THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 20

The negotiations went on for five hours but the people of Alkion were not impressed. Greece was asking for trading rights where Alkion did and part of their land in addition to Astrid's marriage to Atticus.
Anthony was furious and stormed out of the meeting and went to the balcony to have some fresh air. Those damned Greeks were out of their mind. Astrid found him and went to him.
"There is no way I'm marrying that fool grandfather. He only thinks about partying and getting rich. I don't care if you take away my titles but I am not marrying him. I've never met such a foolish man in my entire twenty years," she said.
"He looks like a mature man."
"Yes he does until he opens his mouth to speak."
She began to pace around and her parents joined them.
"Ma, pa. I'm not marrying that Atticus."
"We think so too," Therese said.
"They are asking for too much," Charles added.
"Just wait until you hear Atticus," Astrid huffed.
"Those Greeks really do look down on us just because we are a small nation. How dare they send such a prince to marry my granddaughter. It is unacceptable. He isn't even close to the throne. I am not having them here. We will find other alternatives."
"Egypt is our only hope and if things don't work out then we will be forced to wage war, "Therese said.
" Let's just hope that they get back to us soon. Meanwhile we have people to kick out of here," Anthony said and walked back into the meeting.
After listening to the negotiations, he stood up and everyone was silent.
"I as the king of Alkion have made a decision after listening to both parties. I don't think that these negotiations should take place anymore because what you're offering us, "he said as he looked at Perimedes," is simply not favourable. Let us continue with our friendly relations. No marriage will take place."
" But why ? You will gain our protection and we will be like family."
"I have already made my choice. You shall leave by sunrise tomorrow," Anthony said as his courtiers clapped in agreement.
In the morning, the Greeks left. That was a terrible mistake Anthony had made by thinking that there would be an alliance between the kingdoms. Was Alkion really powerless that other kingdoms despised them so ? Would the Egyptians agree to help ? If they would turn him down, his kingdom would lose much.

Astrid was in the shooting range when she saw someone in the distance. It was a man in a white shirt and brown trousers. No. It couldn't be. It was Julian.
She stood up and turned to him as he walked towards her. It had been more than three moons since he left her in the rain. The memory was still fresh so were the wounds in her heart. She felt that she deserved his attention because she had tried to stop her grandfather from having his father killed. It was not her fault but his sorrow made him drive her away.
"Julian," she said but it came out as more of a whisper.
"Astrid," he said and took her in her arms."I'm back," he said to her.She was confused and did not know how to react.
"How are you ?" those were the only words that came to her mind and she said them out loud.
"I am fine. I have missed you. How are you ?"
"I..I....I am alright. It has been three moons Julian. Where were you ?"
" I was travelling around. I needed time to clear my head. I am sorry about how I treated you before I left. I shouldn't have been mean to you when it was not your fault. You tried to defend him but you had no power to stop it. I realized that you are important to me and I need you in my life. Shall we pick up the pieces and move on from where we were ?"
" Julian. You've just returned. We have not met for a long time. I must have changed and you must have as well. We should not rush into anything."
" Julian. Is that you ?"this from Aretha who was taking a stroll with Fabian. When he turned to her, she smiled brightly and walked to him." Where have you been ?"she asked totally ignoring Astrid who stood there still surprised by his return. Memories of him assaulting her and leaving her alone were clear. He was back now and she was unsure if she still loved him. Here he was back again and asking for her to be his betrothed once more when he had broken off their engagement. This was too much to handle.
" I was just travelling around trying to clear my head."
" Good to see you Julian,"Fabian said as he joined them. He did not mean any of those words after what he had done to his sister.
"Good to see you as well Fabian," he replied.
"I suppose that Aretha and I should leave the both of you to talk in private," Fabian said and pulled Aretha's hand to take her away much to her dismay. She had missed him dearly and she had longed to see him.
When they were a long way off, he turned to Astrid who still stood there without saying a word.
"Are you alright ?"
"Yes I am Julian."
"Astrid, believe me when I tell you that I missed you when I was away and that I regret everything I did to you. I have been all alone trying to get over the loss of my father. I couldn't vent my anger out on your grandfather but when I saw you, I just took it out on you. You know that I wouldn't do that to you. I'm deeply sorry."
"It's alright Julian. I forgive you," she said. Maybe forgiving him would be the best step towards accepting him back into her life.
"Here," he said as he placed a sapphire ring on her finger." Let this be a symbol of my love to you. When you see it, I want you to remember that I love you and that you are on my mind. This ring belonged to my mother. It was the ring my father gave to her on their wedding and now I'm giving it to you."
He was back for not more than an hour and he was declaring that their engagement was still on. What was he thinking ? Astrid just smiled at him but thought to herself that maybe forgiving him would be the best step towards accepting him back into her life and accepting his engagement ring would do.