Love Hate, Hate Love

3.

{Author's Note: I don't believe there is much to say for this chapter. If I do think of something to add I'll be sure to make an addition to this note. Regardless of that situation, please do enjoy this chapter, darlings. 

- SilverFlarePlays <3} 

Linterna truly had no one to turn to during these years of her life. Despite being born with noble blood in her, she never was able to socialize with other children her age. She wasn't able or allowed to speak to many people. The few people she was allowed to speak to were clients that her father had over on occasion for business. However short these interactions were she valued the ability to speak even a couple words. During one of these short conversations her father's client mentioned the king perished on October 11th, and his son would take the throne. This intrigued the fourteen-year-old Linterna as she leaned closer listening intently.

"A new king..?" she looked up at the older gentleman speaking in a hushed voice, "Prince Eclius is to take the throne?"

The gentleman chuckled and nodded, "Why, yes. It's a shame the late king had to pass. He was a very powerful and great leader. The prince seems to share these characteristics. I'm sure we'll see great things from him."

"How can you be so sure..? After all, I've heard many mixed opinions about our monarchy. It seems the late king hasn't been the most popular person when it comes to the recent events involving the rising tension with our neighboring nations, especially the Yukon kingdom. I'm not saying the late king wasn't a noble leader, but how can you ensure his son will be just as prosperous?" She looked genuinely curious to hear the man's answer. Her voice never raised above a loud whisper.

The gentleman thought for a minute stroking his curly gray and black beard. Linterna shifted slightly in her seat quietly watching him ponder for a response. The man then laughed a hardy laugh and rested his hand back on his knee.

"I wouldn't worry too much about the issues between Starbridge and Yukon. They'll probably have some sort of arranged marriage as a sort of peace treaty, eventually. That seems to be a common way of resolving war between kingdoms in recent decades. As for the other issues, why don't you make sure the kingdom doesn't fall into ruin yourself, young Linterna?" the man raised his eyebrows in amusement from his own joke. "Heh, no, you aren't likely to understand the way of ruling anyways. You're much too young still if I remember your age correctly."

She tilted her head to the side, furrowing her eyebrows a bit in confusion. Make sure the kingdom doesn't fall into ruin herself? She pulled out a small notebook made note of the conservation thus far. The gentleman was used to her careful note taking so he doesn't even notice. Linterna flips through the filled written pages of her notebook to find the page full of names. She looked up the gentleman's physical description in the and widened her eyes and flipped back to the page she was just writing on.

"Earl Crawford Beasleye, could you possibly," she glanced around the room to ensure her father wasn't in earshot, "bring me to the prince's coordination? I'd love to see a new ruler be crowned in person. After all, it is a once in a lifetime experience. Although, I'm sure Father wouldn't be bothered to attend with how busy he has been these past couple days."

She had picked her words carefully. Linterna anxiously awaited for the earl to give his response. The earl leaned back in his plush chair and closed his eyes for a small while.

"I don't see why not... However, you'd have to do me a favor in return of course. I simply cannot hand out favors without a price attached."

"Ah, yes, I expected no less. I am indebted to you Earl Beasleye," she bowed her head trying to hide the excited smile plastered on her face.