THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 50

Aretha played a tune on her violin for Julian who sat opposite her. She danced in circles as she played and he looked at her but his mind wasn't there. She stopped playing her violin.
"How was that ?" she asked with a smile.
"I loved it."
"Really ?"
"Hmm."
"You do sound enthusiastic," she said as she rolled her eyes." You are thinking of her, aren't you ?"
"Who ?" Julian asked.
"Astrid, of course. I saw you talking to her and you weren't paying attention to me playing.
"I wasn't thinking about her. Where is all that coming from ?"
"It's just that I feel insecure now that she is around. Your feelings for her may arise and I don't want that."
"There's no reason for you to be," he said as he stood and walked towards her. She placed her hand on his chest through his half buttoned shirt.
"I believe you."
They stood in silence and when she looked up to him, he was lost in thought again.
"What is bothering you ?"
"It's nothing much."
"Nothing much ? I don't see you like this at all. There must be something wrong."
"There's nothing. I swear to you. I just. I just want to ask you for your hand in marriage," he said and she gasped." Princess Aretha, will you do me the honour of marrying me ?"
She blinked nervously not answering him. This was all she ever wanted and now it was there. Right in front of her. He wanted to marry her. A dream come true.
" Will you ?" he asked with a smirk.
" Yes. Of course. This is what I have always wanted," she said and threw herself at him." But wait," she said and moved away from him.
" What about Astrid ?"
" She is just a memory. You are my present and I want you to be my future. Forget her and allow yourself to be happy with me. I will make you happy. I promise. Marry me," he cooed.
" I will not be jealous of a memory," she said as she smiled." I will marry you. Come now, let's inform my family. As a princess, I need to have their permission to get married."
"I agree with you. I am afraid of your grandfather. He doesn't like me and he might object."
"I will do anything to get permission for us to wed."

Food was placed on the table on many platters. The meal was exquisite as usual but better since Seti and Astrid had come for a visit.  Everyone enjoyed the meal as they all talked together happily. Aretha was nervous and barely ate. Julian who had joined them got suspicious looks from Anthony because he had joined the family for the meal but Therese had to speak and allow him to remain there. After the meal was over, Julian stood up and got everyone's attention and he announced what he and Aretha had agreed on.
"What! Never," Anthony's sound boomed. All eyes were on him and the two who had decided to get married." What is the meaning of this ?" he hissed at Aretha.
"Please grandfather. Allow Julian and I to get married. It is what we want."
"That's what you want but is that the best for everyone ? You are a princess and you know very well that your duty to the kingdom comes first. You can only marry a prince or a duke as the least but not a count. Much less one whose father committed treason. I will arrange for your marriage to the prince of the neighbouring kingdom. It's time both kingdoms were united and peace gotten."
" But grandfather."
" As your grandfather, I understand that you have feelings for this man," he said as he dragged the last words out of disgust." However, I don't think that you will be happy with him. I'll need to get a scribe to send a message for marriage. That must take precedence over such."
Therese stood up but Charles held her hand and pulled her down to sit motioning her not to interfere.
" Grandfather, since the day I was born, I knew that my life wasn't mine but the kingdom's. I understand that I am also a subject first then a granddaughter but please consider my feelings just this once. All my life, I did everything to make you proud and happy. Julian and I love each other."
" Just look at the man you profess your undying love for. He is just standing there saying nothing. It shows that he will not do anything for you. Who knows what intentions he harbours ?"
" I do not speak sore because I want to hear your reasons first. I knew that you would object to this because of the feud you have had with my father for years. I am not my father and my intentions for Aretha are pure. You would prefer her being married to a prince and I understand that but I implore you to allow us to get married. You allowed me to marry Astrid in the past and it did not go well. I fell in love with Aretha and I would like you to accept me and let us forget the past and focus on the future."
" Father, allow them to get married," Therese spoke earning a glare from Charles." He did not marry Astrid because of his father's crime. Do not let him carry that guilt much longer. I have seen how much he has been caring towards Aretha."
"Do you dare take his side Therese ?" Anthony said.
"I dare not father but I just want the best for her. Let her be happy. As to the prince, we could always go for peace talks. We already have Astrid away and the kingdom has become more stable thanks to the soldiers from Egypt joining forces with ours. Nobody dares attack Alkion so why not allow this marriage ?"
"Mother is right," Astrid said." She deserves to be happy."
Charles, Fabian and Seti just looked at each other and at the scene in front of them.
"What do you think Seti ?" Anthony asked.
"Well, I believe in true love thanks to Astrid here," he said as he placed his hand on her back and his eyes shone with pride and love." So why not give the two a chance if they believe that they have it ?"
There was silence for a while. No matter how much he despised Julian, most of his family were for the idea. Maybe letting her marry for love wouldn't be a bad idea or would it ?