Where the Sun meets the Moon (Solarballs vars fanfic)

Chapter 4

Teressa, with that iconic cocky smile, led Alex through the familiar corridors of the palace towards the throne room. The ceilings displayed a range of unique chandeliers which blinded you if you looked directly at it; some of the portraits that had once decorated these halls have been removed, making space for more recent photographs.

"So, do you know why his majesty called you?" Teressa asked him, interrupting his trail of thoughts. He took a slight glance at her, noticing her cocky smile fade into a slight smirk, in a way, mocking him, hoping that he was in a mountain of trouble.

"No.. but you seem to know and by your attitude, it seems to be something bad, doesn't it?" he, spitefully, told her.

"Oh, you seem to be mistaken! I, unfortunately, know nothing of this situation! Though, I am hoping that it is about your banishment from this kingdom so I'd never have to see your horrid face again!"

"I'd also be delighted; because I wouldn't have to see your discount Belle face look in my direction!"

She murmured something he couldn't quite hear, but he did guess that she was cursing him; with that, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. Finally, they had reached the doors of the throne room. The guard bowed at them and opened it, revealing three figures. King Julius, whose eyes were filled with concern, instead of the same glimmer of hope that Alex felt every time he looked into them; Sylvan sat next to him, on his throne, with a hanker chief in his hand, wiping of the little streams of tears. Then, he saw Elijah, a little behind Julius, with guilt and shame in his eyes. He wouldn't even look at Alex. Oh god, his worries had come true...

"Are you all right?"

That was the first thing Julius said to him as he soon indicated for Teressa to leave (who reluctantly did). The question just seemed like a punch to reality because in all honesty, he would have immediately replied yes but the whole Philip thing, he didn't know. He didn't even know where his uncle wanted him to steer the wheel so he plainly replied,

"Just peachy!"

It was quite obvious that Julius seemed unsatisfied with the answer as a frown crept onto his face but he didn't say much. However, the next question seemed to go straight to the point and tell Alex why he was here.

"Your injury, how did that happen?"

Alex used the same excuse that he told Elijah; in that way, he wouldn't build suspicion.

"Fell and hit the wall." he answered, almost immediately. He started playing with his fingers, behind his back as he looked at Julius, underneath his nose. It was a trick that he had learnt from Elijah. By looking at somebody's part underneath their nose, it looks to them that you are making eye contact when in reality, you're not. Alex, who can never hide the guilt in his eyes when he lies, used this technique to get away with a lot of things. Most of them were white lies; this was the only one where it was not really a white lie.. or was it? It wasn't impacting anyone here, right?

"That's a lie. The injury looks like it was inflicted by someone else." Jupiter stated in a calm voice which scared Alex to bits, knowing that Jupiter knew something was wrong. He didn't dare to speak for a moment or so, sharp breaths echoing all around the throne room. Elijah, his father and his step dad all glanced at each other, sharing the same look of 'we won't give up until he tells us'.

"Oh." was the only thing Alex could say in respond. He didn't mean to say that, of course. He just couldn't piece together an excuse or a counter argument. He, then, unexpectedly, remembered his speech, and the idea the boy named Vincent gave him. As he now was standing in the throne room, he decided that this would be best to ask now. One, it could avoid the point that his uncle made and two, he would most likely,be able to go tomorrow.

"I.." he started, hesitantly, "I would like to go out and meet the people of our kingdom, uncle. I feel that it would help me greatly and, give me an insight of what to write for my speech."

Alex kept his eyes down as he said this, not wanting to know or see how the three reacted to this abrupt request. His uncle is smart enough to know that this is some type of excuse to change the topic but nonetheless, he grants permission.

"You may," Julius told his nephew, waving his hand in approval, "Tomorrow, at 10 o'clock sharp, in the morning, a carriage will be waiting outside with you. Nicholas will accompany you. However-"

Alex raised his eyes up, fear shaking him as he tries guessing what the king would say next.

"... you will have to stay only in your chambers afterwards. Two guards will stay outside, making sure you don't leave. Only those with my permission will enter."

The silence was loud. You could probably even hear a pin drop. Alex, though he was very much against this idea, said nothing. He understood his uncle's point of view. To keep him safe. Maybe.. just maybe, Elijah mentioned his walks in the garden and his uncle thought that someone out there had hurt him. In all honesty, he hoped that was the reason. He couldn't imagine it being that Julius wanted to break him.

Meekly, he asked, "Will Pedro and Diego be able to come any time they want?"

He could see a flash of sympathy shine over his uncle's eyes.

"Yes," he replied, not showing any type of emotion in his voice, "They will be the only exception."

Alex smiled at that. He didn't want to imagine their reaction if they were told they had to ask permission to see their older brother.

"Thank you."

With that Alex left, the doors shutting with a slight click.

"What was that?"

Julius turned his head to see his husband's shocked expression.

"My dear, I wish not to but it will keep him safe-"

"Locking him into isolation? You will probably make him even sadder!"

"My love-"

"Sorry Julius, but I can't bring myself to agree to your judgment."

Julius sighed as he watched Sylvan rise and walk away; Jupiter melts into the arms of his throne, rethinking everything that had just taken place.

~~~
I AM SO SO SO SORRY! I know, it has been so long since I posted but I had some personal problems. I hope you understand and once more, I am dearly sorry:(

I promise, I will start posting often now on! Thank you for your patience!

Signing off,
Pirate Elvy 🌺