Shadow Slave: The red Goddess of War and her dragon

Once Kai and Morgan returned to the private VIP room reserved exclusively for the Valor sisters and their companions, Morgan noticed something.

Kai who was usually polite and reserved, was giving the blind oracle a weird look, one that almost seemed to say, "Just you wait". The princess found it rather strange, yet strangely amusing in its own way.

"What are you staring at, Athena?" Morgan suddenly shot at Effie seconds later, her tone filled with distaste as she caught the giantess glaring at them with a wide grin the moment they stepped into the room.

Effie's grin only widened. "Nothing whatsoever, princess."

---

After that, most of the Gala flew by in a blur, with nothing particularly noteworthy happening. And without Morgan getting any more alone-time with Kai. It was something she found really unfortunate, though she would never admit it out loud.

Either way, even past midnight many guests still remained.

The official Gala might have ended -and everyone outside the inner circle of the Valor Clan had left- but there was still one little party to be had.

Saints and Masters alike gathered in a large room where a long table stood at the center, surrounded by smaller seating areas scattered throughout.

Of course, with so many people present, it was only natural for everyone to form their own circles with their closest friends.

But Morgan wasn't part of any of them.

Her adopted sister, Nephis, was with the Government Saints and her Fire Keepers, enjoying the drinks and food in what was by far the largest area.

The princess of Valor herself stood at the bar at the far end of the room, leaning against the white marble counter with a drink in her gloved hand.

It wasn't that she lacked 'friends' or acquaintances to spend time with, she simply didn't feel like being around them in particular.

"His loss," she mumbled after a while, taking a generous sip from her glass before slamming it down onto the counter, making the already nervous and sweating bartender flinch lightly.

The bartender himself was a Master and a guest as well. He was behind the counter simply because there was nothing better to do for him.

Morgan raised a brow, her face slightly flushed from the alcohol coursing through her system -though no one would really notice it without looking closely. "What are you waiting for? Give me more."

The Master nodded and immediately poured her more of the expensive drink, swapping the wine glass for a tumbler instead.

Normally, it was practically impossible for Saints to get drunk, but this particular "wine" was made from the blood of a Nightmare Creature. So, naturally, it had its effect on Morgan.

'This stupid man,' Morgan cursed in her mind as she grabbed the glass and turned to face the guests once more. 'All that talk just to leave me here alone once all his friends came? Seriously?!' She groaned silently, squeezing the glass so tightly it made a soft cracking sound.

If Kai turned around now, he'd probably drop dead from the intensity of her glare.

All of her problems and internal struggles could've been solved rather easily though -and Kai wouldn't have to die. She simply needed to stand up and join their circle, but Morgan was too stubborn and refused to seem desperate.

She was already desperate enough for her father's validation. And she understood that everyone knew it... The thought of adding even more to that -of seeming weak and pathetic- was not something she could allow herself to do.

Sighing, Morgan set the glass back on the counter and buried her face in her palm. 'You're the Princess of Valor, goddamn it!' she tried to gather herself, but the weakness inside her won.

'Still, why do I always have to be the one who needs others so much?' she thought, frustration building up in her. 'Why can't they come to me first?' Her thoughts were starting to cloud again.

Usually, she could suppress these weak and pathetic thoughts as soon as they appeared, but right now it felt harder than ever.

'And if they do, they always approach me because I'm the fucking daughter of my father, not because I'm Morgan!'

'Even Nephis has that look in her eyes -that goddamn indifference toward me!'

Morgan cursed over and over again, her teeth clenched and fingers digging into her face as she tried to hold back the wave of frustration.

Yet, she knew that there was actually one person who didn't share that indifference toward her. Someone who -for some strange reason- actually cared about her. About Morgan, and not the Princess of Valor, or the daughter of one of the Sovereigns.

Someone who didn't seek any benefit from pleasing her, and simply did it because… because...

Why did he try for her?

Morgan's mind couldn't possibly comprehend the reason behind Kai's kindness. Something deep inside Morgan told her that there had to be an ulterior motive. There was always an ulterior motive.

'Of course, how could I be so foolish and stupid,' she chuckled to herself, her lips spreading into a little smile behind the shadow of her palm as if she'd finally understood something after all this time.

'I am the Princess of Valor,' Morgan reminded herself, finally bringing the storm in her mind under control.

The princess looked up, her brows furrowing lightly, mimicking the way her father always regarded everything. As if nothing was worthy of his love and attention -disappointed with the world itself for being so broken and leaving it to him alone to fix.

Everyone was watching her -or at least holding her in the corner of their eyes- so Morgan had to make sure they saw her father in her. If they only saw her as the Princess of Valor and descended of the King of Swords, then so be it. No one needed to see her other side.

'There can't be another side anyway,' Morgan corrected herself before pushing off the counter and marching forward.

Her heels clicked sharply against the wooden floor with each step as she made her way through, not even halting to exchange a word with the guests that were so eager to have her by their side.

And of course, they weren't eager for her because they loved Morgan so much. No, they simply wanted to show their goodwill to the Princess, hoping to ask for a favour in the future. Just like everyone else…

Forcing those slithering schemers out of her mind, Morgan's vermillion eyes fixed on her adopted sister, Nephis.

She wasn't planning on causing a scene or anything like that; she simply wanted to remind them who she was.

'They think of me as nothing but tr-'

But those thoughts immediately faded as she got closer.

Kai -that stupid bastard- just had to turn around and blind her with that stupidly charming and nervous smile of his. And of course, he also just had to be the first one to notice her approach out of that circle. Not even Neph noticed her yet.

What made it even worse was that his smile -unlike the ones surrounding her- was genuine and actually pleasant to look at.

'Fuck!' Morgan nearly said out loud, her face quickly returning to its usual expression. Her earlier dramatic and grandiose thoughts of abandoning Morgan and embracing her title were completely forgotten.