of the grueling session that had just cluded. As he moved forward, Luxana emerged from the shadows, her presence illuminating the dim hallway like a sunbeam pierg through a opy of trees. Her smile radiated warmth, remi of a sunlit summer meadow, inviti mischievous. Before Cillian could gather his thoughts or respond to her sudden appearance, Luxana closed the distaween them, ing her arms around his ne an exuberant embrace. The world around them faded; it was just the two of them in that moment. Her side profile was striking, framed by casg locks that veiled her eyes, while her smile liantalizingly close to Cillian's ear. In a hushed tone, she whispered, "Be not deceived, my esteemed Prince, for I, too, am gifted with the blessings of sight and hearing, and thus privy to the maations that surround us." A chill danced down Cillian's spine as her words hung in the air, ced with an idertone. Despite the uling chill her words invoked, he couldn’t help but smirk at her audacity. With a ge pyful motioousled her hair with his bare hands and replied softly, "While it is undeniable that you possess the ans of vision and hearing, it seems, regrettably, that their utility pales in parison to the futility of your urained loquaciousness." Their banter was a dance—a delicate interpy of wit and underlying motives cloaked in smiles. I pushed myself out of Cillian's embrace. My hands found their way to his shoulders, gripping them tightly as I stared into his eyes with an iy that could have melted steel. "Cillian," I began, "Do you really pn to get me married to a random stranger?" my voice was low, but each word dropped like a stone. Cillian's head tilting to the side in that infuriatingly adorable way of his. "Yes, of course. Why does it matter to you, Luxana?" He asked, his voice ced with genuine fusion and disi. IS THIS GUY NUMB OR IS HE JUST PURELY DUMB? I mused, my eyes alomost popping out of shobsp;I felt the tension creep into my shoulders, the hurt sm within me like a slow fme. “I see,” I murmured, dropping my eyes, letting a touch of disdain curl my lips. “Very well, then—” *BAM* And before I could stop myself, my fist ected with his face. The impact rang out in the silent hall, and Cillian staggered back, one hand flying to his jaw. His other hand slowly slid over his face, c it. "That," I hissed, crossing my arms and adopting an air of nonce, "is what you get when you push a ast her limit, Yhness." As I looked at him coldy. "If anyone besides those servants of yours had seen all the injustice you threw at me, rather than being punched in the face, you'd be drowning in the Pacific O." I'm not going to make him pay for his sins just yet. Though they are fewer, they are still painful. I’ll wait until all his misdeeds accumute, leaving him with no room for my mercy. I know where my destiny is leading me; if it's not Cillian to whom I'm tied, then it will be no one else. If he's really going to stao me for as the future wills, then probably, I'll have to make sure there's no room for him to linger in my life, no space for his preseo disrupt the path I’ve chosen. I’ll push him away, creating a distahat feels insurmountable, until the memories of what we once shared fade into nothingness. It’s easier this way—less plicated. I’ll keep my heart guarded, ensuring that no one slip ba, because I know that closeness only invites pain, and I'm not ied iertaining such cptrap. I thought, pulling my head away in distress. Cillian stood there, slowly c his face with his hands, peeking through his fingers like a child caught in mischief. I could see the red mark blooming on his cheek, and for a moment, a part of me felt satisfa at having shocked him, for once breaking through that idifference. But before either of us could speak- “YHNESS! YHNESS!” The shout echoed down the corridor, ah turo see a young man sprinting towards us, his face flushed and chest heaving, nearly stumbling over his ow. He doubled asping for air as he tried to speak. "Catch your breath first," Cillian anded, his voice muffled behind his hands. The servant gulped in air before finally managing to speak. "Im-imperial Knights have gathered in front of the Edifice," he gasped. "They're requesting your immediate presen the Imperial Sun Pace, along with the Royal Princess of Domino." A heavy silence fell over us. He sighed, "Go get ged, Princess," Cillian said, his voice a shade colder than before. . "I'll be waiting for you by the entraaircase." Without annce back, he strode down the corridor, the servant trailing behind him like a lost puppy.-Entrance Hall; Moonlit Edifice; Elmir, Afternoon- As I reached the staircase, wearing a, off-the-shoulder gown that evoked the beauty of a starry night sky. It rimarily a deep, rich blue color, adorned with intricate detailing and sparkling embellishments that cascaded from the bodice down to the voluminous skirt. These shimmering elements gave the gown a celestial appearance, as if it were adorned with stars. The bodice was fitted, atuating my waist, while the skirt flowed gracefully with multiple yers of fabric, creating a sense of movement ahereal elegahe gown also featured delicate, sheer sleeves that draped softly from my shoulders, adding a touch of sophistication and grabsp;Apanying the gown was a matg blue with simir sparkliails, whiplemehe overall look and enhahe celestial theme. The background of the dispy, decorated with light circles and star-like sparkles, further atuated the gown's enting design. I saw Cillian at the end of the staircase, earing a ceremonial masterpiece, bining formal and intricate elements. He was donned in a dark blue jacket adorned with eborate silver embroidery and a white patterned sash draped elegantly over one shoulder. The jacket was decorated with various detailed pos such as s, tassels, and brooches, adding to its ornate design. He paired the jacket with bck trousers, creating a sharp trast, and bck shoes that pleted the formal attire. Each part of the uniform, from the brooches to the buttons and patterns, was meticulously crafted, showg the attention to detail. The uniform's color palette sisted of dark blue, bck, and white, with the silver embroidery standing out against the darker hues. This uniform was clearly designed for special or formal occasions, refleg a high level of sophistication and elegance.As I desded the grand staircase, I became aware of Cillian’s gaze settling upon me, his pierg eyes unwavering. Without a word, he lifted his left hand in silent invitation. I hesitated only a sed before my own hand drifted into his, my right palm meeting his in a seamless, instinctual motion. And before I even fully registered the sensatioransported to...-Hallway; Imperial Sun Pace; Elmir- The pace was a vision of serene majesty. Polished marble gleamed under soft, golden light, and every surface echoed quiet luxury. Knights fhe hallway, f an immovable, silent guard as I took a tentative step forward, my heels clig against the cool floor. “LUXANA!” Cillian’s voice rang sharply through the hall, snapping me from my reverie. I barely registered his warning before a sudden wave of weakness stole my bance. My body pitched forward, and just as quickly, his arms ed around me, one hand steady at my waist, the other anch my hand. Had it not been for his swift a, grasping my waist and hand, I would have surely fallen. My vision blurred, a strange fog washing over me. I could feel the world tilting, yet I remained scious, trapped in some suspeate. I heard something—no, someone. A faint, insistent voice at the edge of my awareness. Huh? I hear something....something........I'm........not able to.........speak though........."LUMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII, YOU HEAR ME?" HUH? The voice was unmistakable. VELES? Is that you? My pulse quied."OH OH OH! Thank the heavens! How gd I am to be able to ect with you-" “Hey, Luxana! you hear me?” Cillian’s voice was closer, more immediate, cutting through the fog as he id me carefully onto the chilled marble. "No way- that bastard like PERVERT is o you?! Just you wait-" VELES. DO NOT SLIP INTO MY NECKLACE. LET'S BOTH TAKE HIM DOWN OHE TIME IS RIGHT. SO BE PATIENT PLEASE."Both? WAIT. NO WAY! He HARMED YOU?" Veles, get a hold of yourself. If you keep asking me like this, not only will my mana but my body will colpse entirely. "That runt made you this way, UGH. Just because you've broken free from those chambers yic has started to burst out............UGHHHH. Fine, wait for me. I'll e soon." “LUXANA!” Cillian’s call shattered my tration, his voice tight with arm. The haze in my vision began to clear. The fog in my mind thinned, my strength steadied, and soon enough, I could feel my body responding again. I willed myself to sit up, but before I could steady myself, I felt an ued sweep of arms under me, lifting me effortlessly. “KYAAAAH!” To be tinued...