Veylor kingdom has another bright morning today. Princess Seraphina is walking under the shine of sun in the corridor to reach the royal personal training ground. But today is something different about her. It seems like she is having a hard time while walking.
"What's going on with me, how I became a pervert. And this pain is really killing me." She looked really annoyed and in pain.
When she opened the door she saw Arin half naked training with general Kaelor.
There much to see in the arena but her eyes fixated on Arin's ripped body. She already saw many men's bodies during training battles when their clothes were ripped. But this time something is different. Her eyes are only seeing Arin's moving body, ears hearing his gasp, mouth is drooling and brain is only saying one thing 'Ahhh six paack'.
When she was lusting over Arin's body. Kaelor saw her, he immediately called her in the arena.
She instantly wiped her drool. She bowed in front of Kaelor because when she was little Kaelor taught her swordsmanship like Jean taught her about magic.
Kaelor ordered her to spare a duel with Arin. Seraphina was unsheathing her blue glowing katana.
Kaelor instantly told her. "Use a wooden one.
"Yes yes master." she startled, then she went and took out a wooden sword from the wall of arena.
She took her stand to start a duel as the same goes for Arin. Kaelor set the rules that no one can use their power. This is a duel of swordsmanship.
Kaelor raised his hand. "Begin."
Seraphina moved forward. Her wooden blade aimed straight for Arin's shoulder.
Crack!
Arin lifted his own sword and deflected with ease. Arin's stance was loose, almost lazy, but every movement carried precision. Seraphina stepped back and swung again but faster this time, her strikes coming in a flurry. But her eyes weren't following her sword. They lingered on the lines of his chest, the sweat glistening across his skin, the calm smirk tugging at his lips.
"Focus, Seraphina!" Kaelor shouted.
She blinked, cheeks were flushing, then tried to press harder. Her blade whistled toward Arin's ribs—but in that moment of hesitation, he slipped sideways. With a sharp twist of his wrist, his wooden sword tapped her wrist, knocking her blade down.
Before she could recover, Arin stepped into her guard, the tip of his weapon stopping just short of her neck.
"It's over," Arin said calmly, his eyes locked on hers.
[Blood manipulation activated.]
Seraphina froze on the ground. Her heart was racing too fast, her body started heating up. She stepped back quickly, lowering her weapon.
Kaelor crossed his arms, he looked unimpressed. "You weren't fighting with your sword today, Princess. You were fighting with your head in the clouds. If this were real combat, you'd already be dead."
Seraphina bit her lip and lowered her head. "I… understand, Master."
Arin smirked faintly, wiping his sweat with the back of his hand. "Don't worry, Princess. Even the best warriors lose when they're distracted."
His words only made her face burn hotter. She turned away, clutching the wooden sword tightly, silently cursing herself.
Why him? Why only him?
Her heartbeat is now on full scale. She asked Kaelor permission to leave. Kaelor just moved his head.
[Blood manipulation deactivated.]
When she closed the gate of the arena from outside. Her heartbeat became normal and her body temperature now settled down. She was slowly walking in the corridor. But not towards her room.
When she stopped she was standing in front of a gate. She knocked then opened it.
Inside queen Serene vire was sitting on her packing with her maids. Now Serene again gained her lost emotions.
Seraphina saw this but she didn't want to remember the bloody past. So she acts like nothing happened. She smiled and asked "What are you doing mother?"
"I am packing your things for your school. Don't you remember you are going to leave me because of that damn school." Serene said with a little pout on her face.
"I know mother, but I am asking why are you packing this much. And why does that bag have those types of lingerie and night clothes." Seraphina pointed out towards a bag that was packed by her mother herself but Serene forgot to close.
"Ohh dear, i know everything that you are now grown up and when you are with your…" serene paused. "No no, when you are going to be with my…" she paused again. "No, I think it's yours."
Seraphina takes a gasp. "I already told you, I don't understand this type of language mother. So please, be specific."
"I will clear your doubt Seraphina." Atahsaia entered the room with Jean.
He ordered every maid to leave the room.
"You know I am the king of this nation and sometimes I have to make many decisions whether they are good or bad. If they will protect my nation and my citizens I have to take it. But today is the day you have to make a decision for this nation Seraphina."
"Father, you already know my answer. If you made the decision it means it's already the best choice" Seraphina replied.
"I know dear." Atahsaia touched Seraphina's face with both of his hands. "But this time your answer is most valuable."
"Fine, tell me father." Her voice becomes serious because she knows her father very well. If he is insisting on her decision it means something is more dangerous than it seems.
"We have to eliminate the threat that will come to the Veylor kingdom." Atahsaia said.
"What I have to do. Just tell me father." Her eyes became tense and eyebrows stretched. She replied in anger.
Atahsaia takes a pause. " You will have to marry Arin."
Her anger faded in a single instant. She fall down backward like a stone pillar but her mother was already ready to catch her. Serene stands her back on her leg.
"Wha..wha..wha..wha..wha..what are you tal..taking father? What marriage?" Seraphina's tongue starts glitching like an alcoholic person and her mind stops working.
"It's more than a marriage princess." Jean explained to her.
"How? It's not like I am refusing but.. I mean." Seraphina said.
"You already know Arin's power. He can see anybody's lifespan and he can use blood manipulation technique. This is the first time in history that a single person is holding more than one power and when they both are too dangerous."
"But how will this become a threat for us?" Seraphina asked.
"You know he was grown in a slum. There he saw a daily struggle for food and survival. This is enough for the enemy to manipulate him to take their sides." Atahsaia said.
"I don't think he is that easy to manipulate." Seraphina replied in confusion.
"It's not that he is easy to manipulate or not but this situation has a chance to occur. And taking him on our side from the start is the best option." Jean cleared her doubts.
While Seraphina is thinking, Serene is finding from that bag behind her.
"Okay, I will marry him." Seraphina declared her decision.
"And you can wear this on your wedding night."
Seraphina turned and Serene put a see-through red bra on Seraphina's chest. Seraphina screamed 'mother stop'. Atahsaia facepalm, and Jean turned in another direction in shame. While Serene, she poked her tongue out playfully, as if to say 'oops'.
Atahsaia sent a soldier to call Arin now. Arin is now sitting on the sofa in front of those three but this time Jean is standing behind the king.
"(Why, it is giving me a deja vu)."
"Arin."
"Yes my king."
"Your father and I were best friends. And it was my mistake that you suffered like that in the slum." Atahsaia said.
"It's not like you can change it now. So are we talking on this"
*Cough*cough*
Jean coughed.
"I mean it's not your fault my king." Arin can see a glare coming from Jean.
"But now I want to change this. I want you to marry Seraphina. And when she becomes queen you will be her consort." Atahsaia eyes looking into Arin's eyes for seeing 'yes' in it.
"But my i don't think this roach"
Cough
"I mean I am not worthy to stay beside the Consort beside Princess Seraphina." Arin's voice becomes lower and sweeter because of those glares.
"What if she wants to marry you?" Serene said while holding herself to put her decision on him.
"Hmm, it's not possible my queen."
"I am saying what if."
"Okay i promise you if she said yes. Then I'll become her consort."
Serene gently calls for Seraphina. Seraphina comes from behind the sofa.
"(It means this all was set up from the start.)"
"So, dear, what's your answer?" Serene said.
Seraphina didn't say a single word, she just nodded and then again hid behind the sofa.
"So what now Arin?" Atahsaia asked.
Arin stands up then comes to his knees. "I'll serve this kingdom from all my heart. And love beautiful angel princess Seraphina from the bottom of my heart."
As soon as Arin finished talking Serene launched herself at him. And start cheering finally. While Seraphina is hiding her red face with her hands.
"But remember Atahsaia you can't tell about this to anyone because this can start a conflict between nobles. That is how an orphan can become a consort. So, you have to prove yourself before the official announcement." Atahsaia gave warning to Arin.
"Forget this darling, let's give them a ring." serene screaming for the ring ceremony as soon as possible.
Jean takes out two ring boxes from his suit. Arin and Seraphina are standing in front of eachother.
"These rings are special. They will become invisible when you wear them. And by seeing the colour of this blue mana stone you can see your partner's love for you. When this blue mana stone appears red it means your partner's heart only contains you. And when it becomes black it means either he/she has feelings for another person or they are hiding something." Jean explained this long thesis to both of them.
They both completed the ring ceremony. Now Arin is Seraphina's fiancee. Let's see where this journey will take them. Or this relationship will break before it starts.
To be continued…