I'm sceptical about the day ahead, but I have faith that Namjoon will be there to keep me protected. Namjoon, my knight on his sturdy stallion and the most honourable best friend. We grew up together in the palace; sprinting through the aisles, playing hide and seek with the arrays of blazing armours of the finest steel, fooling around with the housekeepers, snatching eats from the kitchen after-hours, and that's not even half of it.

The favourable days are what I call them, the recollections that will be the best of my youth eternally. Because winks after that, my life had been planned out. I'm to be betrothed to the finest prince, three of the most promising in all the kingdom have come to battle for my hand. I'd be far more delighted if it were for affection and not for authority, but that's just the way this majesty thing works. My kingdom is depending on it as well as my father, he knows I'll do what's adequate for our home, even if it means I crush any chance of living happily.

It's time to get ready for the strength-games. An ancestral celebration we have in our outer courtyard to rejoice a royal becoming engaged, the three betrothed princes will prove their strength and I will handpick the one I choose eligible as all four of our kingdoms observe. Not terrifying at all... From what I've summed up, I have three choices of power within each; brains, stability, or wealth. I'm not feeling up to specify any without knowing them first for an extent, now I'll have to take the plunge for my people in order to become queen and then the pressure of giving birth to a successor, why would I want to have a child with a man I don't even know? Oh, royalty, why did it have to be me?

My three ladies snicker at my final appearance in the mirror, “Your highness is stunning! Do you wish to add jewellery?” The littlest questions as she stands respectfully.

I shake my head smiling briefly, “Not today, thank you.” Most would flaunt their loveliest gems on a day like this, but I have no interest in charming a man with my fortune.

“As you wish, if you'll please lower your arms for us.” The tiny woman pleads so she may attend to the finishing touches on the fabric.

I rest my arms at my sides and the ladies proceed to wipe down my gown and mend the seams. All the while gossiping about how attractive the suitors are, I imagine they'd be able to decide between them effortlessly if they were in my position. Just look for the best-looking one, that's their intellect. As soon as they finish up with my clothing, they bow down to me and leave the chamber. I want to be just as excited as all the maidens are gathering in the courtyard to see the princes, but I can't get my head around the whole charade.

I'm only twenty-one after all, what life have I lived? And now I'm to fulfil my duty and run a kingdom, I couldn't even have a decent childhood after my mother passed away. She would've been on my side every step of the way, but I'm not angry at my father for the rulings he's made for me, he's doing the best he can. I was thirteen when my mother perished and the palaces mistress, chair of the housekeepers initiated my training. A princess has sufficient etiquette, mannerisms, and communicates fairly. Apparently, I have regulations when it comes to speaking.

With a last unhappy glance into the mirror, I put on a restrained smile and walk out. I enter the aisles stillness, from afar I can hear the snappy footsteps of the decorators, decrees being sent all around the manor, and my fathers authorizing voice. I may as well join in on the preparations, my father would expect me to regardless. I take a deep breath and unbend my posture before walking on ahead, I take probably four steps before I feel my arm being clasped and tugged behind one of the abundant lengthy maroon drapes.

In a flash, I'm hugged between the wall and a person. I swallow my nervousness and look up, the relief pours out of my mouth with a sigh. “Namjoon!” I snap, “You surprised me! What are you doing here, I assumed you were training all day?”

He gradually holds both my hands in his, taking a peek around us to make sure no one is around. “I am, which is why I can't stay long." He clarifies.

My little smile dwindles after he said that, “That's really too bad... I guess I'll just have to make the most of us right now then, ” I gleam radiantly putting on a show, I know if I look miserable now he won't depart.

He smiles back at me uncovering his dimples, the nicest of his various details. “So bright and colourful, ” He caresses my cheek mesmerised by my eyes. “Dont ever let the world break you,” He hums.

A genuine smile appears upon my face as I purr against his hand, “You know I won't.” At least his tenderness has made the day ahead seem not so dreadful.

To my despair he drops his hand and takes my shoulders as he scans the aisles, it's quiet. He turns to face me a final time, “I guess, I'll see you around?” He says sulkily.

I lower my head, “Probably at my wedding.” I jest, at least I'm trying to smile but it's only unpleasant to think about.

His eyebrows meet, “The games aren't today, are they?” He wouldn't know, troopers are so tangled in training they hardly have time to themselves. I rock my head sorrowfully, “That's a mood killer, I was really looking forward to heckling those show ponies.” He mumbles influencing the smile that only enlarged on my face.

“You'll get your chance, tough guy.” I start, “Can't believe I'm going to be Queen soon and you a knight, we're going to be under the most threat we've been in all our existence.” I delay letting actuality hit me in my aching heart, anything could happen to us now. “Namjoon, whatever happens, ” Before another word could roll out of my mouth, my lips are latched.

Namjoons gracious kiss hushes me immediately. The surprise that rode through me was slowly replaced with solace, it's about time he feels the same. The tenderness that his lips stroked upon me weakened my knees, but at what an unfortunate time... It's as if the flower he planted within me has been buried beneath the snow all this time, and finally, it feels the warmth of the sunlight. Everything is clear to me now.

As soon as he let's go he trots away, I couldn't remember how to walk as I watched him disappear. I bring my fingers to my swollen lips, as my fingertips brush against them I felt him there like he was kissing me all over again. How spiteful of him, he already knows I have to follow my chosen path as a royal. But that single kiss—just changed everything.

The day went by as intended, the suitors showed their fairest and weren't dropping without a fight. They're all relatively determined to have the honour of marrying me, but with that in mind, only one person comes into my thoughts. My mother always said that my love would come when I least anticipate it, but why now of all times to appear? I'm well aware that royal marriages are for the benefit of the kingdom and only royals marry royals, but this is a new era, maybe things can change? My father would never allow it, so I must pursue my obligation as the next ruler under the royal decree.

My wandering stare inspects the crowds rather than the Princes as I sit nicely in my throne next to my father, he's overjoyed with the displays of masculinity on the game grounds. But my mind can't stay in one place, I know he's not here but I keep searching for him. The day really expired quickly though I wished it'd take its time, so I may savour my final moments of sovereignty. The roar of the horn confirms the conclusion of the games, which only indicated it was time for me to pick a King.

As I rise from my throne the crowd's eyes met my shape, elegantly walking down the pedestal. The Princes brush off the remaining sweat from their brows and bow down on one knee before me, as I made my way to them I tried to make a last-minute decision in my head. Despite being distracted and not wanting this in the first place, I still have to choose one.

I scan over each of them carefully, “Arise, Princes.” I rule watching them stand respectfully.

My father struts close behind me gawking at my every move, I suspect he's got a favourite that he's aiming for me to pick. But no matter how hard I try, my mind flutters back to him... The Princes loiter anxiously along with the kingdoms, they're all counting on me. But then, I swerve my eyes behind one of the suitors, eyeing what I spotted longingly. Everyone's hands sweat while I step towards the Prince on the far right, but when I stride past him they all gasp. I reach a hand out into the crowd, many of the civilians didn't know what to do and if I were asking for their hand. That was until he takes it, emerging to uncover his appearance.

Our foreheads meet and our eyes close, I'm with him again. Namjoon looks down at me with an inexpressible manner, he must know of the consequences to come and so do I. I give him a reassuring nod squeezing his hand and walking him to my father, presenting him as my desired King. My fathers displeased face didn't go unnoticed, even the blind could've seen it.

“Father, he's the one.” I proclaim clinging onto Namjoons arm.

My father sighs angrily, stabbing me with his glare. “He is not a royal,” He states plainly though I already knew that, I'll stand for what I desire. I'll be letting down my kingdom but they did nothing for me when I grieved for my mother, why should I do anything for them as they go needy. “My daughter, you will pick one of the suitors I've chosen for you.” He commands softly so he wouldn't be humiliated any more than he already was.

I let go of Namjoons hand pacing nearer to my father, “What would mother say? She'd favour me and you know that.” I recall reminding him of her, but his face only turns sourer.

“Your mother is not here,” He commences, stepping closer to me and seizing my arm. “War will break out if you do not go through with the promises I've made, ” He murmurs anxiously and though I saw his fear, these unmentioned promises angered me.

I shake my head and snatch my arm away from him, “How dare you promise me away!” I shout, he tries to hush me. “No don't bother, I'll shout for what is right and betrothal is not one of them!” I'd done it now.

One of the Kings of the betrothed Princes appears, “Your Majesty, does this mean she picked my son?” He addresses my father snobbishly only enhancing my fury.

My jaw hangs open, “I will not be marrying any of your sons! Get out, go back to your own kingdom!” I scream, all the kingdoms bicker with uncertainty.

“Daughter!” My father outcries, he doesn't even call me by my name. All the negligence possibly brought him to forget it, “Stop this at once!”

Even Namjoon attempts to ease me but I propel him away, I propel them all away. The Princes and their fathers surround my father and I and Namjoon is pushed out of the way, I'm bound. The Princes disrespect Namjoon and his dignity, The Kings let draggers fly through the air as they demand that his promise is kept, and I'm muddled between it all. I couldn't take it anymore.

I let out a shrieking howl and all their attention is veered to me, more so when my body heaves off of the ground. Nothing could prepare them for what came next. I hover in the air above the folk looking down at their frightened postures, a fire ignites in my eyes when I find my father. He's a beast of a man who only minded about riches, I bet he never cared about me or my mother. By the looks of things, the way he aimed to sell me off, I think matters have now become clear.

Namjoon settles below me recovering his sword, the people shudder in wait until an eery silence falls. The calmness could've been enough for me to go back to my regular soul, but I craved vengeance for all these years of suffering. My firey irises scan Namjoons back, all I had to do now was say the rule and everything would be over...

“Namjoon, ” I whisper, relatively far away from him but he heard me loud and clear. “I need you to do something for me,” I hum, his ears buzz anxiously. “Kill them all.”

Namjoons eyes transition from their steady muddy brown into a bright fiery orange. He runs at the Royals with his sword willing, pivoting it forward and into one of the Prince's chests. The crowd only learned now that they were all in danger and began scampering in terror, but Namjoon handled every one of them.

The group's crust became too thin forcing me to intervene. My palms face the sky and rise as if they hold a tremendous weight upon them, the soil trembles beneath their rushing footsteps as the Earth's core meets the grass. Pools of lava and pits of fire emerge from the tears in the ground, I swerve my hands about accordingly to take out the little civilians left alive. The heat pursues after my gracious hands as I steer it up to the palace, drawing both of my hands together and thrusting them above my head. A wave of lava envelopes the castle as I dropped my hands down, melting anything and everything it touched.

Everyone is swallowed beneath the pane of heat as Namjoon walks upon it. He marches off jumping onto the remaining grass area. As soon as he gets to safety I extend my arms a final time, sending the lava back to where it came from and sealing the cracks. Runes of my old home and castle sit simmering with steam still rising, the outer courtyard that I used to play in is singed and dead, but Namjoon the love that never left stands waiting on the ground for me. My firey eyes finally retire back to their chocolate brown as I sight my love, he's my anchor from this terrible world.

I gradually drop down in front of him to feel the floor beneath my feet again. He extends his arm to me stroking his slender fingers upon my cheek, I lean into his hand yearningly. Finally, it was just us, we can be together without anyone in our way. Namjoon opens his hand and slides it behind my neck, bringing his face closer to mine. Before our lips touch, a pain struck my midsection knocking my breath away. I push against him and step back, looking down to see what was the cause. My heart shattered when Namjoon sword sat penetrating my abdomen, and all he did was stand there.

“I killed them all,” He clarifies, then did I learn why.

I drop to my knees as the blood seeped out onto the healthy green grass, it bled more when I grabbed the handle of the weapon. I wailed helplessly as the blade exited the wound, like all supernatural creatures I can heal from enormous wounds. I let out a long agonizing sigh and attempt getting up, but the pain wasn't going away. I turn my gaze to the sword and my jaw dropped to the floor. Pure silver, one of the only vital weaknesses I have.

Namjoon steps towards me and couches down to look into my eyes, terror ran through me when his eyes appeared a menacing blue. “Now your power will be mine,” He smirks.

Before a word could make it out of me, a river of blood choked out of my lips, my eyes rolled back, my heart goes silent, and I collapse. Namjoon stoops over me and angles his head above my own, I never did see this coming. He opens his mouth to a beastly width and a golden essence starts whisking out of my parted blood-stained lips. He sucks my power out of me letting it mix with his own, our energy colours mix into a golden hazel that decorates his irises.

With the last of my power extracted, Namjoon breaks out into a cough. He hoists himself to stand as his composure comes back, he glances down at my motionless body and shakes his head. What a pity it is that I'm gone, but it was honestly too easy for him to fool me. He turns to flee only to halt in his path, petrified at the picture he saw. He couldn't bring himself to believe it was real until it roamed towards him, he strode back cautiously. A step too far sent him tumbling backwards over my corpse, but if my corpse is here, then how am I standing in front of him?

I cross my arms with a grim gape, “What'd you believe would come from slaying a hellish creature? Our souls are demons, genius,” I taunt him wickedly but he clearly had this coming. I roll my eyes at his ogling stare and snap my fingers, shifting out of my gown and into a fairly goth demonic suit. “I'm going to be haunting you for the rest of your miserable days, no matter how you decide to spend them.”

Namjoon sighs accepting his fate, but that didn't make him less daunted by my ghostly form. “Well, it serves me right.” He submits recognizing the path ahead, It's going to be a really long millennium.


© moon rayven