"Black is taboo. It is ever so present in the eyes and hair of demons."

♣

Chapter Twenty-Two ♣ Seraphina's Summoning

"Lady Seraphina has arrived," the guard announced and the doors broke open.

Seraphina walked into the room, taking long and confident strides.

"And finally, she arrives." Lord Rupert of Arlandia leaned back on his seat, his emerald green eyes darting towards the door as the woman arrived. "Join us, Lady Seraphina." He gestured towards an open seat that faced the round table.

She did as he asked and took her seat.

The aristocrats were gathered, but she did not see Lord Aeron anywhere—which was very unusual. A man of his stature should attend these meetings as it was his right and duty.

"Now, can we start?" asked the ever impatient lord of Larkovia, Lord Lovis. "I still have matters I must attend to."

"Yes," the king answered, nodding. "I wouldn't want to keep you."

Before everything else, Seraphina decided to speak up. "I'm currently suspended so works regarding that of a Celeste is something that I cannot do."

"Yes, we know that you are suspended." Lord Dillian of Denovegasia gave her an understanding nod. "We're all quite aware but we want to hear straight from you what instigated you to act the way you did."

The woman sighed. "It all started with the mission.," Seraphina started, and the king nodded in response. "During that assignment, I was seen by a human."

Someone gasped. "A human."

They all turned to see Lord Leiland.

"Ah, yes . . . that girl who defeated my daughter and took her place as fifth-ranker. Courtney has been grumbling in frustration within her room nonstop about it."

"Well, we have heard of this from Lord Aeron. She has the uncanny ability to see the demons, correct?" Lord Rupert massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Yes."

"From what I heard, you tried to help her by hiding her existence from the court." The king added.

"That's right, Your Majesty," Seraphina admitted.

"Why?" three of them chorused.

"I . . . I'm still figuring out the answer to that."

"I see." The king sighed. "We will not further question you regarding this matter, but hear us out." He paused. "I'm sure everyone will agree to remove the suspension if you're willing to perform a task."

"Claude told me that this is something that involves the crown prince?" Seraphina looked between the aristocrats gathered within the room.

"Yes."

"How so, sire?"

King Laedin breathed heavily and his eyes reflected that of a weakening fire. "Bertram's condition is not very well . . ." he trailed off. "Until recently . . ."

Seeing as he could no longer continue, Lord Rupert took the liberty of telling the news. He was always the straightforward one, never beating around the bush.

"We believe he's turning into a demon," he bluntly stated, causing the room to be filled with silence.

It took Seraphina a few moments to fully realize what he said. "What?"

"It's exactly what it sounds like."

"I'll be showing you Bertram's condition myself some other time, but we need to lay down a solution as soon as possible," the king told her.

"How is the prince?"

"Prince Bertram reportedly experienced chest pain a few days prior to the appearance of black streaks on both his hair and eyes," Lord Lovis said. "Aside from that, there was nothing else."

Seraphina bit back the words that threatened to go past her lips.

"We all know that the appearance of this color is intolerable—especially for a member of the royal family."

The woman nodded numbly, still processing the information given to her.

It was unheard of for royalty to turn into a demon since they were the esteemed descendants of the First King. He might have not been the True Heir, but a lot of people approved of the prince becoming the next ruler. If things were to change, they would not be able to avoid being questioned. And if people were to find out . . . things would definitely turn chaotic.

They might take this incident as . . . history repeats itself.

"It would've been easier to replace him with a new heir but fact is, we already declared his ascension to the throne. Should we take that back, suspicions will rise."

The King of Valemnia was the symbol of unity—the figurehead—for the entire world. Though he did not possess the absolute control and power within the government, if something were to happen to his successor, trouble was sure to ensue.

"He is not the True Heir, anyway," someone straightforwardly committed, making the king feel a pang of regret and pain inside his chest. "A king regent will be appropriate until the True Heir is found. Although I admit that Prince Bertram was a worthy candidate, if he is unable to do so, then my son will be more than appropriate to step in."

Eyes shot him a pointed look.

"We all know that your son, Lord Corvan, is indeed a worthy ruler, however, this is not the time to be making such recommendations, is it not, Lord Rupert?" Lord Lovis gave him a challenging stare. "But if that's how it is, I am quite sure that my son, Charles, will be a better candidate."

"Your son?" Rupert huffed. "Your son is a mere fourth within the circle while mine ranks first. Do you think he is, in anyway, comparable to my heir? Corvan obtained this position before he stepped on his second year. Charles took more than six years to become the fourth."

"Rupert, you scoundrel! Just so you know, my daughter is al—"

"You two," a woman interjected. It was the Lady of Aetheria, Lerda, the woman who was currently representing her own continent in lieu of her late husband. "Do you not think it is very unbecoming of you two to fight for something that isn't even meant to be fought over for? We have yet to see if Prince Bertram truly is incapable of handling the position. It is cruel—almost comparable to asking to inherit something from someone who is not yet even dead."

She had been quiet for the most part, but it was evident to Seraphina that she spoke at times she thought she needed to.

"Now then, to end all this nonsense, I will speak for everyone altogether," Lerda firmly said, the lines around her mouth taut. "Will you help us, Seraphina? It will be a very challenging job, but you are the only trustworthy Celeste that came to mind."

Seraphina thought about it for a moment. "Do you have any idea behind the cause of all this?"

"No. Not at all."

"There's not much time left before Bertram's thirty-sixth birthday." He shook his head. "Otherwise, if not, we'll have to end up with an alternative."

At the word alternative, some of the aristocrats perked up.

"About two or three months from now, Lady Seraphina," said the king. "That will be the deadline you'll have to meet. Should you ever fail, a Candidate Selection will take place."

Seraphina gazed at him. "I'll see what I can do. I will put in my best foot forward, but, in return, you must promise me something."

"I'll do whatever I can to aid you. I'm sure that goes for all those present here as well."

"Firstly, I do not want you to remove my suspension," she started. "This matter is not related to my accepting of your request. Second, I'll do this whilst serving as a teacher within the academy. That way, I can make everyone think I turned down your request and remain inconspicuous while I investigate. This will be for the best."

"That is completely alright with me." Laedin cleared his throat. "Celeste Seraphina is given until about a day to a week or so before Bertram's thirty-sixth birthday. Should she fail, a Candidate Selection will take place to determine the king or queen regent who shall become the ruler until the True Heir takes his rightful place. Any objections?"

When no onecomplained, the king pushed back his chair and stood. "Meeting adjourned."