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I open the door ever so slightly to the sight of Yiosha. She is a young zagfer who serves my family. Her dark skin is almost as black as her eyes. The sight of her has startled me on more than one occasion.
She’s never been a direct problem and is always courteous and respectful, but that doesn’t exclude her from the resentment I have towards the people in this house. Perhaps it’s the way she is a puppet for my parents, practically living to obey their every whim.
“Valkus, I thought I heard you in here,” she greets with a warm smile. “What are you doing in the guest room? I came to retrieve you at your quarters for mealtime, but you were absent.”
“I’m just getting ready.”
“Your parents are expecting you.”
“I know that,” I tell her impatiently. “Let them know I’ll be down in a matter of moments.”
Her pupils move to look behind me. She’s nosy and has no problem prodding into my business on behalf of my parents, another trait of hers that gets on my nerves.
“I thought I heard a woman’s voice in here.”
“Who is that?” snaps Yiosha with widened eyes when she sees the shadow behind the divider.
“I will see you at the table,” I hiss, shutting the door in her face.
I’m sick of that fucking slave.
Sighing, I turn around to see Althia step out from behind the divider, donning the dress I chose for her. The sight of her is whimsical, and for a moment, I lose strength in my knees in an effort to behold her beauty.
I become tempted to make a move and take her there and then. I would happily skip brunch as I’m far hungrier for something else.
The things I would do to you right now…
“Do I look okay?” asks Althia shyly.
“Marvelous,” I assure. “Come then, it’s time we meet my parents.”
Luckily, Yiosha isn’t waiting right outside for us as we leave the guest room. Nexus walks a few meters up ahead as if surveilling the whereabouts for us.
Althea's hand is wrapped around the inner bend of my arm. Through it, I can feel a slight tremor, a surefire sign of her anxiety. I wish I could tell her that my parents are nothing to worry about, but that would be a lie.
“Let me handle the talking,” I tell her. “My parents are admittedly quite the handful and might be a little overwhelming upon introduction.”
“Great.” She sighs.
“Just do as I say and all will be fine, I promise.”
We descend a glamorous stairwell that stretches wide enough for six people, narrowing as we reach the bottommost stop. I guide Althia into the dining room.
It is more like a ballroom hall, stretching far enough to host a small crowd. A long table runs from one end to the other, where my parents are sitting. Peppered evenly along the surface are candelabras, unlit at this time of the morning.
Hanging overhead from the center of the ceiling is a chandelier. Small statuettes of words sit atop it, peering down at the table as if spying on diners. Sconces sit on opposite walls parallel to each other, and in between them are paintings of various royal figures, most of which are my own work.
My parents don’t look up as I enter the dining room. It angers me that they lack the respect to greet their son, yet they demand we chase the validation of those outside our family.
I announce my arrival with a booming voice as I approach, startling them. They snap their gazes up in surprise, then their eyes immediately widen at the sight of Althia, who steps forward.
“Mother, Father, this is my mate-to-be. Her name is Althia Sinclair,” I say proudly.
I stand there with my chin raised high, my ears ready for a barrage of praises for bringing home a mate. When silence follows, I peer down at my parents who look at Althia in disgust, causing her to retreat to my side.
“When did the human get here?” hisses Meriana.
“We came back last night.”
