“Why does the Sea Dragon want to drag you into the ocean?” Nong asked.
King Houavin’s only response was a small grin. He sauntered over to his throne and sat back down crossing one leg over the other.
“Majesty – perhaps it is in our best interest to ask the Bird Witch for help?” One of the advisors shuffled forward. “She may be a blessing sent in our time of need. Perhaps she can cast away the serpent that ails you,”
“She’s a monster herself! We should cast her away! We’ve had enough of strange creatures roaming our kingdom!” Another shouted from behind a guard.
The word monster stabbed Nong’s heart. She turned to King Houavin, “How can I help?” She asked.
“My lady…the Sea Dragon is only kept at bay by the magic that lies within the King’s pendant. It is a family heirloom as my majesty has said to you. Protecting each son until they become wed. The only way to stop the Sea Dragon is to kill it once and for all or find my majesty a worthy bride,” the first advisor bowed to her as he continued to explain, “None of which we have been able to do. The Sea Dragon is mysterious and strong. And King Houavin refuses to marry. Leaving him in this dreary state…constantly listening to the sea,”
Nong frowned. She had had enough of killing as the only way to resolve anything. She turned to look at the indifferent king. He was back to being his emotionless self. She scrunched her eyebrows. Her wings fluttering behind her.
“I need that pendant, your majesty. Please. And in exchange…I’ll find a way to subdue the Sea Dragon,” Her hands curled into a ball.
The advisor fell to his knees. “Oh thank you my lady. Thank you,”
After a moment, the other advisors went down on their knees and even the guards laid their swords to the floor all shouting words of praises to Nong. It was clear to her that they cared deeply for their King. His black gaze roamed over them for a brief moment with guilt and finally landed on Nong.
They were a whirlpool of secrets.
---
That night they held a ball in her honor. Instead of her Bird Witch regalia – which she didn’t have – she wore a slim fitted dress to match with the king.
Her dress was simple, made of black satin, and had a revealing neckline which plunged in a V-shape to meet the blue sash around her waist. A pop of color that was an acknowledgment to the wings she had displayed earlier. Her hem and tight sleeves were decorated with silver embroidery detailing mountains and feathers.
Nong’s hair was braided into a high bun and secured with a silver crown of wobbly flowers and leaves. They bobbed and sparkled in the light. She worried the crown might topple with the slightest movement.
King Houavin entered the ball room clad in the same colors. His robes were loose and pooled to the floor like ink. He had kohl smudged around his eyes and wore his silver circlet and necklace as his only accessories. The pendant glimmered at Nong mockingly.
He plastered on a smile as he extended his hand to Nong, “Dance with me,”
He wrapped his arm around Nong’s waist and pulled her in taking her spinning around the room. The audience smiled and clapped as they passed along the stories of her coming to the King’s aid. And maybe perhaps she would be more to the king? Nong tried to block them out. Thinking instead of Ru Feng. She sulked…she didn’t have time for dancing.
“You’re quite good at this,” King Houavin said.
“My governess taught me a bit,” Nong replied.
King Houavin chuckled, “I was referring to your ability to ignore the court’s gossips,”
“Oh,” Nong mumbled. “I’m just used to it I suppose,”
The King smirked and twirled her around people. In and out of the crowds. She heard their whispers. Their assumptions of her. No matter how much she had learned to steel herself from it all – a part of her was still raw from years of being shunned. It didn’t matter which kingdom she was in, she thought. If she was a hero…or a beast. Cages were built for all.
The King suddenly released Nong into the throng of people. She crashed into other dancers.
“I’m sorry,” Nong apologized. She scrambled to find her way out and then everything went black.
At first she thought she’d hit her head – but then she was in a different location. The room had changed. It looked familiar – it was the Lotus throne room. And she was on the jade bridge. She looked around. There were soldiers lying everywhere. Tables toppled over. The lotus ponds turned red. What chaos had happened here? Her stomach roiled.
Her hands…were red. She touched her stomach. Blood was coming from her. She couldn’t breathe. She collapsed to the ground. But someone behind her yanked her by the hair standing her back up. Nong twisted to see a woman wearing a hat made of beads. They dangled in her face. The woman sneered. She opened her mouth to speak…
Nong was snapped back into King Houavin’s cold arms. He looked at her oddly. “Are you unwell?” He asked.
Nong swallowed hard. She was disoriented. “I am…I shall go rest in my room now,” She managed.
He smiled dangerously and leaned into her ear. “Meet me in my room,” He whispered back. He signaled a lady in waiting to take Nong away from the party.
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