(Sunniva)

My father, the King Archkalian Claminte stood tall in his red and gold kingly attire with a flowing gold cape. Both colours represented the House of Claminte. Our flag had the same hues.

The fact that he personally came out to receive these guests revealed how much importance he gave this particular elf prince.

Mother stood on his left side, proud and sure, displaying her elaborate hairdo with her head held high, and her crown resting on top. Her flowing gown of royal blue and gold was sophisticated, a perfect blend of embroidery and jewels. As I approached, she shot me a disapproving look, her eyes holding judgment.

Was it because of some tiny detail that had been missed? Or my lack of punctuality?

Perhaps, it was my whole existence.

Sigh!

My brother, my father's eventual successor, stood on his right. Slightly awkward and unsure of his role yet. From his facial expressions, I could sense he wished to be anywhere but here.

But it was my elder sister, Princess Kamlia Claminte who was a symbol of perfection with a smile so wide that it made my mouth ache from barely watching her. The gown my mother chose for her was rose red and gold. Immaculate and bold, it revealed an ample amount of cleavage. As if a prince was going to be enticed just by looking at her bosom.

I never understood this trick.

Were men so shallow as to fall for a woman just because of her body and breasts?

Or were women so naive, to think men would love and want them for anything other than their bodies?

Whatever the reasons people fell in love were beyond me.

I simply watched my overenthusiastic sister, hardly able to contain herself, her hands tight in the clasp while her curls ruffled in the cool air.

She shot me a warning look, her intense but cold blue eyes held unsaid words but I understood them.

She wanted me to remain discreet, out of sight, unnoticeable.

So wholesome of her.

She believed this was her moment, and somehow I was going to steal it away. The prince had only asked for a bride, but my family had instantly assumed it would be Kamlia.

She knew I had no interest in marriage, and yet this insecurity. Even when she was prettier than I.

So why?

I reassuringly smiled at her, but I was going to make her sweat. She turned her head away.

The guards straightened, and the trumpets blew as royal carriages rolled inside our castle’s gate.

The patient and rhythmic galloping of the horses against the paved path had everyone’s spine straightening and eyes focusing.

The green and silver flags fluttered in the wind from the poles of the carriages as they came to a halt in front of us.

The guards stepped down from their horses and formed a circle around the two carriages. Their pointed ears and distinctive amber-green eyes made them stand apart from humans.

Their uniforms were different from ours too. Their tunics were knee-length, constructed from deep moss-green wool, showing they dwelled in a colder climate than ours. High collars and long sleeves with reinforced elbows and simple leather belts cinched the waists containing their weapons over forest-brown supple leather trousers. Knee-high boots of olive green hue and fingerless gloves completed their attires.

My eyes took in their swift movements as they moved towards the grandest of the two carriages. It had intricate carvings of green vines and silver leaves—the symbol of the elves.

One of the guards opened the wooden door, and I felt certain everyone held their breaths.

Someone stepped out, the smooth leather shoes reached around his mid-calf and gracefully hugged his leg. The silver and green vine and leaf design set them apart from anything I had ever seen before, the guards included.

My gaze upped, as I took in his garb. From his form-fitting silverish white trousers to his deep emerald tunic and silver over-robe. Every piece of his garments seemed to have been created with the finest of materials and gemstones to decorate them.

The braided forest green belt had silver interlinks and hilts for a dagger and sword while the Silver crescent moon clasps held his outer cloak together.

My eyes finally travelled to his face and I found him handsome, with silver shoulder-length hair that was neatly half tied back, and mossy-ember eyes. The sharpness of his features was highlighted by the controlled smile he carried.

A crown of silver intertwined vines, set with emeralds, decorated his head.

But what I couldn't stop staring at were the pointed tips of his ears, like needles jutting out of the top of his ears, just like his guards.

I had to bite my lip to control the giggle.

“Welcome! Prince Virion Rhastine. I hope you had a pleasant journey to our kingdom.” My father moved closer and both men shook hands.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. The journey was quite pleasant,” the prince said with finesse, while trying to control his smile.

While he introduced himself to the rest of my family my eyes travelled to the man flanking him. A bodyguard? His first in command? Or maybe a close friend?

The man stood a few inches taller than the prince and carried himself with ease. He was clearly a person comfortable in his skin. His moonlight-kissed hair was tied on the top of his head in a neat bun with a metallic hair stick decorated with gemstones.

The flawlessness of his features reminded me of an ancient sculptor who marvelled in his work, trying to create a masterpiece. Every line seemed to have been proportioned with a diamond blade. Precise and edged. Hollowed cheeks, sharp aquiline nose. Like being forged under the moonlight, graceful and yet lethal. Handsome and yet with an air of frostiness.

But the most distinctive feature of the man was his eyes—viridian with a silver outer ring. Such a fascinating pair of eyes.

His attire was similar to the prince’s but slightly inferior with a shining front, a metallic vest to indicate he was a warrior. Unlike Prince Virion he carried his weapon at the back. A quiver of arrows and a bow.

He was an archer.

And then his gaze slowly slid towards me and stayed for a second. I held it but something tightened in my stomach.

There was something hauntingly beautiful about those eyes.

His line of vision slowly travelled down my neck to my body. Though not in a lecherous way as men usually did. He seemed innocently curious.

The prince and my father had moved closer to me now, and I was only able to snatch my gaze away when I was introduced.

I curtseyed with the most pleasant smile I could summon.

“Princess Sunniva, it's a pleasure.” The prince offered me his hand and I placed mine in his. Slightly bending his straight spine, he kissed the air on the back of my gloved hand without putting his lips there.

Grateful, I was so very grateful.

The prince straightened up and extended his hand towards the man beside him.

“This is my general and my right-hand man, Silvayn Archine,” he said, introducing him to everyone.

Polite nods and greetings followed as Silvayn smiled wholeheartedly at everyone. His eyes shimmering with some kind of delight that I didn't understand.

“Please let Princess Kamlia guide you inside and to the private chamber we arranged for you. You can freshen up there before we meet for dinner,” my mother suggested, discreetly pushing me away from the prince and shoving a very eager Kamlia in front of him.

“It will be my pleasure,” Kamlia eagerly said. The prince offered his arm to my sister.

Gracefully, and with ease, she accepted it. Her smile couldn't be wider as her face had flushed red.

“Let me show you our beautiful castle.” They moved ahead, followed by my parents, my brother, and a few guards.

But the man with the silver bun lingered. His gaze was now fixed on me again.

“I could use some company to be led to my chamber too,” he spoke in a deep but amused voice. The kind that made me think of a male lead in a fantasy book I read once.

‘I am not a chaperone, I am sure someone else can take you,’ the words were in my brain but not on my tongue. Mother had instructed me to be on my best behaviour.

Before I could speak, my mother, who had only moved a few feet, quickly turned around.

“Sunniva will be honoured to be your guide,” she answered in her fakely sweet voice, which I hated. She sent me a glare which only I could decipher.

Don't you dare say no.

I focused my eyes on the General and tried to smile without cringing. He returned it and I witnessed tiny dimples making holes in his cheeks.

Generously, he offered me his arm, and without having any way out, I accepted, folding my fingers around his hard muscles.

Usually, I abhorred the male touch. The past trauma I carried always surfaced near unknown males, but somehow my heart remained calm in the general’s presence.

“Be my guide, Princess Sunniva.”

“With pleasure.” ‘Earvayn,’ I muttered the self-made name for him under my breath so he wouldn't hear.

An amused chuckle left him as we began to walk, making me extremely cautious.

‘Did he hear what I said? Will he tell the prince?