Aurora and the thief(Phealix Book 2)

Chapter 2: Enemy Enemy

Kristine was in her dreamland when continuous knocking hit her head like Thor's hammer. She groaned and sat upright. " Come in. " She grumbled, yawning. A maid came with her breakfast, and along with her came Kristine's second-worst nightmare. Of course, Dominus is her first worst nightmare, even if he gave her the oath to protect her. Albert's eyes declared disappointment but not surprise when he looked at her, with his glasses on his nose. " What? " Kristine snapped at her advisor. Yes, Carolus can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. He appointed Albert, their father's advisor to take care of her. More like keeping an eye on her all the time so she doesn't mess up. " You are the Queen. You need to wake up earlier than your people. And look at you. Still in bed. Still, your hair looks like a bird's nest. And still, you are in your nightgown. " Albert muttered all the things she hasn't done. " Why? I look cute in a nightgown. I don't need to take it off. " Kristine grinned. " And all the birds in my kingdom feel very comfortable when my hair is like this. " She added, running her hands over her tangled red hair. Albert sighed through his mouth. " Come on. Freshen up. And eat your breakfast. We have a lot to do. " He said. Kristine rolled her eyes as she has been listening to this freaking sentence, " We have a lot to do" since Carolus decided to be with Aurora. Kristine only agreed to this much work because she knows how Aurora is. She needs help but she won't ask anyone. So, Carolus needs to be there. All the time. And only this. Only knowing that it is all for Aurora, her sister, her friend, that she is working as a Queen, although temporarily, she gets up every morning and does what this old man says to her. "Fine," Kristine mumbled and got out of her comfy blanket. Sighing she climbed down from her bed and went to the bathroom.

Eggs, bread, cheese, and blueberries. Everything was laid out before the Queen of Aurelis. Temporary Queen. Carolus and Kristine haven't yet decided who is going to rule it forever. Because Carolus knows that Kristine would kill him in his sleep if He gives all the responsibilities to her permanently. At least for now.

" Albert, Will you eat some cheese? " Kristine asked her advisor. " No thank you. I have eaten my breakfast. No one is this late to eat after all. Well, except our Queen. " Albert said, looking at the papers in his hands. Kristine always wondered how does he manage to keep his glasses just over his nose. And how on the universe, does it not fall down? Like ever? " Stop thinking about my glasses, Miss. Kristine. You should eat. " Albert said. His eyes still scanning the pages. Kristine took a bite of the cheese, and asked, " Albert, Why didn't you marry? " Albert's eyes stopped scanning the papers. His eyes darted at Kristine over the glasses. " Why would you ask that? " " Nothing. I just wondered. Are you that boring or did you find no one worthy of you? " Kristine asked, narrowing her eyes a bit. " There was a girl. " Albert mumbled and returned to scan the pages. Kristine huffed at him ignoring the topic. " Fine. Don't tell me about this mysterious girl. " She tore the bread, and chewing, she started to speak but a knock came at the door. Kristine frowned at the door. A servant opened the door to the castle. Vern gracefully walked inside. " Miss me? " He asked, flashing his teeth. Kristine jumped from the chair and ran to him. Albert shook his head. "Where have you been? " Kristine asked, hugging Vern tightly. " Sylvia gave me some work. There has been a cold War between Sylvia, and the Rantors. " Vern said. Rantors are half-bull, and half fish. And they can talk. They have a secluded area solely to themselves because they are loud. They like to fight a lot. Sylvia has an army of Rantors. But when your army is at war with you, you have to solve it as soon as possible. You can not afford to lose them. " What? But Sylvia is a great Queen. Why are they in war? " Kristine asked. " Hulio, The leader of the Rantors, wants a seat in the council. He wants to attend meetings. " Vern said. " Why would someone want to attend meetings? " Kristine scrunched her brows, and nose at the same time. She clearly was unable to understand why someone would attend something as boring as meetings. " To feel important. " Albert answered her. Vern nodded. " Hulio is feeling left out. And as the leader of the larger army, he wants to attend meetings. But Sylvia is very conscious about the council. Hulio is a fighter, he isn't someone who can give any advice to someone. At least not a good one. And Sylvia tries to maintain peace. But Hulio loves to fight. So, if he gets a seat in the council, he will always come up with a solution that will start a war. " Vern said, kissing her cheeks one at a time. " I missed you. " He whispered. " I missed you more. " Kristine said and hugged him again. " You have duties, Queen. " Albert said. " Temporary Queen. " Kristine grumbled. Vern chuckled. " You are acting like Sylvia. " He said. " But she isn't irresponsible like her. She knows how to rule." Albert huffed. Albert once went to Aurora's universe. And he met with the rulers. He found them very interesting, and very worthy of ruling. Kristine stuck her tongue out, scrunching her nose. Vern kissed her nose and led her to the table. Kristine called for the servants to bring another plate for Vern. " So, you will stay here, right? " She asked. " Yes. For some days. " Vern answered. " The problem with the Rantors was solved? " Albert asked, finally looking up from the pages, and keeping it aside. " Yes. Hulio backed down. " " How? " " Sylvia offered a duel." Vern shrugged. Albert chuckled lightly. " And of course, He wouldn't dare to fight with the Queen. She can choke out his life anytime. " Albert said, smiling. Kristine arched a brow. " Now you are smiling? " She asked. " Really? Do you only care about war and Kingdom? " Kristine asked, her shoulders slumping. " YOU should only care about war and Kingdom. " Albert said and left them to their breakfast. " Calm down. He will come around. " Vern said, brushing his hand over her right arm. " How long? It's been months. He always tells me to do this, and that. And when I try to talk with him as a normal person, he just bolts out. I want Carolus here. I can't do this. " Kristine said, helplessly. " I know. Just hold on a little longer. I'm sure He will come up with something which will help both you and Aurora. " Vern assured. " I'm tired. I didn't know that ruling would be this hard. " Kristine sighed. Vern kissed her temple and hugged her. " You are doing great, Kris. Hold on a little longer. " Vern mumbled pressing his lips on her ear. " I know I am overreacting. Albert is just an advisor. But I have never done this. I need someone to guide me. Not be like robots." Kristine said. "I understand. And that's why. I am going to stay here." Vern said. "For some days." Kristine mumbled, playing with the floral sleeves of her gown. "I can stay how much longer you want me to." Vern said, smiling. Kristine looked at him, and said, "forever." " Someday." Vern smiled.

"You have a meeting at ten. And then you are needed to meet with the people." Albert informed Kristine. " Okay." Kristine nodded, with determination.

" We have a serious problem." One of the members said in the meeting. " What is it?" Kristine asked, trying to stay focused. " The pigs are missing." "So?" Kristine arched her brow. " Pigs are missing. Which means, someone is stealing them." One said. "Or eating them." Another said. Kristine hummed. "You mean some other animal?" She asked. "Maybe." "Find out who is doing these things. And make sure our animals stay in our Kingdom." Kristine ordered her General, to which he nodded. " Not only the pigs, Your majesty." Another member said. "Birds are found dead." Kristine frowned. "What is going on?" She asked herself. " Please look into this now, General. " Kristine said. The General nodded and left. "Anything else do I need to know?" Kris asked. " Nothing more. We were just worried about the animals." One said. "You can trust My General. He will find out." Kristine said. And the meeting ended.

"You should pay more attention. You weren't focused," Albert advised when everyone left. "Pigs are missing, and birds are found dead. It means someone is either playing with us or there is something wrong going on here. And serious measures should be taken." Kristine said, ignoring him. Her back straight, and face calm.

Some of the people of Aurelis were gathering to meet with the Queen. To offer something, and also to ask for help. When everyone was seated down, Kristine walked gracefully to the dais, with Vern. She was wearing a blood-red gown, with simple embroidery in black. The ruby crown, made for her when she was a child, sat atop her head, was shining. Vern left her when she was comfortably seated on her throne. On Carolus's throne. Vern stood beside her. Everyone was staring at him with confusion in their eyes. Vern's blue suit was simple, too. And his air was neatly combed back. Kristine clapped her hands thrice to order them to sit comfortably and be silent. " People of Aurelis, I am sure you are wondering who is this handsome young man beside me. His name is Vernim. He is my Paramour." Kristine announced. The people clapped for her and shouted congratulations. " Is he your mate, Then?" Someone asked. And this question made fear clutch her heart tightly. Because this question had only one answer, which she was denying still now. She wouldn't accept that wretched King, who forced her to see a little girl get killed, and torn into pieces. Although, He pledged his loyalty and protection to her. although he is her ally, She won't accept him. Never. Vern kept his hand on her shoulder, which broke her trance. Kristine was searching for words when he arrived. " Is it anyone's business who is her Mate? It's her choice, after all." The person said, smugly. Kristine's eyes shot to him, and it turned furious. The one enemy. The one person she truly hates. The one person, who is responsible for her nightmares. Her fear.The one person who cost her, her smile, and her old self. Dominus was standing inside the castle. Looking at her. An unreadable expression on his face. Or Kristine didn't want to read what was on his face.