For Kingdom's Sake

Chapter Two: Warm Like Cinnamon (Part 3)

"I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow!" Lady Phillipa declared loudly. "I must look my best if I wish for a good match!"

I suppressed a laugh, knowing that the Lady was several years too young to find her mate and her parents would never entertain the idea of a proposal at this age. Just like a fated mate bond would strengthen the King and the Kingdom, even for those of us without his power, families that married based on the mate bond had a tendency to prosper. The moon goddess looked kindly on those who appreciated the gifts she gave.

"Yes, my lady," I curtsied deeply, closing the curtains and stoking the fire that had already been blazing. She was already basically prepared for sleep, so there was little for me to do.

"You are dismissed, Miss Fidelia," Lady Phillipa instructed. I curtsied again and left the room. This was the earliest I had been dismissed by her since she had first arrived. I made my way back towards the staff quarters, ready to settle in for the night. All staff would be on duty

As I passed the atrium, I caught a familiar scent. From what I had been able to tell, the scent seemed to most frequently linger around this garden. Specifically, it often clung in the air near the tree here. But I could never find anything.

I felt the pull to go investigate, but I knew I needed to prioritise sleep. I would be getting up early as usual tomorrow, then staying up until Lady Fidelia left the ball. I could not afford to not take advantage of a night to catch up on the sleep I had recently missed due to Lady Phillipa.

Hissing out my frustration, I made my way to the staff quarters. I found my obsessionwith this scent infuriating. Maybe after the castle quietened again once the ball finished I would have a chance to investigate again. Hopefully once I found the source I could forget it and move on. For now I would just have to get through the ball.

The following night, Lady Phillipa was flirting with a nobleman too old for her who looked clearly uncomfortable. I was unable to assist him though, as all staff were required to be involved in the banquet. At the present time, I was bringing champagne around on trays to the nobility. It was almost time for my break. The staff who were assisting nobles prior to the banquet had the first break time, whoever had planned the event had carefully staggered staff break times to ensure there was never a notable absence of staff but every staff member had a break.

I offered the tray of champagne to a group of gossiping women, some taking a glass, some returning an empty glass.

"Well I think Duchess Aella is the best option," one of them insisted.

"Lady Aella is lovely, but would she truly make a good queen?"

"She has the heart for it, she just needs a little instruction."

"Lady Fleur would not need instruction, she would be capable of running the entire country if the King was unable."

"What a dreadful thing to say, may we hope that such a time never befalls the King."

"Lady Fleur may be competent, but she is cold. The King needs someone with warmth. The people would not be favourable to her either. She is simply not a people person."

I left their bickering, stopping by another staff member to give her my full champagne glasses and retrieved her empty glasses to return. I had no idea who the people being spoken about were. Winnie would know, but she was bringing food to the buffet tables so did not have time to stop and listen to gossip. I was sure she would appreciate me sharing any gossip I remembered after.

This first night was about the King meeting the eligible nobility in order to create a short-list of potential Queens. The announcement of the final decision would be the following night. It seemed needlessly complicated to me. The King had likely been considering this for years and already had a short-list. What would one extra night do?

A small bell rang for the first break. I dropped my tray of empty glasses at a table set up in a backroom for people to run items to and from the event so that those in the room could keep working. I left through the backroom exit and started making my way towards the staff dining room to have my quick dinner.

Being on the first break, I would miss the King's grand entrance, but that held little interest to me. If I truly cared I could catch a glimpse of him in the room when I returned, but seeing him held no value in my eyes. He was certainly a wonderful king, he took care of his people, he ran the kingdom effectively, but seeing him would change none of that. The only thing I was curious about was the accuracy of his portraits.

As I passed the atrium I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. The scent was overwhelming. My knees grew weak. Whatever the source of the scent was, it was close, it had to have been here less than a minute ago.

My mind seemed to become frenzied, able to concentrate on nothing except finding the source of the scent. Plans of dinner retreated from my mind as I rushed into the atrium, following the scent down the same path I knew it would go. Straight to the tree. As I approached though, I saw a figure dressed in clothes made of fabrics I could never afford kneeling by the tree.

Damnit! I can't intrude on this. I need to turn back. I can find the hint another time.

As I began to retreat, the noble's head shot up. Would I be reprimanded for my detour? I turned and began to hurry away.

"Stop." The velvet commanding tone did not allow for debate. I stopped in my tracks. "Return here."

My cheeks burned as I returned to the nobleman, now rising to his feet. Maybe I should not have retreated. But would it have been worse to have stayed?

I gasped as the nobleman turned. He looked just like his portraits. His sharp green eyes, thick brown hair under a golden crown, a well kept beard somehow. My second instinct was to kneel before my King. But my first instinct was much, much more powerful.

"Mate," we said at the same time. My heart thudded in my chest. What did this mean? Tonight he was supposed to short-list potential chosen mates. I felt a sudden stab of possessiveness at that idea.

I watched his face, waiting for his reaction. He looked worried. Was he also thinking about the implications of the event? Was he concerned about the clear difference in our stations? Was there something else? His expression suddenly changed to one of resolution.

"What is your name?" He sighed. The sound of his voice somehow mixing with his scent, the one I had been following for two weeks, to raise the hairs on every inch of my body. I shivered slightly at the feeling of pleasure.

"Fidelia, your Majesty," I told him, curtsying. "Fidelia Auclair."

"I, Alpha King Viktor Cyneric, reject you, Fidelia Auclair, as my mate and Luna."