Protecting Her

Chapter 3

EMILY POV: 

“What’s these commotion here all about?” I asked Ian as soon as we hit the dining room. There were labourers scattered all over doing only god knows what and why. He looked at me guiltily and said, “They are here to decorate the palace for your 18th birthday, Princess”. THAT’S IT. That was all the push I needed to vent my frustration for yesterday’s little act of his.

“DIDN’T I SAID THAT I DON’T WANT TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY” I yelled at him frustrated. I noticed the way he curled his fingers in fist, the way his jaw clenched to suppress his anger. “HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK THAT I WILL CELEBRATE THE DAY ON WHICH…” I added. Tears welled up in my eyes as I said, “…. I lost my best friend”. 

Flashback:

9 Years Ago, 

“Happy Birthday to you, 

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Dear Milli,

Happy Birthday to you” sang Uncle Alex as I was about to cut my cake. Everyone was looking at him in amazement as their big bag commando was singing for an 8 years old. I noticed the way Ian was glaring at me and I could tell that he was jealous that his father sang for me. But what could I do, I was his favourite. Hehe. 

“Thank you everyone” I said, and hugged Uncle Alex, “You’re the best, Uncle Alex” I added while hugging him. 

He smiled and said, “Now Princess, Will you not offer me some cake?”

I nodded and went to cut the cake.

As I was about to feed him, a messenger came and whispered something in Uncle’s ear. He became tensed and looked everywhere for I don’t know what.

And the next moment I know… He was lying on the ground holding his stomach between all those commotions. 

Flashback Ends.

 ••••

 *Knock, Knock*

 I woke up with a start. “Please open the door, Madam” came a voice from other side of the door.

 After my little argument with Ian, I came back to my room and started crying. Why this has to always happen with me only? I asked him just to convince everyone that I don’t want to celebrate my birthday, and he can’t even do that for me.

 “Coming, Lucy” I said as I walked towards the door.

“Good Day, Madam” said Lucy. 

“How many times will I have to tell you DON’T CALL ME MADAM, Lucy” I said. Lucy was not only my helper but my only friend on whom I could rely on anytime, any-day. She was almost as same as mine. She had big brown eyes and shoulder length blonde hair that framed her face nicely. We’ve been friends since I don’t even remember when.

She was the only one who knew about my not-so-little crush on Ian. I can’t even think of anyone else beside her from whom I can share my biggest secrets with.

“You’re my only friend Lucy, so please treat me as one” I added.

She smiled and said, “Okay, your highness” with a wink. 

I walked towards my bed while putting my hair into a messy bun. At least I can live behind my closed door as dysfunctional as I am. When I asked her that why she came here and disturbed my much needed nap, a look of horror passed through her face. She began fidget with the hem of her uniform shirt and said in a voice just above whisper, “Lord Sebastian wishes to meet you, he said that there must be other nobility present so you should not make them wait”. Okay so that was not something new then why was she so nerves? I think I’ll get to know when I’ll be there. 

“Okay tell them I’ll be there in a while” I said and turned towards my walk-in closet. These meetings are just a pain in the ass but I can’t really do anything about it, can I?

I picked my mauve coloured blazer with matching pants and a white spaghetti strapped top. I did my long brown hair into a high ponytail and applied the minimal makeup as usual. Finally I slipped my favourite black heels and yay I was ready to go. 

 As I went inside, the whole room went silent and watched me curiously. I didn’t know what it meant as they have seen me much more than they saw themselves, then what’s the difference today? I thought. My Uncle Sebastian aka the Earl of the Reighton Empire rose from his chair and came towards me. He is my father’s youngest brother and the most kind hearted man I came across in my life. He always had a kind smile plastered on his face whenever he saw me, but today was something different, the smile was replaced with a frown. The tension inside the room was so thick that it could be cut through a knife.

From the corner of my eyes I could see Ian standing behind a vacant chair which is possibly vacant for me. His jaw was clenched and a frown was etched on his face too. What’s with this frown on everyone’s face? What the hell is happening? Is someone trying to attack on us? But that didn’t happened in years. 

“Come Milli, sit down”. I was brought back into reality by my Uncle’s voice. I went towards the other side of the table, opposite to where Ian was standing as I didn’t want him near me anytime soon. Are you sure? My subconscious mocked me. Shut up, Brain. 

When I settled down, my uncle sat opposite to me beside which Ian was standing. I noticed Ian looking at my way, but as soon as I looked back at him he diverted his eyes. I couldn’t quite fathom the look onto his face, but then, when have I? He was always so impossible to read. My uncle noticed me looking at his face as he said, “Why are you standing, Chris? Come on you are not an outsider dear, you are one of us, like our own. Now sit down please we have very less time to manage everything”. Manage everything? What everything are they talking about? I guess it’s time for me to know ‘everything’.

“What is happening here, Uncle? What are you talking about?” I asked and looked towards the nobility present and said, “ Are why are you all having this look on your faces as if someone died?”. They looked at me like I’m some sort of alien or a psychopath who broke her cell, ran off and came here. “What?” I asked while looking at them. Someone’s throat clearing voice made me look at them, and I saw my Uncle looking at me in disappointment or dare I say…. Sympathy. Sympathy? Why? Does he also thinks that I’m some sort of psychotic b***h who ran off from a cell? But he knows that I live here from childhood, he practically sees me everyday. He couldn’t think that, Could he? I don’t know. Let’s find out. 

“We are here to discuss something important with you, Emily” said Uncle Sebastian. Oh really? I thought we’re here for a friendly get-together. 

“Okay” was all that I managed to say. I so wanted to end this meeting and go back to sleep.

My uncle looked towards me and started, “ As you all that Milli’s birthday is coming in two weeks from now, and she’ll be 18th this year”. Everyone nodded in acknowledgment. I stayed with a blank expression on my face as I didn’t wanted to create a scene here knowing that my breakdown will make them think I’m not strong enough to manage this empire. My uncle continued while looking at me, “You know very well that how difficult it has been for us to function without a Duke or Duchess to rule. We have always been the easy target for our enemies to attack”. 

“Yes Uncle, but after our alliance with the Portmeirion Empire the attacks has reduced, or shall I say came to an end?” I voiced out.  

“You are absolutely right dear” Uncle said, “ we are here to talk about that only” he added.

“Did they broke the alliance?” asked one of the nobility. “No they can’t do that without a prior notice” answered the other. And soon the room filled with different assumptions. Some were quiet as if they know something that others don’t. Some were whispering among each other whereas some looked as they were having an inner battle. Yes, I was talking about Ian. 

“Silence” one word from Uncle Sebastian, and the whole room went silent.

 “Listen to me carefully everyone” he added while looking at everyone. “You all are well aware about how an alliance is made. This alliance was no different. This alliance was also based upon a marriage.” he said. Whole room filled with gasps and murmurs again but I wasn’t able to understand who’s marriage were they talking about? Who was married off to form this alliance?

 My question was soon answered as he continued, “The only difference in this alliance was that the wedding didn’t happen back then instead it will happen now as the kids have come to an age”. He diverted his eyes from mine as he said, “ Emily, you’ll be getting married to the Duke Of Portmeirion, the one and only Victor Hemsworth”.