"I am Syren, daughter of Lord Manutch."
The coquettish female creature in front bowed respectfully to the royal Prince of Bethmoora, who returned to the ballroom from the balcony, while Princess Nuala was asked to dance with another young noble. Nuada raised his eyes and glanced at Syren rapidly, with no expression as if he was looking at a building instead of a person. She then requested: "May I have a dance with you, your highness?" The Prince's gaze swept around the room before answered, he saw Nuala, who danced lithe and graceful, then his eyes met his father's, who looked straight into the Prince's eyes at the same time, significantly. Knowing what the King was thinking of, Nuada stood up and acquiesced the her request.
Nuala asked the King to quit and get back to her chamber after a few more dances, she searched for her brother after approved, found him seated at the side with another maiden beside him, talked to him with full of her energy, the Prince responded to her either by a simple nod or nothing. Without even thinking to bother them she returned to her room, since she understood the original intention of her father throwing these balls was for socializing with other clans and aristocrats. Furthermore, she rejoiced that her brother could finally step out and help the King to achieve his purpose.
Nuala sat alone in the royal library with a thick book opened in front of her. She always looked so beautiful, especially while she was focusing, her serenely beauty would definitely attract anyone on this earth.
Except for the creature who stood a bit far from the Princess, with hatred and jealousy in her narrowed eyes.
Syren then approached Nuala and saluted to the Princess simply. She introduced herself to the royal princess: "Good afternoon, your highness. I am Syren, daughter of Lord Manutch."
Nuala recalled her while stared at her face, she was the one who talked to her brother at the ball night a few weeks ago, also the one who sought audiences with Nuada for several times yet the Prince evaded almost every time for different reasons. Although without knowing who gave her the permission to appear at the royal library, Nuala replied her with a mannerly smile on her face: "Good afternoon. You may sit down."
Syren obeyed with a fake smile on her face, she stared at the Princess with her chin in her hands.
"So what is it that brought you here today?" Nuala asked as her eyes returned to the book again, "If you are looking for my brother, I'm afraid it's the wrong place."
The Princess who was so affable left Syren in a slight astonishment, but it was transient, what replaced it was an insidious dark pleasure in her heart, however she still pretended to be as friendly as Nuala, and whined: "It's too lame to stay in the manor everyday. So I requested my father to bring me today, he was thinking maybe I can have a tea with the Princess while he goes to the court. But I think I'll rather stay here than having tea."
Nuala responded to her with a magnanimous smile on her lips.
After a few more insincere greetings and adulations, Syren started to hesitate, opened and closed her mouth for several times as if she was thinking of something to say. Moments later she finally decided to spit it out carefully: "Do you think… the Prince will accept a marriage alliance… if I request it?"
Nuala's hand that was flipping the page paused in the middle of the air, she freezed to digest the question for a second. The smile faded away on her face as a bit of discomfort crawled up her heart.
No. Her instinct told her. Since she knew that his affections were, toward her. But what hesitated her was the confidence that gave Syren to even ask this question, the question which had the answer that was more like a public knowledge.
Few seconds later, a regretfully smile returned to Nuala's face as she replied: "The most unfortunate, I do not know."
Syren carefully observed Nuala's emotions and expressions, she never really wanted the answer, at least not from the Princess. The only purpose of that question is to test her, and tried to make her reveal her feeling for the Prince.
A sneer emerged on Syren's face after she requested to withdraw. Her narrowed eyes burst out anger and jealousy, a vicious plan silently grows in her mind…
Meanwhile, a military conference was going on in the King's study.
"Humans are trying to unite the ogres, if they succeed, it would be a terrible threat to us." one of the lords claimed.
"Should we send out our troops?"
"I say we should let the sleeping dogs lie, general," Lord Manutch said, "for the time being, let's not be hasty."
"You say we should stay and wait for their assault?" Prince Nuada replied, "The best way is to take them down before they strike us."
"I suggest we should gather the force of the giants, it wouldn't be too hard to convince them." the general spoke once again.
Suddenly everyone's attention was drew toward the door, for the abruptly noises came from outside disturbed them.
"What is going on out there!" King Balor's voice dropped, with a frown between his brow. He never liked to be disturbed while having conferences, especially military conferences.
"I'll go check, your majesty." Balor's personal guard who stood behind the King's dominant chir said respectfully.
As soon as the door opened, Syren's voice transmitted clearly to everyone's ear. "How dare you touch me!"she cried, "I demand you to apologize for your presumptuousness!" The imperial guard who she had the quarrel with stood still, ignored every single word Syren said.
Lord Manutch glanced at the King nervously, who glanced back at him also, and very, very unhappy.
"Syren! That's enough!" Lord Manutch rebuked at his own daughter.
"Father!" she felt aggrieved as she ran toward her father, and continued: "These guards offended me, and wouldn't apologize! Not only they wouldn't let me in, they even restrained me by their weapons!"
"I'm afraid the fault is mine," the King spoke slowly, "the imperial guards only obey the commands from me and my children. I ordered them not to let anyone disturb the meeting, but I must ask, what is it that brings you here so desperately?"
"I… I just wanted to see my father…" knowing that she made a mistake, Syren mumbled.
"I beg your pardon?" the King spoke quietly.
Lord Manutch quickly knelt down and apologized with fear: "I beg your forgiveness, your majesty, this is all my daughter's mistake." meanwhile he pulled his daughter and prompted her to kneel down also, but Syren didn't make a move for the condition bewildered her. She turned her head to find Prince Nuada, who the only one she thought might pity her. But what she saw in his eyes were nothing but coldness, disdain, and disgust.
