Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Eight

I nod breathlessly, unable to say anything.

The corner of his mouth twitches up slightly before Julian presses his lips against mine.

I wrap my arms around his neck, entangling my hands in his hair. This is something I wanted, this something I needed for such a long time, ever since I met him.

I was completely entranced by him, ever since the first day. Julian Kleinhaus.

That name snaps me back to reality.

I gasp, pulling away. No this was wrong. I couldn't do this, it wasn't fair to my parents or to Philip. I wasn't supposed to be doing this, I'm supposed to hate his guts.

"Amy, is something wrong?" Julian asks.

"Im sorry, I should've have let you-" I step back, out of his arms. "This is wrong, we can't do this."

Julian grabs my hand, giving it a gentle tug. "I understand but I don't care what everyone thinks."

I shake my head, tears forming in my eyes. "No you don't understand." I pull my hand out of his, walking away.

"Amy wait!"

I pause, not wanting to face him. I hear him sigh deeply before speaking. "I understand it's difficult considering our situation but I'm willing to give us a chance."

I burst out in tears. Why did he have to be so nice? I've been deceiving him ever since we met. "Julian, you don't know the whole story!" I shout at him.  I was tempted to tell him who I was, but I wasn't sure how he'd react. I definitely didn't want to become a prisoner of war today. Maybe later. "We can't see each other ever again." I tell him.

"What? Why?" Julian questions.

I finally look at him, wiping my tears. "Because this will never work!"

"But Amy." Julian says quietly, stepping towards me.

I step back. "Would you stop calling me that?" I snap at him.

"But that's your name." Julian tilts his head, brow furrowing.

"No it's not!" I yell. A uncomfortable silence fell upon us. Julian's eyes widen, he was unable to say anything. At least that shut him up.

"I'm sorry" I mumble before leaving him alone in the enclosed pond.

               ___________________

I tap my pencil aggressively on the table. Mr. Fenway gives me a annoyed look. "Are you determined to do that all day?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fenway. I just haven't been myself lately." I sigh deeply.

"Yes, I noticed you've been feeling down the last few weeks. What's wrong?" He asks.

"It's nothing, I'm just bored."

Mr. Fenway narrows his eyes. "You've been acting mopey all this time because you were bored?"

"Yes." We stare at each other for a couple minutes.

Mr. Fenway finally sighs. "Fine, you are dismissed Athena."

"Thank you!" I give Mr. Fenway a hug, which he begrudgingly accepts. "You're the best."

"I've already dismissed you, flattery is not necessary."

I nod at him, taking my leave shortly after. Philip stood by the room, probably waiting for me.

He grins at me. "How's my beautiful bride?" He asks, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I'm fine." I reply shortly. "Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to see you." He gives me a flirty smile and it made me sick. "Also our fathers want to see us in the throne room."

"Both of them?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Obviously dear." He offers his arm. "Shall I escort you there?" He asks.

I push his arm away. "I can get there myself, I've lived here for seventeen years." I walk ahead of him, hoping he would shut up now.

"Are you still upset?" Philip questions.

"About you kissing me? And then getting mad at me, refusing to let go of my arm? Yes I am."

"I said I'm sorry Athena, please just forgive me." He reaches out, touching my arm and I flinch back.

"I would, if you stopped touching me and calling me all these pet names. It's annoying and I don't like it." I snap.

"I'm sorry, I'll stop doing that. It's just that I thought...you know what? It's stupid, never mind." He mutters.

"Thank you for listening Philip." Hopefully that reply wouldn't be short lived. We arrived at the doors of the court room. I place my hand on the door handle, turning to Philip. "I understand you lost your mother when you were young. I know you don't understand much with it comes to manners and wooing women." I laugh lightly.

Philip gives me one of the most genuine smiles I've ever seen from him. "You're unusually sweet Athena. After I've acted like a jerk and my manners were totally inappropriate."

I smile back. "Kindness is a virtue. I learned that reading my Bible. It was my favorite book growing up, still is. Psalm is my favorite. So many messages about hope and God's love in there." I open the door, walking into the throne room.

Papa and king Nicholas stood at the other side of the room, lost in deep conversation. Papa looks up and notices me and Philip. "Athena, Philip, I'm glad you're here. You've arrived just in time."

"What's going on, papa?" I question, glancing between the two kings.

"I've decided to throw a ball." My father says, with Nicholas nodding eagerly next to him. "For you and Philip's engagement."

An engagement ball? I guess that didn't sound half bad. Though I hate conversing with tons of people on one night. I still get to wear my prettiest dress and dance around with handsome men.

But I was engaged, so the only handsome man I'd be dancing with is Philip. I glance him, studying his demeanor carefully. He wasn't terribly bad, once you get past his level of inappropriate cluelessness.

"That's sounds wonderful Your Highness, Athena and I would love to share out happy union with all our friends." Philip says cheerfully, winking at me. I only smile and roll my eyes.

My father exchanges a glance with Nicholas. He sighs, almost scowling. "Yes well, they're not all friends." Papa says uneasily.

"What do you mean papa?" I ask, tilting my head in confusion.

"I have decided to also invite the royal family of Keditha to the ball."