Cherreads

Chapter 18 - You're A Funny One Aren't You?

Elián;

Imagine if Barbie collaborated with Game of Thrones… or if Disney and The Wheel Of Time decided to do something together…

This would be it. This castle… this setting this…

How do I even describe this… ?

"Watch your steps, Master Elian," Alana whispers beside me, but I can not bring myself to pay attention to her. 

Earlier, when we went on a stroll, that was all outside. Now that I'm seeing what the inside of this… castle looks like… I can't help but marvel. 

The ceilings are all so high and arched, and the main theme of everything is gold. Golden flower vases, golden pillars, golden paints, bright glittering chandeliers and paintings on the ceiling as well. It looks like a luxurious, colourful garden was painted onto the ceilings.

This place is… astounding. Perfect blend of advancement and backwardness. We finally get to a flight of stairs, and Alana stops walking. 

I stop too, and turn to her. 

"What?" I whisper, and she gives me a small smile.

"Are you ready?" She questions, and I blink at her. 

"Once we get on those stairs, the entire royal family will have their eyes on you. The king and the Alphas. Are you ready?" She informs, and my heart skips a beat. 

I turn to the stairs just a few feet away and back at her. 

"Don't worry. I'm right here, master. Whatever you need, I'll help you with. Just don't forget not to…" She begins, and I take a deep breath. 

"Talk out of turn, make noise with my cutlery and never make eye contact with the king." I recite, and her smile grows. 

She gives one small nod like a proud teacher, and I feel my stomach twist as she turns to the stairs. 

"Let's go." She urges, and I swallow as I follow after her. 

We get to the stairs, and I notice that she pauses. Waiting for me to take the first step. 

I fill my lungs with as much air as possible, and as soon as I take the first step down the stairs, I feel eyes on me. But heaven knows I will rather shit acorns than look up to see who or how many people are looking at me. 

My legs suddenly feel wobbly, and I begin to focus everything in me on a new mission. Not tumbling down these stairs, thanks to my swelling anxiety.

I finally get down the last step and by now my throat is fucking dry. In what direction do I move? I should look up to see, but God, I'm scared out of my mind…

Alana soon stands beside me, and she whispers to me. 

"There's a seat for you beside the king." 

I freeze on hearing the words, and in disbelief, I look up in alarm. 

My eyes land on a dashing man who looks surely older than all the brothers I've seen since i got here, but young and fit enough to be a sexy sugar daddy. He must be the king. I mean, his stature alone says that he's the highest man in the room. 

And his appearance looks so… regal. He has grey hair. Not white. Not silver. Grey. Lucious grey colored hair that flows down to his shoulders in gentle waves. 

His eyes are sea blue and staring right at me… Staring at me.

STARING AT ME?! 

Shit!!

In panic, I quickly drop my gaze, and that's when it hits me. I have no idea how to greet a king. What do I say? Good evening, my lordship? 

Fuck. I already broke a rule. I looked him in the eyes. I haven't even spent a second here, and I have already broken a rule. Oh, I'm fucked. 

"You didn't tell me he was this good-looking. No wonder you all agreed to buy him." A voice so powerful it sends ripples running through my entire body says, and I'm suddenly overcome with an urge to fall to my knees and worship him. 

"You're supposed to greet, Master…" Alana begins, but I don't let her finish. 

I fling my upper body forward, bending like I'm about to start a fucking Karate match, and words i didn't process or plan follow the action. 

"Good evening, my lord."

My lord?? Did I just say good evening, MY LORD?

 

Silence follows my awkward greeting, and I can feel the shame seeping into my bones before laughter explodes. 

I'm startled at first, but when I look up, I find that it's the King who's laughing. Laughing genuinely. Like, I'm the funniest thing on the face of the earth. 

Oh, that's right. I'm still bent like a freaking bendy straw. I straighten up awkwardly and keep my gaze on the floor as I curse how my mind and body betray me each time I'm under pressure. 

"I like him!" The king says, still laughing, and I shut my eyes. 

I can feel eyes on me, but I don't even know how many of the Alphas are here or how many are looking at me. I was so captivated by their father that I took note of nothing else. 

But I'm sure wherever Koda is sitting, he's boring holes into me with his eyes and hating himself for not sending me back to the auction house when he still had the chance. 

What a first impression to make. I must look like a hopeless goober now!

"Come. Come have a seat, boy." The king urges, and I force saliva down my dry throat.

I look over at Alana, and I can see mild panic in her eyes. Of course, she's panicked. I haven't spent two minutes here, and I've already fucked up two times!!

I take a deep breath before moving. I walk over to the chair, and just as I reach for it, Alana helps me pull it out. I look up at her, and she looks away. 

Ladies aren't supposed to pull out chairs for guys. Why'd she do that? 

Oh, I forgot. This isn't the normal world. 

I'm pretty sure all the rules are bent and wrapped here.

I sit down and adjust my chair so I'm close enough to the table. 

"You're a funny one, aren't you?" The king questions as he suddenly places a hand on my shoulder, and I turn to stone. 

Why did that sound scary? Like he's offended? It sounded just like how a high school bully would say it before throwing a blinding punch.

I would know. I've been on the receiving end of such punches quite a number of times. 

And now this king is bringing back old, terrifying memories. 

I'm screwed, aren't I…? 

Again, I'll say... great. Just fucking great. 

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