ROYALTY

Chapter 38

"It means that I am going to be pressed to pick a bride, it means all his responsibilities are on me now, I am not even ready." His voice broke and I pulled him to the couch by the already burning fire, "It will be alright, you have the queen and your,"  I swallowed, hard. Who was she? Your "sister to help, you are not alone." I wiped away his tears he held my hand to his mouth and kissed each one of my fingers.

"How could I have thought that, I am not alone, we are never alone." His lips came crushing down on mine and I gave in, I gave in, in both sorrow and in pain, my tears flowed down slowly and he wiped them away.

"We will have a burial his evening, it is a personal and family thing I would love it if you would attend-" I pressed a finger to his lips. "It is a personal and family thing. I am here to support you, and you have to be there to support your family." His hand found its way around my waist. "Will I see you this night? Will you come to my chamber this night? I feel so alone. Will you?" I nodded my head and a small smile lit up his face, it did not reach his eyes but it was better than the tears he had.

He walked out of the room and I followed behind, he caught up with one of his father's members from court and spoke a word or two with him, the both of them joined a third company and walked away.

"Naomi?" I was dreading that voice, I turned so slowly and looked at her, she had more injuries than I could remember. "Would you like to see him?" She asked. I nodded and she held the door open for me, once inside I could smell the stench of death. I looked at the king that had ruled Nolan for over five and thirty years, even though I did not know him, I respected him so much, I bent to kiss his hand and the princess shouted "stop" she moved to block me from him.

"We do not know what could have killed him, it might be some bodily  substance or from food, still it Is better that less people touch him." I nodded in understanding, in my mind's eye, I kept on seeing the smile and her bloodied teeth. "You look unwell Naomi, do you need to rest?"

I did feel weak but that had nothing to do with fatigue but from the short kiss I shared with the prince. "I am well, just the troll of the day that is kicking in. What about your injuries, I hope they are not to deep?" She shrugged as she pulled out a glass and poured herself her father's wine.

" Just a scratch here and there but it is okay, do you want some?" she held out the same glass she had drank from, it had some blood stains from her lips. She smiled. "Sorry about that." and she placed the glass on the table, "I will leave you to rest now, your highness, you need it." She nodded her head and looked up to the ceiling, I was about to open the door when she called. "Your ladyship?" I turned to look at her. "Trust no one, not even me," and she gave me that same bloodied smile that she gave me earlier.

***

A handful of ladies had dared to show up for super that evening, the rest preferring to eat In their rooms while mourning the death of the king. I had only come because I wanted to see him and watch her, I had not seen the duke since the tournament. Not that I was bothered about him anyway, but curious.

By evening guards were at every corner, watching and observing. It felt extremely uncomfortable knowing that your every move was being watched by a stranger. Throughout the whole course of diner none of the royals made an appearance. The super went by in a blur, no crude comments or talks even Amelia seemed lost in her own world. By the time I was tucked in bed, the wall palace was quiet and empty, even the moon refused to shine its light.

I walked along the dark hallways till I found the room I was looking for, I knocked once then twice, then opened the door. He sat facing the roaring fire, a glass of wine in hand, he looked tired, exhausted.

"I do not think that will help you, it does give a grievous headache in the morning." He swallowed the remaining contents of his glass. "Well at least it helps numb the pain." I sat down next to him. "Your sister, she seems different, like as if she is not as affected as you are." He pinched the bridge of his nose, he seemed tired to talk. "We all handle pain differently, some cry, some drink, some like my sister act strong, but deep down they are in pain." He reached for the bottle of wine and I stopped him, he leaned back with a sigh. "Try water?" I said as I placed the cold glass to his lips, he drunk a galp or two before pushing the glass away.

"How is your mother fairing?"  "She barely came out of her room after the incidents of today and she almost fell into the grave during the burial. If I had not caught her, she would have broken her neck during the process."

"And the court, how are things with the king's court?" It was a stupid question I know, but I looked for what to say to fill the empty silence: "The King's court does not bother me right now." He turned towards me. "I know this is wrong, and you are not meant to be here but i-"  I shut him up with my finger. "I am here just like I promised I would be. You are not alone in this." I held his hands together in mine and he looked down. "What would I do without you? He asked."

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