Anticipation surged through Anna as she listened to the words of the handmaid. The thought of catching a glimpse of the handsome demigod whose very name sent tremors through the village, was almost too thrilling to bear.
"What secrets lay behind the King's ability to keep such a formidable figure at bay? That is a mystery for another day," she decided.
As the maid braided the distracted Princess's hair, Anna rifled through the wardrobe, searching for the perfect outfit. They finally settled on a lovely gown that required just a few minor adjustments; fortunately, the castle's seamstress was nearby.
Once their preparations were complete, Anna and the maid escorted the Princess to the dining room, where her father and the rest of the Royal family awaited. A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and worry etched on every face, making it feel as if they were mourning a great loss or perhaps it was simply the weight of the demigod's looming presence.
Questions bubbled in Anna's mind, but she dared not ask a single one. Instead, she stood at the far end of the room beside the maid, obeying the unspoken rule that they must remain close to the young Princess unless instructed otherwise.
Caught in a web of tension, Anna couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Charles's piercing gaze seemed locked on her, a sight that made her skin crawl. How could he possibly think of her at a time like this?
Just as the air grew thick with unease, the dining room doors swung open with a dramatic force, revealing a tall, imposing figure, the demigod.
Anna's breath caught in her throat; before her stood a man radiating an aura that demanded respect. He was even more striking than she had envisioned, with piercing blue eyes that held a storm of emotions and black hair that tumbled past his broad shoulders.
The room shifted as his presence filled the space; every member of the royal family tensed in their seats. His gaze swept the room, lingering momentarily on each royal face before settling into the vacant seat across from the King, a seat that's always left empty for him.
"King Charlie," he said, his voice low and smooth, weaving through the room like silk but sending an electric shiver down spines.
"I see you're looking well."
A sigh of relief crossed the King's face because this was the first time the demigod had entered the castle, and seated quietly, without leaving a trail of chaos behind him.
"I am," the King replied, a hint of warmth returning to his expression.
"And you look rather cheerful today, I must commend."
The demigod straightened, a sly smile dancing on his lips, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Do you imply that I've never been cheerful before?"
"It's merely an observation," King Charlie replied.
In that charged moment, Anna couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden behind the handsome facade of the demigod, and what ripples his presence would create within the walls of the castle.
She felt a chill race down her spine as she watched the tense exchange unfold before her. There was something undeniably captivating about the demigod, an enigmatic aura that pulled her in, but she instinctively blamed Emma Broadway's description for her curiosity. She was drawn to him, yet a nagging sensation warned her that he was trouble, more trouble than she can contend with.
Suddenly, the demigod's demeanor shifted, his expression turning icy as his piercing gaze fell upon Charlie.
"Don't get used to it," he said with a voice that held an edge, leaving no room for doubt.
Charlie, anticipating the storm that was brewing, met the demigod's stare with determination.
"Let's get to the point, shall we?"
He stole a glance at his younger brother, Charles, who fumbled beneath the dining table, pulling out a ragged bag. The unmistakable clinking of coins filled the air as Charles set it down with a mixture of reverence and desperation, scattering the golden pieces across the splintered table.
"I understand that a thousand pieces of gold may hardly scratch the surface of your demands," Charlie began, his voice steady even as anxiety crept into his tone.
"But I stand before you, pleading on behalf of my Kingdom. We need more time. What you ask of us is... impossible."
His words were cut off as the demigod, with a show of raw power, brought his palm crashing down on the table, shattering it in two, and sending the coins flying in all directions. The sudden violence sent a shockwave of fear through everyone present.
Anna's heart ached for the little princess, visibly trembling in her mother's arm.
"How could they subject her to such terror?" Anna thought, her heart full of pity.
"I've been too lenient, haven't I?" the demigod replied, his eyes sparking with a fierce lightning as they bore into Charlie, who now appeared smaller under the weight of his powers.
"The ones I sent to gather what you seek have yet to return," Charlie stammered, his confidence wavering beneath the intensity of the demigod's gaze.
"I swear on my Kingdom that it will be retrieved before the year's end," he promised.
Before Charlie could finish, the demigod rose, his eyes drifting skyward as he inhaled deeply, the tension in the room palpable. The fate of many hung in the balance, and Anna could feel it, perhaps this was just the beginning of a storm.
"One tear of Naiad, you cannot get me, one maiden who isn't a weakling and can bear me a son, your father couldn't give me. Perhaps if I wipe out your entire lineage and start the kingdom afresh, I will get what I desire."
"I may have found the maiden who is right for you," Charlie interjected, it was his backup plan just in case the demigod started to overreact.
Anna's eyes widened as Charlie's gaze turned to her, was this the assignment that King Charlie said she might be given?
"Anna, come forward." He ordered with a commanding voice.
"I must introduce you to our guest."