//------------------------------// // Chapter Nineteen // Story: Forbidden Love // by KingSombraTheTyrantRuler //------------------------------// Forbidden Love Chapter Nineteen As the time drew near for the moon to be risen into the sky, the Lunar Princess began to stir from her slumber, and stretched. Upon reaching the world of the awake once again, she attempted to get up but as soon as she had tried, she froze because she felt arms wrapped around her body. Turning her head slowly, she let loose a sigh of relief as she saw that it was none other than the King of the Crystal Empire who held her. He was deep asleep, and for some reason she could not tear her eyes from his face, even though she knew that she should be at the balcony, raising the moon. It was interesting to see him sleep, for the always formal King was now fully relaxed for once, and it was his expression of peace and contentment which drew her attention. He began to shift slightly, and despite her best attempts to resume her former position -perhaps to prevent him from waking, for she felt not like disturbing him just yet- he awoke, his green eyes meeting hers, and his lips forming a smile. "It's a pleasant sight to wake up next to you- for your face to be the first one to enter my sight," he said. Luna blushed at this, and awkwardly smiled, not sure of what to do. "I wish you a good evening as well." He sat up and magically drew back a portion of the curtain and glanced out of the window, which revealed that the sun was almost done setting. "Will you grant me the pleasure of watching you raise the moon?" he inquired. "Why, you flatter me, and make the task of raising the moon sound like such a rare sight. Of course you may watch me - there is no need for you to ask permission." "Indeed I may make it sound like a rare sight, but that is only because I have hardly been with you while you raise it." Luna glanced towards the window to see that it was completely black outside. "J’y crois pas! " she exclaimed upon doing so. "What's happened?" "The sun has long since finished setting! I must raise the moon immediately!" she gasped, rushing off the bed and out of the chamber. Sombra could not help but chuckle as he rushed after the Princess. Seriously, why do I find her so cute when she acts like that? "I wonder where Shadowlance is," says Luna as she eats her breakfast. "That is also something of my concern," responds the King. "Though, I think he mentioned he would return tonight. ...Do you suppose that all the news about a legendary fortune teller is caused by him?" "It would not be something I would doubt- Shadowlance has often fantasised about being a fortune teller because he said it was to him, most amusing a job. He finds it rather interesting… " No sooner than she had said that did a guard enter the room after seeking permission, and bowing, said, "Your Majesty, the legendary fortune teller of the Crystal Empire seeks an audience with you. " "The legendary fortune teller? What does he look like?" " He bears a cloak leading to the floor and a hood which covers his entire face, so I was unable to see his features. " "And yet you still allowed him in…?" " Your Highness, I was just about to mention that I had him reveal his face, but he lifted his hood only for a second, and while I managed to make out his dark coloured hair, it was too short for me to recall if I had previously seen him anywhere, and his facial features were still indistinguishable. " "...Tell him to wait - we shall be with him in a second. " The guard left, and the King stood up, with Luna mirroring his actions. "I suppose we were done with breakfast anyway... Come Luna, let's see this fortune teller... " Upon entering the throne room which was where this unknown person awaited, the duo perceived a figure who bore around him a mysterious air, and not a part of his body was to be seen. Or that was at least the situation until he noticed them and stood up, offering his gloved hand to the King, which he shook. "It is a pleasure to meet you, King Sombra, whom I have definitely not had the ability to see before, and you too, Princess Luna," he spoke with an exaggerated Italian accent, which did the opposite of convincing them of his origins due to how forced the words sounded. "Excuse me for being so forward, but I fancy I have heard your voice before?" the Princess said with a slight tinge of confusion in her voice. "Madame, perhaps you have confused me with someone else, for I have not seen you before." The King stepped forward. "Now that has been cleared up, perhaps you would like to reveal the purpose of your visit? " "Well, as for the past few days, talk of my ability to perfectly predict the future of anyone has spread, I thought of honouring your Majesties with a visit." "Truly we are honoured to receive you…" "I feel as though Your Majesty is confused. As I am a fortune teller who is actually able to predict what shall occur to anyone at any time in the future, I shall be more than happy to predict for you." "Then the title of fortune teller would be misleading, would it not? You are a predictor. A seer." "I suppose you are not incorrect," he said. "Do I have the permission to reveal my skills? And if so, for whom should I predict?" Sombra exchanged a glance with Luna. She nodded, and he said, "The Princess wishes for you to predict her future." The fortune teller took a bag off his back and opened it. From it he took a crystal ball and set it upon a stand on the table and knelt before it. He motioned for the Princess to kneel opposite it, and she did so. He had barely closed his eyes before the King stopped him. "Might I be able to at least see your face before you begin?" "Indeed," he said and lifted the hood, revealing dark brown hair, eyes with grey irises, and a face with light brown skin. "You remind me of a friend of mine," said the Princess . "Shall I begin?" he asked, dropping his hood. The King nodded his assent, turning the lights off, and the other closed his eyes, taking Luna's hands in one of his, while the other rested upon the crystal ball which began to glow as he cast magic. He opened his eyes and observed the dark shadows and figures which twisted and turned within the ball, and a figure of a girl which seemed to be consumed by the shadows. He immediately stopped the spell and the lights turned back on. "What happened?" His voice was slightly shaky. "Y-your Majesty...Are you sure you wish for me to tell you her future?" "Are you not here for that purpose?" "Ah… What if it were to be...unfortunate? " Once again, Sombra glanced at Luna, and like before, she nodded. "Reveal it." "For this young lady awaits a future filled with misery, and one from her past shall return to her life, and they shall be the cause of the misery. " " Are you sure? " half whispered the bearer of this fate. "You have not made a mistake in your interpretations?" "...Le porgo le mie più sentite condoglianze, but I can only predict the future, not control it." " ...You have permission to leave, unless you bear with me any other business, " said Sombra. "As your Majesty wishes," he said, and taking his things, left.