Chapter 3
1232 Words
Princess Alia’s POV
“No father,” I humbly bowed my head. “I'm sorry your majesty, but you know that is very close to impossible.”
“Does not mean it is, Alia.” He slightly furrowed his brows, trying to sit upright.
I looked at him with disdain, unable to hide it.
“Father? Do you want my people to hate me?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief. The thought alone terrified me.
I didn’t need to say anything more. He could read my face clearly.
The worry.
The fear.
The fear of being rejected by the very people and neighborhood I grew up in.
He pushed himself closer to me, like someone about to whisper a secret, and gently took my hand, squeezing it a little too tight.
Our eyes locked.
I saw it then, the fear. The fear of ruling my own people reflected back at me through his eyes.
My hands began to tremble in his grasp.
He squeezed them again, as though trying to reassure me.
He sighed heavily. “Alia, I know why I'm saying this…”
Before he could finish, I withdrew my hand. Knowing fully well he was about to convince me once again. “I'm sorry dad. But I think my life is more important than your reasons.”
I stood up hastily. He said nothing, though I could tell my reaction surprised him.
I walked straight toward the door of his chambers when his voice stopped me.
“I'm close to dying, Alia.”
I froze on the spot.
No moving. No shaking.
Slowly, I turned to face him fully. “You said what… What did you just say, your majesty?”
Our eyes met, and tears instantly clouded my vision.
I pretended about it, as if I knew nothing. But I did. I just wanted him to say it out loud, wanted him to convince me his reasons.
The tears that clouded my eyes was not because I heard he was ill, it was because he finally could confide in his family.
I waited so long for this moment. I couldn't contain it.
“It's a fact, my daughter.”
He tried to stand, but his body failed him.
Without thinking, I rushed to his side and supported him.
“Careful,” my voice came out low and shaky.
I helped him lie back on the bed, stacking pillows behind his head to support him.
“Thank you,” he said weakly.
I stepped back, staring at him, my heart pounding. “What did you mean, father? What did you mean when you said you're close to dying?”
The weight of losing him crashed down on me. It felt unbearable. I had already lost Masha, losing him too would destroy me.
A painful cough escaped his chest.
Immediately, I reached for the golden jug on the stool beside the bed and poured water into a golden steel cup.
“Here.” I handed it to him.
“Thank you.”
I watched him closely as he drank, worries filled up my head.
Once he was done, I took the cup from him and placed it back on the stool. Then I sat beside him on the bed.
“Your majesty,” my voice was weak and tender. “Stop keeping me in suspense.” I lowered my head as tears rolled down my cheeks, falling onto his hand. I sniffed. “What’s wrong with you, father?”
He stretched out his hand and gently wiped my tears. I held it, pressing my cheek into his palm. Without thinking, he cupped my face, and I placed a soft kiss on his hand.
“Don't you cry.”
“Why didn't you tell me sooner, father?” My voice shook, the tears making it worse.
“I didn't get to know sooner too. That's my reason, Alia.”
“Your majesty, I don’t mean any disrespect but… you know it’s against the ancient traditions of Eldoria.”
“I know. I have my reasons. But I don’t want you too involved in politics.”
“I don’t want to be involved at all…” I lowered my gaze. “But for you…” I paused, staring at him.
Suddenly, an idea struck me. I gasped, my eyes widening. “Father, Uncle Darius? He could take over the throne from you.”
Again, I pretended. Trying very hard not to let it show. Although, I already knew his answer.
“No!” he said instantly, turning away. “He is not suitable. I don’t want you to ask me why, ever. All you need to know is that something even worse than a woman ruling might happen if he ever takes the throne.”
Unknowingly, I smiled. I smiled at the fact that my father could differentiate the bad from the good. Uncle Darius was not entirely bad to me, but he was very selfish in ruling.
But for a reason I couldn't fathom, father and Uncle Darius had never been on good terms.
They always had something to disagree about.
This always got Queen Mother very upset. And me too. This issue almost divided the kingdom a long time when my mother, Masha was still alive.
“I don’t know the reason you and Uncle Darius have a beef,” I said quietly, “but I feel the earlier you tackle it, your majesty, the better.”
“Some scars are better left buried. We can’t keep digging and reopening old wounds.”
Silence crept in like a cunning snake.
I hated it.
Then he broke it.
“I need your response, Alia.”
“I don’t know, father. I need to think about it.”
“You need to think faster, Alia. The war is fast approaching.”
My expression hardened. “War?”
“Yes, Alia. That has been my reason. And all this pressurizing…” He stared at me with hope.
“If it’s possible, your majesty,” I said carefully, “may I take the rest of the week to think about it? I shall get back to you.”
He said nothing, only nodded.
“Now, if you would like to rest,” I said softly, pulling the blanket over him.
I stayed there, watching him, staring, until he finally fell asleep.
…
When he woke up, I was no longer there.
Sage Aldren sat by his side.
It had not been long when he woke that I left, almost immediately.
I was still by the door of his chambers, just that I hid so he wouldn't sight me.
“Sage?” He asked weakly, blinking continously to clear the blurry image that stood in front of him.
Sage Aldren stood up from the stool he sat on in haste, pushing it backwards just a little too hard.
He bowed his head down, with his hands folded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Where is Alia?” he asked, as his eyes searched all over his chamber for me.
“She left some minutes ago, your majesty. If you wish, I shall send for her.” Sage said still with his head bowed.
“There will be no need. Just arrange a meeting with the elders for me. I need to see them.”
I heard him say, I didn't react. I just left.
- Writer
