Before the Last Snow

Chapter 11: Pequeñas Peleas (Little Fights)

No one's POV

Volcanoes, filled with boiling lava. That is how Lexon felt when he found out about the wedding delay. Although many like him had merged kingdoms through marriages before, this was not the reason for Lexon's rage. No, his blood was boiling because of the turmoil in his mind.

It was unethical for women, especially Royal women, to get pregnant before marriage. Everyone knew about this. Lexon knew. Nebula knew, for sure. But, mistakes happen, and Nebula had committed one such mistake. She was carrying someone else's child in her womb, and if the wedding were to be delayed for more than a month or so, suspicions would arise. Even if she stopped meeting the public, surely the Elder Royals, her parents, would know. The consequences after that would be dreadful.

With quick strides and clenched fists, Lexon headed towards the Elder Royals' chambers. He wanted to have a discussion, one on one, and he thought that this was long due. Ever since he has known the Elder Royals, he has only been polite and obedient, but he couldn't possibly suppress the anger towards them for the way they treat Nebula. Surely, she is a to-be Queen, but she had no freedom. Even her gowns and hair-dos were of Lady Aquata's choice. Every breath Nebula took belonged to them, it seemed. With the rambling thoughts like thunder inside his mind, Lexon was a nuclear missile, not to come in his way. Yet, Nebula did.

"Where do you think you are going, Lexon?"

Lexon was about to push the one who dared to stop him, but as soon as he heard her voice and her face came in his vision, his lips curved into a slight smile.

"Nebula, I have to talk to your parents. They cannot just delay the wedding for mere purposes of some discovery"

"Lexon! How could you? Finding anything about Crystal is nothing 'mere', you must understand."

"Oh? And you have understood Crystal, have you not? What did that gain you?"

"That is not the topic of this conversation, Lexon. You shall not discuss to the Elder Royals about this at all. That is final."

"Nebula, Nebula, Nebula. Dear, why don't you realize that if the wedding gets delayed, everyone will find out about her, about our princess?"

He cupped Nebula's face in his hands gently, enough to calm him down. A stranger to genuine affection, Nebula was taken aback by his gesture.

"Our princess? Lexon, you must not make this any harder for me, please, I beg of you! She is not your daughter, you know of that. Why do you keep being so nice to me, despite my betrayal?"

"Because, Neb, I love you. I love you with every thought of mine. I love you every time my heart pumps. I love you more than the realities that exist."

"But I am not worthy of this, Lexon! I am not worthy of this...I am not-"

He pulled her into a hug. Only the warmth of patience could heal Nebula's frozen scars, and Lexon was ready to do so.

"You are worthy of so much more, Neb. It is Crystal who is not worthy of your care. Affron who was not worthy of your attention. Elder Royals who are not worthy of your obedience."

"But, she's all I have, Lexon. I know, I know it's hard for you to see, but I know she loves me. She cares for me, I know she does."

"Neb, you are too naive for this world. One day, you'll realize that she never cared for you, not one inch."

"And one day, you'll see how much she does."

Silence had become a gesture of respect between the two and none spoke a word as they headed to Lexon's chambers.

"Neb?"

"Huh? What?"

"Say it back, would you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You didn't reply to me 'I love you', so"

"Oh, yes. Lexon, I love you too."

He smiled like a silly teenager falling in love for the first time, unaware of the catastrophe that lay ahead.

Nebula sat down on the couch as Lexon began massaging her neck. His hands had magic, his fingers knew what nerve to press on, but only Nebula ever got to experience it from him. She would be the only one to, ever.

"Lexon, everything will be fine, okay?"

"Nebula. Don't."

"Don't what?"

"You can keep lying to yourself, but not to me. Let us be practical, please. Everything is not going to be fine."

"Have some faith, Lexon. Tía Maud will figure something out, I am sure."

"And what if she can't? In time? She has been here for years, she couldn't find out anything about Crystal's condition. You think she will find out about it now?"

"What choice do we have, Lexon? None. We will wait."

"There is one choice, I suppose. I might be able to find Hedwig's childhood home, perhaps his parents would know more?"

"But, for that, you have to go away? You're not leaving me alone, are you?"

"Neb, I cannot entrust anyone else with this task. I must go."

"No! You are not going to leave me. I will not let you."

"Dear. I know he left you, but I will come back. I promise."

"He promised me, too. No, you cannot go. You must not!"

Nebula held Lexon's arm tightly, pulling him towards her, so he won't be able to leave. Lexon, on the other hand, kept resisting her hold. 

"Nebula, what are you doing? Leave me, please!"

"No, I can't let you go!"

She began tying him to the chair with a rope, almost losing her own balance. The frills of her long gown were coming in her way, she was stepping on them and barely saved herself from falling.

"Nebula! For god's sake, stop! For the baby's sake, stop this madness at once!"She abruptly stopped.

"'Madness', is that what you think of me, too? You are no different from the others, Lexon. All those confessions and promises, all were lies?"

Nebula began taking steps backward as her hands dropped the rope on the ground. Pearl-like precious tears began dropping from her tired eyes. She felt as though someone had punched her, it ached everywhere. Lexon knew he shouldn't have said that, of all things, but he thought it best to leave her for a while. Perhaps he should just leave for Hedwig's hometown if he can.

Their volumes had become louder, enough for a passerby like Hedwig to listen to them arguing. He saw Nebula just leave, and out of goodwill for his childhood friend and King, he went to check in on Lexon.

A/N

Hey lovelies! Writer's block has been hitting me real recently, but @MarjorieK64 has been so helpful and sweet, so I decided to dedicate it to the sweetheart!

From now on, the book will be mainly in No one's POV for everythingg to be more consistent. I will be going back and editing the last chapters in a similar structure, so yay! Also, more updates coming soon :)

Just a reminder, if you are enjoying the book, don't be shy to leave a comment or vote. I always read comments and try my best to reply to every single one of them, so go ahead and show some love :))