Part 31. The Dual

Talia dragged her feet towards the room, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She tried to put on a brave face, fingers gripping the expensive material of her gown. The moon princess got steered into an empty room, heard the door shut, and the lock click only a few seconds after she entered it.











There's a chandelier on the ceiling right in the centre; the walls adorned with landscape paintings in muddy colours. A plush velvet carpet covered the entire floor. In the middle, there's a round table out of polished wood, two leather armchairs standing on opposite ends. A silver tray sat on top of it, filled with crystal glasses and a carafe filled with amber liquid.









She got into one of the legs, legs so stiff they barely supported her weight, fingers entangled together. Her shoulders were straight with all the tension gripping her body.









The wind outside had picked up; the sky went almost entirely black. There's a tree branch that kept grazing a window, loud enough to be heard around. She could sense the waft of salt being carried in from the sea outside, waves roaring as they crashed onto the shore, frothy foam seeping through the sand.









A storm was approaching them, she thought to herself, in more ways than one.









"This is all your favourite daughters fault, Zeus!" Hera screamed, throwing her hands in the air. "I have been telling you that she's getting out of your hand. Look what happened! How are we going to face our people after this scandal?"









Rage boiled inside her. How could her stepmother try to manipulate her father just like that? The moon princess was aware of her snake-like abilities but witnessing them first-hand almost shocked her.









Talia let out a snort, shaking her head. "A bit rich coming from someone like you"









Hera had no feet to stand on, behaving like an obsessed crazy lover, going after every single of her father's flings. She turned them into animals, tortured and killed them most of the time.









"What did you just say?" The Queen walked towards her and seized the cape around her gown with an open fist, gripping Talia's slender neck. She struggled to get out, but, as a princess, she's strong; however, her strength is incomparable to that of an actual goddess.











The moon princess was losing breath quickly, and her tiny feet were dangling uncomfortably. "You disgusting little princess," Hera spat at her, the last word almost cruel and mocking. "How dare you—"









"Unhand her now, or honest to gods, I will rip your throat out."







Lukas voice boomed throughout the void space in the room. Everyone recoiled when they saw him in his full splendour, his metal armour covering his body in a way that meant war. His stance was that of battle, and his lips stretched out into a wicked curve. His eyes were glowing, a half-spear appearing in his hand, and his entire being radiated murder.











The Prince walked towards the Queen of Olympus, slow and menacingly, and Talia could feel the grip on her throat lessen. Maybe it's working.









"I am not issuing an empty threat around, Hera. Unhand, my lover."







"Lukas," Hera’s mouth dropped open, brows touching her hairline at the sudden shift in the air. "You choose those kind of words in my own kingdom? How dare you, silly Prince? I can have your little land be wiped out if I want. Don't forget that"









The Sun Prince barely flinched at her threat, just lifting his half-spear and digging his eyes into her. "I won't repeat it, Hera."









He stood face to face with the Queen; his eyes turned into slits and jaw clenched tight. Talia would have spent her time appreciating him if not for being held by her evil stepmother. It's impossible to get out of the grip.









"Unhand her."









Zeus got involved. As if Lukas harsh voice broke him out of trance. About time! Talia thought as her father glared at Hera and motioned his wife to move away. Was he seriously going to let Hera get away again? The moon princess was disappointed in her father. That word didn't even convey the emotion she’s experiencing.









The Queen let out a slight noise from the back of her throat and immediately let go of Talia. She coughed, blinking back the tears forming in her eyes and took deep breaths, recoiling into a ball.









"Watch out, your filthy Prince," Her nostrils flared, face turning beet red in anger. She cast Lukas a dirty look before murmuring, "You will suffer for crossing me. I will make sure."









Lukas rolled his eyes, turning to stare at his lover, who's gasping for breath. From the look on his face, he's trying so hard not to gather her up and hold his lover against his chest. She would like that actually, escape from the cruel words and fake smiles.









Before Talia could take a step in his direction, a booming voice echoed in the background.







"Enough!" The God of Lightning raised his arms in the air. "I heard enough."









"Well, that was certainly interesting, Sun Prince" Zeus pointed his stare directly to Lukas, challenging him. "What would be the reason for such accusations against my future son in low?"







"Your Highness—"









Ajaxson cut him off, taking a step further. "This is preposterous! Why are we even entertaining such a low life to speak his mind out, my lord? He should be punished for ruining one of your happiest days."









Talia's mouth fell open as those words sank in. She should have known that he would flip and show his actual colour eventually. Artemis and Lukas both appeared shocked at the turn of events.









Hera hummed. "Ajaxson is right. Our guests mood has ruined all thanks to this jealous nobody. Maybe we should not have invited everyone."









Zeus cleared his throat. "Everyone, stay quiet. I only want to hear Lukas present his proof."







Talia snapped her head towards the Sun Prince, who squirmed in his spot. For the sake of all the gods and goddesses outside, she hoped that he had something to go on with. They cannot prove anything without proof. Zeus only believed in them and nothing else. Sadly, words meant nothing to him.









Lukas bowed his head in shame. "I don't have any proofs, your majesty. But you have to believe me when I say that I love your daughter and would anything for her—"









The God of Lightning cut him. "Silence! Not another word from you. How dare you come barging in and stop the holy union, two loving souls? You will be punished."









Talia gasped. Tears formed in her eyes. It was not going the way she expected it to happen. Why did Lukas have to do that?









Ajaxson cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, your highness, I would like to involve myself. He made derogatory comments about me, hurt the sentiments of my family. And confessed his love for my betrothed."









The moon princess shook her head, a lump forming in the throat. She could not have that evil, cunning man take reins over the situation.









Zeus did not even think twice before nodding his head, taking a step back. He joined his wife, hands folded behind. "I will not interfere with this matter anymore. Ajaxson, you can take any decision you want after all the Sun Prince wronged you the most."







"Father", Talia starred. "You cannot do this to him! Please hear me out—"









"I think I heard enough of this drama, Talia. How could you let this happen?" He grind his teeth together. "I already told you to cut off all the ties, and still he is here fighting on your behalf. You have no right to speak anymore."







The moon princess froze at the cruel words directed towards her. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed that her stepmother was grinning from ear to ear. After all, that's what she wanted all this long.









Ajaxson blinked at Lukas, lips curved. "I challenge you for a dual. If you win, my betrothed will be yours forever, and if I win...you know what happens."







The Prince exhaled loudly. "I accept your challenge."

***

There were warm and familiar hands, fingers brushing up her neck and coming to cradle her delicate face, "Talia, please look at me."







Everyone cleared the room, making arrangements for the upcoming dual. Lukas stayed back.







She blinked her eyes open, lashes stuck together and tears pearled down her face. Why would Lukas agree to a dual? The thought of something happening to him made her want to collapse.









The Prince tilted her head.









"Do not worry about me. I will win, and then we can get married, my love."







Breath whooshed out of her lungs at the thought, chest tightening painfully. She couldn't help but imagine standing in front of him, exchanging vows and getting to spend their lives together. It made her giddy.









"Really?"







"Yes, I promise"









With that, he kissed her, unhinged and desperate and full of longing, before the weight of their lives had started to curl their backs. Talia responded, opening up to him and letting the Prince dip her head back to get better access to her mouth, cheeks, and neck.







"Then I will wait for you," She replied before dipping in again, drawing Lukas even closer, fingers running through his curls, kisses starting to taste salty.









The moon princess pressed another one to his lips and leaned their foreheads together, closing her eyes and breathing harshly through her nose.







Someone cleared their throat from the edge of the door, bursting their bubble.







"Ajaxson is waiting. We need to go."









It's her sister, Artemis. Peeking at her, the moon princess noticed that she's nervous as well. Letting out a sigh, both of them followed her.

***