Chapter 10.
The Lotus Garden was a miniature woodland of holly trees and native shrubs, each of them trimmed as if they were green flames. The huge trees rose high among these shrubs creating a kind of filter for the sunlight that seeped around the fleshy leaves and met the ground. To move about them was a sort of music, a poetry that cannot be spoken in words, yet was heard and calmed everything. The squirrels darted between the trees as if they were in a race of collecting nuts and the birds flew singing their daily tales. The wind was soft against Seraphina's skin as her unruly strands swayed jubilantly with it and Demian thought if her whole hair was loosened it would look like a storm-whipped sea. More of a fiery one.
But she wasn't stiff as before. Her curious gaze moved everywhere from the trees to the insects crawling on the ground. Her dress whipped as she took long steps and every hint of paralysis she had until now evaporated as soon as she noticed the Lake.
It was in the middle of the garden and various aquatic flowers floating on the glass-like blue surface. And most of the water congested with beautiful lotus flowers. Pink, red, white.
All the while Seraphina was grinning, bathing in the soft sunlight and Demian felt as if the surrounding had brightened with her presence as if she was a wild spirit trapped in a body. If the wind were a little too harsh, she would fly away and he would never catch her.
Demian paused his stream of thoughts. What was with him today?
Demian's eyes watched her every moment and as soon as she sensed his gaze on her, her stiffness appeared again. He wondered why she was so rigid all of a sudden. Was she scared?
Demian's mind engulfed in thoughts as his eyes scrutinised her from top to toe. She was now walking as if a wooden stick was attached to her back and legs.
"We're done. Let's go back." He said sternly, and she snapped at him.
"What? But it's just a few minutes since we've arrived." She complained.
"You wanted to see the garden now that you have seen it, let's head back."
"It wasn't me, it was your brother." As soon as the words left a frown appeared on her face and she bit her lower lip.
He cocked a brow. She referred the crown prince as his brother. It didn't anger him but amused him as no one with sane mind would dare to talk like that. And he could feel that she realised it already. Corners of his lips curled up in a wicked grin.
"You have a gall to-"
"Ah! A squirrel!" She dashed away from him and he almost mused the gesture adoring.
He turned to join her but suddenly noticed the sound of something sharp cutting through the air and suddenly Seraphina turned with the speed of lightning. Demian saw as she lunged on him and he fell on the ground with her heavy weight pressing him down. He saw the arrow embedded in a tree's bark, his chest throbbed and he felt the burning pain returning and he clenched his jaw.
She looked down at him, "What was that?" She asked, "Are your guards trying to kill me?"
Demian wasn't aware of the reason, the walls of the castle were impenetrable and all of the guards were pledged to loyalty. There was yet no order of harming the human then, why would they try and act on it?
Or, was it intended towards him? But what purpose? He was sure the arrow was aimed for him by the way it was headed right for him.
"Like I care!" He spoke monotonously to hide the seeping pain in his voice and Seraphina's lips twitched in anger.
"Will you move now? You're heavy!" He said as his hands reached her waist to push her away.
But Seraphina's face was red with anger and her fists tightened at her sides and he waited. Would she dare assualt him?
"Of course, I am heavy! Because I am older than you," instead she threw a statement, "and stronger." She put a big pressure on 'stronger' that it felt she mocked him. And indeed she was.
Demian's brows twitched, "You...!"
The same sound of an arrow whooshing through the air reached their ears and before Demian could react she grabbed the lapels of his coat and plucked him up from the ground. The arrow landed right where he was a second ago, Seraphina whipped him behind nearly throwing him in a tree. Demian grimaced at the treatment she was giving him, it was like he was nothing but a rag doll for her.
"What the he-!" Before he could finish, two men appeared with long swords and they wore the same uniform as the dragon guards.
One of them launched at her and Demian felt his heart thumping as there was no way a woman could protect herself... or so he'd thought.
The first guard advanced with a shout and Demian observed as Seraphina tilted her head down a little her arms reaching out as if to defend herself. She wouldn't be doing that, would she? Thinking that she could defend herself from a man with a sword being unarmed herself? It was surely a far- His eyes widened as he saw her moving swiftly avoiding his slash, she diagonally hit the neck of the guard making him groan as she gripped his wrist quickly as she kneed in his groin. He fell on his knees holding his family jewels as Seraphina got a hold of his sword, her arm didn't seem to be at discomfort by the weight of the weapon. Demian's eyes narrowed as he saw the other guard heading towards her, he saw as her sharp gaze landed on him and with the swiftness of a fox she reached him ducking down from his sword and with a swung of her sword, hilt of her sword made the contact with the side of his head. He fell to his knees before her and she looked around as if trying to spot some more guards who would appear for combat.
In the ensuing chaos, Demian found himself too engrossed that he forgot to call for his guards. He watched as she turned and he noticed for the first time the woman whom he'd thought was a weak maiden who was supposed to be the answer for the riddle was something more than what the outer appearance gave off. The few strands blew in the air giving the illusion of being on fire because of the sunlight that fell on them, her eyes unlike he'd seen earlier were like those of a predator who would even fight a dragon head on.
Demian watched as she glared at the first guard who had almost recovered from her assault, she stomped towards him throwing away the sword. She crouched down and grabbed his throat gripping him up to the level of her eyes.
"Why the hell did you attack us?" She growled and Demian almost blinked as he noticed her ferocious side.
Her face bore a furious expression and the fire in her eyes seemed like they could set the entire place on fire.
The steel winked at the corner of Demian's eye and he noticed the three arrows that stabbed into the guard's back, he coughed out blood and Seraphina's eyes widened as he hung his head losing his life in an instant. Demain was certain that this time the arrows were aimed for the guard, the other two arrows hit the other guard and Demian was now sure of it. There was someone who was plotting against the human princess or probably him. Someone within the castle?
The throbbing that he'd momentarily forgotten now made itself known again, his heart clenched in his chest and he clenched his jaw to stop his painful gasp from escaping.
"Guards!" He shouted, his skin seemed as if it was scalding because of the infernal flames.
"Are you alright?" Seraphina asked and he noticed her standing up with a worried expression on her face. Worry. He hated it.
She walked towards him and he felt the muscles in his jaw bulging as she crouched slightly and he felt his knees wobbling. He was too weak, his condition worsened by each passing moment. He couldn't fall weak now, not before this human!
Nonetheless, it wasn't safe to be out on the open ground where more arrows could come their way. Demian supported himself against the tree he was leaning against, the heat waves seemed to be rolling off his body and he felt as if the burning inferno within him had come alive again.
"Are you hurt somewhere?" She said as she touched his arms and his widened.
He slapped her hands away and glared at her with a little more darker gaze than necessary. She blinked twice as she pulled her hands back and then she frowned.
"What is your problem?" She demanded.
"You! You are my problem. Don't act like you have any right over me, I am a dragon and you are but a mere human." He exploded at her and she scowled at him now.
"Guards!" He shouted again and this time he heard the sound of metal footsteps falling against the grassy grounds.
A dozen guards along with Master Valentine and the steward appeared, the human princess's lady-in-waiting followed them with a flustered and terrified expression on her face.
"Your Highness!" Alonzo shouted at high pitched voice as he rushed right towards Demian making him cringe at the man's conduct as he bowed before him.
"Alonzo." He spoke and the said steward looked up with tears streaming down his eyes and drenching his pointy mustache.
"Your Highness? Are you alright?" He took a hold of Demian's arms making Demian cringe more, "Are you hurt somewhere? Please tell me!" He cried and Demian tried to push him away.
Demian was barely able to hold himself up with a weeping steward hanging on his arms as he looked at Master Valentine who rushed to his side and supported the prince. Demian found momentary relief as Master Valentine tended him and removed the steward from his arms.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes. But this ambush, I want to know whoever is behind this." Demian barked orders at the guards who kneeled immediately.
"Yes, Your Highness." The replied in unison.
"Princess, are you alright? Are you hurt somewhere?" Her lady-in-waiting asked as she eyed her princess.
"I'm alright." Her voice was hoarse.
"Escort the princess back to her chambers." He ordered and two of the guards detached from the group and stood beside the princess. She was glaring at Demian with a look that streaked close to a murderous intent, he gave her his cold look and her lips twitched.
"Search the area, find the imposters, see if you can find one alive." He ordered and except for two guards the others dispersed.
After the princess was taken away, Demian let the steward Alonzo escort him to his chambers with Master Valentine. Once inside the chamber and doors closed Demian eyed Master Valentine.
"They were here to kill me." He said and both men gasped.
"Impossible! How could anyone even think of attacking a dragon prince?" Alonzo exclaimed drying the tears from his eyes and Master Valentine looked slightly worried.
"Those guards seemed unknown. None were dragons, so, maybe somehow they breached inside the castle and attempted an ambush." Master Valentine spoke up and Demian's fingers clutched the mattress on his bed.
"Attempted an ambush? They nearly killed us!" Demian threw the pillow at Master Valentine which he dodged.
"Yet, I thank the Holy Dragon that you and princess were safe." Master Valentine said and Alonzo sniffed nodding.
"It's not thanks to the Holy Dragon." Demian said bitterly making both men whip their heads at him.
"What do you mean, Your Highness?" Alonzo asked before Master Valentine could.
"It was the princess." Demian said and they looked at each other before eyeing the prince, waiting for him to provide some more information about the incident.
"She fought those two guards and... and protected me." He said through his teeth and their jaws fell to the ground.
"Prin-Princess? Sh-She fought the guards? You must be jesting, Your Highness!" Alonzo said and Demian glared at him grabbing another pillow and throwing it at him, it hit him square in the face and he stumbled back.
"Your Highness, princess fought those guards? Physical combat?" Master Valentine asked and Demian nodded.
"I had never seen a woman fight before, but I think she has some experience in fighting, by the way she moved like a trained warrior and wielded a sword without letting its weight hinder her." Demian explained and the two men once again looked at each other.
"I had not known that human nation was training women for combat, it seems amusing and also a little suspicious. She hasn't done yet, done anything to harm me," Just mocked him, threw him and insulted him, "So, I'll ask you two to observe her when I'm not around."
"Yes, Your Highness." The two answered in unison.
"We should let the first prince know about the princess's skills." Alonzo said and Demian shook his head.
"No, he already has a lot of matters to look after and with the marriage tomorrow, I have only today to look into it. Master Valentine, I leave this responsibility to you, find out the purpose of her being here, if you find anything suspicious eliminate her and her servant immediately." Demian ordered, Master Valentine bowed as far as his aged body allowed.
"What is the task for me, Your Highness?" Alonzo seemed ecstatic to receive some task and Demian also wanted some free time from this manchild like steward.
"I assign you the task to keep and eye on what her servant does. If you find anything that seems wrong to you, interrogate her." Demian ordered and Alonzo's cheeks flushed and for a moment Demian thought his pointy mustache would turn up rather than down.
"Yes, Your Highness!" He bowed as low as he could go.
Alonzo rushed out quickly after receiving his task and Master Valentine looked at the prince who sat stiffly in the bed watching him.
"Did you find her dangerous?" He asked.
"She has something that she is hiding, I must find out what that is and why she's hiding it. I will only ask you to keep this under the covers because I don't want Billard or Zenith getting any air of it. Their presence will ruin everything, they won't believe me for the first and second, she is a human princess so, this will effect us politically." Demian said and Master Valentine nodded, acknowledging the Prince's concerns.
"I understand, Your Highness. I shall do as you wish." He said with utmost obedience.
"And also," Demian stopped him before he could leave, "Make sure you don't let her know that you are observing her, she has sharp senses almost like a dragon. So, I'll ask you to be careful and also relay this message to Alonzo or he'll end up creating a mess which we'll have to sort."
Master Valentine smiled fondly noticing the intelligence and the kindness of his young prince. The dragon child that he had been taking care of since thirteen years had grown up so much and would be matured in a month. This bride would surely bring a change, over the Prince's cold demeanor and also in his fate. With the final orders given and taken Master Valentine left the place and once the doors closed back again, Demian ripped off his upper garments; made of the most expensive silk and adorned with the pearls. His chest rose and fell as he plopped back against his mattress, finding it hard to breath.
***
Seraphina was fuming as she stomped back to her room followed by the guards and Celia who eyed her warily. Had she already done something?
Once inside the chambers, Seraphina resembled the furious tigress as she paced across the room with her eyes blazing.
"Why are you so angry?" Celia asked, hoping that the wizard wouldn't just pounce on her.
When she didn't reply Celia frowned, "Did the prince do something to you?"
"Don't speak of that midget before me!" She hissed and Celia for a moment felt like she would just explode. Celia didn't quite find her confidence to correct the wizard.
Seraphina couldn't control her anger, usually it would take a lot of annoying people to make her this angry, yet, the mere child managed to get under her skin so easily. She ripped off the pins from her hair not caring as some hair got ripped from her scalp, the pain was numb before her anger.
"What did he do?" Celia asked carefully.
Seraphina clenched her fists and looked down at the ground clenching her teeth, "He... He is just too arrogant, son of a..."
Celia's cheeks flushed as she heard the curse words flowing out of Seraphina's mouth like a rapid falling waterfall.
"What about that attack?" Celia asked to stop Seraphina and helpfully she stopped.
"I don't know why they attacked us, but I think they're planning to kill us." Celia gasped at that.
"Did you do something to arouse His Highness's suspicions?" She asked and Seraphina shook her head.
"But it's strange," Seraphina mused, "the guards didn't only seem to be aiming at me. They attacked the prince." She said and the color drained from Celia's face.
"The-Then what happened, did he save you from the guards?" She asked and Seraphina cocked her brow at her with a clear unladylike snort.
"That midget saving me? He couldn't even move a muscle when they were attacking he just stood in a corner too scared to move." Seraphina said and Celia's jaw dropped.
"Then, who saved you?" She asked.
"Who do you think?"
"Don't tell me," Seraphina felt the shivers run down her spine, "You fought those guards right before the prince."
"I did, if I hadn't then-"
"Don't you understand!" She shouted with wide frantic eyes, "You just gave them a huge reason to suspect us!"
"Well, if I hadn't fought then those two would've killed us both and then what would you have done?" Seraphina asked and now it was Celia's turn to be close to explosion.
"You... You..." Celia clenched her fists but before she could start giving Seraphina an earful of lecture about how a princess should behave a knock from the door interrupted her
"Master Valentine requests to enter." The announcement was made and both girls looked at each other before allowing the man to enter.
Master Valentine dressed in maroon robes and an elderly smile on his age worn face entered the chamber with calculated steps.
"Good evening, my princess, my lady." He bowed slightly and Seraphina looked once at Celia.
"Master Valentine," Seraphina's voice sounded strange and she cleared her throat, "Did you want something?" She asked.
"Yes, Your Highness." Master Valentine said, "I'd like to have a private talk with you regarding the incident that ensued today." He said and both girls visibly flinched and looked at each other. Master Valentine's sharp eyes caught the silent exchange.
"Al-Alright." Seraphina agreed and asked Celia to leave the room.
Celia walked out of the room and Seraphina faced the old man whose expression never changed but the words that he spoke next made Seraphina's breath freeze in her throat.
"You are not the princess, are you?"