The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Crown Prince Darim

Valentina held back her gasp. So he wasn’t as stupid or foolish as she originally thought. She decided to tell him the truth now because she saw her future with Lucius.

The back-up was originally Derrick’s idea and he had pleaded with her to agree. If Lucius, God forbids, betrays her or her kingdom, she will form a union with Crown Prince Darim, her best friend. Sensing Lucius expected an answer, she turned fiercely to him.

“I was going to divorce you after we marry, hence, fulfilling the wishes of our fathers”. Lucius was surprised at this answer and remained curious.

“How? It is impossible without my approval…unless…”

“Yes, right after we marry, you will sign the marriage certificate before you sign the divorce papers, which will be my wedding gift. The wedding gift that you promised to give me no matter what. Then I would pronounce myself as honourable to the marriage decree”. She turned away from him to stare out at the night sky.

“In the marriage ceremony, you would need to drink my blood…how were you going to do that?”

“I would convince you to turn me on our wedding night. Hence, you would produce only a drop of blood for me to drink instead of a small goblet”, she answered but was immediately surprised when Lucius started clapping at her. Turning around, she eyed him to answer for his actions.

“Well, well… you are smart indeed. Even I wouldn’t think of such scheme”, Lucius said cynically. “Now… who would take my place? Alek? If it was him, then I would say that the scheme was not well thought out”.

“No…” It was never going to be Alek, because he was only a small distraction that has made this war a bit more difficult. No, when she thought up this scheme, she thought of her kingdom and her family. She thought of the one person she could trust completely because he was wise, patient and she knew she could grow to love him. They have dated before, without the knowledge of others. It was a secret and they wanted to experiment but they knew it was temporary and she had a responsibility to her own kingdom.

“It was to be Crown Prince Darim Ibn-La'Ahad.”

Upon hearing this, Lucius walked angrily to one of the windowsills, tightly clutching to the railings and spat, “That name again?!?! How do you know him?”

“We were childhood friends”. Lucius remained quiet but still seething at the night sky. “Lucius-”

“Thank you Valentina. You have given me a lot to think about. You may go.”

She was angry now. How dare he dismiss her like this? “Excuse me. You dare excuse me like this in my own palace? I honestly don’t see why you are as angry as you are now. Have I not proved to you that I will not go through with my original plan?”

“So you will let me Turn you?”

“Lucius…please reconsider…”

“I see. Then I’ll meet you out on the battlefield. Goodnight”. He turned to go but Valentina blocked his exit.

“Why are you angry? Can’t you see that I want to hold onto my mortal part of a while longer? Only until I’m 18”.

“It’s the fact that there is that potential part that you might divorce me and marry Darim. You not letting me Turn you makes it seem more…possible. I’m going to take a walk and prepare my men. We will discuss this later, when I don’t feel the need to hunt down this Darim and kill him”. Then Lucius left, leaving Valentina along in her war room. Well…not completely alone because she saw the eyes move on one of her portraits. She went to make sure that the main door from which Lucius exited was closed properly and she locked it.