Blood King

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

            The Fall Hunt began swiftly; with nobles taking part in hunting a poor creature down, Xavier had given a resounding speech to those who intended to hunt. Though Xavier himself did not participate in the Hunt, he merely watched as an onlooker.

            Celina overheard shouts and hollers of noble men chasing a number of animals while on horseback as their wives chatted away with the other ladies present, Celina never bothered with speaking to the ladies of noble blood, at least those who were older or the same age, she always felt like they were plotting something behind her back, and it bothered her tremendously. But those who were younger she felt like she could relate more, let her defences down a bit and be more open with them. Sadly none of those in question were here, not even those of similar age.

            Only those who were older then Xavier or close to his age, were nearby, whispering to each other about the King while sending arrogant smiles to her.

            She wanted to leave, oh how in all the kingdoms she just wanted to return to her room and hide the day away from those who mocked her. But that was something she could not do.

            Her father had told her that there are enemies everywhere, that even those she believed in could not be truly trusted, and that there would always be those looking to take something from her, even if she did not know what they truly wanted. Now at her current age she had a better understanding of what that was, glancing at the women who were eyeing her it was clear what they are her as.

            An obstacle to get to Xavier, to get to the throne, to many of those eyeing women being Queen meant everything to them, more than their own lives and that scared Celina. Knowing the fact that women would try to do anything to obtain what they desired.

            She didn’t fear the words of nobles; she feared the women and what they could do. She was fully aware of this from what the former maids, the ones who left to their home country of Labadier, and died, had tried to kill her. And even though she was only a child she knew where the source was coming from.

            Tatiana Bason, the former Queen.

            Celina had no proof of this, but her brother seemed far more adamant in keeping her safe, acting like nothing was wrong but he was running ragged, many of the times he looked so exhausted that he’d fall over. And it was her doing; Celina knew that even back then. It was one of the many reasons why he would sleep with her; the other was their uncle, by Tatiana’s blood, other than that it was all she knew of. There was more but her brother never spoke of it.

            She let out a slow breath and touched the necklace that Tharen gave her, calming the feelings of anxiety from her body. She didn’t want her brother to go through all that again, just for the sake of keeping his sister safe.

            It was something she swore to never allow to happen to again. But going about it would be much harder to determine.

            “Lost in thought are we?” Celina jumped at her brother’s voice whispering in her ear, he had leaned himself close enough so that he could do what he had just done. He smiled at her sweetly. “Is something wrong?”

            She looked to the women who were now glaring at her in anger. “You should speak to the other ladies in waiting; there are probably a number of topics they’d wish to discuss with you.”