Before the Last Snow

Chapter 4: Más Misterios (More Mysteries)

I ran away from my house when I was 8. I had run through the mountains from the Cherean's kingdom to the Celions's, far enough for my father to never find me and me to never see my mother. King Lexon's parents took me in as their own after King Lexon requested them to, and soon we became friends, then brothers.

All I remember is that I was told I was cursed and somehow my father saved me, but my mother still despised him. I never knew why. But I did know better than to talk about my real family, their names, or anything about the real me.

Yet, I answered, "Yes, of course, my lord."

Lady Aquata asked me the first question, "So, Hedwig, who are you? A Cherean, a Celion, or?"

"A Celion, my lady."

Then, Queen Nebula asked me a question, "What about your family?"

I gulped. Breathed. Gulped again. And answered.

"I knew them for a brief time, I was separated during childhood. Ever since then, the Celion Royals have been my only family."

"Do you know where they are, now? Your parents?", Sir Alvaro asked.

"No, my lord. I do not."

"How old were you when you were split from your family?", Lady Aquata attacked me, again.

"I was 8, madam."

"Then, you should have known your way back home", Sir Alvaro said, looking at me with suspicion.

"Sir, I lived in the faraway mountains and we moved every few months," I had lied, again.

Sir moved closer to me, his giant muscular frame was still intimidating. Our bodies were almost bumping into each other, he squinted his eyes to almost look through my soul, and then he left his wife's hand and pointed at me.

"Hedwig, I know you're hiding something and we will know for sure soon enough when the high priestess arrives but this is your last opportunity to speak the truth," Sir Alvaro threatened me, still glaring at me with a menacing feel.

"Until the high priestess is here and we find out more about this young man, no wedding will be taking place. And Hedwig is to remain in this castle till the time," Lady Aquata announced.

"But, mother-"

Queen Nebula was interrupted by Sir Alvaro's hand signaling that no one shall refuse the order at any cost.

After their much-despised order, the elder Royals left the room. I thought best to leave too since the Queen was tearing up and perhaps the couple needed some privacy.

"Neb, listen. It will be alright, I promise. Hedwig is an honest man, he has nothing to hide and then the ceremonies will resume," I said, trying to comfort her.

"No, it won't be alright. It will be too late and people will start noticing that I'm carrying a child in my womb. And it won't be long before they question me and find out it's not yours," Nebula began crying louder and tears became a river flowing from her eyes.

She only cried twice in her life. One, when she realized that her sister couldn't touch. And two, when she found herself at the brink of suicide because she was carrying a child in her womb. Both times, I stood by her side. So, I could not have left her, not now.

I sat down beside her and held her hand. She jerked my hand off, but when I looked at her swollen and red eyes, I wrapped my arms around her and gave her the warmth she has been lacking all her life. She didn't mind anymore. I stood up while carrying her in my arms like a little child and took her to her room. Her gentle hands were around my neck and I placed her on the bed. She was asleep from all the crying, or so I thought.

I looked at her and was about to leave when she held my hand. She was too vulnerable at this moment, not entirely conscious.

She was so precious and I only wondered how she ever fell for that man? He was no royal prince nor a good-looking man. He was just an ordinary man, that is all. How could she let him use her like this? Perhaps love does make one blind.

The night did not affect me for I could not sleep. I kept thinking, and thinking, and thinking. I was wondering about all the possible options we had left.

Soon, I realized the sun had risen. It was a mixture of yellow tints and pink shades, a deep red in some places, and some night sky still visible. Nebula was awake and was staring at the sun. Although none of us spoke for a few minutes, the silence didn't hurt, it felt valuable. It felt like it could heal everything that was broken.

I knew what I had done was wrong, I had fought for Hedwig with my childhood love and my fiancée. They both meant a lot to me, one of them was my younger brother and my best friend, the other was the love of my life. How could I possibly choose? How could anyone? But, I should apologize.

"Neb, I am sorry, I should not have spoken to you in that manner and I should not have threatened you either. I have no clue as to what came over me, that was very low of me to behave. It will not happen again. I will speak to Hedwig and ask him to tell you everything, I promise."

She looked at me with disappointment in her eyes and sadness on her lips. I couldn't bear gloom on the lips I was to kiss today. I was being married to her today.

When she didn't say anything, I thought that she doesn't wish to talk at all and I decided it'd be best to leave now. I told her, "I should probably-"

I have no clue as to what occurred to her, but she looked at me, leaning closer towards my face. She put her tender palms on both sides of my face and we kissed, for the first time. We both seemed like different people at that time. Her scent filled my lungs and perhaps mine filled hers. We were carefree, it didn't matter to be seen like this now. We just fell for each other, deeper and deeper, knowing that someday it would destroy me and it would destroy her.

---A/N---

Okay, soooo another mystery. Good news, you are going to get some more clues in the next chapter. Bad news, things are about to get really really interesting, which means more suspense, which means you must wait for updates.

Okay, so if it is a major cliffhanging chapter, then I will update the next chapter too!!!

Like always, comment down below with any questions/guesses/suggestions or feel free to DM me about them. I would love to read them!