Blood King

Chapter Three (Edited)

Chapter Three

Early the next morning, Xavier planned with the nobles and the knight William as to how to go about hunting the beast. Many of the ministers offered to just send the knights into the woods while they would lay in wait for the beast. Both agreed that it was a bad idea, however. It ultimately it went to a vote since Xavier was not the king yet.

He felt enraged at this at how the ministers acted around him; though they would not say it aloud to him he could see it so clearly in many of their eyes. The few that didn’t merely said that he was only acting rash and did not wish for something to happen to the Crown Prince. Those words he understood, but those eyes, those ministers who merely looked at him with those eyes filled with laughter. That was the one thing he could not abide. When he became king, it would change, he would make sure of that.

Xavier stopped by the doors of his sister’s room. The sun itself had barely begun to rise, so she would still be asleep. He opened the door and quietly stepped into the room, then walked over to the bed and pulled back the dark wine colored drapes to see her fast asleep, curled on her side, sleeping like a child who was younger than her true age.

He merely stood there, watching her in silence before leaning forwards, bracing his hands along either side of her while leaning himself on the bed. He knew that he had to get ready to lead the knights into the forest but he just felt so angry. Whenever he was with Celina, or at least knew that she was nearby, he could feel himself calm down. He brushed some strands of her pale blond hair out of her face as she then mumbled and buried herself further into her bed and pillow. The back of his hand ran along the side of her cheek, repeating the motion for a time before placing his hand underneath her chin and turning her head to face him, but not so much as to hurt her.

His thumb resting just below her bottom lip as he stared intently at her face, he parted her lips just slightly, her voice but a whisper when her lips parted. He lowered his head further; resting his forehead against hers, and closed his eyes.

“I know you wanted to see me off before the hunt Celina, but I do not want for you to worry,” He whispered softly as he remained where he was. “But I shall promise you, that no matter what, I will return for you. I will always return for you Celina, for you are the only one that I truly care for.” He moved back long enough to kiss her forehead softly. “I only ask for you to wait, that is all, wait for me.”

“Your Majesty?”

Xavier raised his head as a maid walked into the room. “The items that you requested have been prepared and are now in your chambers as we speak.”

“Thank you, I will be there shortly.” He looked back to his still-sleeping sister. “Sleep well, Celina.”

And then left her room closing the door softly, but as he walked down the hall the maid spoke.

“Well that was rather surprising. Usually the Princess is a light sleeper. I thought she would have woken up from that.”

Xavier glanced to the maid. “Much of what has been happening has been rather taxing on my sister, so it’s no surprise that she would be so exhausted to sleep that deeply. So for now allow no one to wake her, let her sleep until she wakes on her own.”

The maid bowed in response when they reached his chambers. “Of course, Your Majesty. Many of us within the castle wish you well on this hunt.”

Xavier closed the door, separating himself from the outside world as he then went over to the bed. There his armor and sword laid waiting for him to wear. During the late evening many had offered to help him dress for today, but he solemnly refused. He didn’t want anyone to help him, for he was more than capable himself to put on his armor. There was another reason, but he didn’t want to think about it.