THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 3

"How are you Astrid ?" Julian asked as he smiled at the beauty approaching him.
"I am fine Julian," she said as she took his hand in hers. He was the first man she had feelings for. He was twenty two and she was twenty. This was the age for most people to get married." You went on your adventures once again. Where did you go this time ?"
"Uhm I was just riding around and exploring. I'll take you with me someday if you're allowed to. I promise," he said absent mindedly. His eyes stared into the distance and he looked lost in thought. He remembered his father's message to him the previous night.
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" You need to do everything you can to make Astrid yours. She is the key for us to rise to power. We need to be as powerful as we were before," he said after taking a sip of some wine.
" But father,do I have to do this ? I don't like it. My feelings for her are not as strong as they were before. I feel that she likes me a lot and I'll be letting her down by doing this to her."
" You're feeling pity for her ?" Eugene laughed." Did her grandfather pity me when he humiliated me for failing in the missions he sent me ? Did he pity my father when he kept asking for his help when our family was in huge debt ? Answer me Julian. Answer me. We need this so that he will bow down to us."
" I don't think that this is the best way out. If what we're doing is found out by the king,we will lose our heads. Besides this is not what mother would want us to do."
" Don't be a coward. You will push through with it. Once we're done using her to get power,I don't care if you'll toss her aside or if you'll keep her but this must be done. It is your mission."
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"Hey. Julian. You weren't paying attention to what I just said," Astrid said as she waved her hand in front of his face.
" I'm sorry for that. What were you saying ?"
" I was just saying that the kingdom is in trouble and grandfather wants to restore it to its former glory. He is putting in a lot of his time and energy into that."
" He will do great. He's has been a good leader and the people love him and believe in him. So don't worry at all," he replied as he placed his hand on her shoulder as they walked in the garden. He led her back to the castle and they met Aretha who was also taking a stroll. She smiled at him and smoothed her hair as she lowered her light red parasol that matched her dress.
" Good afternoon Julian," she greeted.
"I am doing well princess," he said with a small bow. She felt giddy and continued to smile." I was taking Astrid around for a walk. She really is lovely," he said and her eyes followed his face when he kissed Astrid's hand. She then laughed nervously.
" Uhm, I shall leave the two of you to enjoy yourselves," she said and quickly walked away towards the stables.
In there, she heard a giggle and some voices coming from there. This caught her attention and she walked there making sure to be as silent as possible.
By the corner stood Fabian facing a woman. Who was he flirting with there in the stables ? She was very interested in finding out whoever was conducting an affair with him. He leaned in to her and kissed her. She ran her hands through his hair and Aretha smiled at the sight. This would be good gossip to pass to Astrid. Fabian was always serious and showed no interest in other women. This had to be an extraordinary woman.
When they broke off from the kiss, Fabian moved to the side and that was when Aretha saw who the woman was.
" How dare you !" she shouted startling the two lovers and the woman smoothed her hair and dress quickly after moving away from Fabian." You really are an opportunist," Aretha spat.
" It's not what you think Aretha," Fabian said as he stretched out his hand towards his fuming cousin.
" Not what I think ? You are here smooching with no one but this Luciana. She is Astrid's maidservant for heaven's sake. You are meant to be the king after your mother and this is what you're doing ?I have to tell grandfather."
"I'm sorry my lady. Please don't tell this to anyone," Luciana begged. She was on the verge of tears.
" Please Aretha don't tell this to anyone," Fabian implored.
" I can't believe that this is the woman you have. That's why you don't pay attention to other women in the court because of her. Germaine especially. She has always loved you and you don't show her interest because of Luciana ? Wow!" she exclaimed and left quickly followed by the two scared lovers. She didn't listen to them and shut the doors to her chambers on them once inside the castle.
" Oh my goodness Fabian. We've been caught. I don't know what to do now. If this is discovered we'll be in trouble," she cried.
" Don't worry Luciana. I will talk to Aretha and make sure that she won't tell on us. Alright ?"
" But you're a prince. I'm nothing but a lowly servant," she said as Fabian pulled her into his arms. If this was discovered they would be in trouble. Luciana would be thrown into the dungeons or exiled and Fabian punished as well.
" Go now and attend to Astrid before she suspects anything. I will talk to Aretha but we need to maintain a low profile or we will get caught."
After saying this she left and rushed to Astrid's chambers. Fabian was left knocking at Aretha's door. She finally opened the door and let him in.
"I am begging you Aretha. On account of everything we've been through together, do not tell a word of what you saw to anyone."
"You really downgraded Fabian. Is that the kind of woman to mess around with ? Be mindful of your status as a future king."
"I hear you but please. Do not tell on us."
"Only if you promise to stay away from her," she said as she folded her arms.
"Alright. I promise."
"You'd better stick to it Fabian. I mean it."