THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 9

" Your majesty, they have returned," a soldier said to the king. He stood up immediately and rushed outside. Therese and Charles joined him outside.
Fabian carried Aretha in his arms followed by Astrid and Julian who held hands. Anthony rolled his eyes at the sight. He hated Eugene and his son Julian. Here was Julian holding his granddaughter's hand. He didn't know what Astrid saw in him but he'd kept his thoughts to himself.
"How is she ?" Therese asked as she looked at Aretha who smiled at her.
"I am doing fine. It's just some wounds and bruises," Aretha said.
"Come on, let's take her to her room and get her checked. I'm happy that all of you have returned well."
" We'd promised you that, mother. Everyone is alright. Our men included. Julian actually joined us and helped us find her," a cheerful Astrid said as she hugged her mother then father and walked towards her grandfather.
"Really Julian ?That's incredible," Therese said."I'll reward you."
"There's no need for that. It was my duty to the king and finding Aretha was part of it."
"Thank you very much for doing it," Therese said as she shook Julian's hand.
"I missed you grandfather," Astrid whispered as she hugged Anthony.
" Me too. Me too," he whispered in his granddaughter's hair.
"Shall we go ?" Therese asked.
With a swift nod, Fabian carried her up the stairs leading to the palace entrance. The doctor was waiting in Aretha's room and she was laid in bed. He examined her and stood up to say, " She is doing well. I will prescribe some tonics. In two days she'll be as strong as she was. She is only tired from the journey."
When he finished saying those words Anthony left.
" Thank goodness you're alright," Therese said." We will let you rest now."
"Thank you," she said sweetly.
Everybody left the room and she fell asleep immediately.
Once outside Charles looked at Fabian and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm glad that you're back son. Your other, grandfather and I were worried sick."
"Really now ?" he replied in an uninterested tone.
"Believe me son. It's true."
"Well I believe them but not you. A man who doesn't care about his wife and hurts her often cannot love his children so spare me the act."
"Fabian! That's no way to speak to your father," Therese said.
" That's rude,"Astrid added.
" If there's nothing else, I'm leaving," he said and walked out on his father.
" Don't listen to him Charles. You are a good father to them," Therese said.
" You know, he's right," Charles said and walked away feeling defeated. He never had a smooth relationship with Fabian.
" My lady,"Luciana squealed and ran towards Astrid completely ignoring the presence of Therese. They hugged and laughed.
" I really missed you and I was worried about you Astrid."
"Ahem!" Therese coughed and Luciana curtsied quickly.
"I'm sorry for that your highness. Pardon me."
"Oh come on Luciana. I understand your feelings. You are close friends so don't mind me. Now go and make sure that my Astrid rests. She needs to."
"I understand."
"Good."
Therese walked away and Luciana curtsied again before turning her attention to Astrid. Oh how she had missed the closest friend she had. They walked to Astrid's room as Astrid narrated the whole adventure to her lifelong friend.

Inside Eugene's manor, he had a conversation with Julian.
" Did you find Aretha ?"
"Yes we did father. I followed your orders and followed Astrid and Fabian. From then on I led them and we found Aretha."
"Good job my boy. Good job. You make me proud. I'm sure that you've earned their trust. Soon we will strike without them knowing what hit them. I can't wait for the day."
" But father, this is dangerous. We could get into serious trouble if they find out that I only want to get close to Astrid for her power. Besides it's not something I want to do to her. She has been nothing but kind to me."
" I don't care. I only want to have power enough to face Anthony. That man has done nothing but ruin me. Don't you forget that he didn't care for me when I failed him. For years our family has always served his but they only tossed us aside when we helped them achieve greatness."
" Yes father I know but maybe things could change once the crown princess becomes queen. Everybody knows of her goodness. I don't want to hurt Astrid too."
" She really has you wrapped around her finger, hasn't she ?"
" No father. I just care so much about her and it hurts me to do this to her and her family. I may want to marry her in future and doing this will jeopardize everything."
" I love that Julian. I love it. Propose to her tomorrow. She isn't betrothed to anyone. If you marry into the family, you will have a better title. You could be made a duke and that will make you powerful. Think about it."
Julian shook his head out of disbelief. This wasn't right but he had to do this to make his father happy. His father was all he had left in this world.