The Vengeful Princess

Chapter 20: Cleophee of Svalone

The influx of gold and supplies from Svalone began arriving quickly. Everyday there were chests of Svalonian riches and jewels shamelessly being carried up the grand steps of the palace and being flaunted through the halls. The halls of the palace had become a bustling machine, crawling with maids as they rushed to prepare for the ball that King Francis had announced in honor of Cleo's arrival.

Having Svalone's Princess at Alex's inaugural season would definitely be beneficial for appearances. The wide range of foreign diplomats invited in attendance would assume that Svalone and New Cynesige's unification into one powerful Kingdom would be impending and advise their respective Kings to position themselves as allies to New Cynsige prior to such unification. King Francis would be provided access to many resources he never would've been able to glimpse previously. King Francis wasn't called the Conqueror of Nations for nothing; he knew how to manipulate his way to a win in this game of chess, even with limited pawns to spare.

The stack of books was heavy in my hands and difficult to balance as I attempted to open the note that a guard had just presented to me. I cursed Charles inwardly for requesting me to bring them to him like a servant. Attempting to shift the weight onto one arm while using my hands to unfold the paper, I hobbled through the hallway in an unladylike manner. Somehow, I hadn't had to endure Margaret's bickering for quite a while, in fact, I had barely seen her since the banquet after the Initiation Ball. I could, however, almost hear her scratchy voice chiding my "peasant like stride."

Finally the paper opened and a familiar scrawl greeted me.

Wishing tree.
- Alex

I guess Charles would have to wait.

♕

The maze was comforting in a familiar way as I strode through the shrubbery that walled me in. I knew the paths to the centre of the maze and back out like the back of my hand. It had been my sanctuary once, a sanctuary I had shared with Nico, but I hadn't felt the urge to visit the maze in a long time. Perhaps I simply hadn't had the time to catch a breath long enough to clear my thoughts, or perhaps... I had a different sanctuary now. Willingly, I let myself get lost in the twisting paths, straying to the little clearing that held the wishing tree.

Alex stood under the tree, eyes closed and hands clasped together in concentration as a fresh piece of royal blue cloth fluttering overhead. I wondered what he had wished for. He looked so relaxed and serene under the glow of the afternoon sun, I had to resist my temptation to reach out and touch his cheek in fear of ruining the beautiful moment. In the entirety of my time at the palace, I had rarely ever seen him look so carefree, I could count all the moments on one hand. This place was his sanctuary. And he had invited me into it.

The sun seemed a little brighter here. The grass seemed a little greener. The air seemed a little sweeter. This little clearing seemed to simply enhance what was already in existence. Including Alex. A spell had been woven over us and as if bewitched, I felt a slow smile come over my face. His eyes gleamed as they met mine, making my heart skip a beat.

But the spell was broken all too soon.

"Cleo!" He exclaimed in surprise.

"Cleo?" I repeated after him, my smile already a million miles away. Cleo? She had been back one day and he was addressing her as Cleo already. At least it wasn't Fae. I cringed at the nickname. Frowning, I turned to face the intruder.  Annoyance and a tinge of anger surfaced as I realised that she had followed me. She had followed me here. Here, out of all places.

"Xander, what a surprise!" Cleo giggled and I resisted the itch to make a face at her pretentious facade.

Alex corrected her softly, "Cleo, we went through this... it's Alex now. Xander's inappropriate now, you know that."