Chapter 223: Blue Moon

The sun glares down upon the thick cobblestone walls, leaving stark, vivid shadows contrasting with the blinding bright reflections. The spiked shadows of the portcullis loom like the twisted teeth of some fell beast. Horse nickers in the stables, and the air suddenly acquires a musty, damp smell, the smell of sweat and heat. A grinding, gravelly road runs straight ahead through a market into a towering stone keep. Tantalising smells waft from the marketplace where colourful stalls selling everything imaginable sit in a confused muddle, a group of baby birds within their nest, the walls of the castle. The noise from the market comes in a sea of sound, starting slowly and building up before crashing down. Enticing scents waft between the stalls, masking the unsavoury smell of sweat and spice. Rising above the bustle below like four eagles rising on an updraft, four towers stand stark against the sunlit sky giving a sense of power and control. Four flags fly high, their crimson contrasting with the blue sky. Through the heavy oak doors of the imposing keep, there is a large chamber filled with rows of guards with armour and colours so flamboyant they almost distract your attention from the piles upon piles of glittering, golden treasure clustered around. The room smells of gold, the hard odour plating your tongue. The light from the teardrop-shaped windows reflects off the treasure at all angles, filling the room with warm, golden, glowing, glimmering light. Coins fall in waterfalls of gold, frozen at the moment. Necklaces swirl through the piles like gold plated snakes, gems like flowers add colour among golden hills. Ceremonial swords and armour poke out of the piles occasionally, protruding at odd angles. Finally at the end of the hall, upon a squared, padded, high-backed throne, robes glistening, rings glittering, crown gleaming, there sat a king.

"Severus?" Someone whispered

--

At the wee hours in a huge castle.

Inside a luxurious chamber, a man was leisurely sitting on a throne, caressing a grey Chesire cat. Long fluffy tail, fur as soft as silk, and appearance as deceptive as its master.

Although it looks slouchy, a fat cat with a lazy expression, but behind that facade, was a leopard as fast as lightning that roared like thunder in a storm. A monster, a ferocious leopard he was, but apparently, he was as docile as a cat sleeping in his master's lap.

The man had a lazy and bored expression, with his face resting on his fist and another one caressing the cat with half sleepy eyes, but this laziness only added another charm to his alluring handsome face.

He was a real beauty with a pinch of feminine features. Sharp midnight eyes, chiseled nose, thin rose-colored lips, and skin as fair as a white lotus in midnight.

If he would have been a female, the masses would have revered him as a goddess, an alluring enchantress.

Long legs, sturdy thighs, and a hard chest were some of his manly features. He was sitting on his throne contemplating something and making various expressions on his face, with an ominous atmosphere and dimly lit surroundings inside the chamber.

It was a lonesome palace.

Suddenly out of nowhere a white orb came flying and transformed into an old but sturdy man with a long beard.

"Aye! Aye! Old man. Long time no see. How's Miss Cynthia? Do not tell me you are here because of her? I am weary of her foolish antics. All-day thinking about my master. For god's sake Morsee, she has an academy to take care of but there she is, whining like a little girl."

"Greetings Chesire. Greetings Lord Arthur.", the old man greeted with a bow.

"What brings you here Morse? Don't tell me what Chesire said is right."

"Well, milord, the purpose of me coming here is not Miss Cynthia, not this time at least. It is about a blue moon."

Silence....

Complete silence engulfed the room….

After a brief pause, the lord stood up from his throne and started walking towards the exit of the castle.

"Sigh... Morsee. Why do you have to be like this? Always coming with some gloomy news. Can't you bring some cheerful news?" Chesire tiredly said.

"Sorry, Chesire but what can I do? Everything around the master is gloomy."

"You dare to say it again Morsee. I think you are tired of living", the grey cat spoke leisurely but the glint in his eyes betrayed him.

"I am sorry Chesire" He apologized in panic and continued all the way till the three of them reached near a beautiful garden surrounded by blue roses and an enormous fountain present at the center enhancing its beauty.

Suddenly the quiet master spoke in a hoarse voice "Chesire. She would be happy there. Won't she?"

"Yes, master, she would be very happy above there and will surely want you to be happy too." The cat spoke earnestly.

Arthur chuckled, "You know Chesire, I am void of all these human emotions. Whatever I am feeling is just filial piety nothing more."

"Huh! oh! whatever you say", Chesire spoke while pouting.

"Aren't you funny for a beast?".

Arthur stifles his laugh while Chesire throws his tantrums whining and pouting.

"Let's end this. I am feeling sleepy now".Chesire said

The lord started chanting a spell. A blue pendant emerged out of nowhere in his hand. While staring at it he stroked it and threw it in the air. The pendant radiated a bright light in the dark sky absorbing the blue moon's light after some time it glowed brightly and vanished.

All of them were silent. Out of nowhere a peal of light laughter was heard. All three of them scrunched their eyebrows. The sounds of laughter took a shape and a beautiful fairy appeared before them.

"Greetings to the handsome wizard ", greeted the lady.

"Hmph!! You always forget to greet me Rosy. I am hurt." The cat whined.

"So be it Chesire. Who even wants to greet you." The little fairy said smugly.

"Don't say things like this Rosy. You are breaking my heart."

The Duo started bickering making the wizard feel bored.

"Chesire", a cool voice of the wizard resounded and the cat abruptly stopped his running mouth.

"Well, what brings the lord here?" Rosy asked.

"I want blue moon's blessings Rosy", he replied.

"Sigh! Can I ask Lord for what reasons he seeks the blue moon's blessings? It is not like it is the first time the blue moon is appearing. You never asked for it before and with your power what is there in this world that you can't have? So why seek blessings?".

A faint smile spread on the lord's face making Rosy breathing unstable for a moment.

"For once I don't want to know everything, I don't want destiny to be foreseen and have an adventure", the lord finally said his words.

Everyone around him gasped.

Who in the world does not want what their lord had? He was one of the strongest wizards who was handsome and had extreme wealth. On top of that the power to see destiny. Nobody exactly knows nor they have any idea about his full powers. They all know only one thing that this man is not someone to be trifled with. It was better to die than to cross his way.

"Well, if this is what you want then so be it".

"I, Rosy, the ninth princess of moon bestows upon you the Blue moon's blessing. I grant you the midnight blessings" She picked up her wand and waved it in the air.

A silver bracelet appeared before her. She quietly handed it to the wizard.

"What!! A bracelet. Rosy are you kidding my master? What kind of treasure does he not have? What kind of bracelet he hasn't seen still here you are giving him a filthy bracelet"

"Although it's shiny but it has a feminine touch to it. What will my master do with it? It is not like he is going to wear it. Are you mocking my master? huh .... your lunar kingdom will pay for this mockery. You sure have some guts Rosy", Chesire roared.

"Oh, shut up kitty. Have you forgotten what your master asked me and it's definitely not my fault that a bracelet appeared You know how midnight blessings work. It only bestows upon those who are worthy and the blessings take shape according to the beholder of blessing. It is said to be connected to their destiny and for what reasons the bracelet appeared it is only known to the blue moon. Neither me nor anyone else is aware", Rosy explained with annoyance.

Chesire panicked and spoke in a worried tone "No way, if it's about destiny then master surely knows about it."

And after this, all eyes shifted to the lord.