Eternity

19.

Nine years have passed and now my children are all capable of all they need to know and more. Luca is soon to turn 15 and will leave me in order to rule as king in Marridia. He is not a particularly strong man, he prefers the company of books over than that of weaponry, but I do believe that will allow him to rule fairly and kindly.

He still has the features of his father, but his face and body seem thinner, and his hair remains shoulder length again like my husbands. His younger brother on the other hand worries me.

He is now ten and is very keen in sword fighting and the art of war. He is hot headed but I do see his gentle heart occasionally. He is fully aware of his paternity now and is not fazed by it and sees himself as Cesare’s son, I see a similarity in their mannerisms; they’re both overprotective, rash and they both share a hatred of the King of Rhyde.

I can tell that when Miles is a man he will have an exquisite face that shall be fought over by all the ladies in the land. His hair is a light brown and is short, but still long enough to sweep over his eyes, which are the most tasteful shade of hazel. He does share some of his father’s features, such as his pouty lips and strong jaw.

My only daughter Layla is eight, but shall be nine as the year ends. She is grown to be beautiful. Her long black hair surrounds her caramel skin. Her big brown eyes gaze into ones soul.

She and Miles are the best of friends, though she is not a sill-tempered as him. She quite enjoys the studies of medicine and I encourage her to become a healer. My husband and I have not yet grown weary of each other and are as passionate as we were as teenagers fifteen years ago.

Cesare has not aged much, his beard grows thicker, but his hairline has not yet receded. Over these years Cesare’s brother Javier has visited many times, but we are yet to meet his daughter, who is a year older than Luca.

My own brother Rodrigo has visited also, but whenever he is here he spent most of his time with my Mother. Her condition had deteriorated to the point where she could no-longer remember anyone as the new day came.

She left us last year. My brother had disclosed to me after her death that they were in love and had been since he saved her life.I was shocked at their secret, but it was always right in front of me, I could always tell, just never to the extent that Rodrigo described to me.

I have also learnt that the incident in which my mother was left decrepit was caused by my Father’s temper. He threw her down the stairs after she had an affair and fell pregnant; I now know why she warned me of taking Cesare as a lover.The fact that we shared a similar life infuriates me, the fac that she never disclosed that to me and caused me to become distant eats me up every day.

When she died Rodrigo became angry and depressed and has been volatile towards those who question him. My uncle Torrance has since been married and welcomed a son into the world. He still serves as my head advisor, but my need for him has lessened as my reign has grown longer.

The enormous palace here in Dakragh is used to its full extent now; I have summoned the nobles of my kingdom to serve me here. Court life is a tedious one the constant gossip is frustrating enough, but I know I need to accustom my children to life at court. They will not have the advantage of the public support as they ascend to the throne as I did, so they will need the backing of the elite and how to persuade those with power.

My ex-husband has only recently become a father again. His relationship with the sweet Magdalena did not produce children, he divorced her and she now lives as a peasant like before the slave ship.

His new wife is a Rhydian noblewoman, the youngest of twelve children. She gave birth to a girl weeks ago; I hear rumours that she has childbed fever and may not recover. By no means do I want the poor girl to die, but her death would again ensure my son’s accession to his rightful position.