Zelda's POV.I must have been walking for hours before realizing I had strayed a bit far from the palace. But currently, I have no desire to return to that place, it was a bit too suffocating and toxic for my liking. The fact that I feel like I am basically being used by the brothers is enough to make me feel the way I do currently. And then there is the gnawing feeling and glaring difference in us all. “I do not think they rate me, the lot of them,” I said to myself, kicking up the dust on the ground as I walked slowly around the woods.“If they did, at least they would involve me in their plans and I wouldn't feel so left out all the time,” I said aloud, almost looking like an insane person.The emotions that were in me for so long had the majority of it released earlier with Simone. “Poor woman, she will probably be very much confused by my actions”. I thought to myself, sighing aloud.For some reason, I wanted to
Alaric's POV.Ajax spent a bit of time in my room catching up, and that made me happy. At least it stopped me from thinking about what had happened with Zelda the previous day. But his and Aiden's confidence and impending clash over Zelda worried me. It made me realize that I was only being strong-headed.“That won't work anymore”. I said to myself, realizing the reality of things.And when he left my room later, I became really somber. I was not in a good mood, not after what Zelda said to me, and for some reason, I wanted to punch something. I realized in no time that I was mostly angry with myself. “I finally drove her to the wall.” I kept thinking in my head as I furiously punched my pillow.I quickly opened the bottle of wine I had kept in my drawer and poured myself a large glass, and then another, and before I knew it the bottle was empty. Sitting on my armchair, I wish I could get wasted. Anything to forget the sce
Ajax’s POV Zelda seemed startled that I was in her room, which made me feel a bit disappointed. I was eagerly awaiting this moment all day, but that didn’t seem to be the case with her. “Where have you been?” I asked her as she reluctantly walked closer to me. “I have been with Noel.” She replied as she went to the front of the mirror to make her hair into a ponytail, her flawless neckline was quite visible and appealing to my eyes. I instantly cleared my throat to snap myself from my thoughts. “You seem to be getting along with her.” I inquired further, and she let out a light chuckle. “Yes, I was worried when I heard she was coming to the palace, I thought I would be left out when she arrived and although I felt exactly that way at first, I realized that it was rather a good thing. She is a nice person and talking to her makes me feel very comfortable.” She explained. I listened to her talk about
Corey’s POV “Did you get the book?” Lord Jamie asked immediately after I entered the room, I could sense his impatience and without further delay, I handed the book and the journal to him. “And the man?” He inquired as he dropped the book on the table. “You have nothing to worry about, my lord, he has been taken care of,” I assured him. “Good, make sure you deliver his reward to his family. I did make a promise after all.” He said and I nodded. “But make sure you are discreet about it.” He added. He picked the book up and flipped a few pages as he hummed to himself, I watched him carefully, waiting to be enlightened by his next move. He dropped the book and picked up the journal, he opened the journal and stared at the blank space for some seconds. “What do you intend to do with an empty journal?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. “I’m going to read it.” He replied with a misch
Aiden's POV.“Where are we heading to, Noel?” I asked as she kept walking ahead, sounding all giddy.“Don't you trust me, Aiden?” She asked, teasingly.“I do… but,” I said before she cut me short.“Don't be scared. I just want to show you something.” She declared, finally putting my fear to rest.“We are here!.” She exclaimed, shrieking as she spoke.I looked around and sure enough, it was a place in the palace no one had visited in a long time. The Queen's Garden.Being here brought about a flood of emotions and memories of my mother, the late queen. A cold chill of air suddenly ran down my spine as my hair stood on its end.“You can almost feel her presence, can't you?” Noel questioned, shuddering in between her questions.“Why'd you bring me here, Noel?” I inquired, a stern look on my face.Coming here was just too sad for any of us, and so we avoided it like a plague. Though, when
SIMONE'S POV.I must have wandered for days, just waiting for the earth to take me and put me out of my misery. I had run away from the only home I had ever known due to the incessant crisis in my community. I had lost my brother and my mother. And I got separated from my father, and now I am all alone.I wandered into this country with no hope and no property to my name. And since I knew no one, it was hard for me to plant my roots.Just as I was about to give up hope, I stumbled to a large gate. It looked like the owner of the building was very influential, and I was determined to plead my case before them.I knocked on the gate and I was immediately accosted by some men who looked like they were guarding the place. I got scared and cowered in fear, but I was determined.“Who are you and what are you doing here?” The plump and most gentle among them asked me.I was too tired and hungry to give him an answer. And so I
Ajax’s POV Coming out of Zelda’s room, I saw Aiden, I instantly concealed my sad expression as I wouldn’t want to give any privilege to tease me. I extended my hand for a handshake and just like I expected, he was taken aback by my gesture. “May the best man win.” I declared and walked away feeling a bit satisfied. The next morning…Jonathan, Connor, and I were already waiting for Zelda at the entrance of the palace. “You said you were going to show us around the town, but you somehow turned into a date with your mate.” Connor sarcastically complained. “Are we supposed to give you two some space when we are out?” Jonathan teased. “You two! Cut it out. She will be here any moment.” I cautioned them. “Was this your plan all along? To use us as an excuse?” Connor accused. I didn’t say anything, but instead, I was just smiling at his silly reaction. “I suddenly don’t fe
Alaric’s POV “Uncle Jamie?” I said to myself. I looked at Aiden and then Ajax, and they had the same horrifying look on their faces. “Uncle Jamie! We weren’t expecting you.” Aiden blurted out. “Well, I heard there was a problem within the council and as the only elder in the royal family I thought it was about time I stepped in.” He calmly explained as he sat on one of the empty chairs.“I’m glad you are here my lord, the young princes seem to be forgetting how things work, I think they require enlightenment.” Lord Thomas informed Uncle Jamie confidently. “None of you can sit on that throne without the approval of the council.” He stated clearly. “Not when their claims sound like an excuse to prevent any of us from being the king,” Aiden said with anger in his voice. “You will have no choice but to listen to them, unless you want to be a king with no subjects.” He threatened. It was cl