THE ROYAL ENEMY

Chapter 20- The after party- I have to tell her

"Gaining success in anything requires, perseverance, perception, and patience. Except if your royalty, because then you're born with it."-Shakira begum

LEO
I tugged the suit I was wearing around me tighter, so the chill wouldn't get in, but it was useless. The cold was relentless, making sure it attacked every part of me. Not leaving an ounce of warmth in my body.

"You're crazy," I said, when I spotted her. She took in a ragged breath, before releasing it, "Nice to see you too," she said. It was almost a week since the games, since I lost. Julia had been in the hospital the past week, recovering from her wound. My dad had decided to host the celebration after she recovered. So here we were. I felt a sense of dejavu as I watched her lean against the railing.

"What was going through your head when you let the sword ram into your side?" I asked curiously. She shrugged, " That there was no way I would ever let you win easily, even if I've been rooting for you this whole time. "

I glared at her," You could have died! That was irresponsible and -" she cut me off, " dangerous?" She remarked. I glared, " I was going to say stupid actually." For the first time in a month I heard her laugh. And her laughter grew at those simple words till she was clutching her stomach in pain.

I rolled my eyes, " What do you think dad's gonna do?" I asked. She sobered up quickly after that and shrugged again, " Uncles unpredictable. He might make you leave or he might let you stay."

I glanced down in worry, realising I was nervous, Julia smiled, " Don't worry, I'm sure he'll let you stay. I mean, who would be in charge around here after him?"

My expression hardened and Juia's smile wavered, "Leo?"
I looked away from her, not wanting to say anything that would start an argument. But she obviously had enough of my cold shoulder, because she turned me around to face her.

"You are going to tell me what's been bothering you or I swear to God, I'm gonna-" I placed a hand over her mouth and she frowned.

I told her everything, from my dads threats of giving the throne to her. To the theory I had with the bracelet, and how they always planned to give her the thrown and get rid of me. Julia listened patiently through the whole thing, not once speaking till I finished.

"So you see, that's why it wouldn't matter if I left, " I said. Julia laughed suddenly, and I glared at her, " What's so funny?" She continued to laugh and I couldn't help but wonder if she had one too many pills, from the medicine she was prescribed.

" All these years and I finally have the answer. All these years," she muttered. I really had no idea what she was talking about, but I let it slide. Maybe she did take more pills than she was supposed to.

JULIA

A large part of me wanted to wring Leo's neck, but instead I laughed. Because it was the better of the two options. Here he was, telling my the answer to the question I asked myself everyday. Why does Leo hate me? And the answer was ridiculous.

"You're coming with me," I said, grabbing Leo by the arm and pulling him inside. We headed to the king who was speaking to someone. Pulling him aside after telling him it was urgent. I asked him the question I knew Leo never had the nerve to ask.

" Uncle, is Leo going to be the next king?" I asked. Leo's face turned red as his fathers eyes turned to him in confusion. "Of course, why wouldn't he be?" The king said.

I nodded, sending Leo a pointed look then continuing. I wasn't giving up till this whole thing was straitened out.
" May I ask why you took me in as a child? Why you cared for me?" My questions were abrupt, the topics instantly changing, but I needed to make a point to Leo.

The king looked like I had physically struck him, the shocked look on his face was one thing I would never forget, " Why?" He repeated, I kept my ground and nodded, " Because you were the daughter of my best friends. A beautiful little girl that lost her parents at such a young age, who had nobody to look after her. Neither I, nor my wife could leave you like that."

There was a pained look on Leo's face, as though he was begging me to stop, but I continued with the questions. If he was too scared to ask, I would ask for him. "Why did Auntie teach me to fight, why did she teach me things that only Queens need to know? And why did she give me her bracelet?" I said, referring to the family heir loom.

The king looked tired as he answered, "You were going to be bought up in a royal family. The first girl too. You needed to know how to fend for yourself. How to conduct yourself. You needed to learn the ways of a women. And because your mother had passed away, my wife took it upon herself to teach you. She felt like it was her duty. She had always wanted a daughter." He glanced at Leo, then turned back to me.

"As for the bracelet, I guess you could say, she was always rooting for you two, to get together," he said, causing both Leo and I to turn red. " Although it didn't matter either way, the family owns more than one bracelet."

"More than one?" For the first time, Leo spoke. He seemed shocked at his fathers answers. 

" Yes, of course there's more than one. A dozen were made originally. You have no idea how forgetful the women in this family are, always loosing things."

The king left soon after explaining this. And as Leo stood there in a state of shock, the announcement that neither Leo, nor I became a knight was made. I left after hearing this. But Leo, he was still rooted to his spot, still dazed and in shock.

Neither I, nor Leo, were made Knights. I did learn later that week, that the five other finalist were made knights, or were promoted in their fields. But not Leo or I. And I was Ok with that, because it just wasn't our time yet. We still had a lot of things to sort out before we led others. As for me, I wasn't about to break my promise. I would make Leo a knight before me. No matter what it took. No matter how long it took.
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A/N: Ok guys, the next chapter is the last, then there's the epilogue. I feel nostalgic that it's coming to an end, but also relieved. I thought I would never finish! I'm really happy that I stuck around to finish it. This is the my first completed book. I've grown attached to writing it. But every story must come to an end. Staying up as late as it takes to finish this book. Already 1.05 ..And so, without further ado......