Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Sixteen

"Tell me what?" I ask.

"Well Julian? Say something." Brynjar says, shoving him forward. Julian scowls but remains silent.

"Julian, what's going on?" I question. I was starting to tense up, something definitely wasn't right.

Julian looks back at Brynjar who nods forward. Julian looks back at me. "It's nothing, sorry for wasting your time." He spins to leave. But Brynjar lifts his arm, blocking his path.

"Athena, I'm sorry but my brother has been lying to you." Brynjar says, grabbing Julian's arm again and jerking him to face me. "This whole thing was a lie. I'm sorry you got caught up in this."

I swallow, glancing between the brothers. "What thing? What are you talking about?"

"This thing you and my brother had." He shoves Julian forward again. "Tell her the rest Julian, or I will hurt you."

Julian's face turns white after Brynjar says that. "Fine, I'll...I'll tell her."

"Julian, what is he talking about? What does he mean our "thing" was a lie?" I cross my arms, giving him the most confused look I could muster.

Julian rolls his eyes more. "I'm sorry Athi, but Bryn is right. I've been lying to you about us." He sighs out of frustration.

"What?"

Julian scoffs. "It's not that hard to understand Athena! You said I was a terrible liar, but the thing is, this whole time I’ve been lying about I feel about you. I lied about loving you.” He snaps.

I step back, feeling like I've been slapped. "But Julian, I thought you...What is wrong with you!" I yell at him.

Julian's eyes widen in shock, while behind him Brynjar smiles. "What's wrong with me? I was just trying to please my father. You're the one who fell for every single move I made." Julian snaps back.

I glare at him. "Is your moral compass so low, you're willing to do anything to just to earn your father's approval?" I ask.

Julian stiffens, not bothering to reply. "I hope you're happy with yourself." I scowl, turning my back on them.

"You're not going to make me feel guilty about this Athena. I did what my father asked of me, I'm sure you would do the same. Or are you not marrying Philip?"

I spin on my heel. Raising my hand and slapping Julian straight across his face. He stumbles back in shock. "That's different, you snake! I take no pleasure out of my engagement with Philip, like you clearly do by hurting me!"

Julian narrows his eyes. "You hurt me first! I did like you once, before I found out you were lying to me the whole time!"

My jaw clenches as I refrain from slapping him again. "I already explained that to you but I guess you're everything my father said you were!"

Julian steps forward. "And what am I exactly? What did your "papa" say about me?" He yells.

"You know what Julian, I don't have to answer to you. Just leave."

Julian steps closer. "Just tell me Athi." His voice had a deadly tone to it, causing me to shiver.

"Don't call me that! Now leave!" I snap, shoving him back. Brynjar grabs the back of his shirt, forcing Julian out but he remains in my room.

"Did you need someone Brynjar?" I ask, tears starting to fall.

"No, but you do. I want to explain." Brynjar gestures to the table in the middle of my room. We both sit down, across each other.

Brynjar clears his throat before he starts explaining the story. "Julian told me the whole story about you being Amy, before he even knew you were Athena."

"He told you about me?" I question.

"Yes, he was really excited when he met you. I never saw him that way before but after we came here and he found out who you were, it's like something inside of him switched."

"Our father wanted someone to pretend to pursue you, hoping if you would fall for them, Philip would break it off causing the treaty itself break."

I stare at the table, confused. "He did all this because he was angry I lied?"

Brynjar shrugs. "Julian was always the hotheaded one." He shakes his head, almost smiling. "My father sent him to your room last night and then gathered everyone so they would catch the two of you kissing."

"What? That's crazy! Wasn't Julian attacked by Philip?" I ask.

"No, that was my father."

My jaw drops. Julian willingly got beat up by Cyril? Just to help him break the treaty between Nicholas and my father? "Why? Why is breaking the treaty so important to them?" I ask.

Brynjar raises an eyebrow. "I thought you knew. It's the main reason you're marrying Philip. If you marry him, Nicholas will give your father more troops, almost ending the war immediately with Astoan victorious."

I frown. Of course, I forgot about that. That's why I had to marry him. "So your father didn't actually want to rethink the treaty." I say quietly.

"No. He created the plan once we got the invitation, only I was supposed to be doing Julian's role, until he offered to take my place." Brynjar rubs his hands together, looking slightly embarrassed. "I wouldn't have done it, just so you know." He says.

I stand up from the table, sighing heavily. "This is all a mess. It would've been better if I was just married off to you. I mean you're not so bad." I say.

A puzzled look crosses Brynjar's face. "Thank you?" He says cautiously.

"Heck, I'd marry anyone, just as long as they weren't Philip." I murmur.

Brynjar stands up. "I'm sure he's not that bad." He says shrugging while I only roll my eyes. "Well Princess, I should depart now. Thank you for listening and going somewhat easy on my little brother."

I force a smile, nodding. "Of course, thank you for telling me. I really appreciate it." I say. 

Brynjar only smiles back, reaching to open my door when it swings open. A tall servant boy rushes in, out of breath.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Princess but you must come quickly! It's your father!"