Belinda led Blake to a small canopy in the garden. The table was already set with a few snacks. They sat facing each other and began eating quietly.
Dolores and Stel were practicing archery in the courtyard. Blake adjusted his chair so that Stel was within his line of sight. Belinda noticed and coughed to get his attention.
"You seem interested in the young princess," she said and took a sip of her tea.
Blake turned his gaze toward his sister. He gestured for his wine glass to be refilled.
A maid quickly rushed forward to fill the glass and then backed away. Blake sipped from the glass and sighed.
"She is quite the sight," he replied.
Belinda chuckled.
"I think it is quite convenient that you are attracted to her," she said, running her finger over the rim of her cup. "It would actually accelerate the execution of my plan."
Blake looked intently at her.
"What plan is that?" he asked.
"I want that girl as part of our coven," she said with a nefarious smile.
Sheila stood by a shelf and flipped through the pages of a book. Delvin sat at a table a short distance away. A huge stack of papers lay before him.
"You're not going to take a break?" she asked as she walked toward him.
"I can't. Not until this kingdom runs itself," he replied, pushing a scroll aside.
Sheila walked closer and stopped behind him. She glanced over the scrolls spread across the table.
"Why do they all say the same thing? Why do all the lords want Belinda as queen?" she asked.
Delvin closed the scroll.
"I have no other consort, and she is pregnant," he replied with a sigh. "You are right, though. I do need a break from all of this."
He stood up. Sheila stepped back and waited until he walked around the table before following him.
They arrived at Delvin's chamber, and he sat down on the edge of the bed. Sheila pulled a box of cookies from a drawer.
Delvin gave her a questioning look.
"Why are there cookies in my room?" he asked.
Sheila smiled and placed the box beside him on the bed.
"They're here because I can't stand the thought of walking all the way down the hall to the pantry to get them," she replied, taking one for herself.
She took a few steps back and leaned against the wall.
Delvin took a bite of a cookie and smiled. After swallowing, he looked up at Sheila.
"Hey," he called, motioning for her to come closer.
She complied and stopped directly in front of him.
He tapped the space beside him on the bed.
She shook her head and turned to return to her previous position, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her down beside him.
"Why so stubborn? Just sit," he said, taking another cookie.
Sheila reluctantly relaxed and helped herself to one as well.
Delvin leaned closer to her.
"You know, we've never really talked," he began.
"About what?" Sheila asked, genuinely confused.
"Our lives before we met," he replied.
At the mention of their pasts, the image of the massacre he had caused on her birthday flashed through his mind.
Sheila noticed him shudder and sighed.
"I was a crown princess. You?" she asked.
"I was a prince. The youngest and only son born to my mother. Dolores is over nine years older than me. I had no reason to expect I'd end up where I am today, but fate fell in my favor," he replied.
Sheila smiled.
"Your other siblings?" she asked.
"Killed each other for the throne. All ten of them," Delvin replied.
Sheila reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you sad about it?" she asked.
"I don't know," he replied.
Sheila walked around him and sat right beside him. She spread her arms in invitation.
"I'm offering emotional support here. Have you never received a hug?" she asked.
Delvin rolled his eyes before pulling her into his arms.
After a while, Sheila tried to pull away, but he held her tighter.
"Delvin, let go."
"I still need more comfort," he replied.
She complied and let him draw her closer.
Meanwhile, the royal family proceeded to the dining room for dinner. Stel arrived with Dolores, while Blake accompanied Belinda.
They bowed to each other at the door. Once the doors were opened, they entered the dining hall.
Belinda took the consort's seat, and Blake sat beside her. Stel and Dolores settled into their usual places, with Stel seated opposite Blake.
Dolores occasionally glanced up and caught Blake staring at Stel with a strange gleam in his eyes.
She coughed and stood up to leave.
Stel clung to her arm and gently patted her back.
They were only a few feet from the table when Belinda dropped her fork.
"You don't need to leave. I'll have the servants bring you some water and wine to soothe your throat," she said.
Dolores stopped dead in her tracks and turned around.
"If that's the case, I will take my seat," she replied.
She returned to her chair, took another bite of her food, and looked around the room.
"Where is His Majesty?" she asked.
Stel stood up and moved slowly toward the door.
"I will go get him," she said before leaving the dining hall.
Meanwhile, Sheila and Delvin were still tangled in each other's arms.
Stel walked in and found them embracing.
She cleared her throat loudly, startling the pair.
"It is time for dinner, Your Majesty," she said with a slight bow.
Then she looked up and gave Sheila a questioning glance.
Sheila quickly stood and took a few steps away from Delvin.
"His Majesty will be out in a minute," she said.
Stel grinned as she turned and made her way toward the door.
Delvin reached for Sheila to pull her back, but she stepped away before he could. ' its dinner time' she said and pointed at the door. 'I know, but I don't want to eat. I want to stay here and be comforted' he replied and sighed. 'I as your king, command you to return to my side.' he said and stood up. He covered the distance between them in a few strides and reached out to grab her, but stopped mid way. He shut his eyes and tried to touch his chest where a sharp object pierced through him. Sheila looked at the wound and reached to remove the object, but it was pulled out from behind him and a force hurled him across the room. 'know your place Guardian' a voice said. Sheila turned to the direction of the voice and saw Tan'y'ju seated on a sofa by the window. He grinned wickedly before taking his dragon form and lunging at Delvin.
After a futile wait, the royal residents finished dinner without waiting for the King. The meal was eaten in silence and they all left after it was over. Later that night, Stel took a walk in the courtyard. the air was cool and calm as she strolled between rows of rose bushes. she smiled and breathe deeply.
'beautiful sight, isn't it?' a voice disrupted the silence. Stel turned and saw Blake standing a steps away from her.
'how long have you been standing there?' she asked and picked a rose from a nearby bush. The red color of the rose looked exceptionally pleasant in the bright moonlight.
'Long enough' Blake replied covering the distance between them. 'My name is as you already know, lovely to make your acquaintance, your highness' he said and bowed slightly.
'I won't speak to you' Stel said and began walking away. Blake quickly followed.'i know you judge me based on my sister's character. but trust me, I am nothing like her.' he said and Stel paused. ' I am not judging you, I just have a problem trusting handsome men. they go behind you, no they stand before you and kill your father' she said. Blake walked up to her and chuckled. ' Very sorry for your loss, but I believe I have something that will cheer you up.' he said. 'And what could this be?' Stel asked and Blake pulled out a blue rose from behind him. ' The red ones are quite common around here, but this one is special, just like you,' he said. Stel's face flushed red for a second, before she regained composure. 'Thank you for the compliment,' she said taking the rose and walking away. Blake stood and watched her walk away, a look of triumph on his face.