Chapter 19 - Soft Slumber

"You're welcome" Julia said calmly as James walked into the chambers. She looked very happy.

"You missed me" James was also obviously happy. He must have felt good from where he was coming from.

"You left without letting me know" Julia complained.

"I'm sorry about that" James smiled. He was not upset by that as Julia thought he would be. "Did that cause any problem?" he asked.

"Yes" she said quickly. "A lot of it" she added.

"Really?" it seemed he wanted details.

"I have nothing to tell Michael and he was on my neck the whole time" she wrapped her fingers around her neck to show how Michael had mounted pressure on her.

"I told him it had nothing to do with him or the throne" she managed to utter.

"And he let you be?" James must have also known how persistent Michael could be everytime.

"You know your brother. He kept pestering me to say something else but there was nothing to say" Julia revealed.

"You should always have something reasonable and believable prepared for him. He is a very wise person. I don't need to tell you that" James sat down and removed his shoes. It was heavy with mud and dirts.

He must have trekked long distance.

"That was not what you told me. You said you would tell me what I will be telling him" Julia reminded him. He was not supposed to forget that anyway.

"Julia, you have to improvise and devise on your own. And you haven't shown me you are working for me" James seemed to be doubting.

"Is there something you want me to do?" Julia asked calmly. "I promised I will gladly do that" she vowed.

"When it is time, I will tell you" James sprang up and walked past to move over to his bedchambers.

"I need to rest, is there anything you have to say?" he asked.

"I heard the rumors" she closed her eyes.

"There are a lot of rumors" James didn't care much.

"That we are going to get married" she blurted out. She didn't feel happy about it. She only wanted to use that in fooling him.

"Don't you want to be a queen?" he asked with a teasing voice

"It will be a dream come true" she moaned without opening her eyes.

"Even with your eyes closed. I could tell how sad you are. Do you hate me that much?" he was still teasing her.

"I do not deserve to be a queen. In your palace. I am a maid" she said sadly.

"I have the power to choose my bride and I will choose anyone I want" he came back to stand in her front.

Julia opened her eyes on hearing his footsteps coming towards her. She saw him right in front of her.

"If you want to be a queen, then work hard to see me on that throne wearing the crown" he hugged her tight.

She understood he was also promising her to be a queen. She already heard that from Michael. Being a queen wasn't the reason why she came to the palace and if she would be. She would be a queen to King Michael.

The door opened. Julia wished it wasn't Queen Teresa. She had already seen her hugging Michael and she was pleased with that.

James and Julia turned together to see who had come in. It was Harold. He stopped at the door. He couldn't say anything.

"I thought you wanted to rest like me" James was still hugging Julia and he was not going to let her free.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you some things but I think that should be saved for later when you are free" Harold said awkwardly.

The expression on his face depicted his mind. He was very displeased with the way he found them.

"Harold, wait" James called him immediately as he walked out. "I need to see you" James followed him out.

There was definitely a secret they both were keeping from Julia. But that wasn't a problem. She would get all she needed to know from her messenger mouse.

She walked out of the chamber. Now was the time to get the mouse. She would be back before Harold and James would be through with their meeting.

"Just be alive" she wished as she remembered James and Harold had hiked long distance to their destination.

She walked outside the palace and check around for the mouse. It was not there, maybe it was dead as she thought.

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

"I wonder what brings you into my chamber" the Alpha King seemed surprise to see James in his chamber. He stopped at the door and gazed at him keenly.

James was startled. He just finished putting the talisman he got from Quentin in his father's pillow.

"I am waiting for you to come around. I have something to ask you" James composed himself and uttered sternly. He wanted to appear angry.

"And what is that important thing that we can't discuss in the hall?" the Alpha King gently walked in. He was obviously suspicious of James' presence.

James could read that easily on his face. He would forget about all that now when he would have diverted that away from his mind.

"You kept planning my life behind my back. Does being a heir impede some of my freedom?" James asked sadly like he would burst into tears.

"I don't understand you, my son" the Alpha King sat down. He chuckled as his eyes met with James'

"Can't I decide who I wish to marry, Father?" he opened his hands. He sounded like he was deep in frustration.

"Isn't that what we are expecting you to do all these while?" he chuckled again. It seemed he was finding James actions amusing.

"No. You are busy selecting a wife for me. And now you have decided for me to get married to a maid" he lamented.

The King Alpha was obviously shocked. He stood up from his seat and went to hold him.

"Where did you hear that?" he asked softly.

"Is that not the truth?" James cried out.

"It is true. I thought you would like her as she shares a striking resemblance with your one time lover but I have discarded that thought when the Queen had advised me against it" he said with a pleading tone.

James was now confused. Queen Teresa should not have said that. She was obviously supporting his son to become the king. If she didn't want James to marry Julia, then one thing was for sure.

She wanted her and Michael together.

"I'm sorry, my son. I do not mean to make you sad. All I crave for was your happiness. I thought that will make you happy" the Alpha King appeased him.

"You said she shares a striking resemblance with Molina?" James asked pretending to be
astonished.

"That was what I thought, maybe my eyes are aging and I couldn't see properly anymore" the Alpha King was trying to please him.

"You are right, Father" James smiled broadly. He would want her if Queen Teresa wanted her for her son.

"She looks exactly like her and it will feel like I marry my Molina" James happiness boomed. He hugged his father suddenly.

"You are such a good and caring father. You make the best decision for your son" he praised him.

"You know this is becoming very confusing for me. You were crying that I had the thought and now you are hugging me. Which do I have to believe" the Alpha king asked in confusion.

"I will marry the maid. She will be the queen by my side" he proclaimed.

"I think I have to discuss this with Teresa once again" the Alpha King mumbled.

"What do you say?" a happy James asked softly.

"Do not bother yourself. You can choose anyone you choose to marry" he assured him.

"Thank you, Father" he appreciated joyfully. "You need to rest. You have been in the palace hall for a long time" he grabbed his father's hand and walked him to his bedchamber. He made him sit on the bed.

"Have I ever seen you this happy?" the Alpha King was still trying to absorb what was happening.

"Lie down and put your head on your pillow" he said like an order.

"Must I sleep now?" the Alpha King chuckled. He was mesmerized by his son friendly treatment.

"Yes, you must. And make sure you sleep enough till my wedding day when you will walk my wife down the aisle" he walked few steps away from the bed and walked back.

The Alpha King kept smiling as he watched his happy son. James removed the Alpha King's shoe. He put his legs on the bed and slowly lay him on his back.

"Sleep Father" he said and walked backward away from him.

"James, would you believe I have never felt this kind of urge to sleep?" he asked with joy. "I think you should be putting me to bed as from now on" he smiled at James who was walking backward to the door. He shut his eyes to sleep. James opened the door gently and went out.