Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 25

# Sofia Skyloft
* Flamecaster Fortress,  Dining hall *

Blaire played with his pasta as I sat opposite him. The dining hall was full to bursting since Winter came, folks flocking the public rooms, perhaps to seek solace inside the fortress' warm halls.

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking a small bite from my fresh salad.

His pink lips pursed, gray eyes narrowing.
"No. I'm not. It's freezing outside. The halls are crowded. My brother's not talking to me. How could anything get worse?" A burly man squeezed through the gap behind him, knocking his elbow, the pasta dropping on the front of his shirt. "I take that back. It could get worse."

I bit back a chuckle. Blaire, in his somber mood, is still funny as heck, I'd give him that.

"I saw Gabriel a few hours ago. He was in a hurry though."

"I know!" he blurted out. "He's being secretive!"

"He's always been secretive."-Me

He snorted. "No, he's not. He just doesn't want others meddling with his affairs, but transparency-wise... he's an honest guy." He leaned in closer, his voice dipping low. "There are secrets here Sof. Too many secrets..."

My brows rose in surprise.

"Don't look at me like that!" he said, shoving a mouthful of pasta in his mouth. A chew and a gulp later, he continued. "I've heard rumors. Want to hear them?"

He didn't wait for my reply though.
"I heard Sir Aiden's getting married."

I choked on my food. He immediately passed the bottled water to me.

"You okay?"-Blaire.

I gasped after gulping. Wiping my mouth with the table napkin, I placed the fork back, my appetite forgotten.

"You're kidding."

"No. Seriously."

"But Queen Cleo--"

"--has long been out of the picture. Have you even heard of divorce?"

I rolled my eyes. Of course I've heard...but it was uncommon. Most of the lovers here in this side of the Aether are matches made in heaven. Marriage has no room for mistakes.

"Everybody knows Sir Aiden had affairs within wedlock. Take you and Aria for example."

I winced, not prepared for the blow. That was quite below the belt. I should've expected it. Blaire has no filter at all.

"They say Aria was adopted. The Queen said so herself."-Blaire.

"But they look alike!"

"You both look alike! The parentage is as clear as day. Although you look more like Aiden. She, on the other hand, had the eyes. Have you seen her portraits? She looked like a cat."

"You sound infatuated."-Me.

"You sound jealous," he countered. He must have noticed something because he softened his features. "My apologies, I wasn't thinking straight."

Did it register that I hated being compared that much?

"Anyway, he's supposed to get married. The bride doesn't know yet."

I dropped the salad on the plate.
"Huh? I don't follow."

He laughed. "Your father's in love with Miss Maddie. He wants her hand for marria--"

"I know that. He asked for blessing last week."

It was Blaire's turn to stare incredulously at me.
"To get married?"