Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Fifteen

"I'm surprised your father didn't kick them out when he saw that." Emilie says.

"I guess he was serious when he said he wanted to discuss the treaty again." I pace in my room. Even if they're still here, I'm not allowed to see Julian and vice versa. Which was depressing because I missed him. I miss him so much.

Emilie smiles at me, humming lightly. "I can't believe you two kissed." She laughs.

I pause, realizing she didn't know about the other two times. As far as she knew, this was our first kiss. I shake that thought, and decide to change the subject. "Emilie, can I ask you something?"

"Mhm, what is it?" She darts back and forth in my room, tidying it up as fast as she could.

I grab her arm, causing her to stop and pay full attention to me. "How did you get that black eye?" I ask, frowning.

She stiffens. "I- let's not talk about this now." She pulls herself from my grip, going back to her speedy cleaning.

"Emilie, please tell me. Did Julian hit you?"

Emilie pauses, turning to me with a puzzled look. "Julian? Why would he hit me?" She asks.

"Last time I asked you mentioned something about Julian and I thought..." I shrug.

"Oh! No no, Julian didn't hit me." Emilie grabs my hands, sighing. "The story is Julian asked me to return a book he read to the library so I did and I ran into Philip." She pauses slightly before continuing. "He accused me of stealing from the library and then he-he hit me."

I roll my eyes. "Philip is such a creep, I wish I knew how to get rid of him." I say.

Emilie nods then slowly smiles. "At least Julian is still the amazing kind man you thought he was."

I grin, feeling my face turn red. "Isn't he though. He's truly amazing." I say dreamily.

Emilie only laughs. "See! I knew something was going on with you two."

"There's alot you don't know Emilie." I say.

Emilie's eyes widen with excitement. She drops down in my bed, patting the seat next to her. "Tell me everything." She says, once I take the seat.

We remain there for the rest of the afternoon, and I didn't spare any details as if Emilie would let me.

               __________________

"Papa? Are you in here?" I call, entering the dusty library. He was sitting in front of the fireplace, enjoying the warmth and soft crackle of the fire.

My father looks up, his smile warmer than the fire. "Did you need something Athena?" He asks.

"I just wanted to talk with you if you don't mind."

"I never mind the company of my dear daughter. Have a seat dear." He tells me and I take the seat next to him. "So, who spilled the beans about my location? Was it your mother?" He asks teasingly.

I giggle. "Yes, mother told me you were resting here."

Father sighs. "It's been a long day Athena." Dark circles formed under his eyes, and his eyelids were drooping.

"Papa, are you okay?" I question. "I noticed you haven't been eating much lately."

Father pats my hand. "I'm fine dear. Just stressed but I appreciate you looking out for me." He says.

"Have you discussed the treaty with King Cyril?" I ask him.

Father shrugs, yawning. "He doesn't seem as mad as I thought he'd be about last night but he won't budge on any of his terms."

I open my mouth hesitantly, wanting to ask something.

"Remember what I said about hesitating?" Father says. "No need for you to be nervous."

I nod sharply. "Of course papa.... Why did the war start? What was your disagreement about?" I ask.

"How much do you know currently?"

"Not much, I just know you were discussing a treaty with them and then one day you had a fight, and war was declared on Astoan." I pull my legs up on the seat, hugging them.

Father hesitates slightly. I was tempted to repeat his rule about hesitation but I didn't want to waste any time. I truly wanted to know what happened.

Father swallows. "While we were discussing the treaty, Cyril wanted me to marry you off to Brynjar since Julian is the heir to the throne and Brynjar could come rule Astoan." Father looks at me. "I don't know about you but I didn't want that brute marrying my daughter, or ruling the kingdom I worked so hard to build."

"What happened then papa?"

"Cyril got mad at me and we got into an argument. He left then next thing I knew we were at war with them."

I smile faintly, staring at the fire. When I talked to him at the ball, Brynjar didn't seem so bad. Sure he wasn't as handsome and kind as Julian but I wouldn't mind be married to him, at least not as much as Philip. But also lately my judgement about people near me has been less than great. "I'm glad you're rethinking the treaty papa."

"The Kleinhaus are leaving tomorrow, you should say your goodbyes while you still can." Father starts coughing, holding his handkerchief to his mouth.

"Do you really mean it? I thought I couldn't see him." I say, cautiously optimistic.

Father nods. "Though I don't want you to start a relationship with that boy, I can't deny you saying goodbye to him. I don't want you to hate me."

I hug my father tightly. "I could never hate you papa." I mumble against his shoulder.

He laughs. "That's good to know. Now I dismiss you to go say goodbye." He smiles warmly.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I bounce on my feet, rushing to the door and pausing at the exit. "Papa? If you don't sign the treaty with King Cyril, will I still have to marry Philip?"

Father strokes his beard for a moment. "I'm not sure Athena. If you truly don't want to marry him and if Cyril does sign the treaty, I will discuss the terms of my treaty with Nicholas over again."

I smile, feeling hopeful for once. "Thank you papa." I say quietly, leaving the library.

I hurry to my room, pausing when I saw Emilie wasn't there. I frown, I needed something nice to wear when I visited Julian and she always picked out the prettiest outfits.

But I couldn't depend on Emilie all the time. I know I could create a beautiful outfit. She just had a better eye for this kind of thing.

I quickly change into one of my dinner dresses. Something light and comfortable with a little twirl in the skirt.

I look at myself in the mirror. I didn't look half bad. Maybe not as great if I had Emilie but still beautiful.

My room door swings open and Brynjar enters, dragging Julian behind him. "Tell her now." He snaps at Julian, but he only replies with a eye roll.

"What's going on?" I question, my brow furrowing.

Julian tries to escape Brynjar's grip but he only tightens it, prompting a wince from Julian. "Tell her now. Or I will."