Plans and Schemes
POV: Alexandra
I woke up the next morning after having visited Lucien, he had brought me my favorite dessert. It was a slice of cheesecake. I informed him that it was my favorite and that I hadn’t had any since coming to Vellum. He was taken aback at the happy coincidence of having brought one of my favorite things in all the realms to me. He informed me that he would need that baker to send the recipe to the castle then. I had laughed, shook my head, and informed him that I knew how to make it. He insisted that I should never have to go through the trouble and that he would have cheesecake ready for me at the castle whenever I came around. He promised that it would be at the reception for the diplomat from the Seely Realm. I smiled remembering how thoughtful he was to accommodate my tastes. I stretched and got out of bed so I could get dressed. Tonight would be the last night we were going to be at the retreat. Jess would finally get to go out with Derek and Meldon would finally get to go out with Alesha. I had just got finished getting dressed in my jeans and sweater when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, it was Blake with a bouquet. He handed them to me, “Alexandra, I’m here to apologize for my abrupt departure last night. I wanted to ensure you that I wasn’t mad at you or anything. I am frustrated that you had to be targeted by someone so powerful that I can’t do anything to help you this time.” I smiled at him and invited him to sit at my tea table.
He nodded with a serious look on his face and walked over to the table. He pulled the chair out for me and sat down on the opposite side. He sighed, “I’m here for another reason.” I smelled the bouquet, “Oh?” He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling, “I have to go out with that loathsome girl tonight.” I giggle, “She’s not loathsome, Blake. She’s a young woman in love.” He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest, “With me though. That’s is what makes her very loathsome.” I shook my head, “You are a very handsome man, Blake. Can you blame her? Besides, you need to open up to other women. What if I get picked to be Queen? What would you do then?” He clenched his jaw and grunted, “If I was King you’d already be the Queen. I wouldn’t need this silly competition. He’s too indecisive and him letting someone else choose who will be by his side is not a decision a King should make.” I placed the bouquet on the table and leaned forward, “Isn’t it though? If you think about it, that was a very rational thing for Lucien to do. I read about when your father chose your mother. It almost started a civil war. If you were King and chose me off the bat, those two noble houses would have revolted right away. Lucien is ensuring peace in this kingdom by being diplomatic and fair.” He sighed, “Leave it up to your brilliance to shine a light on my fallacy. I don’t know how you captivate so many.” I laughed, “It’s a talent really.”
Blake looked out the window that overlooked the meadow that Lucien and Jess had their date in and spoke, “I am going to try and find out today what it is that woman knows about her father’s dealings. I want to give you peace of mind. This is one stress I can definitely take away from you. Lucien will deal with the other. House Doré will protect the woman they love.” It was an odd thing to say, the woman they love? Was he implying that he thinks Lucien was in love with me? He cleared his throat, “I think we should go to the hall for breakfast. I had something special made for you.” He offered his arm which I took and he escorted me into the banquet hall where almost everyone was there. Litha was the only one missing. Lucien gave us a strained smile as we walked in, “Good morning Blake, Alexandra. How are you this morning?” I smiled back at him, “I was just remembering your gift this morning and I don’t believe that I had thanked you for it.” Jess smiled, “He brought you a gift. What was it?” I sat down next to her, “It was a slice of cheesecake.” Jess’s eyes widened, “Where did you find that? That’s not a thing in Vellum.” Lucien smiled proudly, “I found it yesterday in town. The baker spent time in Terre so she brought the recipe back with her.” Blake nodded, “I bought something for you too from there, Alexandra. I’m just thankful they were open early.” The servant then brought a plate with a cloche on it and set it in front of me. As they pulled the cloche off, the scent of cinnamon rose from the plate. I looked down to find a cinnamon roll. I smiled down at it then back at Blake, “It smells amazing, Blake, thank you.” Blake looked at Lucien with a smirk on his face which made Lucien roll his eyes.
Litha burst through the doors disheveled and flushed, “I am so sorry. I stood up late fretting over what I would wear today and I slept in.” Blake looked at me with an expression to tell me that he still thought she was loathsome despite what I had argued earlier. Litha smiled over at me, “Speaking of. Alexandra would you be so kind as to come with me after breakfast.” Blake looked at her pointedly with a look of skepticism, “What for?” She blushed and looked down, “Well I figured she could help me get ready for our date tonight.” He sighed, “Just don’t take up too much of her time. She’s going out with Lucien tonight if you remember.” Lucien smiled at me when Blake said, “I very much look forward to that as well, Alexandra.” Blake took a sharp breath and crossed his arms across his chest, “Whatever.” Litha sat down next to Blake and she smiled at him, “I’m looking forward to our date, Blake. It will be so nice for you to get to know me.” Blake looked at me and rolled his eyes. I giggled silently because he looked like a cat who was well aware that he was about to be bathed. I heard Jess quietly giggling as well because she was staring at Blake at that moment as well. She whispered, “I’m guessing he is really not looking forward to his hot date with Litha.” I whispered back, “You have no idea how much.” She looked over at Derek, “I’m nervous. I have never spent a whole lot of time with him alone and I still haven’t given him an answer to his question.” I looked at her and took her hand, “First of all, you are an incredible person. Just be yourself. Second, you could ask him for a normal date on not go on a run with him. He has to know what that run signifies now that you are of age so explain your feelings. I think he will listen.” She nodded, “I suppose you are right, Xan. I have just been trying to avoid him since he asked the question but I have to confront it tonight. Can we have a chat and sleepover after?” I smiled at the thought of having another sleepover, “I’d love that.”
After breakfast, Lucien stood up from his seat and took the book he had on the table. He looked around at everyone, “Well since we all are at default, we won’t need to do the random choice. I will announce the couples and what they are doing tonight.” Lucien looked at Derek then at Jess, “It says that Derek will have something in mind for Jess so he can do that.” Derek pumped his fist in the air, “Yes! Score one for Grand Pretre!” This caused an outburst of laughter from both me and Meldon and Lucien cleared his throat which made us stop. I looked up at him, “Sorry Lucien, please continue.” Lucien looked at Meldon and Alesha who were sitting together, “Meldon and Alesha will get instructions from the chef on cooking and will have wine and the dinner they make together here.” Alesha smiled, “That sounds like perfection, Meldon.” He smiled at her, “A perfect date for a perfect woman.” I smiled at how the two of them seemed so well suited to each other and silently hoped that the Queen competition wouldn’t break them up. Lucien looked over at his brother, “Blake will take Litha via carriage to the enchanted wood and have a picnic there.” The expression Blake had was still that of a cat about to be bathed, he was annoyed. Lucien then looked over at me and smiled, “Grand Pretre was very specific about this date for us but she asked me to keep it a surprise.” I looked up at him surprised, “But how will I know how to dress appropriately.” He smiled and whispered, “I’ll tell you later after your visit with Litha. Okay?” I smiled and nodded, “I suppose I can wait.” He snapped the book closed and walked out of the room.
Derek was the first to speak, “Ooooh, mystery date from Lucien. Watch Lex is going to get lavished with jewels and be eloped with or something special like that.” This elicited an annoyed grunt from Blake, “Don’t even joke like that Chalshin.” Derek shrugged, “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want Lex to get married to Lucien either.” I felt Jess’ hand go slightly cold in mine and I squeezed hers and whispered, “I got you, Jess.” I looked over at Derek, “So Derek, are you going to tell Jess what you are doing?” He shook his head, “Nope, I put a lot of thought into this and I want it to be a surprise.” Jess looked up at Derek who smiled at her with adoration, “Just know Jess that I am sending the appropriate outfit to you later. I would love it if you wore it on our date.” She squeezed my hand back then nodded at Derek. Meldon decided to help Derek set up his date with Jess so they left shortly after. Blake was annoyed with the whole day so he muttered something about needing a nap. That left us girls in the room together and a thought crossed my mind, “We should all get ready together in Jess’ room.” Jess’ eyes lit up and she smiled, “That would be amazing, it would help me relax.” Alesha smiled, “I wouldn’t mind as long as I can do everyone’s hair and I get Alexandra to do my make-up. Your looks are always so lovely, I saw your look when you went out with Meldon and I adored it.” I smiled and nodded at her, “Sure. How about you Litha?” She nodded, “As long as I can get your help on choosing what to wear, I stood up in vain last night. I want Blake to be amazed by my look.” I still was wary of her but I wanted to help Blake in any way I could to get done what he wanted to on this date tonight so I agreed to help her.
