Chapter 126
Knock knock!
Came the gentle sound on the door leading to Leah's chamber. Although it was morning, the chamber was dark, the curtains drawn closed, and not a single ray of light pierced the room.
"Leah!
Johanna called out to her daughter; hesitantly, she knocked on the door again. Normally she would badge in as she pleased, but today she had developed a certain sense of courtesy.
Leah stirred in her bed, her eyes slowly fluttered open, and she yawned, stretching her hands. She turned to the side only to see a man sleeping next to her on the bed!
Her heart missed a beat. She quickly sat up, took a quick scan of her environment, and then shifted her gaze back to the man on her bed.
"Sir Kolen!
She hissed, running her hand through her hair. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he slowly rose from his slumber.
Knock, knock!
"Leah, I am coming in!
Johanna said, and Leah quickly pushed Kolen out of her bed, and he rolled off, landing on the floor with a thud.
"Get up! Quickly hide somewhere."
She said as she climbed down from her bed. Kolen was traumatized by the way she handled him; he dragged himself up, rubbing his forehead.
His head had hit the floor when he rolled off and fell; his forehead was now red and bruised.
Leah pushed him towards the terrace in her chamber and made him hide at the corner.
Just then Johanna walked in, her face filled with annoyance. She glanced around the room before her gaze settled on Leah, who was just returning from the terrace in the chamber.
"I have been standing outside knocking endlessly; you must have heard me."
She snapped, and Leah shook her head from side to side.
"Mother, if I decide not to let you into my chamber, that shouldn't be a problem."
Leah said casually, trilling across her chamber; she was wearing a transparent nightgown.
"Well, what a thrilling surprise that you have the audacity to say such words. Next time I won't knock; I will simply badge in."
Johanna retorted, taking her seat on a chair beside the window.
"What are you doing?"
Leah asked, turning to look at her.
"What does it look like I am doing?"
She shot back, peering into her daughter's eyes. Leah thought she was going to lose it; she just woke up from a horrible sleep. The last thing she wanted was her mother getting on her nerves.
"Mother, you have to leave; I need to get dressed."
Leah said, unpinning her hair; her thick violet hair cascaded down her shoulder in light waves. She was now standing in front of a dressing mirror.
"You really don't want me here, do you? Are you hiding something from me?" Johanna questioned calmly.
Leah had expected that question. Being cranky towards her mother was a bad idea from the start.
"Mother…leave!
Leah said with an air of authority.
Johanna inhaled sharply before rising to her feet.
"The rest of the royal family went on a trip to Kingswood. I stayed behind because I thought you would need company, and this is how you treat me in return."
She said, crossing her hand demurely on her lap.
Leah shut her eyes tightly, pinching the bridge of her nose at the same time. Her eyes trailed towards the terrace where Sir Kolen was probably waiting.
Taking in a heavy breath, she feigned a smile on her lips before locking gaze with her mother.
"Fine. We can talk all you want; let's meet in the garden at noon. Meanwhile, I will be getting ready."
She made sure her voice sounded sweet and innocent. This was what her mother wanted, right? To feel like she had the authority over Leah's life to make decisions.
Johanna was pleased with Leah's idea. She smiled before nodding curtly.
"I will leave you to it then."
She said before walking out of the chamber, locking the door behind her. Leah waited a few more seconds before hurrying to the terrace, where she found Sir Kolen out squatted at a corner, as quiet as a mouse.
She exhaled before pointing her index finger at him.
"The next time I am drunk and seduce you to sleep with me, reject me as though I am a diseased beast, do you hear me?!
...….
The clashing of swords filled the air mixed with clustered voices and high-pitched laughter. The Kingswood was bursting with activity.
The distant chirping of birds in the woods was drowned out by the voices of the audience wagering coins.
The canopies billowed softly in the cool forest breeze.
The royal family sat in elevated chairs beneath the largest pavilion, with Ragaleon at the center, his queens clustered beside him.
Selena was seated behind them under the same high-rank canopy, with Amilek seated to her left, his youthful face alight with curiosity.
Noble ladies and lords were invited; they reclined gracefully on cushioned benches, fans waving gently as they whispered ear to ear.
Their jeweled gowns shimmered each time a shaft of light filtered through the branches.
Lords in their royal outfits sat opposite them, rings glittering as they clutched goblets of spiced wine, their laughter echoing in the air.
Before them, on the trampled earth in the middle of the arena, stood the knights...anointed men in gleaming armor, their grip tight on their respective swords.
At the sound of a horn, two strode forth, then began to salute the royal family. After which they both made their way to the open ground, standing opposite each other, one waiting for the other to attack.
Cling!
Steel clashed in the silence of the forest, ringing bright and fierce. Their blades sparked in arcs of silver, boots grinding into the soil as the duel unfolded.
The crowd stirred; some gasped, others applauded as one knight spun and parried with dazzling skill.
Children leaned forward eagerly, eyes wide at the thunderous sound of shields colliding.
The noble ladies clutched at their bosoms in feigned alarm, while the lords bellowed encouragement, voices mixing with the rustle of leaves and the distant call of forest birds.
Racheal's eyes were fixed on the scene unfolding in front of her. She locked arms with Ragaleon, shrieking in delight, and clapping for the knights that emerged victorious.
Every gesture was deliberate. When she laughed, she leaned into him, her cheek grazing his shoulder. When she spoke, it was with a tilt of her head and a softness meant for him alone, though the entire court could see.
From where she was seated, Jazell watched.
Her lips pressed together in sheer bitterness, her hands idle over untouched wine.
Another duel was about to take place between two knights. They would be fighting while on horses; it was a fight to the death.
One knight, armored in polished steel with his face concealed by a helmet, trotted across the arena on his horse to the canopy where the royal family resided.
Everyone took notice of this; they immediately knew he wanted to seek favor from any of the queens.
When Racheal saw him coming her way, she smiled, her heart content, but her smile quickly faltered when he trotted past her on his horse.
He made his way past Jazell; even Jia was ignored. With a graceful dismount, he sank to one knee before Micah, removed his helmet so that his face could be seen, and then slowly raised his gaze.
"Your Grace," his voice rang clear, humble yet proud.
"Grant me your favor, that I may bear it upon the field as your loyal champion."
Micah was taken aback by this gesture. Never in her darkest dreams did she expect such a thing. She glanced around, just to make sure she wasn't mistaken.
But right in front of her was a knight seeking her blessings; he was talking to her!
A hush fell over the nobles.
Amilek, who was seated right behind Micah, leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"Grant him your favor."
He said, then leaned back on his chair innocently.
Micah felt the weight of the eyes on her as she slowly rose from her cushioned seat, her gown dropping to her feet.
Her hands hovered briefly over her attire before she drew a ribbon off from her sleeve, its edges embroidered in fine golden thread.
For a heartbeat she held it against her lips, as though breathing her spirit into the cloth.
Then, leaning forward, she extended her hand.
"Sir…?"
She arched her brows.
"Sir Criston."
The knight answered; obviously she was asking for his name.
"Sir Criston, fight with this in my honor, and may your courage be steadfast."
She said calmly.
The knight bent lower, receiving the ribbon with reverence. He tied it to his arm so that all might see, beaming proudly.
Cheers erupted from the stands, noble ladies clapped, and even the lords exchanged knowing smiles. Micah couldn't help but feel nervous as she took her seat.
Her eyes flashed in all directions, and she caught Racheal glaring at her with a puzzled look before retracting her gaze and faking a smile to hide her surprise.
With a final bow to Micah, the knight returned to the arena, trotting on his black horse. He stood before his opponent, then slowly wore his helmet back to protect his face.
But before Micah could fully recover her composure, the second knight approached. His armor gleamed no less proudly, and his bearing was steady as stone. He came to stand before the king and queen, his voice firm though touched with reverence.
"Your Grace," he said, bowing deeply, "that I may bear your favor, that I might fight with your blessing?"
The air grew taut at once. All eyes shifted to Racheal, measuring her reaction, waiting for her answer.
Racheal smiled brightly before bringing out a handkerchief from her bosom. She handed it over to the knight.
"You have my blessings."
She said, and the crowd cheered on. What a show of favor.
Jazell savored the unpleasant scene slowly unfolding before her. If there was something the queen of tactics enjoyed, it was drama.
She wanted to sit aside and watch people entertain her with endless drama, and what was happening right now was no less.
Jazell finally found a reason to drink her wine, as she plucked it from the long wooden table in front of her before gradually bringing it to her lips.
She sipped from the wine, then flashed her gaze at Micah; she smirked slyly, putting the cup of wine down.
"This is going to be fun."