LOVE UNREFINED

CHAPTER 21: STAY AWAY

Besides the ongoing preparation Aine decided it should be for the best to speak to leaders of both the Leinster and Mealth clans together, he wanted to be the one to break the news to them, he also was hoping to stop this war and take a step to unity just as Cessy said.

Aine stared at both the representative of each clan Chad from Mealth and Umar from Leinster, without wasting time he immediately briefed both gentlemen on the matter at hand, the banquet had already been announced the previous day and it was barely 72 hours to the banquet, getting ready and training the maids and people helping out should have started with immediate effect.

After explaining he waited to hear suggestions from both men who represented each clan, Umar was the first to speak

" I don't see the need of adding the Mealths to such a glorious occasion, your Highness, I'm well aware that you are from Mealth but that shouldn't be a reason for them to participate and bring their awkward culture, presenting them in front of the different kings of the region" Umar said expressing his displeasure

" How dare you speak that way in front of the king" Chad questioned almost standing from his sit to address the disrespect.

" Chad, that's enough. I understand the mindset of the people about Mealth but what makes you think Lenister is more qualified?" Aine asked staring at Umar

" Your highness that shouldn't be a question" he replied, Chad clenched in his fist at this reply but said nothing.

" I agree the people of Mealth can be a little bit too much but that doesn't rule out the fact that the people of that clan are indeed still family to the people of Lenister, just because we are two different clan doesn't mean we can't make peace with one another and work together.

My calling you here is not to ask for your opinion on the matter or to get permission either but it's to let you know the king and I have already made a decisions. 25 people will be needed for this job 13 males and 12 females each, and I want them here before the break of dawn, first thing tomorrow morning." He explained, Umar felt nothing but disgust as the words rolled out of Aine's mouth

" They are all supposed to have started training but I have been too busy with the preparation hence I am telling you this now" he concluded

" Forgive me your Highness" Chad couldn't help it but roll his eyes, still trying to give Aine and Umar a little bit of respect.

" I refuse to let my people work with the people of Mealth, such low class people should not be allowed to be involved at the banq...."

" And didn't you have ears to hear what your King just said to you?" Fitz asked as he walked into the meeting unannounced

" My King" Umar fell on his knees with his face on the floor.

" He said it himself that I decided on the matter" Fitz restated

" My King, I had no idea that you gave the order" Umar said feeling dumb for being punished in the presence of Aine and Chad.

Aine before the meeting told Cessy about it, Cessy knew very well that the people of Leinster were a stubborn clan and they would not want to agree to work with the Mealths, if the order did not come directly from Fitz himself

" What makes you go against my word? does his Highness himself have no right to demand something to be done from you and your clan?" he asked

" I'm sorry my lord" Umar begged with his face still against the floor both Aine and Chad were shocked by the entry of Fitz and his sudden intervention

" Now you go and prepare 24 and next time I hear of such behavior, the only thing that will be leaving here is your head for disrespecting the King in such a manner" he added Umar immediately nodded while using his words

"Yes my lord" he said audibly

" Now leave"

He immediately got up and rushed towards the exit

" Thaa..."

" There's no reason to thank me for more than anything. If a man can't handle his kingdom, he only ends up throwing it into chaos and that was what you almost did, Cessy is the one you should be thanking not me" he added before leaving

" Now that is called power" Chad whispered to Aine but got no reply, he was still busy amazed by what just happened

" Aine" Chad called out

" I can't believe he did that" Aine finally spoke

" Cessy really has a hold on him" Chad added

" Precisely he's in love with Cessy"

" Now back to the banquet, can you take me to the banquet arena I want to see it for myself. I need to know where my people are going to be staying during the duration of the banquet" Chad requested

" I know you just want to see how huge it is" Aine confirmed

" You know me too well"

" Of course I do, that's why I'm your best friend."

Both of them walked towards the car, Chad on getting to the arena had the exact same reaction that Aine did, when he first came.

" Oh my god, this place is bigger than our entire clan community. An entire clan can fit in here and still have enough space to spare" he said smiling as they walked towards the building

" Exactly my thoughts as well"

" Just imagine how much was spent to just build this place to the level it is right now" Chad said as they both walked in together.

" The inside is even more glorious than the outside, I can see why they don't want the people of Mealth"

" Would you cut it out, come with me let me take you around the entire arena" he held Chad taking him inside giving him a tour around the building before walking back to the entrance. Chad was already leaving in order to gather the right people for the banquet, he was on his way when he saw Eldon as well, walking towards the banquet arena.

" Your grace?" he greeted while bowing after which he waved at Aine before driving off.

" Your Highness" Eldon greeted Aine with a warm smile

" Your Majesty" Aine greeted as well.

" And how is the preparation for the banquets going" he asked, Aine had forgotten how handsome Eldon was and here again he was shocked by his immense to beauty.

" it's been going well so far" he replied trying not to stare too much, Eldon was dressed in a red tuxedo, he wore his glass over his face, which gave his a unique look. There was something quite different about him that Aine couldn't really place, when ever he was with Eldon he felt both at peace and secure.

" That's good to hear, planning a banquet is never easy" he added

" I guess so. You're here to see Cessy?" Aine couldn't help but ask, even knowing the truth he still wanted to know if Cessy was the only reason he was here

" I'm going to be frankly honest with you. I came because of Cessy but I also decided to come see how you're getting along with the preparation of the banquet"

" It's been quite hectic but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it slowly" he answered with a smile

" You look handsome when you smile, you should try smiling more often" he complimented as soon as he saw his beautiful smile, Aine couldn't help but blush, his cheek were heated up.

" Are you all right?" Eldon asked worried noticing his ears turning red

" Who? me? I'm perfectly fine" he said panicking

" But your ears are turning red, is that normal?"

" Yes, I think it's because of stress" he said covering up his ears with his hand

" Are you sure, maybe you are sick" he added but before Aine could answer Eldon's question his hands were already Aine's head checking if his temperature was alright. Aine couldn't help but feel shivers running down his spine just by Eldon's touch.

" You seem fine" he said looking directly into his eyes, Aine became speechless not knowing how he should reply

" So why are you glowing red, are you sure you're alright" Eldon asked with a worried face

" I'm perfectly fine, I told you I am stressed and whenever I get stressed that tends to happen" he smiled nervously, he felt like he was going melt right in front of Eldon.

" Eldon" Cessy called out which made both Aine and Eldon turn towards him.

" What are you doing here?" he asked as he watched his brother who was still staring at Aine

" I came to see you"

" Why are you here? There must be a reason because king Eldon doesn't just leave his kingdom to another kingdom. Knowing you fully well, you don't do anything without a reason. So why are you here" Cessy asked with a more intense voice.

" I came here to have a conversation with you, would you like us to have a conversation here or take it elsewhere?" he asked raising his eyebrows he was pissed at his little brother. The fact that his brother didn't trust him enough to tell him who was hurting him, he couldn't understand how their relationship got spoilt to that extent.

Both boys were best of friends right from when they were little boys but everything changed immediately their mum died and their father's hostility towards Cessy began, all he ever wanted was to bond with his brother like normal brothers do but the more he tried the more Cessy kept pushing him away.

" We'll have the conversation somewhere else" Cessy said pulling Eldon with him away from Aine who was quite relieved that he wasn't caught in the act of blushing.

" Now tell me why are you here? Cessy asked as he let go of Eldon's hand

" What happened to you?"

" What do you mean what happened to me, is that a question?"

" Yes it is Cessy and I need you to answer me right this moment, I want to know what has been going on with you and I also want to know who has been hurting you, I could investigate and find out but I just want to hear it from you. Tell me who's been hurting you?"

" I fail to see how this is any of your concern, I am perfectly fine, Nobody is hurting me. now please can you leave so I can live my life again in peace" Cessy answered

" Not until you tell me who did this, don't think I don't know what has been going on, the bruises on your body and Fitz also sent me pictures as evidence to what has been happening around you, why can't you just tell anybody the truth of what's going on with you" Eldon said taking a deep breath " Tell me who is hurting you?" he asked

" You said you knew who did it, so why the hell are you asking me that same question again. How many times would I tell you I don't need your help, I don't need your intervention and I don't want you doing anything for me. You've been one of the major causes of my problem and you still want add to them, Eldon I beg you to let me be, I don't understand why you are hell bent on making us friends or making me think that you are a good brother, when I already know you're nothing but a green snake under a green grass. I don't appreciate your help, stay away from me and my life" Cessiar said beginning to get fed up by all the questions he didn't want to talk about.

He knew clearly that he hurts his brothers feeling but this was the only way he could keep everyone safe, he knew very well that his father could kill whosoever he wants without even thinking twice about it.

" I can't believe you right now Cessiar I'm standing here right in front of you letting go of all my responsibilities to our kingdom just to make sure you're fine and the only thing you could tell me right to my face is to let you be and I'm the cause of your problem, how? tell me, how did I cause your problems?!" he yelled as the anger in him rose

" The fact that you were ever born is a cause, your mere existence threatens mine. The fact that you're alive makes me feel dead" he added " I never wanted to be your younger brother and I will never long for your relationship as a brother, I have made this a thousand times clear and I don't understand why you can't get it through your thick skull"

" that's because I promised mother I would take care of you before she passed away, I promised her I will make sure I look after you and give you all the best things in life"

" Well you should know you've failed her" Cessy said cutting Eldon off his statement " You should be ashamed of yourself and walk up to her and tell her that you are a disgrace and you couldn't even take care of one little thing she gave you to handle, as far as this matter is concerned, I do not want to talk about it anymore if you feel you want to go on a hunting shadows you can go ahead but please and please I beg of you do not to drag me into any of your mess anymore, no one is hurting me. I am fine and I can take care of myself" he concluded before walking away leaving Eldon, as usual the only thing he wanted was to make sure his brother was fine but his brother hot-headedness was getting them nowhere in their relationship.

Cessy rushed to the bathroom immediately breaking down in tears.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you" he cried, he really wanted things with Eldon to be alright but that was all he could do, nothing but wish.