The rejection
2058 Words
Keira's Pov
Hellen and Lisa sit on a mat on the floor with the finest fabrics scattered all around them. They are carefully sewing another exquisite dress for Princess Lyna. The refined princess tried on the ones in the closet and didn't think any outlines her curves well enough to make the angel kings wish she was their queen. So she ordered her favourite maids to make another, cut and sewn in accordance to her wishes.
I am standing aside, holding the threads and needles for them since I am not allowed to touch anything that the Princess might wear or eat. They always act like I have a disease she might catch.
Princess Lyna lies in bed, waiting for her servants to make the loveliest of dresses for her to wear during the duel with the angel kings. I wonder if she has considered learning one or two things about sword fighting. Not that there is time to learn much, which means that the kings will realise that she got no combat skills as soon as she steps into the battlefield in a tight dress with no sleeves.
She was supposed to be the beautiful princess in today's banquet. But she became the laughing stock, something that has never happened before. I imagine she would still be crying if it weren't for the hope of getting favoured by the angel kings after she stuns them with her beauty.
Everyone jumps when the door suddenly opens. We were not expecting anyone, but Lady Doria strides in followed by two servants. Princess Lyna wakes, rubs her eyes and literally gasps at the sight of the women.
It's the first time Lady Doria has showed up here at this time.
"Good evening, ladies." She greets.
We remain quiet waiting for Princess Lyna to answer first.
"You humiliated me and you somehow think we are having a good evening?" The princess snarls while sitting up on the bed.
"You failed the test of fortitude because of your pride." Lady Doria points. "But don't worry, the angel kings have decided to grand you another chance. You're after all the only contestant that didn't fail the test of loyalty to them." She adds.
Princess Lyna smiles delightfully.
"Does that mean that there will be yet another test of fortitude?" She inquires worriedly.
"No. You and I shall discuss how your remaining tests will progress. But first I need to know which one of your servants is named Keira." Lady Doria replies.
I freeze. Why would she be looking for me? I haven't done anything to warrant her attention.
"Has the wretched human caused you trouble?" Princess Lyna questions, casting me a glare. "I can make a kneel on a pile of stone for hours if you need her punished." She offers.
Lady Doria luckily shakes her head.
"No. The angel kings wishes to speak with her." She answers.
A jolt of shock shoots through me. Princess Lyna, Helen and Lisa appear dumbfounded as well.
Why would the angel kings want to speak with me? Is this still about my hair? Surely it cannot be that bad.
"What would the angel kings wish to speak with my useless servant about?" Lyna questions in a worried tone. "Shouldn't I be the one speaking with the kings since I am the contestant? My idiotic servant can lie."
"The angel kings have a private matter they wish to discuss with your servant Keira. It has nothing to do with your tests." Lady Doria expounds.
The princess appears even more astounded as she gazes at me with a puzzled look.
"These two ladies will escort her to the main palace while I stay to discuss your remaining tests with you." Lady Doria says gesturing at the two palace servants to guide me out.
I can feel Princess Lyna's curious gaze on me as I set down the tray of threads and needles and follow the servants out.
I too wish I knew why I, an unwanted servant, would get summoned by the angel kings. My heart is throbbing violently inside my chest that I worry I may faint even before we get there.
"May I ask if I am in trouble with the kings?" I ask the two servants walkin fast ahead of me.
"We have not been informed of the matter they wish to speak with you about." One answers and I nod.
"We are curious too. What do you think they wish to speak to you about?" The other queries. I shrug my shoulders.
"If I knew I wouldn't be asking." I point.
"You're a human servant, obviously it cannot be anything important." The first one concludes and her counterpart nods in agreement.
They fall quiet as we walk through the grand entrance of the main palace.
The inside is a sight to behold. A vast hall stretches out before us. It's tiled floor polished to a high sheen, almost shimmering in the light that filters in from the windows.
Impressive staircases made of mable lead up to the higher levels of the palace. Their banisters are intricately decorated with gold and silver filigree. Marble statues stand guard at the corners, their intricate details attesting to the wealth and power of the rulers of this kingdom.
As the servants lead the way across the hall, various chambers branch off from it.
We walk down a hallway to the left and take a turn. Two guards stand at either side of the grand doors ahead of us. I assume that's the kings' throne room.
Three distinct, bewitching scents suddenly invade my nostrils, stirring feelings I have never thought existed. Why doesn't anyone else seem bothered? Am I the only one that can smell the scents?
"When you walk in you must kneel and bow your head before the kings. Do not raise your voice or snap, you will earn yourself unbearable punishment." One of the servants cautions as we stride towards the doors.
The two guards push the doors open without inquiring my identity or intent. The alluring scents flood my nostrils and I allow myself to breathe deeper, welcoming their soothing abilities.
I know they are the scents of the angel kings. I however do not understand why they are so profound tonight.
The guards gesture at me to go ahead and walk in alone while the palace servants wait at the door. My stomach churns as I take steps into the spacious chamber.
The throne room is a blend of beauty, opulence and grandeur. The furniture is made of rich, dark woods, upholstered in lush fabrics adorned with embroidery and patterns. Massive fireplaces line the walls, their roaring fires casting warmth throughout the room.
The floor rises at the far head of the room where three beautiful figures sit on majestic thrones. Their striking faces are as alike as three peas in a pod.
A strange, overwhelming urge to run up to them and take each into my arms suddenly grips my mind and I have to literally slap myself on the face to restore my senses.
Margret said that during the days of the full moon is the only time humans like us can sense our mates. I must be going crazy because it's the angel kings who are seated in front of me. They cannot be my mates, can they?
I stride forward farther, curious about the peculiar sense of attraction.
"You may stop there." One orders in a stern tone and I halt.
I cannot tell them apart by their faces or hair, but their taste in clothes are just as Margret described. One wears a dark coat decorated with golden threads around the shoulders and arms, so it might be Conrad.
The second one wears a yellow shirt, white pants and brown boots with a golden chain around the ankles. They are the same boots angel Fenris wore when he mocked me yesterday in the hall. So I assume it's him.
The last is in a dark blue coat, decorated with silver chains and buttons. Definitely angel Garren, the one I had not met before now.
"Did they not tell you that you're supposed to kneel?" King Fenris snarls, making my entire body shake.
Ooh! I had forgotten about the act of kneeling before the kings. I have in fact been staring at them disrespectfully since I walked in.
I lower my gaze before bending my legs to kneel on the hard floor.
"We are assuming that you can now sense the abominable bond set between us since the moon is full tonight." One says and I look up instantly.
So it's true. I am their mate! I am the one they have been waiting for all this time. How can that be? Can I really be so lucky?
None of them looks happy, which means they had hoped for something better. A beautiful princess perhaps. Why me above all royal and refined women?
"I . . . can feel the mate bond." I affirm in a shaky, anxious voice.
"Don't bother celebrating. We do not intend to make a detestable human servant our queen." Angel Fenris states, his voice laced with disgust just like the last time we met.
His rude words hurt me more now than they did yesterday. The full moon must have heightened my emotions.
"Surely you did not think that you're befitting in any way to sit by our side. A beautiful, virtuous princess is the least we were expecting our future queen to be. You're not fit to be her shadow let alone take her place." Angel Garren angrily expresses. The ache in my heart surge.
I was warned not to snap or raise my voice when talking to them. Yet the urge to do so is overwhelming.
"With all due respect your Majesty, I did not ask to be your mate." I say in the calmest tone I can master.
They all seem surprised by my remarks. Did they not expect me to speak? I am physically weak but not dumb.
"Right. Would you be kind enough to tell us more about who you are?" Angel Conrad asks. But I know better than to take it as a gentle request.
"That isn't necessary. We only need her full names." Angel Garren argues.
Why would they need my full names? I have not committed any crime, have I?
"Yes. State your full, true names." Angel Fenris orders.
I of course have no option but to give them what they have asked.
"I am Keira . . . Keira Daniels." I answer nervously.
"I, King Fenris Belding, hereby reject you Keira Daniels as my fated mate." The one at the centre states in the coldest of voices. His brothers follow, stating the same words in similar, frigid tones.
A strange pain grips my heart and travels throughout my entire body like a shockwave. I gasp and clench my fists, trying suppress the excruciating pain that feels like a knife slicing my heart. I would have a catastrophic fall if I wasn't on my knees already.
The pain fades away slowly after a long moment and I use my sleeves to wipe away some of the tears streaming down my cheeks. What was the point of being mated to people that would never want me?
"The mate bond was a disgrace to our nobility. You must not speak of it to anyone. Otherwise there will be consequences." Angel Garren warns.
I slowly nod my head, unable to utter words verbally. Why would I want people to know about this horror? Everyone hates me enough already.
"You may leave." Angel Conrad says.
I stumble back to my feet, feeling like my heart fell off a cliff and crashed on a stone. I keep taking deep breaths as I make my way out. If I had a place to go, I would run as fast as a deer.
People stare at my tear stained face as I hurry down the long hallway, across the spacious hall and out of their little paradise.
I didn't choose to be their mate, yet the pain of their rejection has wrecked me than anything I have ever experienced.
If they end up making Princess Lyna their mate, that will be my revenge. But I wonder where I will go if they choose her.
- Writer
