The dinning hall glimmered with laughter and plate chatters. Seated in the middle Queen Nyx, with a confused expression on her face. Her eyes running around. She barely touched her wine and food
"Mother....are you okay?".... Isabella asks
She simply nods and smiles... but that smile didn't reach her face. Her gaze was so serious on the one person that actually ruin her night.
Princess Elena, smiling too brightly hoping to get attention from Alexander
Alexander on the other hand didn't mind the attention,he never did. He was a quite one,but it's other side was dangerous
Elena leaned in, whispering
Alexander passed the plate to her.
The queen's eyes flashed
Later,the dinners soon left, light dimmed
The queen found Elena by the hallway giving happy dance.
"Lovely dips at the table!"...she said smoothly
Elena turned brows slightly raised " Dips...? Your highness!"
"You seem occupied with Alexander!"
Elena smiled, acting naive. "He's quite interesting!"
The queen steps closer,her tone low and deliberate
"He's not like other men,you know! Very selective. Even with his liquor, only drinks aged wine from South vineyard. And clothing? Tailored by craftsmen who doesn't even take new client anymore.
He's amusingly particular!"
Elena's expression tightened just slightly
The queen continued "So imagine how rare it is for a woman to met his standards!"....
"I don't think he'll be that hard!" She smiled slightly
"After all,he needs someone to understand him!"
"Only if someone misunderstand understanding for interest.!"
Her eyes flickers in anger...
"You've know him for long!"
"Long enough to know he's not just a man. He's a warrior, pure blooded legacy. Not just someone you can build fantasy on."
Walking away with echoing strides...
Elena's mask fell off,a disgusted look
The battle line is drawn... not with swords but with words, tactics for Alexander's attention.
Alexander lingers alone, swirling a half empty glass of wine. His thoughts drifts to Isabella coldness to him and her kind gestures to that brat.
Ever since that night,they hadn't gotten the chance to talk,to collide,speak in language the bodies understand and it has been driving him crazy.
"Couldn't sleep?"...a soft voice whispers
Elena steps out, barefoot,loose hair with a robe dancing off her shoulders.
Alexander didn't move or spare her a glance "What do you want?"
"Just something or rather somewhere quiet, peace in the dark night and perhaps a company."
Alexander had enough of this drama. He felt irritated. He turns to walk away,as he turns she slightly thimbles.
Alexander reflexes kicked in, grabbing her before the fall
Her robe slightly falling off,the sight was rather ambiguous
A shadow flashed out!
Minions everywhere...ready to report
A wave of disgust fell on Alexander
"You're too cheap to ever be my woman. You're far behind my taste!"...
Dropping her sharply...she fell hard on her butt
Her face filled with pity... losing all confidence
"I won't give up! You're mine!".She grumbles
Next morning!
Mouths ran wild... spreading like fire
"They look so perfect together. Locking gaze like lovers of the mood. It was a swift catch.!"
"Are we expecting a wedding soon in the palace?"
"You should have seen the way she danced around him during dinner...!"
"I think the queen approves of her... I saw them talking before!"
Enjoying the smoke from the tobacco...the Queen grin
"She's good at playing those cards....let me show her who's in charge here!"
She suddenly smiled... walking to a cabinet...
Dusting the book
Old laws!....
"Not yet....not now!"
She smiled again, putting it back in.
"He's mine regardless. Only I can decide whether I want him or not. And if I don't no one else gets what's mine!"
Dressed in royal green silk, the Queen sips her tea. Her expression is unreadable, but her mind is already three moves ahead.
"She thinks she's clever… seducing a man I carved for myself," she mutters.
A handmaiden enters quietly.
"Your Grace, the news is spreading… they say Princess Elena and Lord Alexander"
"I'm not deaf," the Queen interrupts coolly. She stands, eyes flashing.
"Fetch the High Priest. Tell him I want a private discussion on sacred vows. Now."
She smirks. If Elena wants to play the bride, let's see how long she can play till she'll burn with the crown.
Alexander is summoned unexpectedly.
"You've caused quite the stir," the Queen says sweetly, standing at the high dais. Her voice is honeyed, but her eyes are daggers.
"A man of your caliber shouldn't be so careless… or so easily seduced."
He narrows his eyes. "You think I wanted this?"
"Oh, darling, I know exactly what you want," she whispers, stepping closer.
"And it isn't her."
"Glad you know...!" Alexander mutters
"But then again, this matter leaves me no choice at hand. We'll discuss the refinement of your behavior later at the feast. The Highbury is know for feast and merry and that we will do.!"
The smile on her face was quite uneasy
But whatever she has in mind is not just to party, but to feast on others.
" I never knew your uncle was interested with my sister!"...Darien said, munching on the grapes.. feeding Isabella with it
"I'm as surprised as you are!"...she didn't admit how hurt she felt.
Her thought drown her in their night together,she felt stupid, thinking it was nothing but bodily satisfaction. The mind and heart as nothing to do with it.
"Give me a moment!"...she soon excuse herself, noticing that her mood is turning sour,she won't be able to explain it so she needs to breathe for awhile.
Making sure the door was locked against any surprise visit
"I thought you'll never come!"....
Now this is unexpected
"Get out!"....she shooed....the last thing she didn't want is to get tangled with this confused man again
"No can do...! I want to explain things. It's not how you think it is.!"
"There's no need. I'll be glad if you get married uncle. It's for your own good!"...she muster in the tears
"Oh really....! Well I don't agree...!"
"You want to continue to use me as your play pass thing....? How ridiculous?"
Alexander smacks his head in frustration
' women can be so confusing ' ....he thought
"No... I told you I love you... I want you...! Didn't you understand that? Or it was too early to tell you what I feel about you?"
"You're just confused. If you didn't know... I'm your niece..it can't work between us!"
"Then I'll find a way. And about that I told you I'm not related to your father...!"...he tries to yell in sense to her but controlled it. He had alot on his plate now..
" I'll prove to you I'm not your father's brother. Once this mess is cleared up... I'll do everything in my power to take what's mine including you...!"
Walking swiftly to her...he grabs her by the waist and kissed her passionately.
Isabella didn't resist, tears she had held dropped. Alexander was so broken he pulled her in tight as if she would disappear if he didn't.
A knock came in...."Ivana!"....
It was Darien...
"Get rid of him!"... Alexander order with a tiny voice, huskier and intense
Biting down her lip...she didn't want to scream.
Realizing what was happening, Alexander bit her shoulder a bit more, teasing her with his tongue...
"Ivana darling... get rid of the boy!"... he smiled... filling his palm with her blossoms...
"I'm a bit tired Adrien... I'll get back to you later!"...she lied swiftly
"Really....are you sure you're okay..?"...he replied with worry
"Yes...!"...she said sharply
Footsteps fade away... Alexander didn't waste time to pull her to the soft place of wonders...
Ripping anything that blocks him from going in
"You're getting right on to it aren't you...?"
"Yes... want you so badly I might go crazy if I don't!"
"No one is stopping you!".. she smirks
"Glad that's right!"...lips collide...their body spoke on high sync language they could only understand.
Soon they sigh in satisfaction
"We shouldn't do this anymore!"...she said, gasping for breathe in between
"Don't you like it humm?".... Alexander joked
"I do...! You're my first man... but I don't think this is right. This can't get us anywhere.!"
Gripping the sheets,she bent over to the drawer, gulping some strange content
"What's that?"... Alexander asked curiously
"Well you can sleep with me but getting me pregnant is a bad idea!"....she released a helpless sigh
Alexander raised his brows in anger... but sigh helplessly as well
Hugging her from behind
"I'll make you proud of me... proud enough to tell the world I'm your man. I'll take everything that belongs to me and make you queen over them all!"...
The promise was sealed with a kiss.
Whatever the Queen is planning didn't seem to bother Alexander who was so fixated at Isabella
"That dress looks so thick to remove!" He thought within him. His head filled with so many way to pull Isabella to a mad edge, begging and pleading for more.
Someone is also feeling the spot light...
Princess Elena, dressed in the finest slik, smiling ear to ear, returning kind gestures
"I hope to see you round with the general's child!"...a woman blessed... Elena blushed, didn't bother to clear the air
The queen watches in excitement
"She's not going to know what hit her!"
She allowed her to bask in her light, having so many hands as she can gather...
And the timing was perfect!
"May I have you attention please?"... it's rare for the queen to speak, everyone was eager to listen
"Thank you.!"... giving the vibe of a calm lady,they couldn't see how calculating she is
But someone did....!
"We must have heard the recent joining which was unexpected between the general and princess Elena. It is with joy in my heart I bless whatever they share. General Alexander...what do you have to say about this...?. I wouldn't mind having Elena as my daughter in law?"
Alexander grits his teeth in anger, but soon smiles. He knows the queen was a calculating wrench...and this was her trick
"No... I disagree. I don't appreciate people who throw themselves at others.
Besides I only helped her when she slipped. I didn't want to be mean in letting a princess hit her butt down.
And second of all my marriage is my business, I won't have a rumor be the basis of my marriage!"
The crowd basked in curiosity, Elena felt cold water poured down on her. Darien was beyond surprise
He knew his sister was up to no good, after pleading with tears with her father that she wants to come down here while he's busy.
What a total humiliation!
"That's said.... I've been thinking of the princess marriage too...how about her match with prince Darien?"
Alexander thought he'd knew better, but this was more than a shock for him
"I'll think about it!"...he said reasonably but in reality he's boiling with so many antics to make the queen pay for trying to take his woman.
The party continued with jubilation... everyone expecting a royal wedding soon. Meanwhile it's just a game that's yet to be concluded.
"What's happening?"... Isabella asks angrily
"I don't know...!.A wedding...?"... Darien was truly surprised but he loved the idea.
He had always imagined Isabella in his bed in the morning, kissing him goodnight and playing swords with him in their own private quarters
"Well I don't agree!"...her words chocked him
"Why?"....he tried not to make his sadness obvious
"Because I only see and love you as a friend. Adrien... you and I have known each other for a long time. But that doesn't mean we'll make good couple.!"
"We would!! Why did you say that?"
"That's because you don't listen. You're a bit narcissistic and I've told you a countless times that was bad.
Regardless of that fact I already have someone I love in my heart, getting rid of him is like killing myself!"
Her eyes basked in tears
He pulled her for a tight embrace
"I understand. I should have worked on myself. But I'm glad you're happy with him
If he makes you cry I'll make him sorry!"...he released her from his grip
"You're not mad I said those words... I'm sorry!"
"No need. I know what I'm doing. This is the second time I heard the word narcissistic!"...
He sighs
"I'm so sorry...!"
"Bittersweet...no one wants that. How did you know?"
"Well...the tight grip on my hand when Ronald came was the first,then the competitive look, very challenging. And your slightly confident,over confident expression!"...
Darien slaps himself mentally for being so stupid.
The night was fast... lights dimmed
The devil in the room
"I didn't agree to it just so you know!"... pulling out the last candle...
"I know... I saw it in his face...!" Sniffing the air...,her neck!
"You smell impeccably delicious tonight! Going to drive me crazy right?"...he laughs slowly
"No... I was hopeful to get a good sleep!"...
"I can also give you that!"
"Alex...!"...
"Humm!"... playing with her hair..it gives him so much pleasure
"I want to continue my training at the dome...and then I can start working in the court!"
Alexander didn't buy that idea...
"Why...?"
"Because I want to be strong. You're not the only one who has to work way out for our relationship. Or do we have one?"
She hoped whatever he says won't hurt her anymore.
"We do! You're mine I'm yours. About the training I'll work on it tomorrow. I believe you will be a warrior queen in just few months."
She jerked up in excitement... hugging him with so much happiness...she kissed him
Alexander was surprised... she'd never initiate anything. It's like he had forced himself on her form the very beginning
Today proves him wrong.
"Excited are we?"...
She giggles, nodding like a child. "Yes!"...
Alexander stands up to leave "Wait... sleep here tonight!"
"Generous...? !"...she smiles
He didn't want her to change her mind, taking off his upper clothing...he wrapped himself around her... inhaling her scent.
Isabella feels so safe in his built arms...
Sleep took over and it was indeed a
perfect night.