The Virtue

Roses and Wine (I)

(Song that I am listening to - Good for you by Selena Gomez)

Nova's POV

My eyes flicker open as it's early morning, Torvi and Amelia are not here yet but I suddenly remember that today is The Feast where I must choose a catholic husband. I turn a bit and see a bouquet of white roses on my side table, the site of which makes me smile. I half get up to smell the roses and then my sight drifts to the floor

My whole room is filled with white roses, my favourite! and a note with the words scribbled on it 'TODAY' and a heart shaped chocolate

I look around in amazement and happiness, there are maybe more than thousands of flowers places perfectly on every naked surface and the petals of which scattered on my bed too.

"Jesus Christ!" Amelia shrieks as she walks into my chambers, "What is this?!" her face is confused and excited at the same time

"I don't know but it's such a beautiful gesture" I say while smiling

"Do you think God Ivar did this?" Amelia says and looks at me

"I think so too" as I remember our kiss and giggle, "He is no God, why do you call him a God?" I ask Amelia with hesitation

"Rules are different for you and me, Nova" she comes near me and sits on my bed. I sit on my bed in my white night gown and she scoots closer to me and continues, "anyways today is the big day, you must choose a husband and get away from the castle as faraway as possible. They are heathens, they may lose their patience with you."

I listen to her intently

"The only reason Ivar decided to save your life and let the royal family rot in dungeon is because Floki asked him to do so" she looks deep in my eyes

I don't believe this, I thought Ivar felt something for me but now I come to know that it was Floki who requested Ivar to spare my life. That eternally scheming devil.

"But why did Floki do so?" I ask as I bend my neck down to look into Amelia eyes who is gazing at the roses on the flower

"Don't ask me, I don't know anything" she says and avoids eye contact

Why do I feel like she is lying to me? Is she under some danger from Ivar?

"Have you been sworn to some kind of secrecy Amelia?" I say as I put my hand on her arm and gently rub it

"No, just know that Ivar is not a good man, he has malicious intentions towards you. Try to stay away from him as soon as possible. Today you have a golden chance to get away from this hell as far as possible" she says in mild anger

"This hell is my home? Why do say things like that about Ivar? He has been nothing but kind towards me...." I say and Amelia stomps her foot on the ground and stands up

"YOU DON"T UNDERSTAND NOVA, he wants to kill you and your family. He has evil intentions for you! He is not in love with you, he doesn't even have any liking towards you. I see women coming in and out of his chambers everyday. He is using you to gain power over french people and once he is done with it he will throw you out like a stale bread!" she says furiously and I get teary eyed as my best friend is talking like that to me

"A...m...e...l..i..a" I sob as she storms out of my chamber, what is wrong with my best friend?

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Ivar's POV

I sit and drink on the table of my King's chamber. Today is the day where I have to eliminate the catholic hardliners but I have to make sure Nova should not be harmed, she is more than a future mother to my heirs, she has my heart that I have never really given away to anyone else.