THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 29

" I am really pleased to hear that Aretha," Rashida smiled at the compliment given to her by her new friend.
" Your dress looks good too. It suits you,"she added.
" Thank you," Aretha grinned.
" Many people are pleased with this alliance between our kingdoms. You can see it as they enjoy themselves in this banquet."
" Well yes. I have to admit that my cousin is lucky to marry into your family. The Pharaoh seems to like her very much. She will make you all proud," Aretha bragged and Rashida rolled her eyes at the mention of her new sister in law. She didn't like the fact that Astrid was now having all the attention from her Egyptian family. She was stealing Rashida's thunder.
"Speaking of enjoying the banquet, it seems like there's someone not enjoying himself," she changed the topic."Look over there. That man is drinking way too much and he looks miserable," she said as she pointed at Julian with the goblet in her hand.
" Oh my," Aretha cried. She had not seen him and his poor state made her ache for him. She had to go sooth him. Or at least try to." Excuse me Rashida," she excused herself and left.
She placed her hand on his back and he looked up to her. She smiled weakly.
" Hello there," he slurred.
" May I join you ?"
" Of course," he said as he pulled out a chair for her.
She looked at him and kept quiet before talking. She had to be very cautious about what she said because he would leave if she said anything wrong.
" Why are you drinking this much ?"
" It's nothing Aretha."
" It's Astrid, isn't it ?"
The words were out before she knew it and he turned to look at her. His now reddened eyes killed her inside.
" I'm sorry," she said.
" Yes it's about her. I had her all to myself but what did I do to her after my father got killed ? I abandoned her and did not let her be there for me as she wanted to. I came back moons later and she had moved on. I understand her. If I was in her shoes, I would make myself forget everything. I came back and we got engaged and now look. She was forced to marry some Egyptian prince and I had to watch the whole thing," he cried. He wiped his tears away and took another gulp of wine.
"Look at her Aretha," he said as he looked at Astrid's direction. She was in the company of Seti, Germaine and Thutmose. They were into a seemingly interesting conversation as she smiled from time to time." She seems very happy."
" Please stop drinking," Aretha said as she grabbed the goblet from his hand." I am here for you. I want to be there for you. I want you to to feel comfortable around me and for you to be vulnerable with me. Please Julian."
With those words, she embraced him and he placed his hands around her waist nuzzling his head on her chest. Just then, Astrid turned from her conversation and saw the two lost in an embrace. The memory of her meeting with Julian the previous day was still fresh.
***************
He came to the castle to see her and found her, Germaine and Aretha admiring the flowers that would be used to decorate her wedding.
"I would like to talk to Astrid for a moment. Could you give us some privacy ?" he requested.
" Let's go," Germaine said to Aretha when Astrid did not say a word. They both left and Aretha looked back but Germaine led her out.
Astrid turned to face Julian and there was some silence for a little while. He sighed and looked at her. This was his only chance to convince her to back out of the wedding.
" I am sorry for everything I said and did to you before," he started." I did all that out of anger."
" I know that Julian."
" I want you to back out of marrying Seti. I could always help keep the kingdom safe instead of having you marry someone you do not love for the kingdom's sake."
"No," she said." I will marry Seti. I am doing this as my duty to my kingdom. I, may also love Seti after marriage."
" Astrid," he said as he stepped closer to her and looked into her eyes." We had promised to love each other. We haven't fulfilled that promise."
"Julian please," she sighed.
"Astrid, don't do this to me. I'm begging you," he cried as he hugged her.
"Please Julian. Don't make it any more harder than it is please," she said as she pushed him away from her gently.
She was feeling all confused. There were two men. One had been her first love and he was trying to convince her not to marry. The other would offer her the new beginning she wanted and would help her kingdom.
"Don't push through with this."
"Since I was born, I knew that my life wasn't mine. My life would forever be dedicated to my kingdom first before I thought of thinking about myself. This is also hard for me Julian."
"Difficult ? But I have heard that you look smitten with the prince. That is the reason why you have an easy time turning me away."
"What ?"
"Where is the thirst and desire you had for me, Astrid ? When you went after me to convince me not to leave you. Now look. Someone more powerful comes into the picture and there you are already swayed."
"This is the reason why we couldn't have a successful relationship. For the longest time you have tortured me with your words. You now say that I want to marry Seti because he is better. That is not true. I have no choice in this matter."
" Clearly," he huffed.
" Julian," she sighed.
" I've heard enough," he said as he kicked the flower pot beside them and left.
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Looking at him in Aretha's arms now, she felt a sting in her heart. There was the first man she loved in another's arms. She knew that she had his heart but he wasn't destined to have hers now that things had changed. They had made promises to love each other together but now she was his deserter. Perhaps Aretha would treat him as he deserved to be treated. It was obvious that she had feelings for him.
"Astrid," Seti said as he touched her hand after looking at what she had been looking at.
"Yes."
Germaine looked in her direction and saw what she had seen and understood her pain.
" What were you thinking of ?" Thutmose asked her.
" It's nothing Thutmose. I am happy to see that everyone is enjoying the banquet."
" This is a delightful banquet the king threw for you Astrid. Just look at him there with Pharaoh and your parents. They are all happy," Germaine said to take the attention from Astrid. Astrid mouthed a quick thank you to her friend. All the while Seti kept quiet.

I'd like to know what you think of the wedding and if Astrid should have pushed through with it and be with Seti or if Julian is suited for her 🙂