POSSESSIVE (MXM)

Thirty-three

Queen Rose has decided to hold an engagement celebration at the beach, inviting everyone in Shillian to celebrate with the advisor of the throne and the prince of Larmont. The two have still not decided on where to hold the matrimonial ceremony, but from the way things were looking the prince was adamant to have it in Larmont.

"I cannot believe you are actually marrying the prince," said Judith, fanning her face with a paper fan.

"This is the umpteenth time you've declared this mother," Elijah said in a monotonous tone.

Judith laughed, looking at her future son-in-law with so much adoration.

"He is gorgeous Eli! I thought I had given birth to the most handsome man. But he is just absolutely spectacular!" The woman beamed, making Nolan grumble as he whines, making Judith laugh harder.

"You said that just as much mother," Elijah rolled his eyes.

Judith scoffed, deciding to leave the couple and rather search for her husband. That was the time Carmella approached with her niece Fiona. The latter blushed as soon as her eyes met Nolan's, and scoffed defensively when Elijah glared at her.

"Congratulations! It may appear that no one has bothered to try and kidnap the prince from our small kingdom. I hope you continue to live harmoniously with no disturbance. It would be sad to see my sister and the council force the prince back to Larmont," Carmella's blunt and flamboyant nature, never seized to amaze Nolan.

"Congratulations," Fiona mumbled, refusing to make another eye contact with the prince of Larmont.

"You are so bitter Fiona!" Elijah accused.

The princess glared at him in as much as she blushed in embarrassment.

"I am your future queen!" She spat, her hard features coming into play to remind the advisor of the throne of her own status.

Elijah scoffed, and was ready to retaliate, when a soft, feminine and familiar voice spoke from behind. Her accent has always been different from everyone as she grew up in a different kingdom, only returning to Shillian in her pre-teens and left again on her twenty first birthday.

"Elijah," the way she rolled the 'l' in his name, and the thickness of her voice as if struggling to pronounce the name was enough to alert Elijah of the identity of the woman behind him.

And he dreaded this very moment as he slowly turned around, Nolan doing the same. The prince looked at the woman with frizzy long white hair, with beads accompanied by a red feather each side of her head. Dressed in a brown short leather dress. Her skin a little sunburnt making it to crack slightly. Her eyes a vibrant shade of green, lips pink and full. Small freckles spattered all over her round face. Gorgeous was one way to downplay her beauty.

"Sophia," Elijah whispered her name, swallowing dryly.

"I have heard you are getting married. Congratulations," she said, her eyes barely averting to Nolan then back to Elijah.

"Thank you," Elijah breathed, although seeming skeptical.

"I am also sorry to show up unannounced. I never thought this day would come. I truly tried Eli, but I am struggling. I hate to dump this on you, but, I have nowhere else to turn to," she stated.

Right then, Elijah dreaded what was to come next, as his heart pounded against his chest and he tipped his head back closing his eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun against his face.

"I was clearly not born to be a mother," she stated, making Elijah's eyes to snap open. "So, it would give me great joy if you are willing to raise our son," she said, looking down beside her.

And indeed, there was a little boy holding her hand, looking up at Elijah with awe in his vibrant blue eyes, freckles covering his nose, and curly white hair.

"This is Ethane, your son," said Sophia, smiling at the boy and then looking up at Elijah who was ultimately shocked.

Elijah met the boy's eyes again, everything suddenly falling silent and the drums being played muffled, the screams and shouts suddenly audio less.

"Excuse me?" Nolan was the first to come out of the shock and inquire further.

"A few years ago, Eli and I were in a relationship. I left Shillian almost four years ago. In Kenyon, I found out I was pregnant. I did not wish to disturb Eli's life as we agreed to part in peace. But, I just cannot handle Ethane. Especially since he inherited your gift. You see, Ethane is a mage just like you," she concluded.

Elijah's eyes finally shifted from the boy to his mother.

"How would you know?" He asked suspiciously.

"Because, he has visions. At times, it is so intense he has a seizure. It has taken a huge toll on me," she explained.

"The gift is not meant to manifest until later on in life. He is just what..."

"Three," Sophia interjected, smiling fondly at the boy. "I honestly, do not know what happened. I recall you telling me this, but Ethane's own manifested sooner. I do not know why. But what I know is, the life I can offer him is not what he needs. He needs a stable home," she said.

"So...he is Eli's son? As in my Eli?" Nolan inquired, clearly having a hard time to come to terms with this.

Sophia nodded her head, licking her lips.

"I have done my best to raise him these last three years. But now..." She turned to look behind her, in the ocean there was a ship with a couple of people on board. "I need to leave. I am so sorry Eli. I will come to visit every now and then. Please forgive me. And... congratulations on your engagement," she said, before prying her hand out of the child's grasp, glancing at him one more time and then started her way to the sea.

"Sophia!" Elijah shouted, but the woman did not look back but rather picked up her pace, eyes glossy with tears as she left her son behind but knowing this was the best decision for Ethane.

The little boy wailed watching his mother leave without him, breaking Sophia's heart even more.

"Soph!" Elijah shouted, now everyone nearby watching the scene unfold.

"Eli," Nolan whispered, capturing the man's attention.

But the look on the prince's face was enough to break Elijah's heart. The man gulped, watching the unshed tears in Nolan's eyes.

"This was it? This was your fun and exploration?" The prince asked, gesturing to the weeping little boy crouching on the sand. Nolan could not even spare the little boy a look.

"Nolan, I promise, I didn't know," he said weakly.

"But I should have known better than to trust you with my heart," the prince crooked, a tear slipping out under the thick frame of his glasses, before turning around and walking away.

"Nolan!" Elijah shouted, making an attempt to follow the prince, but Carmella's voice stopped him.

"Eli," she called, and when the man turned frustrated to face her, she gestured to the little boy now in her arms.

Elijah hesitated before going on to retrieve the boy from her grasp.

"Eli! What is going on? Why is the prince upset?" Judith scolded even as she inquire.

"Your son impregnated a woman in his young years. Well, lady Judith, this young man in his arms is your grandson," Carmella was not shy to bluntly speak the truth even as Elijah glared at her.

Queen Rose gasped, and Judith eyes just filled with tears and disappointment.

"Eli," she breathed as if pleading for her son to tell her this was not true

"Whatever the case may be, you need to do well with your son," Robertson however spoke firmly to this.

Little whispers started to ignite from the beach as the news spread and more people started to become alert of the drama. Feeling confused and torn Elijah had no idea as to how to cement all this. Never in his wildest dream did he think one day, one of his past affairs would threaten his future with his soulmate. But here he was, with baby Ethane in his hand, and his soulmate walking away from him.