Chapter 7 INCIDENT AT THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY.

CHAPTER 7: INCIDENT AT THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY.

RAIKA'S POV.

Standing close to Percy, we waltzed to a soft ballad that the band played. It was so beautifully played that I'd have rather sat and listened to it, but I was obligated to do otherwise.

I was impressed at how good Percy had gotten since the last time I ever witnessed him dancing, but it wasn't with me, though. It was with that cheeky, self-absorbed Megan.

I was glad she and the other kids of the Barons weren't here. But there was escaping her as long as we were all expected to resume training at the academy the next day. What a grueling task it would be to deal with her crap. But what the hell.

As we danced, speaking no words to each other, I caught sight of a couple of unfriendly faces I recognized. I couldn't help but stare anytime I had the opportunity to, as I waltzed, furrowing my brow.

"Is everything okay?" Percy asked.

"Yeah. Everything is okay," I replied, cracking a mild smile, trying to hide my concern. It felt like it took forever for the dance to end when, technically, it ended in less than a minute after I spotted those individuals. I was greatly relieved when the music ended, ending the dance.

I genuflected while Percy bowed, as courtesy demanded. Everyone clapped, and I walked back to my seat, praying that nothing ensued before I got there.

"You were graceful as always," my father leaned toward me and said.

"Thank you, Father," I smiled, acknowledging. "I want you to be normal as I say this. The palace has been infiltrated. There's going to be an attack."

"What? Who?" Father asked, looking around hysterically as he got alerted.

Gritting my teeth, I said, "Act normal." Seeing that he regained composure, I continued.

"The server to the left beside Archibald with a scar and a stern look, and the other two to our right doing nothing, but holding their trays? I recognize them from the fighting pit. And I am quite sure they are not employees of the Palm Shade that Keefe hired."

My father clenched his fists but maintained a calm look.

"I know that look. What's going on, Dear?" Mother asked, looking in our direction. Of course, we both knew the look she was referring to. Father was communicating telepathically to the Sovereign guards. I'm sure he alerted the Barons as well.

I kept a keen look at the three men. I saw the one with the scar subtly giving a signal with a nod, then they all began advancing toward us.

"Brace yourself, Mother," I alerted.

The men launched an attack on us as they suddenly dropped the trays they carried, telekinetically shooting sharp darts which they hid underneath the sleeves of the shirts they wore.

I'm quite sure the darts were laced with poison.

A blue forcefield shield instantaneously came up, warding off what they fired. The others among the crowd also began attacking the guests. A ruckus erupted as the guests panicked.

The trio shot more darts and held them in place telekinetically, trying to force them to break through the shield. The wicked faces they carried showed how desperate they were to want to hurt us by all means.

Suddenly, I saw that the men's wrists were forced together, interfering with their attack. They were restrained by magnetic cuffs. The cuffs also had a neutralizing effect on the abilities of the Gifted. Thus, the men were incapacitated.

Jolts of electricity were fired at the men, knocking them to the ground as they flew a few meters away. Looking to the left, I saw the Captain of the Sovereign's guard, Captain Garrick, walking toward the assailants, accompanied by his men, wearing a furious expression.

The other attackers were also either subdued or killed as reinforcements arrived. Captain Garrick ordered his men, and they grabbed the three men and brought them before us, kneeling them before us.

Father stood up and walked forward as the shield was taken down. Mother got up and walked to me.

"Are you alright?" she asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"I am," I smiled, looking up at her. She smiled back, nodding.

"Who are you? How dare you disrupt this occasion and attack your rulers?" Father asked.

Scarface chuckled derogatorily, glaring at my father. "You hide behind your fortified walls, enjoying the sweat and blood of the common folk, while the sectors of the continents are in shambles, ravaged by constant attacks of either raiders or your men, and you expect us to sit still, and not retaliate?"

"You may kill us, but at least we'll die with dignity, knowing that we took a stand against injustice," the other assailant said, then he spat on the ground, as did the rest.

Looking at them, I saw pain in their eyes. A lot of folks down at the Creeks carried that look. I honestly felt pity for him, but there was nothing I could do. For attempting to kill the Sovereign, they committed treason, and it carried a capital punishment.

"Take them away. They shall be executed on the morrow," Father instructed. The Sovereign's guards dragged them away, taking them to the holding cells at the palace.

"Looks like your rebellion saved us tonight," Father said, turning toward me.

"It did," I smiled.

I knew it was hard for him to admit.

"So, do you still have anything against me going to the Creeks and mingling with the locals?"

"As much as you're tonight's hero, it still hasn't changed my stance about your being there. The risk is too great. You're the future of the sovereignty," Father argued, just as I had expected.

I just smiled, not objecting him.

"I know this is all falling on deaf ears," he said, scoffing as he walked toward the Barons who were talking with their retinue, assessing the damages, probably.

"Your father is right, you know. The Creeks is a dangerous place for a girl like you. But it seems you're drawn to danger," Mother said, chuckling. I chuckled softly as well.

"I need not worry like the other Barons are worried about their wards, as you all will be resuming training at the Founders Academy tomorrow. I know you'll thrive."

"I got my resilience from the best," I said, referring to my mother. She smiled and hugged me.

As we embraced each other, I noticed that a server was walking toward Father, behind him as he talked with the Barons. I gasped with wide eyes as she pulled out a knife and was about to stab Father in the neck.

"No!" I screamed, stretching my hand instinctively.