The Lord's Weakness

"Third Chief Hugo's son is here." The servant kneeled to deliver the announcement. Her white gown overflowed by her sides.

"Send him away." Fourth princess Kassy didn't turn around to meet the gaze of her faithful servant. She only raised her ornamented fingers in the air.

"But fourth princess, I don't have the power to do that." The servant bowed her head.

That caught Kassy's attention. She turned around from her reflection in the mirror. "Can't you see I'm busy?" She was busy indeed…getting dressed for Achu.

Achu was from the world of water and their relationship was forbidden for so many reasons. One, Kassy was royal, and royalty did not mix with commoners. Two, Achu was from the rival world. Kassy was from the world of fire.

Achu sat on the princess' royal bed. It was made from the most expensive roses sewn together and transformed by the most professional fabric handlers in the world of fire.

Kassy wanted to show this lowly servant how busy she was and began to slip out of her clothes. Her gown was made from the finest silk and scented with the sweetest flowers in the garden. The hem had real gold taped to it and shone gloriously.

The servant dared not raise her head. Kassy strode towards her, the white beads around her waist making a patterned noise. Her hips were the widest in the kingdom, yet she was so slender.

A lot of people referred to her as a goddess. Rumor had it that when she was young, the king had bathed her with water from Vi stream, the ones where spirits and gods wined and dined.

Kassy bent down on one knee before her servant. She lifted her servant’s chin with her index and thumb fingers. "Look at your princess when she talks to you."

The poor servant had no choice but to look up at her naked princess. Who was she to go against her wish?

Kassy's lips drew into a mocking smirk, and she stood. With one hand on her waist, she glided to the bed where a determined Achu sat.

She cupped her breasts and rubbed them against the face of her lover. "Do you see how busy I am now?"

"Fourth princess." The servant bowed her head again. "Sir Harry is your groom to be…" She had to remind her wayward princess.

"Ah!" Kassy groaned. She picked up the flower vase that always sat beside her bed and threw it at the wall, missing the servant's head by a needle's distance.

"Why do you even let her speak?" Achu contributed for the first time. “A lowly servant like herself who doesn't even have her fire powers!" He clicked his tongue. He had no shirt on, and his lower body was hidden from view by the huge blankets on the bed. The servant wondered if he was naked. He had to be.

Who was he to refer to her as lowly? He was from the world of water after all and lacked strength, just like everyone from that world.

"Out now! Tell father, I am no longer marrying that man!" He wouldn't be the first man rejected by the fourth princess. It was King Harvey's dream to see all his children married in his lifetime.

"But fourth princess!" The servant panicked, breathing in and out rapidly. "He will behead me!"

"Good for me." Kassy shrugged, clicked her tongue, and returned to her bed.

The servant stood, realizing that if she stayed it was only a matter of time before they had sex right in front of her.

Myan was the lowly servant.

Her heart raced as she returned to the courtyard. How was she supposed to tell the king?

The chief and his entire family had brought gifts to appease the royal family. What an embarrassment they would deal with now that she had rejected them. She didn't even try to meet them!

"The servant has returned…" the king's right-hand spokesman announced into his master's ear. The king was a thin man with a receding hairline, but if there was one thing he was known for, it was his beard hair: nine inches long and sometimes it was braided to keep it out of harm's way. He considered his beard hair dignified and refused to shave it off. Most people referred to him as the hair man, including the royal family.

"But I don't see the fourth princess anywhere." The king’s right-hand man gulped.

The king's round face dropped as he lifted his head to look at the small, unkempt woman approaching them. "Where is Kassy?" he inquired, already knowing her answer.

Myan shivered in fear and dropped to her knees instantly. "Your majesty!" She bowed her head, already in tears. "I tried to convince her to come with me, but she made up her mind," she informed the king, and everyone present in the open courtyard that was fenced in by tall bushes and ornamental trees.

A panicked gasp from the small crowd of royalty, and their entourages, filled the room. It was third chief Hugo's wife, Miranda. Myan watched from the corner of her eyes how the elegantly dressed woman fanned her face, but she didn't dare lift her head.

Her servants gather around to fan her with their various items.

"There's no need to panic." King Ron didn't sound as confident as he intended to. "Clearly, this servant is too low to command someone like Kassy. Ramon, go fetch the fourth princess." He waved the nearest royal guard off.

"Yes, your majesty." The tall, well-built guard bowed in acknowledgement.

"In fact, I'll come with you," the king proposed.

Myan gasped and stood up quickly. Her princess could be nasty, but she loved her so much. It would be trouble if the princess and Achu were caught, and if she was certain of anything, she was certain that he was grinding into her princess by now. "Wait!" she yelled without thinking.

A few gasps eluded the lips of the small crowd. They wondered how a low-class woman dared to speak when hadn’t been directly addressed.

"Your majesty, Ramon cannot go in there." Myan brought her voice down and lowered her head in her standing position.

"And why is that?" The king frowned. Myan looked up to see that his hand was transitioning to a bright red color. A warning that one wrong move could cause the fire from his fist to burn her to ashes.

"Because…Because…the princess is naked your majesty," Myan said. It wasn't exactly a lie.

The king's hand returned to its original pale tone. "Naked?"

"Yes, your majesty, naked." Myan gained confidence now that she knew he believed her. "I have to warn her in advance. Ramon should not see the fourth princess naked." She met the face of the guard that had stood still the whole time.

"You have a head start. Kassy must be here in five minutes." The king waved her off, "come on Ramon."

Myan understood at once that the king was suspicious, so she took to her heels, holding her gown up to avoid tripping on it, and made her way to her princess' room. A man as huge as Ramon only needed a few strides before he caught up with her, so she ran like she was chasing the wind.

She was out of breath by the time she got to the wooden door. She turned the metal knobs, but they didn't budge. It was locked from inside. She panted heavily and pounded on the door. Her princess had no dignity at all, she thought. Her moans were loud and even through the heavy door, Myan could hear them a little.

"Fuck! Achu…yes, there…" The fourth princess sounded like she was being beat up. Myan looked over her shoulder. The king and Ramon were just a stone’s throw away and it would only be a few minutes before they were at the door.

Myan intensified her pounding against the door, ignoring how it hurt her knuckles. "Fourth princess! Open up, please!" she cried.

"Shit!" Kassy groaned from inside.

The doors opened and Myan pushed the princess out of the way unconsciously. She dashed into the room and secured the bolt.

Achu was on the bed, staring at her like she was a mad woman.

"You little rascal! Do you want me dead? You literally pushed me against the wall," Kassy snapped at her, raising her fist to hit her across the face, but Myan had no time for that.

"Fourth princess, hurry. The king and Ramon are on their way to fetch you as per the king's order. There will be trouble if he finds Achu here. He could kill him!" Myan panicked, pushing a lock of her hair out of her face even though the resilient strands kept falling back in place.

"No, no, shit. Forget Ramon, my father will behead Achu." Kassy joined in the panic. "Quick, get me clothes I can wear," she ordered Myan. Achu had jumped to his feet when he heard the news.

Myan dashed towards Kassy's closet. She caught a quick glance of Achu, and her eyes went wide. No wonder her princess was crazy over him. This man's member was huge!

Kassy tried to force him under the bed, but it was impossible.

Myan selected the first outfit she saw in the closet: a red peacock-patterned floor length gown and headed back to Kassy. "You have got to be kidding me!" she growled when she noticed the partially naked couple sucking on each other's faces by the window.

They disconnected when someone knocked on the bedroom door. They were here.

Myan flinched and gasped in fear. "He's here!" she yelled in a whisper.

"Quick, get out." Kassy literally tossed Achu out of the room and through the window.

"Just a second!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, taking the gown from Myan, who had run to her side.

"Open this door, or I'll have it broken down!" the king called back and both women heard a foreign sound against the door. Ramon was trying to pull it down.

Kassy's shaky hand got her nowhere, so Myan hurried to pull her into the outfit.

In no time, Myan finished and sped back to the door, unlocking it.

"Sorry about the delay, father." Kassy bowed her head and Myan took the same action. From the look of things, Ramon had been trying to break the doors.

"I demanded your presence, yet you declined me." The king looked unhappy about her decision.

"I'm sorry, father." Kassy sounded like a completely different woman—polite and respectful—compared to the beast from earlier.

The king poked his head into the room as if he expected to find someone.

Myan and her princess shared a fearful look and both women sighed in relief as he turned around to leave.

They walked far behind both men and Kassy turned to whisper in Myan's ear, "That was close. Next time, warn me faster!"

Myan thought to herself, “Well, you're welcome.”

The king, Ramon, Kassy and Myan returned to the courtyard. The servants that had accompanied third chief Hugo's family bowed in acknowledgment at their entrance.

The king folded his hands behind him, the excess length of his long robe was trailing behind him. He took his position on the throne.

"The fourth princess is here,” Myan announced. Kassy sat on the red stool that was positioned beside the throne and crossed one leg over the other.

Myan stood behind her princess, keeping her head lowered.

"Bring the presents." The king's right-hand man ordered the servants of the third chief's family. The servants were dressed in a uniform green, denoting a special occasion.

Two men with drums around their waist began to create a melodious tune as the servants stepped forward.

"Where is Sir Harry?" Kassy spoke in a low voice, so only Myan could hear her.

"It's part of tradition. His majesty needs to accept these presents before it's official,” Myan educated her.

"Oh, in that case…" Kassy trailed off and stood to her feet, raising one hand with her flexed forearm. "Stop the ceremony."

She held her gown and went to stand in front of the king, oblivious to the look of confusion the people wore. "Father, I can't marry into this family." She shook her head and gave him one of her irresistible sad faces.

"Wh…why not?" The king was terrified. He pointed a hand in the direction of the panicking wife of the third chief. "The third chief is of a reputable family and…" Miranda looked as if she would pass out anytime soon.

"He is not my path." She stood firm on her point. "I'm sorry father." She turned around on her heels.

"Kassy, you will listen to me and…" The angered king stood to his feet and raised his voice, but she was already leaving.

"Your highness…" a servant from the third chief's household attempted to stop her but he was silenced by the ball of fire that left her clenched fists as she increased her pace with gritted teeth. The servant's head caught on fire and everyone else squealed in fear, repelling from the princess and moving out of her way.

"Fourth princess!" Myan gasped in fear and ran after her princess.

She caught up with her when they were far from the courtyard. Myan and Kassy tried to catch their breath, standing on the path that led to the Vi stream.

"Fourth princess are you okay?" Myan asked, panting hard, her hands on her knees as she tried to speak properly.

"Stay away!" Kassy ordered. She spread her palm in front of her and her flaming fingers seemed to intensify their heat.

"Your highness, please be calm." Myan shielded her face incase her princess chose to act otherwise.

Kassy watched her carefully, unable to catch her breath and relaxed. She put her fire out and folded her arms across her chest.

"Fourth princess, what was that about?" Myan wondered. By now, she had the energy to make a complete sentence.

Kassy turned her back to her and kept her head held high. "How do they expect me to marry that man?"

"Because it's tradition, my princess, King Ron Harvey needs to arrange a groom for you, you have to get married,” Myan sighed. She had explained this to Kassy too much, she didn't know what else to do.

"I'm not arguing about getting married." Kassy turned around to look at her. She took a few steps forward and placed her hands on Myan's shoulders. "I'm in love with Achu, I want to marry no one but my Achu!" She frowned.

"But fourth princess, the king will never allow you marry a man from the rival world,” Myan spoke the words in devastation.

Kassy watched as a blue bird flew over their head and perched on the nearest tree. She took her hands off Myan's shoulders and went towards the tree. "Why does it matter? His powers are water, mine is fire, but our love is one of a kind."

"I don't know what to say to that." Myan heaved a sigh. "But how long will you keep Achu a secret? He ran out naked today, things could be a lot worse than that."

"What happens between my Achu and I, is not your problem." Kassy reminded her.

"Yes, fourth princess." Myan bowed her head in acknowledgment. "Please let's head back to the palace now. The second queen must be worried about you, I'm sure she's heard the news by now."

Queen Alice was the second queen and Kassy's mother. She was the most elegant of all three queens and the king's favorite.

"I guess you're right. Come on." Kassy didn't look apologetic for the commotion she caused nor the embarrassment she caused the chief's family.

Together, they headed back to the palace, pretending like nothing had happened.

***

"You need to talk to your daughter!" The king was waving his hands around his head like a crazy man. It was the king's private room and he had called Alice and Kassy for a private discussion.

Myan stood outside, trying to make their words out. She was alone with the queen's personal servant. Like Myan, she had a bright white dress, a color that symbolized they were the personal servants of royalty. Other servants had to wear green. Myan considered herself lucky to have been chosen and she had been the fourth princess' servant since she was only ten, the fourth princess has been twelve at the time. Nine years later and she was still serving her princess.

"Your majesty, I have tried my best to, I have no idea what to do anymore!" Queen Alice buried her face between her palms. Her hair was dressed in ornaments of all kinds, multicolored and portraying the beauty of her huge bun.

Her purple gown was made of fine linen and was fitted from chest to waist, the remnant part was free on her.

"Kassy, what do you want?" The king asked his daughter in frustration.

"Father." Kassy stood to her feet, looking around the small room. It had six stools and five floor chairs, all made out of hardwood. There was a green rug with the face of a dragon on it. "Truth is, I do want to get married but I want to choose the man of my dreams. I don't want an arranged marriage."

"What?" The king and his second wife said at the same time, confused by their daughter's choice.

"Is this saying you already have someone in mind?" The king asked in amazement.

"Maybe father, but when the time comes, you will know about that. I just need to know that I have your full consent." Kassy stared at him with hopeful eyes. It was one step to get his approval and know that he gave her the go ahead to marry as she pleased.

"I don't know about this…" he turned to look at his wife for assistance.

"Your majesty, if it will get her married, then maybe it's not a bad idea." Alice didn't look happy saying the words. She was the only queen with four daughters and no sons. Her first three daughters were happily married and had been sent to various fire kingdoms to live in their princes' palaces. Her first daughter was a queen by now.

"Very well then. I'll give you the grace to select a man of your choice." The king sighed.

"Thank you so much, father!" She jumped to pull him into a hug, "this means everything!"

Alice smiled at the father and daughter moment. She took Kassy's hands in hers after she pulled away from the king. "Why don't we go on a walk so we can have a little talk?"

"Sounds pleasant to me." Kassy shrugged and waved her father off, "we will see you later."

With that, Alice and Kassy left the king's private room, meeting with their servants outside. The king on the other hand plunked into his seat and shook his head, "what am I supposed to do with these women?"

Outside, the queen stared at Kassy warily.

"What?" Kassy shrugged, she turned to look at Myan, "the queen and I are going on a walk, inform the royal guards."

"Yes princess." Myan bowed her head and hurried to do as she had been told.

"Is there someone you like?" Alice wondered as they took extremely slow strides towards the gates as they waited for Myan to return with a few royal guards to guide their way.

"Why? Does it seem like it?" Kassy rolled her eyes.

"Be careful dear, you know the rules, people of supremacy only." Alice reminded her. When there was no response, she added, "and limited to the world of fire."

"Does it have to be our kingdom?" Kassy tried to hide her surprise.

"I guess not. Your sisters are married to men from other kingdom so I'm guessing it's okay," she said.

"Alright." Kassy shrugged. Myan returned with three hefty men, dressed like Ramon.

She stood behind her princess and smiled at Beth, the queen's servant standing behind her queen. The guards took position behind the servants without speaking.

"Myan, may I have a word with you for a second?" Kassy looked over her shoulder, her face free from emotions.

"Yes, princess." Myan hurried forward. She and Kassy took a few long strides, so they were ahead of the crowd, ignoring the queen's suspicious look.

"So, father has given the chance to select a man of my choice." Kassy began. It took everything to refrain from squealing in joy.

"I know, I heard everything,” Myan said. That wiped the smile of Kassy's face.

"So, you were eavesdropping?" She gasped.

"You asked me to try my best to eavesdrop every time you converse to save you the grace of having to repeat it all,” Myan reminded her.

Kassy rolled her eyes, "whatever. Anyways, Achu is the man of my choice as you know." The excitement was back.

They were out of the palace gates by now. It was a few steps before they got to the main streets where the civilians inhabited.

"But that is forbidden. He's from the world of water, you can't make things work out." She shook her head.

"That is up to me. I'll pretend he's from here." Kassy spoke as if it was that easy.

"But what about his powers?" Myan wondered. "They want to what kingdom he is from? If he is royalty or related to one?"

"I'll pretend he is like you, and make sure that they believe he doesn't have his fire powers yet." Kassy said.

"Oh. Okay."

"Have you noticed how empty the streets are?" The queen broke their conversation. Kassy and Myan stopped walking so the queen could catch up. They looked around and confirmed that the streets were indeed void of people. The shops were closed and even the animals were out of sight.

"That's strange." Kassy put her hands on her waist.

"Is something going on today?" The queen turned to look at the guards with worry.

"I'm not sure my queen." The first guard responded. "Although I do have news that the lord has been visiting the kingdoms lately. These citizens have a local announcer that gives them this information."

"Oh goodness," the queen put her hand to her mouth. "Could this mean he is visiting our kingdom today?" She gulped.

"I'm not sure my queen," the second guard answered. "It's not impossible. The streets are empty after all."

"We better head back before it's too late. That man never announces his presence and expects us all to be out of his way while he makes it here." The panicked queen turned around on her heels, "quick, back to the palace."

Myan felt excited and disappointed at the same time. She had never seen this man before. The lord of the world of fire was the most supreme creature in the world. He ruled over the kings of all the kingdoms and was powerful than the lord of the world of water, making him the first citizen.

She had only heard tales of his strength, but she had never encountered him.

"I saw him once when I was a child, that man is a demon." Kassy shuddered, standing beside her mother while they all took fast steps. "I heard…"

"Stop walking at once." An echoing voice called from around them, altering their steps.

While they tried to move, their feet were stuck to the ground like glue.

"Ah!" Kassy shrieked, "Myan, get me out of here at once!" She tried failingly to take control of her feet and continue walking.

"I'm trying to, my princess." Myan tried to reach for her. "But I'm equally stuck.

They heard footsteps approaching them and the ground shook with every new step. It was like a thousand elephants threading on one path. How big was this man? Myan wondered.

"My lord!" The queen went on her knees and bowed her head against the floor, "spare us, we had no idea you would be here today,” she said.

There was no response until the loud steps ceased. "Turn around." The same voice commanded.

They found they could control their walking and they all turned in obedience.

Myan was taken aback by the sight of him. He looked like an ordinary man. How did his footsteps shake the ground then?

He was tall, above six feet, and his long, curly hair was jet black was glowing like there was too much oil on it, and at shoulder length. He had a faded brown tank top on, and his black pants made his appearance godly. His eyes were a deep brown, and his muscles were prominent.

"The royal family huh? I see." He nodded at them. His voice no longer had echoes, but it was deep and for one, didn't sound harsh. Myan was disappointed.

"It's okay. I was going out for a stroll and heard voices so I…" he trailed off and widened his eyes. "My goodness, who is this goddess?"

Myan's eyes went wide when he started approaching her. How could he refer to someone like her as a goddess?

She closed her eyes when he was only a few inches away. She reopened them to find him by Kassy's side. Oh.

"Me?" Kassy stared at him blankly.

"This is my fourth daughter, Kassy." The queen put her arms around Kassy's shoulder, a proud smile on her face.

"Ah," he sniffed her hair, "this one is beautiful. He held her waist and drew her closer to him so her back was against his chest.

"What are you doing?!" Kassy gasped, trying to move away from him. She could feel his member against her back. That was how close they were.

"Let go of me!" Kassy snapped, disregarding his power.

Myan looked afraid and so did the queen.

The lord chuckled at her and ran his fingers down the nape of her neck. She moaned in that instant, closing her eyes and craving his touch immediately.

He pulled away from her and turned to the queen. "I like this one. I will be here tomorrow to see the king, tell him his daughter is getting married,” he said to the queen.

The queen widened her eyes but before she could argue, he was walking away from them.

"My lord!" The queen cried after him, but he was done

"No, no, no, no!" Kassy yanked at her hair, "I'm doomed, my life is ruined,” she wailed.

Myan tried to comfort her princess, not understanding what the fuss was all about. She could easily say no, couldn't she? "Don't cry fourth princess, you can just tell him you aren't getting married to him, like you always have."

Kassy slapped Myan across the face in anger. The poor servant held her cheeks in pain. "My princess."

"Don't you get it, no one says no to the lord!" He gets what he wants." Kassy fell to the floor and cried in her loudest voice.