Dark Lord's Obsession

Chapter 2: Lady of Narodnye

Louisa’s Point of View

We were living in a dark era. The creature of the dark had returned. They had demolished the Nation of Westmont. The brave warriors of Westmont, who possessed the fire element-control, became the slave of the dark lord. A war broke. The dark creatures extended their paws towards the Midlands, the heart of the five continents. The emperor of Midlands used to rule over all the five nations in our world. He always loved his people and did everything it took to give us a peaceful life.

But everything changed with the rise of the dark monarch on the throne of Midlands. The new emperor was not trustworthy. No one had ever seen him. But rumours said he was the most powerful being in this world, who lived on the blood and soul of others. The beast hiding behind his mask was ruining our entire world. He had already destroyed the balance among the continents by swallowing the Westmont. Things were getting difficult with each passing day. Now his eyes were on the Frozen Sea of South next, as we were weakest among all the nations.

My father loved his people. He volunteered when the king of Frozen Sea of South called for others to fight against the darkness alongside the Nation of Great East and North Mount. I was eight. That was the last time I saw him. He never returned from the war. After my father died, my mother, the duchess, did not live long. My uncle Adonis took the title of Duke, and my life changed drastically after that. Ten long years had passed, but it still felt like yesterday. A tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about them.

“Lady Louisa,” my chain of thoughts broke as a guard came in.

I stood up from my position. The maids fixed my gown once again. They were treating me with respect today. And why would not they? It was my eighteenth birthday, and my uncle hosted a royal ball in my honour. All the nobles from our nation and the royal family, including the king himself, would be here. I was a princess for one night.

I looked towards the guard. He bowed in respect.

“The time is near. The Duke is waiting for you, my Lady,” he added politely.

“I understand,” I replied in short, keeping my gesture calm.

This royal banquet was not just a simple gesture of showing honour to the lady of the house. Rather, it was a ball for allying. Many got chosen during these occasions as the wife of some noble. What else could form a stronger alliance than marriage? These thoughts made me scared, especially after what happened two days back. I almost got killed, and I knew someone from our family assigned those assassins. When my uncle informed me that the king was also coming, I was really stunned. I thought he was unwilling to present me in front of the entire royal society. However, I could sense a hidden intention behind his action.

My eyes fell on my reflection in the mirror for one last time. The lady standing on the glass image was unknown to me. Her hair was made properly, and her gown was extravagant. I could see the dress was hugging my newly developed curves perfectly. A small silver hairpin was placed in my hair. I straighten my posture as I walked out of my chamber, holding my head high. My legs carried me across the long corridor, which led me to the staircases. Then my gaze fell on the broad, muscular back of my uncle. He was waiting for me at the edge of the hallway.

As he sensed my presence, he turned around, taking a glance. He frowned for a moment as if he was thinking something, and suddenly a smile appeared on his lips. Growing up among the people who detested you made you learn to observe more. The smile on his face wasn't out of good intention, and I could tell that.

“You have really grown up. Happy birthday, Louisa,” he wished me gently.

“Thank you, my lord,” I replied.

“The dukes from other lands are already here. The king is about to arrive,” he spoke again, gesturing me to take his arm.

I gave him a small nod and gently wrapped my arm around his. He guided the way, and we walked down the stairway, which led us to the royal banquet hall. The decoration of the ballroom was elegant and to my liking. The red carpet was covering the tiled floor. The moon was beaming through the skylight. The silver ornaments were sparkling. Thousands of candles were placed on the wall. The alluring fragrance of roses and a piece of slow, joyous music were making the atmosphere just perfect. My eyes fell on the few couples dancing in the middle of the hall with a warm smile on their faces. All the aristocrats were dressed properly. They were standing tall with pride.

The music halted for a moment, followed by the loud trumpet, and with that, a herald announced our presence. We got everyone’s attention in a blink.

My eyes roamed around the hall and stopped at a man wearing a dazzling crown. His aura was intimidating. His brown eyes were looking at me intensely, making me uncomfortable. I shivered a little under his gaze. Uncle led me to the middle of the hall, causing me to move my eyes from him. I tried my best to keep my gestures calm, just as I was taught.

“Greetings to your highness”, he bowed a little with respect, looking towards the man wearing that dazzling crown. He was the king! I suppressed my emotions, keeping a calm gesture.

“and the honourable guests. Thank you for spending your precious evening with us. Today we have gathered here in honour of my niece and the only daughter of my beloved brother and the late duke, Lady Louisa Benson Smirnov Turgenev of Narodnye Castle,” uncle presented me in front of the whole royalty.

When Kiara turned eighteen, that was the last time my uncle hosted this ball. She was the youngest daughter of my uncle. I was sixteen by then. I could still remember how lively the ball was. Everyone applauded her beauty, putting on pleasant words for her. But the crowd seemed to be different from two years ago. No one applauded or said anything. All the eyes were looking at me blankly. The uncomfortable silence made the air heavy. My face became red as I sensed the uneasiness. Slowly, I lowered my head, not knowing the reason behind their silence.

“I never thought the late duke of Narodnye had left such a beauty behind.” A baritone voice broke the silence. I looked towards the owner of the voice.

“Thank you, your highness,” I heard my uncle saying. And with that, I heard applauds from the crowd. Whispers filled the air.

"She is a beauty!"

"So delicate."

"Just like the late duchess."

"Have you seen how the king is looking at her?"

"Do you think he will take her as a concubine?"

The last two whispers shook me from inside. No! I never wanted that. I took a glance at the king before moving my eyes to somewhere else. But I could sense his burning gaze.

“Louisa, greet the king,” my uncle whispered. I gave him a small nod and then looked towards the king of Frozen Sea.

“Good evening, my king,” I attended him, showing him courtesy. He took a few steps forward to close the distance between us.

“Rise”, a firm voice left his mouth with a hand gesture. My eyes met his again. His gaze was soft this time. Deep brown eyes, a sharp nose, thin lips and perfect jawline. He was undeniably handsome. The royal blue attire was hugging his frame was doing nothing to hide his muscles. He was probably in his late twenties.

“Indeed, beautiful.” A smirk formed on his lips as he spoke. He gradually extended his hand and grabbed mine.

“Pleasure to meet you, lady Louisa”, as he uttered, he pulled my hand near his lips and kissed on my knuckles.

I felt uncomfortable, though I was wearing gloves. Everything about this man was pushing me away from him. I tried to free my hand, only causing him to tighten his grip. He gently pulled me closer, earning a gasp from me.

He leaned over my face as he whispered, "I wonder how it will feel to touch those lips. I wonder how they will taste." His breath lingered over my face. I felt disgusted with his words.

"Pardon me, your highness," I pulled my hand away, giving him a forced smile. Now I could see why uncle had hosted this ball.