Rising of the Moon - Chapter Twelve

Hey people. Sorry I'm late with posting. With everything that's going on in the world... Well, I bet you all know about Japan. My brother has some friends there. It took us time to reach them and make sure they're all right. It was hard to concentrate on writing... Wish I could help those poor people somehow, other than sending them money... Anyway, here's the chapter. Comment if want, and let me hear your opinions.

@Claire L: Thank you very much. Here's the next chapter. Let me know what you think.

@Christy: heh yea... Now the interesting part starts. I'll try to write faster. I hope you like this chapter. : D

Chapter twelve

- Roan -

Her head was swaying in all directions at once as they were entering the city. It was rather amusing for him to look at her reaction. She laughed as couple of kids ran by, crashing into two guards. One of them gave them an apple to share which made her smile widely. She turned her head to look at the colorful shop with ornaments outside to attract potential customers. Next moment she was staring at a rat running into the sewers. The noise, the smells. Ranel could tell that she was so confused by the experience. Shadow felt her excitement as well. They were making their way through the crowd, people greeting him with a bow. He was one of the rare persons from the palace that people loved and respected. He knew the streets of his town for he was visiting it daily, trying to communicate with his subjects. Leana seemed to be pleased at seeing how well they treated him.

Soon they came into the older part of the town with narrow streets and houses built in old style, the one he loved the most. It was also richer part of the town and he was avoiding it most of the time because of the "bottom kissing" nobles, as his father would often name them. And he agreed on that with him. The girl still seemed to be amazed by everything. She has never been in a town, never seen so many people in one place.

Not long passed when they were finally at the palace gates. The palace itself was at the top of the hill and houses of the town were going down the hill sides to the very bottom where the walls were surrounding it. Canal was made around the city walls and waters of river Laan were flowing around the city and continued its way to the sea. Langarth was a beautiful place. People from all over the kingdom were coming here for trade, to join the army or simply come and admire the beauty of the ancient architecture. Palace was dominating the view and could be seen from every spot in the city, since it was posted on the very top of the large hill that was very close to being a mountain.

Ranel was proud of his birth place and he was enjoying looking at Leana while they were approaching the golden gate of the palace circle. Two guards were standing on each side when he approached.

- "My lord. " The younger one saluted. " We have the orders from the king to take you straight to him when you arrive. "

- "Very well, Regan. Take me to him. But first, " Ranel turned to the second guard " you will see to it personally that this girl is well taken care of. Take her to the servant chambers and give her some food. "

- "But my lord, I am not allowed to leave the gates unguarded..." he started.

- "Leave that to me, guard. " Roan yelled as he was approaching. " Brother. " He gave a short nod to Ranel and turned his gaze to Leana. " And whom do we have here? " he asked with a smile. " I see you brought us a new jewel for women quarters. "

- "You will keep your hands off her Roan. She is a free woman. She won't be one of your concubines. "

- "As my brother wishes. I will see to it that she's taken care of before you come back from father. And let me warn you, he is not in good mood today. "

- "Is he ever... ? " Ranel said with slightly annoyed voice.
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Leana felt so confused as she was watching two brothers argue. She realized that they made no proper plan, other than that she will be presented as orphan found by prince and given opportunity to work for royal family. /"Pfff some honor that is..."/ she thought to herself. They also agreed that in the palace she will be known as Anael. Just so that someone wouldn't recognize her name. Concubines... She shivered at the thought. She was sure that prince wouldn't let anything happen to her though.

She already jumped off the horse and was now waiting patiently for brothers to finish their argue. Prince Roan was complete opposite of prince Ranel, but also attractive in a way. They were both tall. Roan, however, had pitch black hair, completely straight, with sideburns that looked good on his handsome face. His tan was a bit darker then his brothers, eyes dark brown, gaze deterrent and posture arrogant. She wasn't happy that she will be getting tour from him.

Ranel was finally done with giving orders about his horse and finished talking to his brother. He pulled her under the shade of the Peach tree and looked at her seriously. Her usually cold hands were burning under his touch. Her heart skipped a bit when he started talking.

- "Be careful with my brother. Don't talk much to him, don't trust him. He can be very charming with girls, but he is like that only until he gets what he wanted. Don't let him seduce you. " his face was completely serious.

- "Are you jealous, prince? " she teased him with a small smile.

- "I am being serious Leana. " he called her by her name! "Be careful what you do or say around him. "

She nodded, confused. Slowly, they let go of each other. She turned around to face his brother.

- "My lady..." prince Roan said with a fancy bow.

- "Anael... " she turned around to face "her" prince again. " Call me Ranel. " he said and turned around walking to the palace. She smiled while watching him go.
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Roan has spent much of his childhood being misunderstood. He was 5 when queen Leana died. His first memory wasn't one of his father, founding him in a pile of rubble as a abandoned 2 year old. He was told that story when he was young. But his first memory was the one of queen Leana. Her golden hair, arms spreading ready to give him a hug and smile that made him stop crying and forget all the sorrow he felt in the past. He never remembered his earliest childhood or how he ended up where the king found him. He had no idea who he was but he remembered the queen that was his mother from the moment she took him into her arms. He remembered how she always treated him the same as her real son, Ranel.

As he was walking slowly towards the gate, he recalled the day he found out about her death. He saw his father going insane and he heard him swearing how he'll avenge her death. That day, even though he was only 5, he also swore secretly his fathers oath. He will be ruthless and he will know no mercy until whoever brought death to his mother is sent to hell. He came back from his thoughts as he heard his brothers voice. He stopped in wonder as he was looking at the girl that was standing behind his brother. The most beautiful girl he has ever seen. With hair almost white, transparent tan, full pink lips. She reminded him of the queen in a way.

He heard his brother giving out orders and decided to step in. It didn't take him long to get rid of Ranel. He was longing to know more about this girl. She didn't object when he offered her his hand. Though he sensed that she did it unwillingly. He decided to have her.

- "So I hear my brother rescued you from a burning village. How did that happen? "

- "I don't want to talk about it. Prince was very kind to me. I'm happy he gave me an opportunity to work in the palace. "

- "Of course, it's an honor to serve the king... " He said with a sarcastic smile on his face. She wasn't smiling. She just kept looking ahead. She also let go of his hand and was walking straight forward, trying to avoid eye contact.

- " Are we near the servant quarters? I need to wash. We had a long ride. " She asked without looking at him.

- "Certainly, I will tell you if you promise that you'll give me a chance to show you the palace later. " He jumped in front of her with a charming smile, making her stand in place. She was looking at him with those piercing blue eyes. Shivers ran down his spine but he kept his arrogant expression. He never before felt rejected from any girl. She gave him a cold smile and responded through her teeth clenched:

- "I am not your puppet. I don't need any tour. Now show me the way to the servant quarters or I will scream. "

- "Do you really think that anyone will run to the rescue of a simple servant? " He said through laughter.

- "Guards!! Help me!! " She started, yelling and calling for help.

Roan hastily put his hand over her mouth, preventing her from further yelling. He was in shock when she bit his hand, and stood on his food with all the strength she had. He had to admit that he never expected that from a girl. She was skilled, but he was taller and stronger and years of training and good reflexes led to him holding her strongly in his arms not letting her leave.

- "Let me go. " She suddenly said, calming herself.

- "So this is how you want to play? " He turned her towards him. " You will do as I say or I will make your life here a living hell. Mark my words. "

- "You think your words scare me? Ranel..."

- "Ha ha! Ranel?!? So now you call him by his first name?? I should've known. Well, he should've told me that he finally got a hooker. " As he finished his sentence, she slapped him hard over his face. Instinctively, he hit her as well. She fell down on the ground. Suddenly his vision got blurry. He shook his head and looked at her eyes. She was holding cheek. Some blood was pouring from the corner of her lip and going down her neck. Her eyes were icy cold blue, radiating hate. He couldn't understand why he did what he did. That girl was driving him crazy.

- "I'm sorry. " he whispered. He watched her stand up and pick up her bag. He didn't take his eyes of hers as she was slowly going backwards, further and further. At one point she just turned around and left him standing in the garden, all alone...