A Royal Obligation
Chapter 65: The Meeting

Chapter 65: The Meeting

Amarok’s was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Valeidio palace, its marble pillars stretched high into the sky, its walls gleamed with a pristine whiteness that spoke of power and wealth. He had never seen anything so magnificent in his life.

The world of royalty was a far cry from the humble cottage he had left behind, and now, he was about to enter it, not as a guest but as a servant.

The head eunuch, his uncle, stood beside him, his posture as straight as a rod, his expression calm and composed. Amarok admired his uncle’s steady demeanor, wishing he could summon even a fraction of that calm for himself. But instead, his palms were damp with sweat, his throat dry with nerves. This was his chance, his new beginning, and he was determined not to fail.

"Amarok," his uncle’s voice broke through his thoughts, gentle but firm. "Remember, this is your opportunity to prove yourself. Serve the royal twins well, and you will have a place here, a home. But be careful, they are not like other masters. Their ways are...unique."

Amarok nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I understand, Uncle. I’ll do my best."

His uncle gave him a reassuring nod and led him through the gates, the sound of their footsteps echoing on the polished stone floor. Amarok’s eyes darted around, taking in the luxuriousness of the palace interior, the gold-trimmed furniture, the sparkling chandeliers that hung from the ceiling like clusters of stars. It was all so overwhelming, so foreign to anything he had ever known.

As they walked, Amarok couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of awe mixed with anxiety. He had heard stories of the royal twins, Lucian and Julian, their beauty, their charm, and their demanding nature. They were known throughout the kingdom, not just for their identical appearance but for their ability to share everything in their lives. Everything.

When they reached the grand double doors that led to the twins’ quarters, his uncle paused and turned to him, his gaze serious. "This is it, Amarok. The twins are not like other royals. They expect perfection, but they also value loyalty. Earn their trust, and you will be rewarded. But remember, above all, do not overstep your bounds."

Amarok nodded again, feeling the weight of his uncle’s words. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves, and followed his uncle as he pushed open the doors.

The room they entered was vast, bathed in soft light from the large windows that lined one wall. The décor was elegant yet comfortable, with plush couches, ornate rugs, and a large bed draped in rich fabrics. But it wasn’t the room that caught Amarok’s attention, it was the two figures standing near the window, their identical profiles framed by the sunlight.

Lucian and Julian.

The sight of them took Amarok’s breath away. The twins were as beautiful as the rumors had said, their features perfectly symmetrical, their dark hair falling in soft waves around their faces. But there was something more, something captivating about them that Amarok couldn’t quite put into words. They moved with a grace and confidence that made it clear they were used to getting what they wanted.

"Your Highnesses," the head eunuch said, bowing deeply. "May I present to you your new servant, Amarok."

Lucian and Julian turned in unison, their eyes, strikingly green, like the depths of the nature, fixing on Amarok. The intensity of their gaze made Amarok’s heart skip a beat, but he quickly dropped to one knee, bowing his head in respect.

"Your Highnesses," Amarok murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It is an honor to serve you."

For a moment, there was silence, and Amarok could feel the weight of their scrutiny. His heart raced in his chest, and he silently prayed that he would make a good impression. He could feel the heat of their gaze on him, and it took all of his willpower to remain still, to keep his head bowed.

"Stand," Lucian’s voice commanded, calm and authoritative. Amarok obeyed immediately, rising to his feet but keeping his eyes respectfully lowered. Lucian stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. He was dressed in elegant attire, a light green tunic that matched the color of his eyes, and a silver chain hung around his neck, glinting in the light.

Amarok dared to glance up, and when he did, he found himself face-to-face with Lucian. The prince was taller than he had imagined, his gaze piercing as he looked Amarok up and down, assessing him with a critical eye. Amarok’s breath caught in his throat as Lucian circled him slowly, the air thick with an intensity that made his skin prickle.

"You are the one the head eunuch has chosen for us?" Lucian asked, his voice even, but there was a hint of curiosity in it.

"Yes, Your Highness," Amarok replied, his voice steady despite the storm of nerves swirling inside him. "I will serve you to the best of my abilities."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was testing the truth of Amarok’s words. For a moment, Amarok feared he had already failed in some unspoken way, but then Lucian stepped back, nodding in approval.

"Good," Lucian said simply. "We expect nothing less."

Julian, who had been silent until now, finally stepped forward, his movements fluid and graceful. Unlike Lucian’s stern demeanor, Julian’s lips curved into a playful smile, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous light. Amarok could feel the shift in the air as Julian approached, his presence magnetic and alluring.

"Welcome, Amarok," Julian said, his voice warm and inviting. "We’ve been in need of a new servant, and it seems you’ve arrived just in time."

Julian’s gaze lingered on Amarok a little longer than necessary, his smile widening as he noticed the slight flush creeping up Amarok’s neck. Amarok swallowed hard, unsure of what to make of Julian’s attention. There was something in Julian’s eyes, something that made Amarok’s heart race for an entirely different reason than before.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Amarok managed to say, trying to ignore the fluttering in his stomach. He didn’t understand why Julian’s gaze affected him so, but he pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Lucian cleared his throat, drawing Julian’s attention away from Amarok. "Julian," he said in a tone that was both warning and reproachful. "He is here to serve us, not to be toyed with."

Julian chuckled softly, not at all perturbed by Lucian’s tone. "Oh, don’t be so serious, brother. We’re just getting to know our new servant. There’s no harm in a little...familiarity."

Amarok’s cheeks burned, but he kept his gaze lowered, determined not to let his nervousness show. He could feel the tension between the twins, a silent communication passing between them that he couldn’t quite decipher. Lucian’s protective nature was evident, but there was something more, an unspoken understanding between the brothers, as if they were deciding something without words.

Lucian finally sighed, his expression softening just a fraction. "Amarok," he said, turning his attention back to their new servant. "Your duties will be demanding. We expect you to keep up with our needs, to anticipate what we require without us having to ask. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Amarok replied quickly, nodding. "I will do my best to serve you both."

Julian’s smile returned, though it was more subdued now. "We look forward to seeing just how well you do, Amarok."

There was an undercurrent to Julian’s words that Amarok couldn’t quite place, but he didn’t dwell on it. He was here to work, to prove himself, and he couldn’t afford to get distracted. Yet, even as he told himself this, he couldn’t help but notice the way Julian’s eyes lingered on him, the way Lucian watched him with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Thank you, Your Highnesses," Amarok said, bowing once more. "I will not disappoint you."

Lucian nodded, satisfied, while Julian’s gaze remained fixed on Amarok, a smile playing on his lips. "We shall see," Julian said softly, almost to himself.

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