The Kings Love

No Running

( King Laurent )
( Day 72, January 2nd )

I slowly appraised the golden band with the topaz setting, wondering if it would ever make its way to her ring finger. Nothing would make me happier than watching her walk down the aisle, not only accepting my name, but her crown as well. The coronation wedding would be exquisite, breathtaking. She would be like no other, her normal beauty dazed me, I could just imagine what her being in a white dress, all fancied up for me, would probably ruin me for any other. A knock on our door snapped me from the vivid and explicit thoughts of the honeymoon that would follow,

King Laurent: "Enter."
I commanded, a little irked at being disturbed. With a slight hope that it was Jasmine, when Liara walked in, all my happiness drifted away and morphed into rage, I wasn't ready to forgive the folly of my sister. She closed the door behind her, standing still, unwilling to move closer. That was smart.

King Laurent: "What do you want Liara?" I kept my tone clipped and curt, dissuading her from trying to stay. Liara fidgeting a bit but still stayed still, glaring at me with a almost annoyed expression.

Liara: "Okay Laurent, I was wrong and I admit that but you are acting like an immature brat. What I said to Jasmine was nothing but me looking out for YOU!" She shouted at me, her face turning red in her anger. I sat up and got off the bed, towering over her. Liara shrunk back, her anger quickly deflating.

King Laurent: "I see that I didn't make myself clear Liara, allow me to remedy that. You overstepped your boundaries. Jasmine and mine relationship is none of your damn business. I don't give a fuck if she's your friend or if I'm your brother, you have no say in what she should or shouldn't do, anymore than you do with me! It was Jasmine's choice to say yes or no, I wasn't forcing or rushing her. Yes, it hurt but that is MY pain to burden, not YOURS! Interfere again Liara, and I will ban you from the castle. Try me, I'm just in that mood." I left a shocked and sad Liara behind as I left the room, slamming the door behind me so hard, that the frame shook. I did not care if I went overboard, Jasmine had been through enough to have to deal with my own sister being in her face as well.

Sophia: "Good morning Lauy." I was walking the halls to my den when I heard Sophia, still surprised every time she spoke. A grin split my lips and I ambled over to the blonde beauty, looking elegant in her white chiffon dress.

King Laurent: "Ah, good morning Sophia. I take it that you finally took our offer to be a Royal instead of a worker? Since your not in your servants garb." Her smile was radiant as a small blush dusted her cheeks, and I took that as a yes. For so long, Larry and I tried to get Sophia to accept a role as Royal, but she always would just shake her head no and continued to work.

Sophia: "Actually, no I didn't but I um....I plan on leaving Lauy..." She whispered, her voice so quiet and meek.

King Laurent: "Leave? Leave where Sophia? Are you going back to the farm?" I asked, trying to keep the sadness from seeping into my voice.

Sophia: "No..I would only always see the farm as a broken and burnt place, and I just don't think it would be right to my parents memory to live there like that. I got a job in London underneath the Duke and Duchess for a Court Transcriber. Since I enjoy writing so much, I figured it would be a good idea. I was suppose to leave earlier but when mommy..I mean Jasmine, was taken, I couldn't leave until she came back. Now that she is here and safe, I think it's time I start my own life Lauy. So I'm leaving after my 17th birthday, next week." I saw the determination in her eyes and the sad melted away into proudness. Who was I to stop her from doing what she wanted in her life?

Pulling Sophia into a warm embrace, I hugged her until I could memorize her scent, my daughter was growing up.
King Laurent: "Okay, I understand completely. So in celebration, how about you, me, and Larry go out to dinner in town? Like old times?" She nodded her head yes, causing my shirt to become disheveled. Laughing and going to get Larry, everything is temporarily disappeared.

A couple hours later, we all made our way to a well known French cuisine restaurant in town, The Empress. I dressed into a all black Armani suit with matching shoes, Larry was in a all white Hugo Boss suit, while Sophia was the center of attention in her floral lace gown and her hair spun in a intricate bun. Ignoring the stares and oohs and ahs, we all took a seat in a reserved table that was cut off from the rest.

King Larry: "Wow, I can't believe man. Sophia leaving us. I don't think I'm ready." He muttered, throwing a hurt blameful look at Sophia who just laughed in return.

Sophia: "It was time. I finally can speak without fear and I have all three of you to thank." I looked at Sophia to see if her glass had wine in it, cause there was only two of us with her.

King Laurent: "Three of us? Are you including yourself Sophia? Did you get into the castles wine cabinet before we left?" I was laughing but Larry was serious faced. Sophia sort of squirmed in her seat and I was a little put off. Why were they acting so weird?

Jasmine: "Well thank you Sophia, I'm glad to have been a part of your living life how you want to now. I'm so proud of you." ....I wondered for a brief second if I had been drinking? I turned around in my seat to come face to face with the one person I wanted to see more than any. Jasmine was dressed in a navy blue halter dress and her hair was down, the curls framing her beautiful face, still flawless to me despite the many healing cuts still lingering. But what caught my attention the most, was the Rose gold Jasmine flower necklace hanging from her slender neck.

Jasmine: "Do you mind if I sit?" She asked, her head cocking to the side. I couldn't speak so instead I just gestured with a wave of my hand for her to take the one next to me. She did, the smile never leaving her lips.

King Larry: "I'm glad you could make it sis, didn't think you would come honestly." I just kept looking at Jasmine, she closed her eyes and sighed.

Jasmine: "Now how could I not come to Sophias going away dinner? What kind of friend would I be if I did that?"
Sophia giggled and clasped her hands around Jasmine's, her eyes shining.

Sophia: "I'm so happy! I have my most favorite people in the world here with me, what else could a girl ask for?" Sophia was ecstatic, she could hardly stay in her seat. Jasmine's gaze slid to mine and a nervous lifting of her lips put me on edge.

Jasmine: "How about her Kings hand in marriage?"