The Wax Pools

Chapter 12: Royal Relations

I did not see this coming.

Like I am constantly bombarded by unpleasant and impossible scenarios by my asshole of a brain, but this? This was not one of them. 

Speaking of unpleasant scenarios my mind was racing with them right now. The queen is right now, unmarried and has no interest in becoming such, so unless she changes her mind, has a bastard, or adopts a child, Bear will one day assume the throne when the queen passes. He will rule over the country. I suppose the name Bartholomew is a little less ridiculous in this context. How is he even related to the royal family... I suppose he is part of the royal family. How is he related to the queen then? and why is he traipsing through the woods hunting with Adam? whom I assume is actually a hunter in the court's favour and employ but who knows maybe he's lying about that too. 

Y'know what how do I know this isn't a lie? after all the royal family is forbidden from accepting a trinket from the wax pools, instead choosing to marry off to members of other royal families or high society members for more land or power or money. Does Bear intend to hide me from the public and marry some snooty spoiled rich woman? Does the queen know he has his trinket? I'm nobody, just the owner of a small apothecary in a small town. I can't be the soulmate of someone important, I'm nobody. 

A train whistle sounds in the distance, bringing me out of my spiral. 

The shock is starting to wear off, I realize I am still on the comfy couch in the train car, frozen in place as two very concerned-looking men crouch in front of me. Their lips are moving, are they saying something? Oh, they are I can hear a muffled sound that gradually becomes clearer as I zone back in. 

"Lillian my love are you alright?

"of course, she's not alright dumbass look at her she's in shock"

"shut up I wasn't talking to you"

"Well no shit, but someone had to respond since she hasn't answered the last twelve times you asked" 

They tend to bicker a lot, it's cute. 

Wait no, not cute. Liars. One of whom is a prince I guess? Just like a royal to lie. I had given them my trust wholeheartedly, my mistake I guess. They didn't warn me I was the soulmate of a PRINCE and on the way to said prince's castle and the royal family. I recall being called princess at one point, what fitting foreshadowing to the romance novel that my life has become. 

They're still arguing. 

"Okay," They freeze mid-argument and turn to look at me, eyes wide.

"you both lied to me"

"well-"

"UH you lied, no arguing. I have decided to stay and give you both a chance to make it up to me, but I swear to the GODS I will absolutely leave if you ever keep something important like that from me again. I was fine alone and I would be fine alone again." Two very eager nods are my response. So I lean back on the couch, placated for now. 

"I really am sorry Lily, I thought..." Bear looks so dejected as he signs and sits back on the floor, "I thought you might base your opinion of me on my status, or only come with us because of it. I want you to care for me, for me. My biggest mistake was not telling you immediately after realizing you wouldn't care, and now we're too far away to turn back."

"Love, I don't want you to feel trapped at all as you might right now, know that if we fuck up to the point where you want to leave, we won't stop you." Adam offers me a small smile, "can't promise we won't follow you though." 

I return the smile, leaning forward again to briefly press a kiss to each of their temples. My touch starved ass wants to be nestled in between them twenty-four / seven and by the gods, I will be by the end of the night.

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sorry for the shorter than usual chapter :/ not feeling it this week