THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 49

" I feel happy to be back my lady," Luciana said.
"Me too. I had missed my family. Look at the horses. There are more and more of them. Alkion's doing great thanks to the Egyptians. I got lucky to have had my marriage help my people and still get the man I love and will spend my life with."
" I am so happy for you."
" Astrid!" Aretha called out and walked towards Astrid.
" Aretha," Astrid called out happily and the two cousins hugged happily.
" I'm sorry I wasn't here to meet you."
" Where were you ?"
" I had gone for a ride with Julian."
" Julian ?"
" Mmmh. Julian come on," she beckoned for him to go to her. He was standing some steps behind them.
"Welcome home princess," he said after he walked towards them and bowed.
"Thank you," Astrid said." How have you two been ?"
" We're fine," Aretha said as she wrapped her arm around Julian's." Where is Seti ?"
"He's with grandfather. They had something to discuss."
"There you are my lady," her attendant said as she approached them. She bowed and said," The crown princess has been looking for you. Do head to her chambers."
"Excuse me," she said and left followed by her attendant.
"Leave us," Julian told Luciana after a while.
"Astrid," he said as he looked at her.
" Julian."
" It's been so long. How are you ?"
" I am well. How about you ? I see that you are with Aretha."
" Uhm yes."
" Oh. That's good," she said as she rubbed the horse.
" Does that bother you ?"
" No. Why ?" she asked as she turned to face him.
" I thought that maybe you would because you have some feelings for me."
" No. I don't."
"It seems that Seti makes you happy. I heard you tell Luciana that."
" Yes. Seti and I are doing well. He makes me happy."
" That's good to hear," he said as he looked away.
"I never thought that you and Aretha would be together."
" Me neither. At times, life will take you to destinations you never thought you would go to."
" I agree."
" Are you sure that you don't care for me anymore ?"
" No. I don't Julian."
" Even the slightest bit ?"
" I made things clear already for you before I got married and even now. I don't love you."
He pursed his lips and looked around with his hands crossed against his chest.
" I am going to propose and engagement with Aretha," he said suddenly and actually surprised himself. He hadn't planned on doing so.
" You are ?" she asked seeming surprised.
" I am."
" Well, I wish you all the best," she said as she regained her composure.
" It's the best thing to do. We have gotten quite close and it would look bad if I didn't take the next step which is marriage. There are tongues wagging already. I need to take responsibility."
" You're right. I saw it during my wedding. She loves you."
" Maybe you were destined to be in my life to bring her to me."
" I can tell that you are fond of her and that you care for her very much. I can only wish you the best."
" Thank you."
" Astrid," Seti called out to her as he walked towards her.
" Prince Seti," this from Julian who bowed.
" Good to see you Julian," he said." I need Astrid now."
" Oh sure."
" Come with me," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They walked together and passed Aretha who was walking towards Julian.
" What were you doing with him ?" he asked her as soon as they entered their room.
" We were just talking. Don't tell me that you are jealous," she smiled.
" I am not but I do not appreciate you talking to him when you are alone. Where is Luciana ?"
" He wanted to talk to me Seti so he sent Luciana away. He told me about his relations with Aretha. He will propose marriage to her."
" He will ? What about you ?"
" What about me ?"
" What do you feel about that ?"
" I am only happy for them. Aretha deserves to be happy. That's all."
" Mmmh. I see."
" What ? Don't tell me that you thought otherwise."
" I didn't."
" You didn't ? Don't lie to me Seti. I can tell what you think by looking at you."
" Alright fine. I admit that I thought that you felt affected by what he said and that you still had feelings for him."
" No Seti," she said as she walked towards him and looked into his eyes." He was there in the past but that was the past. Now, you are the only one in my heart. There's no need to feel that way. I love you," that she said as she took his hand and placed his palm on her cheek.
" I'm sorry. I shouldn't feel that way. I just couldn't help it."
" That's alright. Now tell me what you would like to do. You didn't stay long here when you came for our marriage so you haven't explored this place well."
" I would love to go riding with you and to see the lagoon you kept telling me of."
" Come with me," she said as she dragged him out of the room.