4. Chapter 4
4
" T here you are!" Jesri greeted, his smile twitching as I approached the pergola. Levon sat across from him, leisurely enjoying a blueberry-drizzled biscuit. I scanned the bustling courtyard, where servants were making final preparations for tonight's festivities, hoping to catch sight of Calum for some answers.
"Come, eat while it's still fresh," Jesri invited, patting the chair beside him. I raised my eyebrows in irritated disbelief, barely suppressing a scoff. Jesri's eyes hardened, silently demanding that I play along. I clenched my jaw in disgust but reluctantly took my seat.
"And a happy day of founding to you, Eliah," Jesri toasted, raising his glass, with Levon following suit.
"Happy Birthday, my lady," Levon added with a smile.
It was no surprise that Jesri had divulged all the details of my life to Sir Alder, making Levon's casual mention of my birthday all the more infuriating. Jesri never acknowledged this day, especially since it marked the moment his life took a turn for the worse.
Jesri's foot kicked mine under his immaculate white-metal wired table he paid a handsome sum for.
"Thank you, Sir Alder," I said quickly. Indulging in a warm lemon croissant oozing with a creamy raspberry filling, I resisted the urge to let out a delighted moan.
Jesri kicked my foot again, prompting me to sit straight and shut my mouth.
"Please, it's only Levon," he said, noting Jesri's fake smile and my indulgence in more food. I nodded, sipping the peach lemonade that danced like fireworks on my tastebuds.
"Eliah, dear," Jesri began, clearing his throat. "Tomorrow, you'll be participating in a new evaluation for Sir Alder. He has some exciting things planned that I believe you'll enjoy, especially since you've expressed a desire for real weapons in the past." A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You'll have an hour to complete it, and this will be your only test," his dark eyes bore into mine, silently conveying the consequence of failure. "So make it count."
He cleared his throat again, stuffing a piece of lemon croissant into his mouth. "Afterward, I'll need you to assist in dismantling the evaluation setup."
"Dismantle it?" I asked, almost choking on my drink.
"Yes, we've fenced off a designated area for it," he replied, his smile widening, exposing his white teeth, which shined like sharp daggers.
"But—"
"No questions, Eliah," he snapped, cutting me off.
I rolled my eyes and took another bite, my attention drifting to the distance where the remaining servants busied themselves with party preparations. They lined the tables with empty plates soon to be filled with pastries and mouth-watering dishes, arranged flower pots brimming with sweet fragrances, and meticulously trimmed the garden to perfection.
I sighed, looking down at my plate, only to find Levon's emerald-blue eyes fixed on me, an unsettling mix of intensity and sadness in his gaze. I swallowed the last of my food, shifting uncomfortably in my seat under his lingering stare.
I cleared my throat. "If I am to be accepted," I said, with a hint of vinegar. "What comes next?"
Jesri looked ready to dismiss my question, but Levon interjected. "You will come to my estate for further training," he stated, pausing to collect his thoughts and maintain the air of secrecy. "And achieve noble deeds."
"Noble? And how is any of this considered noble?" I shot back, my voice edged with frustration. Jesri's eyes flashed with anger.
"They are noble because only a select few have the courage to face such challenges," Levon replied, a trace of satisfaction in his tone as though my defiance intrigued him.
"I didn't know that enforcement counts as courage," I retorted sharply, fully aware of the fury building in Jesri as his jaw tightened. Ignoring the tension, I took another bite of food, savoring its rich flavor.
Levon's smile faltered at my response. He opened his mouth to speak, but for once, no words came out.
"So what challenges will require such courage ?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice as I took another bite. "If I had to guess, it must involve the King's Court; otherwise, Jesri would have gotten rid of—"
" How dare you!" Jesri's sudden roar silenced everything in the courtyard as he loomed over me. His face twisted with rage, his eyes drilling into mine with a fury that made my heart skip, almost certain he'd strike me right there. " Do not defy me, girl, " he seethed, his voice low and venomous. He sat back down, slowly reclaiming his composure, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface.
"Apologies, Sir Alder," he said smoothly, turning to Levon with a calm demeanor that felt like a mask. "I've tried to teach her proper manners, but it seems the wildness within her insists on tarnishing my reputation."
I dropped my fork, my hands balling into fists as anger surged through me, electrifying every nerve. The air grew heavy, thick with a metallic tension. For a moment, I saw a flicker of sadness in Levon's eyes, but it quickly faded into a dark, unsettling smile.
"Most should aspire to serve alongside King Thealor and be a part of his land, my lady. Jesri is simply doing his duty." Levon's words fanned the flames of Jesri's arrogance, and I saw him smirk with satisfaction.
My anger boiled over, and I shot up from my chair, sending it crashing to the ground. Levon quickly stood as well, his eyes filled with a silent plea that almost stopped me in my tracks.
"If you'll excuse me," I said, my voice quivering with barely contained rage. I turned on my heel, refusing to look at Levon, and stormed away. Jesri's amused chuckles echoed behind me, each one twisting the knife of frustration deeper.
Suddenly, the screech of a chair dragged across the stone floor cut through the air, and a firm hand seized my arm, jerking me back. Levon stood inches from me, his breath grazing my ear as he whispered, "The King's Match is where courage truly shines, my lady. And you possess more than enough of it."
Levon's gaze burned into mine for one last lingering moment before he let go and strode away. As he passed Jesri, I could feel the tension between them, Jesri's eyes blazing with suspicion. The anger that had surged through me just moments ago drained away, leaving behind a cold, suffocating panic. My body felt frozen, my thoughts spiraling as I tried to grasp the truth that now seemed so obvious.
A tournament.
Jesri's plans for me had been laid out all along, hidden beneath layers of training, tests, and cruelty. And this King's Match was the finale, making me nothing more than a pawn in his twisted scheme.
My throat tightened, choking off any words, any cries. The realization was crushing, a wave of dread so deep it left me hollow. I was trapped, just as I had been as a child, knowing that no one would come to save me.
Unable to bear the weight of my thoughts after breakfast, I felt a desperate need to escape, to push my body until the pain drowned out everything else. I ran as hard as I could, forcing my legs and lungs to burn, chasing the edge of exhaustion.
When I finally collapsed to the ground, I retched up my breakfast, grateful that I had retreated into the colorful woods rather than defiling Jesri's pristine pasture before the party. I sat there for a while, trying to catch my breath and sift through any clues about the King's Match, but came up short.
It was well past lunchtime when I finally forced myself to stand, the need for answers driving me forward. I sought out Darius and found him at the back gates, surrounded by his men as they prepared for the upcoming party.
"Did you decide to bathe in filth on purpose?" Darius remarked, his nose crinkling at the unpleasant smell.
I scoffed in annoyance, "I need answers, Darius. What am I being set up for?" His stance became rigid, a telltale sign that he knew more than he was letting on. "What do you know?" I demanded, the taste of bile still lingering on my tongue. The few remaining men dispersed quickly, sensing the tension in the air and knowing better than to provoke me further.
"Eliah, all I know is what I've told you—"
"No!" I interrupted, my nails digging deep with my anger's metallic edge. "Sir Alder mentioned a Match. What kind of Match, Darius? And why? What is this for?" My voice trembled, a desperate plea for clarity amid the suffocating fear that I might be condemned to an unforgiving fate.
I approached him, snarling low and trying to assert myself despite his towering stature. He could easily overpower me with his years of training, large muscles, and weight. He smelled of coal and sweat, never skipping a day to grow stronger. Over time, he had become something of a father figure to me, supporting and challenging me to be resilient against the harsh words of others. He had continued to comfort me after finding me, once, in tears with scraped knees in the forest. I was so young then, unable to recall the exact words that had wounded me, but feeling their impact nonetheless.
"Eliah," he hesitated, sensing his contemplation. "Let me talk with Jesri first."
"Why?" I breathed, refusing to suppress my anger. "Why all this secrecy? Why must I always be kept in the dark, Darius? This is my life." My voice quivered. "It's my life," I hesitated, uncertainty creeping in. "Isn't it?"
His eyes brimmed with sorrow, silently confirming my fears. A profound hopelessness washed over me as Darius firmly gripped my arms; the weight of his silent words crashed down upon me.
"Eliah," his gaze burned with conviction. "It's an immense honor to be chosen by King Thealor. Believe that you are worthy of such recognition and that you are more than your training. Trust me."
He pulled me into an embrace, offering a warmth that seemed to mend the parts of me that felt lost. Speechless, I eventually pulled away and walked off, the sense of betrayal heavy on my shoulders. Each step away from him deepened my anger, cutting through me like a blade and severing the last ties to this bleak existence and the dreams I still clung to.
I refused to let this define me. I was more than this miserable life. If they chose to withhold the truth from me, I would uncover it on my own.