"What's wrong?" He avoided my deflection to his question. Izlana and that man had been caught in the open, even as discreet as they were trying to be—anyone could have caught them.
"I saw the prince's betrothed kissing another man."
Inanov paused. "What do you mean kissing another man?" He turned to look at me with a strange look.
"I mean, I saw her. Kissing a man. That was not the prince," I emphasised. Inanov stared at me, looking bewildered and then chuckled.
"I didn't think you'd be jealous enough to create such a lie." He continued walking and opened the heavy doors in front of him. Irritation itched at my chest at being called a liar just because he thought I had feelings for the prince.
Do I...?
I shook my head; it wasn't the point. The fact was that I was being honest. "I am not jealous. I saw it with my own eyes." I pushed the heavy doors that nearly slammed back onto me after Inanov had gone through. I was beginning to hear the faint chatter of voices coming from the end of the hall.
"And you expect me to believe you with what proof?"
"Perhaps with the fact the man threatened to have my head, if I had told anyone," I snapped, taking quick strides to stand in front of Inanov and stop him in his tracks.
"You swear you aren't lying?" He looked firmly into my eyes.
I nodded and then confirmed, "I swear on Nocturna and my family in the arena."
"You must understand why I find it hard to believe. Lady Ferway has always remained loyal to the prince since she was a child. If it is found that she is bedding another man—" He paused, seemingly unsure whether to continue. He looked to be thinking it over before he finished his sentence gravely. "If it is found that she is bedding another man, then the arranged marriage between Ferway and Apollo is void."
My eyes widened. "That's extreme, considering the prince hasn't been faithful himself."
Inanov then said, "Ferway's allegiance was not strongly important to Apollo, yet when they offered their virgin daughter who is also said to have fae blood of a very old descendant of Apollon royalty, the king agreed to the marriage, in hopes thatif they are to have children, they would have some part of fae lineage." I couldn't control the frown I made and the disgust I felt. "In exchange, the Lord of Ferway gets a seat at the king's council and Apollo gets their future Queen," Inanov lastly explained.
"But how does her being a virgin matter?" I asked, knowing it may have been a naïve question.
"She is being wed to a royal, Morana. Things here... are very different to what you might be used to." I didn't reply back to that or the odd hypocritical ways of the Apollon royals. Inanov nodded his head toward the large doors that seemed to be numbing out the noise from the feast.
"Will you be able to pinpoint the man she was kissing?" Inanov straightened his shoulders as I followed behind him, the guards nodded and stood at attention.
"If he is in there. Then yes."
"If he was in the royal wing. He sure as hell will be." The doors opened and the bright golden light of the lanterns shone through. Inanov walked in immediately, and I let out a soft breath of nerves before following after him.
***
I was immediately met with eyes from the dining hall. Assessing me and taking a keen eye on the weapons I had adorned, the royal male warrior clothes I was wearing and even the hair I had braided tightly must have been a spectacle for them. Their inquisitive eyes held questions that were ready to be spewed in a form of gossip to the company around them.
The hall was magnificent. Red velvet drapes and carpets spread out. The golden chandelier and furniture laid in a neat and strict fashion. Everything was pristine and arranged to a tee where no mistakes were to be found. All this had belonged to theking, and yet there was nokingto be found... or prince. Which seemed right. It made sense that the royals would be the last to arrive. And till then I could hold in my panic for just a while longer. My eyes ran across the nobles that mingled and laughed amongst themselves, until my gaze stopped at a deep violet gown with chocolate brown hair pinned up and there next to her was a man with the same colour tailcoat suit. I swiftly turned to Inanov. "There. They are standing together." Inanov turned to the direction I gestured at. To my immediate shock their eyes found mine, proceeding to make their way toward us. Smiling... like evil vultures.
"Ah, Inanov. Welcome back from your journey. How long has it been?" The man caught Inanov in a swift embrace and shook his hand. Inanov adorned a strained smile, seemingly not comfortable around the two.
"Lord Alistair, it has been some time. And Lady Ferway." Inanov nodded at Izlana who smiled and nodded back at Inanov. "It is good to have you home," she responded with the warmth that she did not seem to have during my encounter with her earlier.
"And you are —" Lord Alistair, the man who had been kissing Izlana earlier, stared at me and I could easily see the question forming in his eyes, trying to find out if I was important enough in order to deem me safe to kill.
When Inanov noticed I had not made an attempt to answer, he went ahead and said, "This is Morana. The prince's chosen bodyguard." The shock in their faces would have been comedy worthy if it weren't for the fact they were standing right in front of me still doing their best to look intimidating. "Morana, this is Lord Alaister Bates and his sister, Lady Izlana Bates, the prince's betrothed. They are the son and daughter of the Lord of Ferway."
"What!?" I nearly coughed out. An immediate rush of disgust and shock overwhelmed my senses. The alarmed look in the sibling’s eyes was masked by unnerving smiles.
Inanov looked at her confused until Alaister spoke, "Not to worry. I understand a person like yourself does not get to see lords, royalty and riches every day. Inanov, mysisterand I will find our seats. Morana..." My name sounded awful coming from his mouth. "It was nice to meet you. Come Izlana." He directed his sister towards the dining table who threw me a harsh look that contradicted so heavily with the look of innocence she portrayed. I looked to Inanov then, blinking.
"What?" he asked.
"It's him. I sawhim.Hewas kissing her," I claimed.
