Chapter 227: Had I pushed him too far?
~Ava's POV~
I walked to my study room and called for Callie to find Captain Cassius, Lucien, and Alexis.
While I waited for them to arrive, my mind went back to Lucien. I remembered when he had picked me up during the arcade tournament when I was poisoned.
At the time, I thought he was just being kind. But now I realized he must have known who I was all along. He never said anything about it.
I had so many questions about everything. Why didn't he tell me? How long had he known I was from royal blood? And he and I was from the same kingdom.
I also remembered that Lucien used to work for Raphael back in Lystra. That felt like so long ago now, even though it was only a few years. Back then, I was just a girl who didn't know anything. Now everything was different.
The study room doors opened and the three of them walked in. Captain Cassius came first, followed by Lucien, and then Alexis behind them.
When they saw me sitting, something amazing happened.
Lucien walked forward and bowed deeply. He placed his hand on his chest and said, "My Queen."
Captain Cassius did the same thing. He bowed low and put his hand on his chest, showing total submission to me as their ruler.
I had never seen anyone act this way before. They looked at me with such respect, like I was truly their queen and not just someone playing pretend.
I never thought that Lucien could be from House Lenica. The same House Lenica that people were talking about in the rumors when I first came Mesodomica. It was said they were once royals that used to rule Mesodomica long ago.
Lucien looked up at me and spoke.
"I know you have a lot of questions about me," he said. "I promise to answer all of them when I return."
I nodded at him. There were indeed many things I wanted to know.
I noticed that Captain Cassius kept looking at me with strange eyes. He stared at me like he was thinking about something important.
"Captain Cassius," I said. "Why are you staring at me? Do you have something you want to say?"
He shook his head quickly. "No, Your Majesty. I'm just happy that you are our queen once again. I heard the tales of how you destroyed the Lystra troops in battle. You are truly amazing."
I felt embarrassed by his praise. I didn't think I had done anything that special.
"I didn't do much," I said, trying to play it off. "I wouldn't have won if it wasn't for all the brave soldiers who fought with me. They deserve the credit, not me."
Captain Cassius smiled at my humble words, but I could see he didn't believe me. He knew I was being modest.
I decided to change the topic before they could say more nice things about me that made me uncomfortable.
"I need you three to go outside the castle," I said in my most serious queen voice. "Go into the towns and find out what's happening out there. I want to know if there are any sneaky rumors going around about me or about our kingdom."
They all listened carefully to my orders.
"If you find people spreading lies or bad stories about us," I continued, "I want you to find out where these rumors are coming from. Find the source and bring that person back to me so I can question them myself."
"Yes, Your Majesty," they all said together.
As I gave them their orders, I wondered in my mind why Haggar had suggested that Alexis should go with them. Haggar was very wise, so she must have had a good reason. But I kept my thoughts to myself and didn't ask about it out loud.
The three of them started to leave the throne room to begin their mission.
As Alexis was walking toward the door, she suddenly stopped and turned around to look at me.
"Ava," she said with concern in her voice. "Are you okay? You seem worried about something."
I gave her a small smile to try to make her feel better.
"I'm fine," I told her. "Don't worry about me. We can talk more when you return from town."
Alexis nodded at me, but I could see she was still worried. She was a good friend who cared about my feelings however, what I don't understand is why she is back when she told me she was leaving for personal reasons.
Well, when she returns, I will find out why.
"Be careful out there," I said to all three of them.
"We will," Alexis promised, and then she followed Captain Cassius and Lucien out of the study room.
I sat alone on my throne for a few minutes, thinking about everything that was happening. The dreams about the girl with black hair. Gwen acting strange and cold.
Now rumors spreading about me in town that Haggar insinuated. It felt like everything was falling apart at the same time. Too many trouble at the same time.
Just as I was starting to feel sorry for myself, the study room doors opened again.
Raphael walked in. He looked serious and determined, like he had made an important decision about something.
"Ava," he said, walking toward me. " Can we speak?" He asked softly. I have been avoiding since what happened between Gemma and the deaths that took place.
If I think about it, I avoid a lot of things when it concerns him. Ignore it because I don't want anything that would take him away or give the nobles reason to take him away from me. So, I avoid.
" Yes," I squeaked out. I nodded to chair. He looked at it and then me, shakes his head.
"I will stand. I need to tell something. I prefer to stand."
"What is it?" I asked, sitting up straighter on my chair.
"I intend to return to Lystra," he said. "I'm going to take my kingdom back."
My heart dropped when I heard his words. Lystra was far away from here. If he went back there, I might not see him for a long time.
What if his people turn him against me? I knew leaving my people to do the things they had been doing to him and friends is wrong but I just couldn't intervene. It would have made matter worse.
"Why?" I asked hoarsely. "Why now?"
"I overheard Captain Cassius and the others talking about an incoming war," Raphael explained. "Seven kingdoms are joining together to attack Mesodomica. I need to go back to Lystra and get my throne back so I can help stop this war."
In the end, he is still thinking about me even after all the mistreatment he has been enduring.
"Are you leaving me again?" I asked him.
I wanted to tell him not to leave me but I saw the look in Raphael's eyes and knew he was going to leave even if I pleaded. And I wondered if I had pushed him too far.
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