The successor : warrior of north

Chapter 8

  DELLA

The second day of the conference I wore a frock that was just below my calves, so that I can run from dad if I see him again. Also I hope I meet that guy again. Even though it's half way to the palace, Alice kept pushing me to go back. Even though I don't want to go there I also don't wanna leave Alice alone. As the countess of the Mayfield family she had to attend so many programs , but every single time some old perverts try to harrass her. If someone is with her she won't be alone. So they won't pick on her. That's the least I can do for her. As we reached the palace, I could feel someone staring at me from a distance and I'm sure it's my father. I walked through the main entrance and wrote my name on the visitor's book. Someone was already waiting for me to finish writing my name. It was him. It was him again, I handed him over the pen and he wrote his name. We walked together to the conference hall. This time he sat beside me and on other side Alice was sitting. " Hey, what's your name? " I asked him without any honorifics. He looked at me and his eyes were wide opened. His guards were also surprised.  " Uhh.... I .... I mean, The great sunshine of the dark valley please forgive my rudeness". As I said that he started laughing. Alice was also surprised to see him laughing. Then he said " The polite way of talking doesn't suit you. I prefer the way you talked to me in the forest. Also my name is  Zander and Don't ask for my second name ". He still remember that. The day I broke his carriage. I feel kind of embarassed.
                  The meeting started as the queen greeted everyone. It feels like the queen is looking towards us. Especially him. The meeting concluded by saying that everyone from the major families which means the ones who controls state authorities and the decendents of the Lamont family will pass infront of the Heirloom stone to find out the true successor of the thorn. Today the cage was not there with the queen. She said it is safe inside a room, as far as I guess it is the room that prohibited for every outsiders and including the decendents of the royal family. So everyone except them can go from the palace. As I stood up to go outside I saw my father waiting for me. No I don't wanna go with him. He'll marry me to the Enoch's. I don't want to go with him. Suddenly Zander took my hand and walked to the main guard who was incharge of entering the names of the major families and said " I have some unfinished Business with this Lady so please enter her name too". I was too surprised to speak. Now Alice had to go back without me. I told her that I'm fine and sent her back to home. My dad also left there angrily after a long time. I saw him from the room that the guards prepared for the guests. The chance to pass infront of the stone was tomorrow. I was relieved. As the king of dark valley he could keep me there for that day. Some servents came in and put some snacks on the table. I couldn't sleep a wink last night so I thought it would be a best idea to sleep in a royal palace's bedroom . It was cozy ,warm and big. I laid on the bed and slowly fell asleep.
                  It was already night when I woke up. There was warm food on the table. Zander was sitting on a chair at the balcony. His both arms were resting on the handrails and his head on his left elbow. I thought he was sleeping there but he was not. He was staring at the stars. He looked happy. I have seen him looking at others without any emotions on his face. His raven black hair that covered sides of his face prevents the view of his face from the sides. But now he looks like a five year old looking at the sky at night from a very high building. " Are you done staring at me?" He asked me without even looking at me. He stood up from there and gently took my hands on his and made me sit infront of the table and told me to eat food. He was looking at me as I was eating. He made me eat a lot. Now I feel like my stomach is gonna burst. He didn't told me to eat that much, but whenever I tried to stop eating he stares at me which made me pretty uncomfortable and ate a little too much. Both of us sat there in the balcony, to be honest it was a nice view from there. He told me so much about stars. He even knows about the time of some special stars on sky. He was so obsessed with stars, a real astrophile.
                 
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