Chapter 15 - Royal Robes

Harold was waiting for James ahead. They were trekking through a path to their destination which Harold had not decided to disclose.

"We could be easily mistaken for some lowlives. We could be attacked" James complained as he caught up with Harold.

"This is the best way to keep this secret" Harold replied quickly.

"This is becoming more secretive and if I have not trusted you greatly. This is enough to become doubtful of your aim" James said angrily.

"How do you want us to convince Quentin that we really need him if not going through difficulties like this?" it seemed that was the reason Harold had made them walked long distance like this without guards or any caravan.

Just to convince Quentin. That sounded crazy.

"Caravan does not mean we are not honest and trekking like this does not mean we are honest with what we are going to tell me. Words are used to convince" James was disappointed. Harold seemed to have come short in this decision.

"I grew up believing actions speak louder than words" Harold argued.

"Quentin is a sorcerer as I was told. He will definitely find that out" James dismissed.

"And he will find this out, too. We are almost there" Harold assured.

James thought Harold was just someone that had trust issues. It would be easy for him anyway. He was not living in the palace where he had to entrust his life to some people.

James shook his head. He remembered his case. He got into this because he trusted his father and now he was fighting for the throne with a little brother that was not a biological son to his father.

"That is not really needed. I don't need your assuring words. Show me Quentin and let us get out of here" James fumed.

"Don't tell me you are afraid of the birds" Harold teased.

"I'm missing Julia" he said to keep him silent. He knew that would silence him. He didn't like talking about Julia since his assertion that she was a mole had been confirmed.

"Get yourself together. She is dangerous" Harold warned strictly after going silent for some minutes.

"I won't. I want her around me right now. Her arms wrapped around me" he stopped walking and opened his arms like he was waiting for someone to hug him.

Harold breathed heavily. He was obviously infuriated. He looked away trying to ignore James but he couldn't.

"Your eyes will be clear when she successfully get you out of Michael's way and we all bowed to him as our king" he blurted out furiously.

James didn't give a damn about what he is saying. He was hugging empty air.

Harold jumped ahead and continued walking fast.

"We are not anywhere near where we are going" he said as he walked on with fast paces.

James rushed after him. He had successfully kept him shut. He would keep shut now for the rest of the journey.

"Harold, why do you hate her that much?" he asked after they have walked for some minutes.

"She is dangerous and she will not stop until she sees your end and I don't want you to end right now" Harold was sounding like he was sure of what he was saying.

"You seemed damn sure of that. Did you know her before?" James asked calmly.

"No. I didn't know her. But there is someone like that" Harold paused. He was very sad.

It had been long James saw Harold in this form.

"Are you okay?" James stopped beside and hold him to stop him from walking.

"She is dangerous. They will make you fall in love with them and when you are helpless, they will strike and you will fall flat on your face. That is who they are" Harold was already crying.

James now understood what he was talking about. He wouldn't want him to talk about it because it would only make him more sadder.

"You need to get over her. Harold, it has been years" James consoled him.

"I have gotten over her but you make me cry because you are making same mistake while I am by your side" Harold cried.

"Julia and I can't go beyond what we are. I promised you" James vowed.

"That is what you will think. She is manipulative. It will happen before you know it. I have experienced it. Trust me, James. It will end badly" Harold said with a pleading voice.

"Let's continue our journey" James continued walking ahead.

He believed Julia couldn't get such control that Harold was talking about over him.

*****************

"Teresa" a voice called happily from outside. It sounded like the king's voice. And it was only him that used to address her like that.

Queen Teresa walked towards the door to find out what was really happening. Something good must have happened and he must have wanted to share it with her.

The Alpha King came in before she could get to the door. He was smiling broadly.

"You look so happy, your Majesty" she bowed slightly.

The Alpha King looked around like he was looking for someone.

"Who is that?" Queen Teresa wondered who he was looking for.

"There is no one. It is me Henry, Teresa" he laughed. He didn't want her to address him with respect. He had told her many times to call him by his first name when they were alone.

"Why are you so happy, Henry?" she corrected herself.

"Yes, I am very happy" he held her hand and walked her back to the seats. He made her sat down and he sat down facing her.

"I have nothing befitting for a wedding ceremony. I need people to start working for an outfit befitting a king for a wedding" he revealed happily.

"That is no problem. You don't need to bother yourself about. It will be done" Queen Teresa answered slowly. She was confused. She didn't hear of anyone having a wedding ceremony soon.

"I want you to oversee that personally because this is very special" he giggled.

"Okay. I understand" she nodded awkwardly. It seemed the Alpha King was planning to take a concubine but why would that prompt a wedding ceremony. She remained confused.

"You are supposed to be happy but I do not see that on your face" the Alpha king leaned towards her.

"I just don't understand why you will want an elaborate wedding ceremony to take a concubine" she expressed her surprise.

"Concubine?" the Alpha King broke out laughing. "Is that what you are thinking?" he asked afterwards.

"What is it, if it is not that?" she inquired.

"I am preparing for James wedding" he explained.

"He has finally agreed?" she asked happily.

"No" he replied quickly. "I will just be allowing him to do what he wanted. There is this maid that looks like his dead woman. I will bless them together" he leaned back into his seat like he was relaxing.

"Julia?!" she exclaimed. "Are you talking about Julia?" she asked in shock.

"Is that her name?" the Alpha King flashed his eyebrows. "What a perfect match. James and Julia. That will be great" he shook his head and laughed.

"It won't be great. You want a maid to be the queen when he becomes the Alpha King?" Queen Teresa asked.

"Teresa!" the Alpha King looked straight into her eyes. "You have changed. You are the one that always elevate people of low birth. What has happened? Someone betrayed you?" he reached for her hand.

"Not this kind of low birth" she mumbled. "There are a lot of nobles out there expecting James to come for their daughter" she said calmly.

"I thought that will be appealing to you and James. That is why I made the decision" he muttered.

"You have already told him about it?" she felt that would have gone beyond stopping it now

"No. I think he was not going to object whenever I decide to tell him" he replied.

"It would be better if you didn't mention it to his ears. It isn't appropriate. Let us find another girl for our next king" she said politely.

"That means" the Alpha King paused and stood up. "That means no need to work on a befitting outfit" he smiled and walked outwards.

"No. We are still going to work on it. You are still in need of it" she rose up.

"Okay" he stopped, smiled at her and continued walking out.

His mood had changed. It seemed he wanted their union personally. Queen Teresa also liked Julia and she wanted no one else but Michael to marry her.

She had to make sure this would not happen in another way. Michael must not lose Julia. He was just blind and foolish to give her away.

She moved outwards. She had to let Michael know about this. He should do something to prevent it before it would happen.

"Michael, this is your mistake, you have to correct it. You must. I don't know how you are going to do it but you must" she muttered to herself on her way out.