Family Ties
POV: Lucien
I had just spoken of what the trip did for Alexandra when my mother giggled, “I don’t know if you know this but when you spoke of her just now, your face softened when you spoke of her. Did something happen?” I adjusted the fork on the table to line up perfectly with the edge, “Yes, I realized that I had strong feelings for her.” She clapped her hands together, “I knew it! And did you tell her?” I nodded, “I took her out to my special spot on the lake and told her how I felt.” She reached over and grabbed my hand, “I know she cannot reciprocate right now but at least she knows how you feel now.” I squeezed back, “I am still not sure how but she told me she had feelings for me too. Grand Pretre said that it was a special spot to take her at that very time which allowed the curse to be suppressed. She said it happens once a year.” My mother smiled and teared up, “It had to have been so heartbreaking to know that she would revert back to feeling nothing for you. How are you feeling?” I sighed, “If I’m being honest, it hurt to see her revert back to her curse. She was hesitant to leave that place but, if what Grand Pretre said is true, then she would have reverted back when the sun rose. I just worry for her at this point now. My love for her will always remain no matter what happens from here on out but I don’t want this curse to affect her any further. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t being selfish about it either. Not to mention that I cannot cancel the Queen competition and let everyone know that I chose from House Batiste. That would cause issues, possibly a civil war. I don’t want that. I’m all over the place mother.” The tears that I had been suppressing since Alexandra and I had confessed that night to each other of our feelings started to form in my eyes. I placed my hand on my forehead and leaned against the table. My mother rose from her seat and kneeled in front of me, “Of course, it would be hard for you, son. The woman you love cannot love you back. You got a small taste of what it would be like and now you just want to be with her. I’m sorry that you cannot shield her from this curse and make her your wife because of the path you set yourself on. Let me help to ease your burdens. I can keep emotional counsel with you, son. This should, at least, help you to accomplish your duties as King.” I nodded and pressed my forehead to hers, “Thank you, mom. Let’s go talk after dinner. For now, let’s enjoy our food.” She rose from her feet and sat down, “Sounds like a plan.”
POV: Alexandra
Malinus turned up at my home unannounced yet again which meant he was using his familial ties with me to deliver a message. He stepped in the door and closed it behind him. I smirked at him, “Alright, you’re here as a messenger. Am I right?” He chuckled, “Yes, he had a few things to say to you this time it seems. He was rather anxious to write to you before we went to see Grand Pretre and after that visit…let’s just say this letter should be interesting. That is if he wrote to you what I think he wrote to you. I caution discretion on the contents of this one.” He pulled the plain envelope out of his pocket and handed it to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder, “I wouldn’t hate you if you wanted to run off to read it now. I bet you’re curious.” I patted his hand, “Oh I’m very curious but Talia Batiste would have my hide if she learned that you visited and I didn’t offer you the hospitality befitting of a family member. Besides, I kind of like you, cousin so it really is no big deal to invite you to dine with the four of us.” He shrugged, “I imagine that His Majesty is discussing you with the Queen Mother at this point in the day so I don’t think he will miss my absence for an hour.”
I grabbed his arm and tucked the letter in my pocket and led him to the dining room where Talon was having a lengthy conversation with Derek about the different types of swords and which they preferred. Jess, as always, was off to the side listening to the conversation. Derek turned to her, “Hey Jess, which sword do you prefer?” She smiled lovingly at him, “Rapier. They are light and I can maneuver them easier with my small frame.” He proclaimed, “Good one! Personally, not my style but you have perfectly chosen for yourself.” Talon nodded then looked up at me, “I think we should train you on the rapier, little rose. I know your frame is slightly larger than Jess's but it might suit you as well.” Malinus turned to me, “You’re being combat trained?” I shrugged, “I figure it would be best considering everyone here in Vellum wants me maimed or dead it seems.” He chuckled, “Now you’re just being dramatic, you know many here love you.” He waved his arm to indicate the ones in the room but I know he also meant Lucien. I shrugged, “Okay maybe a tad dramatic but still I have people out there who legit want to kill me. I just want to learn a way to defend myself in case I’m caught off guard without…well…my bodyguard over there.” I pointed over at Derek, who winked at me. I rolled my eyes, “Not to mention this idea of Mordred’s has me on edge about the God who cursed me wanting retribution or something like that. Anyhow, let’s sit and eat.”
After dinner, Malinus left the house and I excused myself from the rest to go read the letter that Lucien sent. I relaxed into my bed and opened the letter. I had wondered what wise musings he had sent me this time. I giggled at the thought of how serious he was in letters sometimes, I thought that his brain was still in work mode when he wrote to me sometimes. It would be very formal, almost like those letters soldiers would send their wives during the American Civil War at times. I smiled as I unfolded the letter. I started to read:
“Hello my love,
I know that you are not able to feel the weight of those words on your heart at this time but someday you will. I can only hope that you keep these letters I write to read later with fondness in your heart when your curse is finally lifted. Know that I truly believe whatever you do to counteract that curse is the best path forward. You’ve always had a level head and rarely jump into things that would intentionally harm yourself or others around you. I have just come back from visiting Grand Pretre and she has apprised me of the plan but she emphasized that there should be no one there but you and Mordred or it will interfere which we don’t want. I shall inform Blake that he should stay away as well. She also informs me that you may be hesitant to try to win the Queen competition because you fear that our marriage will be unrequited love. I want to encourage you to keep moving forward on that account, Xan. You are the one I want to be by my side truly and if you can grant me this, know that you need never fear for I have enough love in my heart for the both of us. You should know that I would do anything for you.”
I smiled knowing he cared about me so much but I had wondered how much of his encouragement was a bit selfish as well. He most certainly didn’t want to be stuck with Melody Maigny as his wife. Knowing Lucien, that would be pure torture and he wasn’t really keen on her being Queen either. I imagined the power trip that woman would be on and I shivered. I said to myself, “Alright Xan, I think I need to buckle down and take this seriously then.” I continued to read on:
“On that note, Grand Pretre learned something very troubling while I was with her about your family. Before I reveal this, I must urge your discretion in what I am about to reveal. I know it isn’t in your nature to be secretive with your loved ones but discretion is of utmost importance for now since this is a very delicate matter. Now that I have emphasized the need to be discrete, I shall tell you that Grand Pretre discovered that you have a long-lost family member. Xan, you have a twin brother.”
The letter fell out of my hand at that thought and I gasped. I didn’t think I needed to read the rest of the letter, knowing that he would reveal who it was. I knew in my heart who it was because of how I felt when I was around him. I picked the letter back up to continue to read to confirm if it was who I thought it was. My hands were trembling as I read:
“Grand Pretre had been trying to read his chart for a long time but never could get a clear answer. It turned out that the birthday he had been celebrating his entire life was a lie. His birthday was December 26th so she was able to find him as a Capricorn. She then pulled out your chart and was able to read his chart on your chart, she said that only happened with twins. This person who is your brother, Xan, would be none other than Meldon Maigny. I suppose he would be a Batiste instead but I need to confirm with your parents that they had another child the day of your birth. For now, this is mere speculation but I thought you should hear it from me.
My love always to you my darling,
Lucien”
I saw a single drop fall from my face onto the bottom of the page. I placed it aside and sunk back into my bed and started to quietly sob. How could someone do this to our family? How could they take my brother away from me? I needed him with me my whole life, I missed him without knowing him. When I met Meldon, I felt like I was whole for the first time in my life. I imagined how my mom would feel knowing that one of her children was cruelly taken from her. Did she think he was dead? Meldon lived an entire life with the wrong family, the wrong name. It broke my heart to remember him telling us that he felt foreign in his own family. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. I wiped my eyes and walked over to the door and opened it. Jess was standing there with a sad look on her face. Without saying anything to me, she came into my room and shut the door behind her. She wrapped her arms around me and I sobbed into her shoulder.
