MINE TO HOLD

ALEX MEETS HIS BRIDE

EPISODE 8

In Aurora's chambers, she was sitting at her dressing table her expression calm, her hair was silken and well brushed,her mother the queen standing beside her confused.

"Aurora you didn't speak of this" She spoke confused

"But maa ...its settled, l will marry Prince Alex he was my childhood friend remember" She said calmly, to her she thought since Lucas wanted to be with his childhood friend so does she.

" Why suddenly?? You don't know the older Alex,,,it been ages since you saw him" her mother pressed even harder.

"I have invited him over Maa...moreover l don't think he has changed that much" Aurora said looking at her mother childishly so she can support her.

"What of you brother?? How will he survive when you are gone??" Queen Margaret asked sadly.

"He has his protector Maa...and again the kingdom needs stability a union with Alex will strengthen us" She explained.

" This marriage supports his coronation" Grace was there looking at her and she knew this doing wasn't out of love but her shattered heart.

In another place the council gathered in their favourite chambers.

"This marriage is a threat....the princess will be more powerful than ever " Lord Harry said.

"perhaps she no longer trusts us...noo she must have a plan" Lord Klaus added.

"We need a very good plan to stop this weeding or else..." Madam said.

"We gather tonight again ....make sure when we return we have a solution to this nonsense marriage " She said looking at Lord Harry.

At night with cold lanterns light flickering

along the stone wall ,casting shadows over the resting place of kings,Aurora stood alone before her father's tomb, hands clasped tightly infornt of her,,her grey cloak trailing behind her.

"Father am doing what l must" her voice was soft and sad at the same time, her fingers brushed the engraved crown at the top of the marble, for a moment she looked more of a mourning daughter than a iron princess everyone knew, and then suddenly she heard footsteps she did not turn because she knew that walk. Lucas stepped

into the dime light his expression unreadable behind his head armor, he was in frustrations and disbelief and he could feel something dangerous than pain

"Princess Aurora..Is the announcement true?? he asked his voice was so shakey like he expected her to say no.

"Yes...it is..." Aurora answered

" You are marrying Prince Alex??" He asked loudly.

"Correct " She answered

"Why?? with no counsel, no conversations you just decided overnight" His voice cracked in anger.

"l do not owe any explanation to a guard" Aurora said her gaze still on the tomb.

"That's not what l asked" Lucas said moving closer to her, she finally turned, her face was calm,too calm.

" It's done...l suggest you accept it" she said, lucas looked at her and shook his head

"You are doing this because of last night??"

Aurora's eyes narrowed just slightly not enough for vulnerability but enough to show she felt those words. Lucas took another step too close too her ...

" You saw me and Aria and now you are running..."

" l don't run..." Aurora snapped. Lucas kept moving until he was few inches from her,his voice dropped

"You think marrying another man will erase what you feel?" Lucas asked lifting his hand to her left cheek ,Aurora's breath hitched but she did not move

"And what if....l kiss you right now.." Lucas traced her lips with his index finger,,Aurora body froze,,he leaned and drop his head for Aurora was shorter than him,,he was almost kissing her when she slapped him on his face,Lucas staggered backwards touching his cheek in disbelief, Aurora's eyes blazed in anger..

" Remember your place Lucas...you are just a guard nothing compared to Alex....the man am going to marry "The words cut deeper in Lucas's soul than blade .

"You don't mean that...a guard ...just a guard after everything..." He asked pained

" l mean every word" Aurora said looking away.

Lucas looked at how her hands were trembling as she swallowed saliva down her throat.

"You are lying princess " He whispered

"Leave...... Lucas !" Aurora shouted loudly but before Lucas could leave she left in a hurry, Lucas stood there wondering if there is any trace of a girl who used to smile with him, seduce him and who had stood with him during his trial ,but that Aurora was long gone and buried so deep that he couldn't reach her.

The next morning sunlight washed over the palace courtyard as a royal carriage rolled in, the carriage stopped and then a footman opened the door ,Prince Alex stepped out, he was tall, elegant, well-groomed with short dark hair,he had blue eyes that hinted a noble upbringing. His gaze sweeped the courtyard calculating who to judge, his expression stiffened when he saw Lucas standing among the guards,Lucas stood perfectly straight towering above the other guards, he was even taller than Alex his build was powerful and his posture effortsly.

Alex clenched he had never met anyone taller than him,he walked towards him clearly envious,

"You must be Lucas Scotland " He said lifting Lucas's chin.

"I have heard so much about you..stories of bravery and strength,...though l must say l expected someone a bit polished you stand like a soldier yes...but do you think looking intimidating makes you more that?" A murmur spread among the guards. Lucas stayed calm ,Alex then gave a tight mocking laughter

"My apologies..perhaps l assumed too much,a man of your size must rely on physicality alone,,l suppose thinking comes second" He continued mocking him ,,a few guards lowered their eyes but Lucas kept his calm something that irritated Alex. He smirked thinking he had won but then he noticed Lucas eye shift , he was looking towards the palace stairs, Alex turned and behold princess Aurora descended gracefully, her gown of deep purple flowing like velvet night ,her light makeup softened her regal beauty,every step she took seemed to command the courtyard's heartbeat. Alex smiled in admiration, he stepped infront blocking Lucas's view .

"Princess Aurora " Alex greeted and bowed, Aurora offered her hand, Alex lifted it gently, his lips hovering around it making it more performance than affection his eyes searching to see if Lucas had noticed,,, he knew Lucas surely a thing for Aurora.

Aurora glanced at Lucas, a look so fast that no one noticed but Alex did and then she looked at Alex.

"Shall we go inside Prince Alex....we have so much to talk about....it has been really long time with no see " She said offering her hand to him , something that made Lucas really furious.

"With pleasure my princess..." Alex said offering his arm as they walked away.

Aurora let Alex through a quiet corridor of the palace towards a parlor ,a small chamber that had been designed for private meeting, they entered and the guards closed the door behind them. Alex walked to the window ,hands folded behind his back he looked out over the gardens where they had once played as kids .

" You have grown" He finally spoke warmly looking at her.

"It has been many years" Aurora said.

"Yet it feels like yesterday that you were running through peaches tree saying that you you'd never marry anyone who couldn't outturn you" Alex said smiling, Aurora gave a faint smile the memory was so real to her.

"So...you truly wish to proceed with the wedding?" Aurora asked unsure, Alex stepped more closer to her and held her hands.

"of course...in one moon from now...before

your brother's coronation" He said

"This kingdom is unstable.. a swift marriage will show unity" Alex said his thumbs brushing her knuckles, lingering a moment longer than politeness allowed, Aurora pulled her hands away, Alex chuckled as he tried reaching for her hands again, Aurora stepped back not shyly but firmly.

"Alex...l respect the pact between our kingdom and l will honor our agreement but we must move with dignity" Aurora said softly .

"As you wish milady..." He said bowing his a head as a sign of acceptance. Aurora forced a smile on her face as she walked him out of the door.

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