My Shadow and His Flame

Twelve-Announce

Aurora

Today is when we announce the betrothed to the royal member. Although, I'm not sure how it will go with Layden in this now. I always thought I was bound to be married off to Adrien, but with Layden and others showing how strong they are I don't know anymore. Which, I'm not mad about. Not marrying Adrien would be a blessing. He is arrogant and flaunts his fake medals. barely seventeen and he acts as if he has been in wars beyond imagination. Maybe he will be married to me, my child won't rule anyways. Maybe he will be betrothed to Lainey, I hope not. Possibly like a mistress although that is for girls. No idea what a male is. Maybe they will use an old term like our ancestors did, or create something new all together. I truly don't know. I just can't lose him.

We are called back to the meeting venue for announcing at eleven. I assume a lunch will be held afterwards, hopefully. My new guard hasn't been chosen yet, so Layden still escorts me. He just does it with another name, Lord Layden Cyrus. Lord Layden will be used for now since there is another Lord Cyrus in place, Layden's fake uncle. First born sons of lords gain that title. So technically, Layden is pretending to be a lord. I assume they will keep Lord Cyrus in his placing for several reasons. Layden isn't of age, came back from the dead, and because my parents need him tied closer to our family line. For now, he is a lord being taken care of by Liana.

Just before eleven, we head to the venue. When we arrive, security is doubled. Maybe even tripled since the attack. Ve and I have more security than my siblings. Careful to keep the heir and my heir alive. Layden doesn't have a throne, but he is placed to stand between mine and Lainey's. I assume to symbolize he has something to do with me. 

Once it is eleven, the courts flood in. Each given a round table to hold the families. Some are much emptier than they should be. Much of Imizo and Oblivion is gone. Then most courts have at least a spot or two missing, some much more. The attack caused loss, and my family seems lucky to be alive. My friend, Narsica Hali, lost her older brother in the attack. She is now the heir of Court Hali. I haven't even been able to give her my condolences. 

The meeting begins. 

"My citizens, it is so lovely to see all of your faces. As you know, we were attacked yesterday by rogue court people," my father says. Few Silencers move closer to the low court tables, just in case. "My deepest condolences to those who have lost members of their families. I know some were fortunate enough to make it out as a whole. I was fortunate enough to keep my entire family.

"But lets not get off track of the purpose of this meeting. Kingstrium was able to finish and we have chosen those who have won," he says. They chose? How? There was so much going on, how did they do it so fast? 

"We will start with the youngest, Princess Eveline Liana betrothed to Zane Indra," he says. No surprise there, he's a bright. Court Indra stands and the room applauds. Morer workers rush to Zane to bestow a temporary prince crown on his head. Zane's sister doesn't look the happiest, neither does Eve. Was there something more there? 

Indra sits and my father continues.

"Congratulations, future Prince Zane. Now, Princess Adelaine Liana betrothed to Blaise Velius," the same happens. Crown placed, applause, congratulating. 

"Prince Braylon Liana betrothed to Amber Prasine," I gasp. The courts applaud, but Prasine takes a longer moment to rise. Does this mean Adrien lost? The tiara gets placed on her head and she is congratulated. Oh no.

"Prince Veran II Liana, whos child is the possible heir to the throne, betrothed to Narsica Hali." She won. This was not expected. My twin brother to marry my best friend. Court Hali is shocked to win this. A possibility to have a child who becomes King or Queen, unless I'm lucky enough to have a strange firstborn. A child like Eveline. Narsica receives her tiara and smiles to me. Neither of us are sure how to feel. She will always be close to me, but it is strange to have your twin and best friend together.

My turn. 

"Now for Princess Aurora Liana, heir to Court Liana, heir to the Bolting Crown. Her betrothed is undecided as we have been given a new suitor for her," the crowd gasps and whispers. Undecided? They haven't made up their minds yet. Layden threw them off course. "Before we get into that, I will name off the contenders for future King Consort. Adrien Prasine, Hudson Audra, Raiden Indra, and our newest suitor. Lord Layden Cyrus," my father says.

Court Cyrus is very confused as the rest of the courts are. They know their Cyrus lord and it is not this boy. 

He continues, "We have been blessed to discover Layden. Layden is the son of Lord Finn Cyrus and Lady Elora Velius. When our Lord and Lady were killed, their son was as well. Or so we thought. The child had survived and a Morer man had found him abandoned. The Morer took him in and raised him as his own. Discovering his ability, they listed his ability as one of his adoptive siblings. Since then he has portrayed Layden Sterling and then had became of age. He became a guard here and was one for Court Liana. He became Princess Aurora's guard and yesterday evening, during the attack, saved your precious heirs. He saved your future Queen. When he was discovered, we had figured out he was the lost son of the deceased Lord and Lady. 

"Since Lord Cyrus has already been at his title for many years, I have decided to take in Lord Layden until we figure out where he will be placed," he finishes. This is a lot to take in for Evlana. 

The only question left is, who will be the future king?

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