Blood Royals Bonus Book: Prince Adryan & the Throne

Chapter 42: Love You

Adryan's POV
"Is there room for one more in your bubble?"
I offered him the bottle of whiskey as he came close to the edge of the roof top balcony. Unlike me, Relian is classy. He will never drink from a bottle. He chuckled and chose to hold it instead. "Please tell me this wasn't full when you started drinking."

"It was." I sighed deeply, listening to the crickets below.

"Drinking doesn't take away the problem." He told me the obvious.

I'm not fond of turning to alcohol when I'm stressed but sometimes, I prefer not to think. I want my mind to be still.

"I don't need a conscience right now."

"You should have a funeral."

I gazed at him. "What will I bury?"

"Anything that symbolizes your loss. It will give you both closure. Especially her."

"I didn't want the baby. I told her so. Shouldn't I be happy it's gone?"

My big brother sighed softly. He placed th bottle of whiskey on the ground, ticking his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

"Remember when you were ten and you lost a wooden car that uncle Michael brought you?"

"I threw a fit, turning the palace upside down."

"Do you remember what father offered you?"

My father said he will give me a car made of gold that is worth more than the wooden car my uncle curved for me.

"What's the point Relian?"

"You may not have wanted the baby, but it was your baby. You may not have had a chance to know if it but it was your baby. That's why you are not happy it's gone. You lost something you care about."

I leaned against the arch looking towards the distant sea. I haven't spoken to her since the execution. I haven't spoken to anyone. I came up here and I haven't left since. Only Keli is here and I'm mad at him for not telling me the truth.

"I have lost a lot lately. Clover. Taof. This baby. If it's a preview to the rest of my life... I don't want it."

"Who is Clover, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Someone I love."

"And Lenaya? Do you love her too?" He frowned at me.

"Her name is Selina."

"It's Lenaya. I met her when we're children. She was plucking roses and ripping them apart. She said she does not like flowers."

We both chuckled.

"I'm not sure what I feel for her."

"If you had gotten a prostitute pregnant and she told you that some people caused her miscarriage, would the people be executed?"

I pressed my eyes shut. Relian is very clever. I give him that. He's also the most reasonable person I know. I see where he's leading me.

"No."

"Then you didn't just do it for the baby. You did it for her. What is that feeling called? You know, the one you do anything for a special someone... even kill for them?"

"Love."

"Hmmm..." He sighed and gave me a moment to process. I do love Selina. But I'll never be sure unless Clover is back and I can see them together. Only then will I make a decision. For now, I'll show her. I won't say the words.

"What about you? Who do you love?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "What do you mean?"

"Faye can't keep a secret. Who is she?"