Moonlight Ball

For the infamously cold Sidrain to lose his temper and get riled up was a rare sight. Elena stood still, enduring the King’s lecture as he paced back and forth in front of her. Whenever his large body moved past her, it made her nervous because she was well aware that the King could sentence a punishment to her on the spot if he wanted to.

Elena knew that she wouldn’t receive a death sentence, but if he so happened to banish her from the palace, she would lose her aristocratic status, which was no different from a death sentence. The Sethang family’s reputation would be ruined if she was banished from the palace, and they would then demand that she divorce Clarence.

Elena’s mind was racing as she knew that Clarence would never want to leave her, and he would try anything and everything to resist, but aristocratic families were not so easy to deal with. Fearful that they would have no choice but to separate, Elena realized that she had to calm the King fast. However, he was in such a rage and showed no signs of calming down.

Then, a thought popped into her head, and she decided to take a gamble. She requested for everyone to leave the room and lowered her head, “I deeply apologize for causing you such concern. But I must ask you one question, Your Highness. Who is she?”

The anger in Sidrain’s voice was apparent as he glared at Elena with flaming, bloodshot eyes, “What?”

“That woman is not Her Royal Highness.”

“Have you gone crazy, Elena In Sethang? You are insulting the royal family. You have no excuse if you get sentenced to death for this felony.”

Elena would rather die than divorce Clarence, and she raised her head, determined not to back down. “No, I am sure. I swear on Ruthna that that woman is not Rosemary. She is not the Rosemary I know.”

“Elena,” Sidrain’s warned through gritted teeth.

“And you, Your Highness, must be aware of her identity. Who is she?”

Sidrain crossed his arms across his broad chest. He knew why Elena was taking this risk, and he belatedly realized that he’d overreacted. He was upset too, and he knew that he’d made a mistake. Sidrain clicked his tongue at himself in disappointment, but there was nothing that he could do about the way he’d reacted.

He thought about how he had almost lost Iris Elaine. Back then, he was like a stranger to her. But the psychological damage was so deep that he had hit a woman for the first time in his life. Even if that woman was Rosemary, he never thought there would be a day when he would lay a hand on his woman. But on that day, nothing could’ve stopped him.

The Iris he now knew was no longer a stranger, she was his wife, and they had kissed. She’d even destroyed a sausage in front of him. These were few incidences, but they had left a spark in Sidrain’s heart, and he couldn’t lose her now.

“Your Highness. I am Elena Sethang, and I will forever be at your service.” Elena got onto her knees in front of Sidrain.

Sidrain’s mind was in turmoil because it was hard to help Iris by himself. She was a woman, and as the Queen, so much of their time would be spent separately. It was important for her to have someone next to her who could manage everything and protect her as well. But he wasn’t sure if Elena was fit for that role. Sidrain had to make a decision quickly, and he couldn’t think of anyone other than Elena to take this role.

“Elena In Sethang. Lift your head,” Sidrain ordered.

Elena raised her head slowly, and her eyes opened wide as Sidrain pulled a red sword out of his heart. Having the title of Sword Master meant that he was an expert with the sword and that he was the owner of the magical sword, which he’d had to find and then learn how to control.

Sidrain was only able to become Sword Master by finding the magic sword, Testalia, in the palace. He’d then had to become accustomed to it and learn how to put it into his heart. Truthfully, it was a crazy thing to do, but he’d done it.

Now, Testalia was engraved into his heart forever, and he was able to take it out when he needed to. Few people were able to see this sight, and it was rare for a noble like Elena to be privileged enough to witness something like that. She stood dead-still and watched in awe as the King pulled the burning red sword from his heart.

Finally, he drew the sword out entirely and pointed the razor-sharp tip at Elena’s neck. “Elena In Sethang. Whatever your name becomes in the future, if this information becomes known, I will make sure to kill you. Not just you, but I will annihilate the entire Sethang family. I, Sidrain En Letaire, swear on my sword, Testalia, and the goddess, Ruthna.”

The heat of the sword was hot on Elena’s neck, but because the owner had no intention of hurting her, it didn’t leave a wound. Elena closed her eyes briefly and then looked up at the King, “I swear my loyalty to you, the master of my family and me.”

“Good.” Sidrain raised his sword again, which illuminated the entire room and then skillfully put it back into his heart.

Watching in stunned silence, Elena almost let out a scream by accident, but she knew that he wouldn’t punish her for doing that. Seeing the sword that had nearly burned her go into the King’s chest so effortlessly made her shudder.

Sidrain still felt unconvinced by Elena’s loyalty, and he watched her tremble before him as she struggled to breathe. “It is like you said. She is not Rosemary,” he said quietly, and Elena’s eyes opened wide as she realized the gravity of that statement. Sidrain spoke once more, “She is Iris Elaine.”