"You are the King's eye!"
1406 Words
AGATHA'S POV
The musicians begin to play the violins and King Atticus holds his hand out to Penelope, his gaze full of affection. They are rehearsing their wedding dance. Which only tells me that regardless of how they will perform in the trial set for their coronation he'll marry them.
Penelope places her hand in his and he smiles and pulls her into his embrace, his arm curling around her small waist.
She puts her hands on his shoulders and they start to move and boy he can dance. They cover the whole floor and back again, whirling and turning in time to the music. And he makes it so effortless for her to follow.
Her hands are all over him as they dance, even in places they shouldn't be. He twirls her around before easily hoisting her up, she lets out a carefree laugh as the crowd in the room cheers. He smiles down at her as the song comes to a close.
"You're such a wonderful dancer," She murmurs and he kisses his forehead sweetly. I feel like I am being stabbed in the heart.
They are indeed the most stunning couple. People adore them and that is why they are all cheering so loud. My stepsisters are perfect for him.
"Are you alright?" Lirith touches my back while coming to stand beside me.
I didn't realize my eyes were tearing up. I suck in a breath and unclench my hands.
"I am fine. Just not used to being part of a large crowd." I lie.
"They make the most horrible dancing partner." Lirith purses her lips as Aileen makes her way to king Atticus for her turn.
I shouldn’t feel angry watching him dance with them, but here I am, battling feelings I promised myself I wouldn’t have, which makes me feel even more bitter and like the dumbest person on earth.
"By the way, Adrian is looking for you." Lirith informs.
"I'll see him after work." I say. One would have thought after king Atticus warning, Adrian would not talk to me, but as soon as the king was out of that door Adrian was right back to chatting with me like nothing had happened.
"He's already waiting for you outside." Lirith says with a teasing smile. "I think he likes you."
I roll my eyes. "No, he is...he is a friend." It is strange saying those words. I have never had a friend before.
Lilith smiles and leans in down and quietly says. "Trust me, I can read men. You should go have some fun.”
”I frown and eye my stepsisters. I don’t know if I can. I would get in trouble if they were to need or ask for something and and I'm not here.
"I am here. You have until their training is over." She insists. “Go.”
I smile and nod. The training will take a while of course. And I’d rather spend time with Adrian than sit here feeling miserable.
Stepping outside, I spot Adrian waiting at the bottom of the stairs. As soon as he sees me, he jumps to his feet, a bright smile lighting up his face.
"I’m really glad you have come,” He smiles, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, returning his smile. His sun-streaked hair is a little long and flopped over his forehead today, making him look particularly cute.
“I wasn’t sure what to bring, but I thought you might like this.” He holds out a delicate white rose.
“Thank you!” I melt a little inside. I love the fact that he seems so nice, kind and thoughtful, more than my awful mate and he’s also handsome. Not in the disturbing King Atticus way, but in a pleasantly comfortable sense.
"Would you do me the honor of taking a stroll by the beach? I’d love to chat,” he suggests, extending his arm for me to link mine through.
My grin widens, and I nod eagerly. “That sounds perfect.”
As we walk outside, I listen intently while he shares how he became a librarian. I’m a bit nervous, worried I might say something silly and ruin the moment, so I just nod along
I hadn’t realized there was an ungated path leading out of the palace until Adrian guides me through a non fenced part behind the palace to reveal a shoreline, lined with boats.
When we reach the sandy beach, he gestures to the soft white sand beneath us. “Want to sit for a bit?”
I sink down onto the sand, and he settles beside me, close but not too close.
“After we met yesterday, I did a little more digging about the king’s eye,” he says, meeting my gaze. “Are you absolutely sure you’re not related to Elizabeth at all?”
Why do I feel like someone has crashed my heart? Was he being nice so he can fish for more details about those ridiculous rumors?
I want to get up, scream at him to go f**k himself. But I can't let myself be angered so easily.
He takes my hand. " I am not trying to probe into your personal life, Agatha. I'm just really, really curious. Everything I found out points to you."
"What do you mean by what you found out points to me?" I ask, my heart racing.
He ignores my question and goes on.
“Was anyone in your family close to Elizabeth?"
I doubt he will judge me like everyone else, so I decide to just be honest. “ Elizabeth was my mother." There is something about him that just makes me relax and tell him things I didn’t normally talk about.
"I knew it!" He jumps up, seemingly exhilarated by my answer. "I knew you were the one!"
He squats before me. “I don’t want to be getting into your personal space, so you don't have to answer what you are uncomfortable answering." he assures me.
"Can you tell me what you remember about your mother?"
That feels like a lifetime ago. My mother died before I could grasp anything about her. What does he expect me to recall?
“Tell me what you remember.” he insists.
"I remember she had features and hair like mine," I shrug.
“What else, Agatha? Think.”
“What did you mean by everything points to me?”
"I believe you are the king's eye. I think its energy is trapped inside you."
What? I can't help it. A burst of laughter escapes my lips. “Are you being serious?
He nods “God, you don't know how important you are Agatha,”
“How important I am?” I give him a doubtful look. “Trust me, there’s nothing important about me. At all.”
And I have heard of all absurd stories and believes about the king's eye but this of his tops it all.
“You have no idea how wrong you are. You are carrying the most important thing inside you."
Oh yeah right. I can feel it's power buzzing right now, and it is making me feel like I might throw up. I try to ease my hand away from his, but he clutches onto it.
“Listen,” he says, very guarded, yet in a very determined tone. “I know all this I'm saying sounds crazy. But you might be what every king has sought for years.”
"Your mother didn't have those features before she took the eye from King Thadeus's palace. It got trapped inside of her. Then you, her daughter, came out with the same unnatural features. I’m convinced the power was transferred to you."
"No.” I stand up, shaking my head. "I won't listen to such nonsense anymore." It will drive me crazy.
“If you don’t believe me, let’s tell king Atticus. He’ll have you tested to see if the eye’s power is inside you." He stands up too, desperation in his voice and eyes.
He really wants to tell my awful mate that he thinks I have the power to help him conquer other races. The very idea is already making me angry.
“I better head back before I get into trouble.” I turn away, my heart racing and rush away from the beach.
- Writer
