Chapter 10
1789 Words
POV: Lena
In a matter of minutes, I was at the Alpha regent Chambers. Adrienne’s father was a calm man. He looked like he has fought his battles and won. He looks so full of wisdom despite how life is trying so hard to shrink this agile man into a crinkled old man.
With my heart beating out of my chest, I went on to knock. I noticed I was busy thinking of the numerous reasons he must have summoned me and what will happen to me if all things went wrong that I must have passed the armed men securing the hall way up to his chambers without even noticing them.
“Is that Lena? Come in” the voice answered almost in a muffle.
“Greetings, Sir” I stooped to bow like the lady that I am.
“Oh please, come on in! How are you doing??” He signaled me over.
The room is big, with the huge bed placed beautifully in the center, a literal KING SIZE BED. There was room enough for one to walk from one end to another walking for about a minute.
The curtains and architectural designs was vintage. One just knows this castle has stood the test of time. The old man in his velvet robe waked slowly towards the table and shakingly lifted up the tea post to serve 2 cups.
“I should help you sir” I tried to get there before he finished without being too comfortable.
“Oh please, Lena. Loose the pity” he shrugged me off. “I used to be a warlord, you know. In my younger days, I was out there! Fighting! I never wanted to be alpha, it’s mostly boring. Just sitting and giving orders while you appoint others to do the exciting part….
“My armor weighed half a man’s weight, my sword was twice the weight of a stoneware pot. So how heavy can a teapot be simply because I’m old?” He handed me a cup.
I was just quiet, I went blank. I paid close attention to his biography thinking he was about to execute me only for us to end up about a teapot? Well.
“I’m sure you must be wondering why I summoned you”[slurp]: he sipped his tea. I could only nod before he continued.
“Well, it’s been excellent having you for this few weeks, I am glad you look well refreshed than you when you got here, hope you’ve had no problem ever since your arrival?”
“None, Sir”, though I replied impulsively, in no time I realized that I actually haven’t had a problem since I got here.
Adrienne’s father continued, “Well, permit me to confess that I went on my own research about you. It could be really bad for a royal house to accept someone who is excommunicated from another royal house and as little as it may be an act, it can bring castles to war, it could be fatal…
“ My researches, well, I can’t say I have bad reports but I all I did was to be sure I’m not in jeopardy because of my generosity. I don’t mean to push as far until I couldn’t help but notice you’ve found yourself a good friend already” he said and looked to me as thought he was waiting for my answer to confirm what he’d just said.
“I- I don’t understand, sir” was what trembled out of my mouth. I was actually taken aback.
“Oh, Lena. I know you know what I’m talking about but for the sake of clarity, I will go on and say it”, he wasn’t wrong. I know what he’s talking about but what do I say?
“I am talking about Adrienne” he dropped it. “We both can’t deny that you and him have developed some form of likeness towards one another. And I love it for you both. But…”
Of course, a statement like that comes with a BUT. What could it be this time around…
“But I want to be sure this is not something of the moment. I hope you’re not using him as a rebound or for the sake of boredom. Remember, we are only giving you shelter at the castle, not locking you up. You can have friends elsewhere” he stated blatantly.
“I-I-I - Sir- I” I stammered yet again. I was so nervous.
“Lena, are you nervous?” Caught right in the act, I was He reached out for both my hands.
“Yes” I managed to say with my trembling hands landing on his wrinkled but firm ones.
“Do you love my son?”
“H-h-h”_ a knock rudely interrupted whatever answer I was about to give. Oh, how grateful was I for that saving.
“Sorry to disturb, Sir, but a raven with a scroll came for you sir?” The voice called from behind the door.
“So, since when to I receive letter directly? What is Adrienne doing?”
“It’s a white raven sir”
“The white Raven…” Adrienne’s father answered with a level of disappointment and unexpectancy, “well, don’t just stand there. GET IT TO ME” he blurted.
“The white raven is the Royal raven, sent to just the only one and the highest commander of my pack. It’s used only in terms of extreme necessity and measures. I can’t overemphasize secrecy in such regards. It is highly confidential” he obviously was explaining to me when the Guard matched up the distance to him.
I’m somewhat grateful for that information cos I never even knew there was such a thing as the White Raven or Royal Raven .
“Oh, this seal. This is not nice” he scanned the seal wax carefully. And then he opened and closed it back almost immediately. I imagine how the letter s from and what’s about
“Umm, Lena. You know I’m old and sick and Adrienne gets all worked up about me. This letter is not something he needs to know about. He will smother the privacy out of me with affection and I don’t want that. Can this be between us?”
“Oh, of course. It’s not my business anyways” I teased him with a chuckle. Awkward, I know.
“Do you mind we catch up on this later, I need to treat some matters urgently”
“Whenever you’re ready, sir?” a took my bow to leave.
Just at the door, his voice called back to me “and Lena, I really appreciate your discretion”, that sounded more of a threat and I got the message.
I nodded and left his chambers with more unanswered questions than I came. I was moving absentmindedly yet again when I bumped into Adrienne. Again.
“ I think we should stop meeting in this manner” Adrienne said as he grabbed both my arms with his strong hands. “Are you okay?”
“I am. Why?”
“You look like your discussion with my father didn’t go well”
“Oh, why wouldn’t it, Adrienne?”
“Apologies if that offends you, I only was looking out for you. I know my dad is old and cranky and likely to put you off with as mere as his gaze. And your face doesn’t look like I am wrong about thinking so, Lena”
So thoughtful, and he wasn’t so wrong. But I wasn’t going to tell him that so I instead said “for someone that told me his father alone knows his interests himself, you conclude about him so quickly”.
“Lena please, that’s my dad we are talking about. I am not asking you to tell me what you discussed, I just want to know you’re ok”
“Thank you. I am, can you let me go now?” I begged for my freedom off his firm grip. Heading for my room.
“So, what are you plans for the rest of the day? What would you be doing?” Adrienne followed me.
“I thought you were going to meet with your dad?”
“To rescue you, yes” he replied defensively “but you’re obviously fine”
“As we all can see”
“You haven’t answered me about the rest of the day”
“Why? Do you have a chore for me?”
“Not as intense but something similar. Afterall, we weren’t done over breakfast. My father snatched you from me so there’s that too”
I didn’t know when I chuckled over his silly joke. I do that a lot lately. He is not even as funny but he has me laughing with his silly jokes. Before I knew it, we both were at my door.
“On a more serious note, what do you need me for, Adrienne?”
“Okay, I hope I don’t get a NO but…” he hesitated and dragged air through his teeth before saying
“I would like to show you around town, especially some of my favorite sites. I mean, you should leave the castle a while. What do you say?”
Before I could even say a word, Adrienne continued with “great, I will like you to be comfortable cos of course, we are going on tour”.
“Excuse me, you didn’t even give me a chance to accept or deny your proposal?”
“Lena, I truly just want to give you a great time. I don’t wanna be a bad friend but you’re not making it easy for me” Adrienne gave a puppy face I almost forgot he was acting.
“You know what, I will do whatever you ask of me if you don’t enjoy our time out today. Deal?” Adrienne just has his way. How can one ever say no to such a man?
“Deal! You better hope I do, if not…” I agreed.
*****
POV:
‘I SEE SHE HAS ARRIVED YOUR CASTLE. I’M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY. REMEMBER YOUR PROMISES TO YOUR FRIEND, MY DEAR KILLIAN. THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS TO TAKE CARE OF HER. SHE’S BEEN THROUGH A LOT ALREADY. YOU KNOW WHOSE DAUGHTER SHE IS. YOU KNOW HER KIND. HER LIFE IS A DANGER TO HERSELF AND OTHERS THE MOMENT SHE FINDS OUT WHO SHE IS AND WHAT SHE IS CAPABLE OF.
REMEMBER, YOU TOOK AN OATH TO TAKE CARE OF HER TILL YOUR LAST BREATH’
- Writer
