Desire |✔️

Chapter 9: Most prized possession

Minerva Agustin:

I am currently walking towards the queen's chambers. After breakfast this morning one of the queen's workers came up to me and said I was summoned by her.

I am extremely nervous but I cannot say no or else I'll be punished. Again. And I can't afford to let that happen.

I knocked at her door as I stood there waiting while fidgeting with my fingers.

"Enter." I heard a gentle voice.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

The curtains were closed so it was slightly dark. The light from the lit up fireplace was enough to brighten up the room.

The queen was sitting on a comfy chair near the fireplace as she stared at the flames. She didn't look up, she gestured for me to come close to her and I did, slowly walked towards her.

"Sit." She pointed towards the stool near the chair she was sitting on. I did.

She kept on staring at the flames as I stared into space. Both of us in deep thoughts. None started a conversation. I was too confused to do so.

"He is my third child after the princes, Henry and Xavier." She said.

"Henry was brave and athletic. He loved listening to battle stories from our finest knights and warriors. At a very young age, he began practicing ... dangerous games." She said.

"Dangerous games?" I asked her. Feeling suddenly interested.

"War games. He was skilled in swordsmen-ship, archery and what not." She said proudly.

Then sadness clouded her eyes.

"He was off to a battle against our rivals of decades. He fought. Fearlessly. Bravely. But he... was killed." Her voice cracked.

"He was stabbed in the back. He couldn't make it because there were several stab wounds o-on his back." She breathed in harshly. "He died at the age of 26"

She closed her eyes and paused her speech for a while. Then she opened them again to continue.

"My second son, Xavier was not that interested in wars and fights. He was very wise and intelligent. He had great ideas on how to develop the kingdom and had amazing strategies to work on, for the betterment of his people and the kingdom's economy."

This time I noticed that there was not only pain in those eyes but also something dark...

Anger?

"He died at the age of 23." She said while squeezing her fingers into a tight fist.

"How?"

She didn't answer. There was that silence again. She sighed.

"Do you know why I've called you Minerva." She asked me. Still not looking at me.

"No my queen." I said.

"I've called you here... because I feel like I must warn you."

"W-warn me? About what?" Now I was scared.

"Out of all of my children I admit I've neglected Nickolas a lot. And when I  realised it, it was too late. Nick has always been the one with the most complicated personality. One time he'd push us all away the other he'd crave affection. Sometimes he'd want to be with his family and spend time with them, at other times he'd want total isolation and complete silence."

She continued, "He has been stubborn since the very beginning. He would always argue and shout at everyone if he wouldn't get anything according to him. And as my husband was very strict, he'd punish Nick. Nick loved his father and vice versa but neither of them was expressive about their feelings. Raymond would always praise and appreciate Henry and Xavier for their achievements and talents just to make Nick realise that he should keep up with his brothers. But he didn't realise how it crushed his son's heart. Nick would only open up to three people. Theodore & Alexander his friends. And Alana Grace his sister. He grew to have trust issues. I myself had to work for years to earn his trust."