Love Hate, Hate Love

9.

{Author's Note: Seems as there is some slight drama to come. Also, I'd like to remind you, darlings, that despite Eclius and Linterna engagement I don't ship the two. I have discussed with my friend (the owner of Eclius, Lunan, and Solun) that Linterna and Eclius never had any feelings towards each other. The only feelings they have ever had between the two were friendship, annoyance, or straight up hate. Please don't ship those two they aren't meant for each other at all. Anyhow, enjoy yourselves, darlings.

- SilverFlarePlays <3}

Over the next few months, Linterna had grown used to life in the castle. She took exceptional care of the princes during those months. Although, not everything was going as she had hoped. She and Eclius have put off the wedding for all these months because there was a growing tension between the Yukon and Starbridge kingdoms. Both kingdoms were preparing to go to war. This was not the only thing pushing back the wedding.

Eclius, having built up guilt, wasn't sure about marrying Linterna. He would have to inform her on something he had done. He had built up enough courage to face the woman caring for his sons. He would meet with her after dinner that evening.

"Linterna, may I speak to you once you finish your meal?" the king announced to Linterna sitting a few seats away from him.

"Of course you may, your highness," she looked at him with a questioning expression. She took her last few bites of her food and set down her fork and knife. "What is it you need to discuss?"

Eclius was slightly on edge standing from his seat and walking over to her. "I believe it is best to have this conversation in a more secluded area..." He lowered his voice so only she could hear him speak. Linterna reluctantly agreed, standing up from her seat to follow the king. They get to the royal study and Eclius leans on the desk with a heavy sigh as Linterna closes the door to the room behind her.

"Now, what is this all about, Eclius... You're worrying me a bit..." Linterna fidgeted with her fingers, looking at the king nervously.

"Linterna, I don't believe we should wed... You see, the last time I was wed I had a lot of problems. Many of these issues stemmed from matters you best not concern yourself with. However, my late wife didn't die naturally from childbirth. She... I did many things wrong... It wasn't her time to pass yet," Eclius had a blank expression but his eyes told more than his face ever could. Linterna had an idea of what the king was trying to imply...

"Are- Are you implying you... took away the only chance... for the princes to have their actual mother...? Do you know... how important it is... to have a mother...? You stripped them of an essential figure in their lives..." Linterna looked calm and collected, but her voice revealed her bubbling anger. Her passive-aggressive tone lingered in the air, stabbing at his gut. "Yes, I do believe it would be best if we don't wed. I don't want to marry someone who would possibly take away another mother figure from their lives."

Eclius' brows furrowed and a frown formed on his lips. He wasn't too fond of her tone of voice, but what did he expect would happen? For her to forgive him immediately without second thought? She truly cared for the princes, after all, and it showed in the way she treats the children.

"I made that mistake once. It will not be repeated, I assure you," he crossed his arms in front of his chest and mumbled something Linterna couldn't quite make out. "Would you be willing to continue the care of the princes? Not as my wife but as their caretaker. A godmother if you will," Eclius offered this to Linterna both in an attempt to calm her anger and to not deprive his sons of a mother for the second time.

Linterna glared at Eclius intensely. She didn't need her notebook to remember the disgust and unsavory feelings she felt towards Eclius at that moment. She would accept his offer because of her attachment to the princes and her loyalty towards her kingdom.

"Very well... I will accept this arrangement. However, it will come at a small cost. I suggest I get paid for my services for the first five or so years just like every other servant in this castle. If you ask me, that is a bargain for one keeping your little secret of why your late wife passed away and two caring for your two sons. Not to mention anything else I may have to face in the future, yes?"

Eclius' tail twitched a little irritatedly, but she made a valid point. By not marrying her as they originally agreed upon she lost a lot of benefits that would come naturally to being queen. What she was asking was nothing compared to what she could've demanded. He nodded and sighed in annoyance. "I suppose it's the least I can do..."

"It is settled then. Have a good evening, Eclius," Linterna left the royal study, her heels audible clicking down the hallway until she was far enough to where they could no longer be heard by Eclius.

Eclius will always remember this conversation with Linterna. His guilt surrounding his wife only seemed to double if not triple. One thing is for certain he needed a way to cope with this guilt. An excuse to separate himself from the place that reminds him everyday of what he had done. He stopped leaning on his desk and made his way back to his sleeping quarters after locking the door to the study.

{Author's Note: Small time-skip here as to not dedicate an entire chapter to only a paragraph of text as that's simply ridiculous if you ask me.}

War was inevitable at this point in time; the entire kingdom was constantly producing products in efforts to aid the brave men who served as soldiers. King Eclius would leave to fight in the front lines with his men. He left the boys in the complete care of Linterna. Perhaps fighting for his nation first hand would relieve his guilt to a degree? Linterna saw Eclius and some of the army watching them march off. She would return to her duties very quickly after saluting the men.