Chapter 199: Challenge
As the sunlight gently fell on Leon’s ethereal face, his eyelashes fluttered, refusing to open. He lay on his bed, still clad in yesterday’s clothes. The relentless sunlight fought him and won, he had his eyes open, staring at the ceiling emptily. Well, he did learn to appreciate it. Riven pointed out that they had very beautiful ceilings.
The peace of the moment was interrupted by a familiar knock.
"Rise and shine, your highness," came Riven’s chipper voice from behind the door. "You’re no longer king today, remember? Time to get back to your noble duties. Chop chop!"
Leon groaned inwardly. Of course. Back to being Riven’s so-called ’servant.’ That didn’t mean much in the traditional sense, but it certainly meant he was at Riven’s beck and call again. He dragged himself out of bed with the kind of energy only resentment could summon.
He eyed the black shirt Riven always insisted he wear. It was finely tailored and hugged his form, the kind of outfit that made him look more like a mercenary.
Leon reached for it but paused. A small frown tugged at his lips.
He did not want to look like a king today. If Riven had some humiliating plan in store again, it would be better to look plain. Unremarkable. That way, when the crowd laughed, it wouldn’t be "King Leon" they saw, but just some stranger.
Suddenly determined, Leon moved to the side cabinet and opened a hidden drawer, retrieving a small container. He poured a dark, herbal dye into a basin and mixed it with water until the liquid turned the right consistency. He looked in the mirror, then leaned in closer.
His golden hair, long and regal, the mark of his royal lineage—gone in minutes, buried beneath a temporary black that dulled its gleam. His reflection stared back at him, he still looked good.