Chapter 5

𝕮hapter 𝕱ive

A few moments passed and it was morning. King Herod has called upon the informats and nobles for a meeting. All were gathered in the counsel room, a huge room with a long rectangular table surrounded by about fourteen chairs.

It was the day Herod was waiting for, Hera told him about it last night and now he can't stop smiling.

"Attention everyone" Herod cleared his throat. He placed both his hands on the table and leaned forward. "Today, is a big day for the Caelum Dynasty, our crowned princess has decided to make her first royal decree"

A few disgusted faces, an awkward silence, and a few whispers from the nobles changed the atmosphere.

Hera who was behind Herod was nervous, she had to swallow her words to calm herself down.

"Isn't she too young, Sire? Don't you think she'd just..." The person nearest to Herod spoke. He went closer to whisper to him. But clearly, Hera heard "...make things worse?"

Hera pursed her lips.

"He's right Sire, don't you think the princess would just turn our kingdom to her own playground or something?" The nobles laughed.

"And she's a princess sire..." The man nearest to Herod spoke again "A princess knows nothing but gowns and tiaras" He continued.

Herod, not wanting to hurt her child's determination, sighed.

"I really don't want you to feel bad, Your Highness. We are just... Worried about the kingdom. And what she might do since... she's still a teenager"

"Is that really what you think?" Hera couldn't help herself. She stepped forward "Do you really mean what you said?"

The noble rolled his eyes "Why yes princess. Do you really think you can handle serious matters at your age?"

"I bet I can handle more than you could ever, Frenchwood" all the other people in that room were strucked.

'did she just call a noble by his last name?'

Herod behind her was now smirking, but he hurriedly changed his expression for the nobles not to notice.

Hera scoffed. "Listen everyone! I do not accept your judgement towards your future queen. Your attitudes are not suitable for your titles. Mark my words, we may need you in this group but I will discard you if you continue this nonsense" Hera said with full authority. Banging the table with one hand.

Frenchwood was about to speak when the door opened and a strong gush of wind came in. Sand particles filled the place and everyone was trying to cover their eyes, but at the same time, was curious about what was happening.

"Well done, Princess" there was a slow clapping as the wind dispersed and revealed a familiar man who walked slowly towards them. He placed both his hands behind his back before speaking once more. "Pardon me for... Interrupting your 'serious' conversation. I'm just here to offer... A deal"

"What is he doing here?"

"Is that Horus?"

"It's the desert king"

Horus pursed his eyes closed. Not wanting to be called 'king', He waved his hand towards the informat and shut it with sand.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" Herod held his sword.

"Woah" Horus smirked and playfully raised his hands, chest level, to show an act of surrender "I am not here to cause Havoc" He laughed "That... was my father" he laughed even harder.

He contained himself. He smiled mischievously and took a step on top of the table. "Anyway..." He walked forward "Since the princess wanted to bring Euphoria back, why don't we start to negotiate?" He composed his hands behind his back.

"Bring back... Euphoria?" Herod was confused. By that moment Horus was already at the edge of the table, Herod had to look up to him.

Horus raised an eyebrow "Oh wait..." He squatted on the edge of the table "She didn't make her decree? I guess I came early again. Oops" Horus playfully smirked.

Herod glanced at Hera. But Hera was confused and was staring at the guy in front of them. "It's you"

Horus chuckled. From the squat, he sat on the table, swinging his legs. "You remembered" He stood up and wiped away the hair scattered on Hera's face.

"Don't lay hands on her!" Herod stood in the middle. "We don't want to negotiate with you"

Horus made a face "Really? Are you sure?" He laughed. His playful smirk never left his face as he walked down the table and behind Herod "But would that still matter?" He spoke talking about Herod's opinions "Princess White hair is the heir and queen of the next generation, isn't she? Should we let her decide?" He faced the huge window, turning his back on everyone.

There was a chill on Herod's spine, the nobles swallowed, nervous of Hera's decisions.

Hera, who knows nothing about this man, but is certain that he is from a different kingdom, hesitated. She pursed her lips. Deep inside she wanted to do exactly what her father wanted. But her mind is telling her that this could be a fresh start for her desires.

Herod who was looking at Hera, licked his lips and faced the man behind him. "I am still king!" Hera's thoughts disappeared "And I say no."

Horus' smirk widened. "How... Devaluating" Horus pretended to sigh sadly. "He crowned her daughter to be heir to his throne and doesn't trust her." He glanced at Herod. He looked at him as if saying that he was talking about Herod. "She waited all her life to decide for herself you know, and you... You disregard her decisions?" He faced the window again.

"I...I say no" Hera said slowly, eyes pinned on the floor. She hates to admit that it wasn't her, but she respects her father.

Horus, as mischievous as he is, smirked. Then he fixed his face when he turned back to them. "Very well" He walked and climbed the table again and walked towards the door.

"Princess," he turned his head towards Hera "if... you ever want to change your mind, the desert is not far from your kingdom" He smiled and simply waved his hand goodbye "Pâ(good bye)" he said, looking at Hera as a huge group of sand covered him in the center of the table and disappeared.

Herod quickly grabbed her child "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" He flipped her head to see if there were marks on the cheek Horus touched. He hugged her when he saw nothing "Thank Goodness he didn't hurt you"

Frenchwood was looking at them and suddenly had another idea to humiliate the princess.

"So, it is very clear now, the princess can't even protect herself from a deaven, she wasn't strong enough to fight back. Therefore, making her first royal decree at this age, would always be..." he leaned to level Hera's head "...pointless" He said, making emphasis on the word, pointless.

"What kind of queen would want to put her people in danger. You heard the sand boy! She wants to bring Euphoria back! Does she even know that Euphoria was the cause of war?" Frenchwood continued. Now walking across the room, convincing the other nobles, Who was nodding at each other.

"Frenchwood, stop, now" Herod, back away from the hug and stood up in authority.

Frenchwood faced the king and bowed to his waist level. "Forgive me sire"

"Let' go, Hera" Herod grabbed Hera's arm gently as they passed the nobles and informats staring intently at them.

Hera looked down, embarrassed and asking herself, what was she thinking?

But deep inside her, she really wanted to make Euphoria her royal decree.

But as long as she's not old enough, she knows it won't make sense to the adults.

***

Horus appeared in his room, hand below his chin, thinking. He sighed, but it wasn't a sad defeated sigh. He was relieved. He knew he was always one step ahead of everyone. And all he needed is time.

Horus was patient. He would wait eternally if he wanted to. That is why he was chosen to lead his people for many years.

Horus stood up and went out to his balcony. He looked at the beauty of the forming sand dunes and the village below them that was made of sandstone. He will do anything to protect his kingdom. He would die for it, he would kill to restore it. He would risk everything to protect it.

***

𝕯𝓪𝓻𝓴

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