Chapter 008

Eira's POV

My eyes rested on the Grand Cross son. He had wine red hair and intimidating amber eyes with a tall muscular body - he had a medium build so he was just right. He stood beside the Grand Duke's son. His tan skin complimented his hair and eye color so perfectly.

Mom must have noticed my fascination which made her clear her throat to get my attention.

“ Cleo, this is Kia Charlemagne, a Grand Commander and the son of the Grand Cross. And this is Anakin Valois, the son of the Grand Duke as well as a Grand Commander,” mom introduced.

Grand Commander? At their age? My jaw dropped slightly. Kia looked barely older than twenty-four and same goes for Anakin. How did they achieve that at this age?

My eyes settled on Anakin. I hadn't taken a proper look at him because I was so lost in Kia’s handsomeness - not that I mean anything by that.

On the other hand, Anakin was the total opposite of Kia. He was slender and had a feminine look to him, maybe that had something to do with his long hair and the way he bound it. He had long sky-blue hair with soft hazel eyes. I don't know why but I began to wonder if he could really fight with such a delicate appearance. He didn't even seem like one who would like to get himself stained.

“ Nice to meet you, Sir Kia and Sir Anakin,” I genuflected.I tried my best not to look Kia in the eye because my heart was beating too fast for comfort.

“It’s a pleasure, Your Highness,” Kia replied, before taking my hand in his and kissing the back of my palm. A blush crept up my cheeks, despite knowing this was a normal gesture.

I was sort of disappointed with Kia rigid response but Kia kissing my hand was more than enough compensation. Anakin, on the other hand, was all smiles.

“You’re even more beautiful in person, Princess Cleo. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” He took my hand and kissed it gently, his touch sending a tingle up my arm.

“ Anakin, stop flirting,” Kia sighed. It was like he was expecting him to do so. How close were they?

“ I'm not, it's called being a gentleman. Something you lack,” Anakin retorted. “Don’t be intimidated by Kia’s stoic face and rigid behavior,” Anakin pointed at Kia with a wide grin. He playfully placed his hand on Kia’s shoulder.

“He’s really a teddy bear on the inside,” he added making me laugh. I quickly covered my lips wondering how he had made me drop my defensive walls in his presence.

That was probably Anakin's charm - he's free-spirited, cheerful and chivalrous nature.

Kia swatted his hand away. His face was neither displeased nor pleased - that must mean he actually doesn't mind.

“Shut up, Anakin.”

A question popped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

“Are you two close?” Why the hell did I just ask that? What the hell was wrong with me? This was just a formal meeting, why was I bothered about knowing more about them?

Anakin’s eyes widened dramatically, before his usual broad smile appeared.

“We might as well be married,” he joked.

A wave of awkwardness washed over me. What was that all about?

“What the hell are you yapping about?” Kia glared at him.

Anakin laughed. “ Sorry, Princess Cleo. I didn't mean to shock you but I also wanted to see your reaction and his reaction. And dare I say, I was quite satisfied?” He smirked.

“ We’re best friends. We’ve been inseparable since we were kids,” he sighed with a shrug.

“ More like you stuck to me like glue,” Kia furrowed his brows.

“ Haha! That's what you've always said but you never got rid of me,” Anakin said with a confident grin. I could tell that having Anakin as his best friend was exhausting.

My dad, the emperor, cleared his throat, drawing our attention.

“ Kia, my boy, I have a favor to ask,” dad held Kia’s shoulders.

“ Shouldn't you be more formal with me, Your Majesty?” Kia reminded. How close were our families because this looked like something that happens often.

“ Sir Ivan, I can't believe Kia’s growing up. He won't even let me refer to him casually when I'd watch him run around the palace with Anakin. Though, it was Anakin who'd always initiate that,” dad mumbled the last part.

“ He has always told you that from a young age, though,” the Grand Cross reminded with a sigh.

“ You can't possibly be gossiping me in my presence now, Your Majesty,” Anakin laughed. I had no idea our families were this close.

“ So Kia, you really won't let me call you informally?” Dad was persistent.

“ I'd prefer you refer to me formally especially in public. You're supposed to be the Emperor, Your Majesty,” Kia really was rigid.

“ Fine, I won't bug you any further so back to the favor, Sir Kia,” dad let go of him.

“Your wish is my command, Your Majesty,” he responded, his left hand to his chest.

“I would like you to be Cleo’s personal trainer and guard in the meantime,” dad's request nearly had my jaw dropping. Did he just ask a Grand Commander to become my personal guard???

A flicker of annoyance crossed Kia’s face.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I’m afraid that would be difficult. I have duties to attend to,” Kia politely declined which is rather normal.

Dad chuckled. “Of course, of course, I understand the point you're making. But I can’t risk losing my daughter again. I need to know she’s safe.”

Kia hesitated, his jaw clenched.

“I understand your concern, Your Majesty, but there are other knights who are more suited for this task.”

“ I know there are but it would be nice if I had the best knight in the whole empire guard my daughter and personally teach her how to fight,” dad was persistent and this was making me embarrassed.

Kia was probably not going to look at me the way again. Would be think I asked for this? Or would he think I'm spoilt because I think I can get whatever I want just because I'm the princess? I'm doomed.

My mom who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“ Kia, I would be honored if you would agree to protect my daughter.”

Kia's face turned a shade paler. He bowed his head and got on his knees as my mom approached him.

“ But, Your Majesty…” it was obvious that he wasn't pleased but he couldn't say a thing to my mom.

In Azurethra Empire, the empress had more value than the emperor and her words were final. No one could override any order she gives because she is the reason for the prosperity of the lycans and hence worshipped.

From everything I had been taught in history class since I arrived, the first empress or rather leader of the lycans after a war that occurred thousands of years ago, was the daughter of the Moon Goddess. The Moon Goddess had a daughter who is my direct ancestor and due to that fact, we are the only family that shares blood with a deity so we had not just unique features but special powers.

“ Are you still going to reject my request, Sir Kia?” Mom questioned.

“ I would never, Your Highness. I'll do as you have commanded,” Kia has no other choice but to give in.

“ I'm glad you've accepted it, Kia,” mom smiled as she addressed him informally. Kissing dad on the cheeks, she excused herself to talk to some other noble ladies. At least this was over…or so I thought.

My eye's caught Kia’s fiery gaze glaring at me as he got to his feet, sending shivers down my spine.It was a look of pure annoyance, and it was directed at me.

“ I'm not in the position to talk to you, Your Highness but I don't think you're going to have an easier time with him as your trainer especially with just happened,” Mona voiced my thoughts in a low voice.

He probably hates me the most right now. Good job, dad.

“ If that's all, I'll take my leave, Your Majesty,” Kia bowed to my dad before turning to leave.

“ You're really leaving? ” Anakin questioned with twisted brows.

“ Yes and you're coming with me,” he said grabbing him by the arm and pulling him away.

“ Why the hell do I have to come with you? You're the one who wants to leave, not me,” Anakin struggled to get out of his grip.

“ It's not like you have anything beneficial you want to do here. You're just going to flirt with different ladies,” Kia pulled him.

“ Ladies are beneficial, if you don't know. Besides, since when did my flirting and love life interest you? I mean, I'd yap about it but you never paid attention,” Anakin accused.

“ Just because I didn't answer you doesn't mean I didn't listen. Besides, even if I decided not to listen, it's not like you'd stop talking about it anyway,” Kia rolled his eyeballs.

“ Hey! Guess who's been paying attention in class?” Anakin teased. He had fun frustrating Kia.

As they walked away from where I was, my heart sank. I felt empty and broken, I didn't want it to end like this.

“ W-wait…” I went after them and grabbed Kia’s hand. Was I crazy?

“ Your Highness…” he wore a confused and surprised expression. Just then, the booming announcement of the ballroom dance came.

I knew I would regret this later but still, I couldn't let him leave like that.

“ W-will you have this dance with me, Sir Kia?!” With my cheeks a bright red, I might have raised my voice a little louder than I had wanted.

The ballroom went silent and everyone stared at us. This was so embarrassing, what would I do if Kia were to reject me? I would literally die but I don't think I would be able to bring myself to blame him either, after all I would hate me if I were in his shoes right now.

As he stared down at me, I turned my head away in embarrassment. Why did I have to act impulsively? But then again, the princess would need to start the ballroom dance and I needed a partner.