Chapter 13
1411 Words
After they all settled into the castle, the duke and Callahan took to his study to talk. Arissa and Maleroy joined them as well.
“You will be safe here for the mean time.” He said.
“Thank you your grace. The place is exquisite.” Maleroy commented.
The duke nodded. “My late wife had impeccable taste.” He said proudly, although there was a hint of sadness to his tone.
Arissa was caught off guard at the duke’s statement. The duchess was a close friend of the late queen, and since she was always with her, the duchess extended her friendship to her.
“The duchess died giving birth to our child. Then after a few days, the baby passed as well.” The duke explained to her.
Arissa stumbled back, her chest constricting. It dawned on her that she was the only one left and it carved a deeper hole in her heart.
“I’m sorry Arissa. I know you were close to her.” The duke said sympathetically.
“She was so happy when she found out.” Her voice cracked. “I couldn’t see her after the griffin king fell. The prince was just a boy, and the queen,” She couldn’t carry on.
Maleroy and Callahan hurt looking at her.
“She understood Arissa. She was worried about you and the queen but she never wanted to risk your safety.” He said to her.
Arissa didn’t respond. She was hurting but no tears fell from her eyes. Her emotions were all over the place and wouldn’t settle on one. She knew she was on the verge of a breakdown, and it was only a matter of when.
Maximillian entered then, shifting all their attention to the prince.
He greeted the duke. “Thank you for accommodating us your grace.” He said.
“It’s an honor your highness.” The duke replied. “It’s good to see you so grown up and well prince Maximillian.” He said to the prince.
“Where is the princess?” He asked Max.
“She’ll be here shortly. Although she might head to the lake first.” He replied.
The duke c****d a brow at the prince’s response. The closeness of the young royals didn’t go unnoticed by him, and he couldn’t help but shake his head at the way things have unraveled between the children of two queens who had no choice but to go against one another.
One needing to protect a future she wanted, and one needing to defend the present she was living in. Now, their children have met hoping to be the peace, unknowingly walking right into fate’s trap.
“Ah yes, the princess must have figured out her mother’s hand in our meeting by now.” The duke said.
“The queen of Aquora?” Arissa asked.
“The one and only.” The duke chuckled. “She sent me a message in one of her infamous bottles this morning, telling me there is a side I should take this time around.”
“The queen sounded so determined. I couldn’t not be persuaded.” He added, then he looked at Max.
“I knew your mother would do everything she could to protect you. She always had something up her sleeve. She always had a plan.” He said to the prince.
“She didn’t include her own survival in her last one.”
Arissa and Callahan shared a look at the prince’s reply. Little did he know his mother’s fate could very well be the fate of the woman he may or may not know he already loves.
Just in time, Violetta walked into the room as well.
The duke immediately turned towards her. Like anyone who meets her, he couldn’t hide his curiosity. It was the siren in her who attracted the attention of the people she meets. It was a part of her she couldn’t control.
“Highness” He bowed slightly.
“Your grace.” Violetta greeted back. Force of habit, she maneuvered towards Max. They were close but not too close to the point they were touching.
“You have left quite a reputation with the hunters.” The duke commented, chuckling slightly.
Violetta blushed slightly. “I can tell by the bounty on my head.” She retorted.
“Yes, the kingdom is in a buzz about you and the rumored existence of the prince as well.” He said.
“The dragon king must be boiling with paranoia by now.” Maleroy said, the side of his lip curling up in a smirk.
“That brings us to the urgent matter at hand.” Callahan said.
“We are looking for allies your grace.” He said to the duke.
“To take back the kingdom.” Max added.
He continued. “I have nothing.” He admitted.
“Since the fall of my father’s reign, I was left with nothing but my birthright. I have no allies and I cannot stand against the dragon king without them.” He said.
The duke nodded. “As I said before, I am at your service. However, since the ascent of Claudus to the throne, those who refused to give our support were exiled from court. We went into hiding just in case the dragon king tried to go after us.” He explained.
“Yet, there are others I can assure you that. We just need to figure out how to reach them. The entire kingdom is littered with more hunters as the king is determined to get find you both.” He said.
All of them nodded in agreement.
“We appreciate this your grace.” Violetta said.
“Of course your highness. For the mean time, you seem to have gotten into trouble before you ended up here. Feel free to use any of the amenities my estate can give. I will ask my commandant to help us narrow down our possible allies.” He said to them.
“I’ll join you.” Callahan said.
“I will as well.” Arissa seconded.
“So will I.” Maleroy said as well.
“We’ll head to the lake.” Max announced.
Violetta nodded in agreement. There was something she would like to talk to the prince about, and it was imperative they have the conversation as soon as possible.
They all went their way after that. Max and Violetta wordlessly made their way back to the stream. Both lost in their own thoughts.
They stopped walking when they reached the shore. Standing side by side, unbeknownst to how it foreshadows the future in front of them.
Violetta’s face was unreadable as she stared at her own reflection in the water. There’s this deep sense of dread blossoming within her and she doesn’t know what or who it is for.
“This is just the beginning.” Max said.
Violetta nodded without turning to look at him. “They will come for us. We might not even have to march up to the dragon king. He might be the one to come to us.” She said.
“We’ll be ready.” He said. “Your mother helped us.” He added.
“Yes,” She nodded. “I was beginning to lose hope.” She whispered.
“I take it that was what you were doing at the pond?” He asked.
She nodded. “I asked for the help of my sisters, but there was nothing.” She paused.
“Asking my mother was the last resort.” She said the last part lowly.
“What do think convinced her?” Max dared to ask.
She shrugged, turning to look at him. “Either way I’m thankful.” She said, intending for the water to deliver her message as well.
She sighed lightly. “We’re one step forward now.” She said to him.
“We are. If we play our cards right, we’ll continue stepping forward.” Max agreed.
Violetta nodded once then an idea came to her just then. “Would you like to see the kingdom your mother grew up in?” She asked.
Max turned to see if she was serious. Seeing the soft smile on her face, he couldn’t help but nod in reply.
“I can navigate the city without being seen don’t worry.” She said.
“Alright” He replied, trusting her.
- Writer
