The Annex

Chapter 38

"I think you're enjoying this a little too much," I laughed as we left Tomas' recruits to their laps.

"I endured it for long enough, plus, I believe I have earned it. I escorted you safely back and forth and that's not an easy task at all." We both laughed.

"What about Dorian?"

"Dorian's stationed in the village he grew up in, he's overseeing recruitment in some of the outer villages. He sends them to me and I break them in a bit. So what brings you here? Need some booboos to be kissed and patched up?"

"Just an existential crisis," I laughed.

"Isn't it always," he laughed. "Let's go somewhere more private. Gardens?" I nodded and we began walking toward the gardens. He led me to a fountain and we sat on the marble and dangled our feet in the water.

"So what's wrong this time?"

"You know how in the Annex, Candidate's can declare a dual candidacy?"

"Vaguely, yes."

"Well, Isla has plans for me to declare a dual candidacy with Atlas."

"What about you and the Commander?"

"Well there's absolutely nothing on that front," I felt an ache in my chest. "Apparently he never loved me and he just got caught up in the moment."

"I saw the way he looked at you, that wasn't just caught up in the moment," Tomas pointed out.

"Well whatever it is, he's made it clear that he wants nothing to do with me."

"Why a dual candidacy though? What could you possibly have to gain from that? You're just losing the ability to choose who you spend your life with for the rest of your life," Tomas said, furrowing his brow.

"Believe it or not, people believe I'm rather stubborn."

Tomas threw his head back and laughed in a carefree manner. The rumble in his chest was contagious and I couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Gallo says that what I have to gain from it is Atlas' ability to charm everyone, his connections and also someone that the Court knows. To them right now, I'm a bit of a wild card. Yes, I did play a part in protecting our kingdom, but they also don't know much about me. Atlas was raised here, he's been to every damn event that the Court has hosted since he was little."

"So declaring a dual candidacy makes your Candidacy stronger," Tomas mused. "What about Atlas? Is he doing this because he still has feelings for you?"

"Well, this is where it gets dramatic," I said

"Things can get more dramatic in your life?"

"Oh shut up. Just listen okay? So, remember how I told you that long story short, Atlas Moreau isn't Atlas Moreau."

"Yes. Are you going to tell me the long story to give me context?"

"Ugh, fine, but then we have to talk about the actual issue. So Atlas Moreau, the real one got sick and actually passed away. The Moreau's were afraid of losing their power in the Court and since Lady Moreau couldn't have any more children, they adopted our Atlas to take the place of their Atlas."

"Wow," Tomas nodded slowly. "The Court is so complicated," he muttered.

"Yeah, and well so you know the powers Atlas has?"

"The seeing into the future powers? Yeah, kind of memorable."

"There's no need to sass me. Well those powers come from his birth parents who were children of the Goddess. And so the Court ended up deciding that the final trial would be a series of interviews and I had mine this morning and I was telling the story and I accidentally told them that Atlas has powers. So they're going to have a hearing soon probably about whether or not his candidacy is valid. Announcing a dual candidacy with me might assuage the Court because they'll still have a Royal on the throne and the Moreau's would still provide their connections and wealth."