Hearts at War (AlanxJeff) VI

42

Alan 

"What are you talking about? Jeff wrote to me a few weeks ago asking to start the separation process," Charlie looked at me with suspicion, his eyes full of disbelief. "Now you're telling me there won't be a divorce? We had a deal. You agreed."

"Things changed," I replied firmly, though my heart was pounding. "Jeff and I are in love. Why should we get divorced?"

"If that were true, Jeff wouldn't have written," Charlie refuted, his voice laden with skepticism.

"You can ask him if you like. I would never force him into anything. At that moment, he thought it was the only option. Now he knows I just want to be by his side. No, we won't separate." My words were firm, but my gaze sought understanding in Charlie's eyes.

I could see the conflicted look in Charlie's eyes. "You know he doesn't..."

"I know, I don't care. In a few years, I'll abdicate the throne," my voice was soft but determined.

"Brother, I understand you, but I don't want to be king," Babe blurted out, his voice trembling slightly.

"Yes, I knew that and took it into account."

"But..." Charlie murmured, doubtful, looking at the ground.

"Sorry to intrude, Charlie," Pete said cautiously, stepping forward. "They haven't been married long. The social pressure won't start for a while. Why not let them be happy in the meantime? Alan already knows Jeff's condition and accepts it. And Jeff seems to accept Alan too. We shouldn't act in haste." Pete spoke with a calmness that contrasted with the tension of the moment.

"Yes, that's true. Anyway, I'll confirm with Jeff. If he agrees, I'll support them," Charlie sighed, his posture relaxing a bit.

"On another note, and more importantly, we all know that last time only pawns fell," Pete interjected, his tone becoming more serious.

"No matter how hard we've tried to get evidence against the queen, it's been impossible. She's too cunning. And after that blow, they seem to have taken cover. The borders have never been so quiet," Charlie said, his voice full of concern.

"Alan, you said you'd abdicate the throne, but not to Babe. To whom?" Pete asked suspiciously, his eyes fixed on me.

"According to the line of succession, it would be Kluem," I replied.

"Are you sure?" Pete asked, frowning.

"He has shown loyalty and intelligence," I said with conviction, though a small doubt began to form in my mind.

"You recently told me that infiltrators had to be close. How well do you really know him? Think about it and think carefully," Pete advised seriously, his gaze penetrating.

I went for a walk in the garden to clear my mind. I felt agitated and anxious, as always when I was in this kingdom. Especially after what happened with Jeff. The garden was in full bloom, with vibrant colored flowers and the sweet scent of roses filling the air. I walked along the stone paths, trying to calm my thoughts, when I caught his scent. I found myself following it, as if it were a magnet irresistibly drawing me in.

Lately, I had been watching his every move. I hadn't found anything, but something in my heart told me there was something hidden. That it was there, waiting to be discovered. After following his scent for a while in the garden, momentarily worried that the wind had led me astray, I heard his voice.

"The last time you told me the separation would begin," the queen spat coldly. She stood next to a marble fountain, her imposing figure contrasting with the delicacy of the surroundings. "Today I saw them, and it didn't seem at all like they were going to separate."