THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 11

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"Good morning grandfather," Aretha said as she entered the king's study." I brought you breakfast. I heard that you haven't had it." She placed the tray on the table.
"So you took the liberty to bring it to me ?"
" Yes,"she said. She was getting scared now. In a short while he would definitely hurl insults at her but she wanted to have a conversation with him." I heard that you sent men to look for me. I really appreciate that grandfather."
" It's not like we had a choice."
" I am still thankful. Here, have some ginger tea. I made it myself," she smiled clearly proud of her job.
" Thank you."
" You look busy. Perhaps I could help you with some paperwork. I'm not busy today."
" You've been here for what ? Two days and you are all over the place."
" I just want to help you."
" I don't need your help. Besides,this is top secret and I can't allow anyone to handle this."
" I will leave now," she said and left but turned just in time to see Anthony take a sip of the tea and smile. He gulped it down and Aretha smiled at the sight. When he looked up,he saw her.
" What are you still doing here ?"
" I was just leaving. Have a good day."

Luciana was carrying Astrid's clothes out for washing. She carried a basket and walked towards the laundry room when powerful hands grabbed her making the basket fall.
" You scared me," she said to a grinning Fabian and bent to gather the clothes into the basket.
" I had no choice. You have been ignoring me since I returned and if it takes waiting for you to go to the laundry room,then I'll do it."
" I have to go Fabian."
" Did you miss me Luciana ?"
" What ?"
" Did you miss me ? We've not met for a while. We never went this long without meeting."
" Of course I missed you. When don't I ? But this is wrong. As hard as it is we need to forget what we have. It's for the best."
" No. I don't want to. You say it as if it's easy to. We have had feelings for each other since we were young."
" It's not easy for me. I don't want to lose you but we've known that this is wrong all along. Now I need to go before someone sees us."
" Meet me tonight in the painting room. Don't be late."
With this he kissed her swiftly and left. She knew that they were wrong to have their relationship but it was difficult to stop it. She loved him so did he.

In the gardens, Astrid and Julian walked around taking in the beautiful scenery. The cool air was relaxing aided by the sun that shone not so brightly. Julian once again looked away lost in thought.
" Julian," Astrid called and shook his arm when he did not respond.
" I'm sorry."
" You've been distracted lately. Tell me what's on your mind. I want to know."
" It's nothing Astrid. I was just thinking about us."
" What about us ?"
" We've loved each other for close to a year now. I've not been around much but I believe that we have a very good relationship. I want to be with you for life. We may be young but I believe that we can  last together. Astrid, will you be my wife ?" he asked not looking away from her. Astrid was taken aback and took some time to answer him." What do you say ?"
" Julian, don't you think that we're rushing this ?"
" You don't want to marry me ?"
" I want to but this is too soon."
"I don't want to rush you but I just want the assurance that we will be together."
"Alright Julian. I will be your betrothed."
" Really ?" he asked as he smiled.
" Of course. No matter how long it takes,I will wait for you always as we wait to get married."
" I will wait too."
With this, he drew her in for a long hug. His smile turned into a frown. He hated what he was doing to this amazing woman.
"Wait," Astrid said as she broke off from the hug." Your father has never liked me. How will he take these news ?"
" Don't worry about him. Whom I marry is my business and he shouldn't be bothered by it."
Will he be really be bothered by it or dance around with joy because his plan was going well ?
"Let's announce it to the family. They are having a brunch on the balcony.
"Of course."
They walked inside the palace and found the family having their brunch on the balcony.
"Julian is joining us ?" Therese asked.
"Yes mother but before that we have an announcement to make."
"Which announcement ?" this from Anthony.
"Tell them Astrid," Julian nudged her.
"Julian proposed to me and I agreed. We are betrothed now," she said.
" That's wonderful news," Therese said.
"Wow I'm happy for the both of you," Fabian added.
Three people out of the five royals were not happy. Aretha swallowed some water hard avoiding the sight of Astrid and Julian and trying to ease the sting she felt in her heart.
"Don't you think it's too soon to be betrothed ? You haven't even had a relationship for long," Charles said. There was something about Julian he didn't like and now he had proposed marriage to his sweet daughter.
"I also agree," Anthony said."You need to ask for permission from her parents and I before proposing to her Julian. Don't you know the protocol ?"
"Everyone calm down. We are just betrothed. We're not getting married soon. Take it as a higher form of pledging our love for each other," Astrid said before Julian spoke."We should have dinner tonight and invite Eugene."
"I agree," Therese said and soon Anthony walked out followed by Charles.
"I'm happy for the both of you," Aretha said as she forced a smile. She then walked away. She couldn't bear it and she needed a place to just let her tears flow freely without anyone seeing her.
"I will go inform the kitchen to prepare a lovely meal for tonight. Oh and Germaine will come over today Astrid. A messenger just delivered the news. I am happy for the both of you once more," Therese said and hugged Astrid leaving them with Fabian.