Family Gathered
POV: Alexandra
We finally finished the water magic class and I was anxious to get home but I still had to meet with Lucien last so we used our secret passage through the garden to get to the Headmaster's tower. Josiah rose from his seat to greet us when we came into the room, “You are early again, Ms. Batiste. I’m not quite sure he’s ready for you. Let me go check.” I nodded, “Okay, sir, I will just sit here and wait patiently.” In reality, I was not very patient today. Usually, I looked forward to Lucien’s before and after school classes but today I just wanted to get home. Josiah disappeared into the Headmaster’s office while the three of us sat and waited. Jess turned to me, “You’re rather anxious and decidedly not patient today. I know you want to go talk to your father but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your studies. I’m hoping this didn’t affect you.” I sighed, “You know why I’m anxious, not everyone finds out what I found out.” Jess giggled, “Even so, you’re acting like an impatient child who wants to open their presents on Christmas. I just worry you’re going to offend the Headmaster.” I had found out this morning that the Headmaster was actually Lucien so I very much doubted that but I was told I needed to keep that information to myself and I didn’t want to betray his trust. He’ll tell Jess his secret when it comes time and I know she would be understanding if I didn’t share this information with her.
The door opened and Josiah looked annoyed which meant that Lucien had insisted that he send me in without Josiah’s presence. I looked over at me, “You may proceed, Ms. Batiste.” I walked through the open door and closed it behind me. Lucien emerged from behind the screen, “Hello Xan. I’ve been waiting all day to see you. How was your day? You no doubt found out that you are one of the four chosen to be a scribe intern.” I nodded, “I was slightly distracted all day and since Derek wouldn’t tell me if Meldon is really my brother or not, I had a hard time focusing on my last class. I’m not so good at water magic so it wasn’t a huge deal. I did find out that I was in the final four, and I’m nervous about where I will be placed. I looked over towards the door.” Lucien chuckled, “I don’t blame you, my love. He’s not all too fond of you either. He believes you are not worthy of the attention you are receiving from me and believes you to have an advantage in the Queen competition. I suppose he does have a point but it’s no matter because I don’t really have much more to teach you. We do have to talk about this envoy that’s coming this weekend. There are certain things you need to do in order to not insult the Seely Realm envoy. I cannot directly give you the answer but your mother should know. When she was younger, she was part of a group that, on occasion, would visit the Seely Realm to keep up diplomacy. She will know their customs so she can teach you the basics or any other details that would be needed. I just need you to know that they hold women in the highest regard unless the women are prisoners in their King’s harem.” I sighed, “That sounds rather awful but I will keep that in mind. Is there anything else you need to share with me?” I was hopeful that Lucien would, at least, tell me if Meldon was really Ashton. Lucien shook his head, “I know you, Xan. You’re trying to get information out of me that you really should discuss with your family. Reginald told me that he was going to have a discussion with the entire House Batiste to include Mordred and Whisperia since they were adopted into it. Perhaps you should go home and speak with him.” He winked at me which meant that he gave me a clue in what he said: entire House Batiste which meant Meldon indeed was Ashton. I smiled at him and kissed his cheek, “You really are so very sweet, Lucien.” He smiled at me lovingly, “Only for you. You are the one I would pull the moon down for so that you may sit on a throne of silver light like the beautiful queen that you are.” I wish I could feel something at that confession but nothing happened. I told myself to write that down in the journal that I started when I came to Vellum.
I left Lucien at the Headmaster’s office and made my way home through the passage. As the three of us emerged from the passage into the study, Meldon stood up from his seat on the settee. He ran over and hugged me, “Alexandra, I’m so glad to see you again. How are you?” I smiled at him, “I’m well. How are you?” He shrugged, “Oh I’ve had an interesting day but I believe we will discuss it shortly.” Jess and Derek started to leave the room but my father stopped them, “Where are you two going?” Derek spoke, “I think we believe this to be a House Batiste discussion so we are going to our rooms.” My father shook his head, “You are part of my House since you protect my daughter. You both know about the secret we need to keep so you share in this.” The whole family was here to include Mordred and Whisperia. We all gathered near my father. He spoke, “Today, we found out that our son Ashton was actually not dead but stolen from us by House Maigny.” Meldon, no Ashton, grabbed my hand and squeezed and I leaned my head on his shoulder. My father continued, “We confirmed this at the Citadel today with a parentage test. Meldon Maigny is now Ashton Batiste. Everyone turned to look at us and Mordred spoke, “Now that I look at them together, you can see the resemblance. I know Alexandra has black hair and purple eyes but that is a result of her soul mother. May I ask though brother, why is it we need to keep this a secret still then?” Ashton rose from his seat, “This is an active investigation so we must not alert House Maigny to us knowing the truth. As such, I will return to them until such a time as the investigation is concluded. Also, I have been given a special mission by His Majesty to investigate House Maigny under suspicion of colluding with The Order.” I shot out of my seat, “What?! NO!” Ashton turned to me and smiled at me lovingly, “Dear sister, it is my desire to do this. I know they have tried to kill you on several occasions.”
Talon sunk in his seat when Ashton spoke about the attempts on my life. I looked over at Talon, “Uncle, do not be uneasy. I know you were under some sort of brainwashing.” Ashton nodded, “Don’t fret Uncle Talon. I know your story and I don’t find you at fault either.” Ashton turned back to me, “I have volunteered for this mission willingly, sister. I want to protect you as others have and this is the best way I know how. If I can root out the final noble in The Order, it may bring them down once and for all.” I shook my head, “Do you not understand what happened to Blake when he went on a mission in regards to The Order? I don’t want you to get hurt.” The tears started to well up in my eyes at the thought of Ashton getting hurt because of me. He hugged me, “I know what you’re thinking, and should I get hurt, it would be because of that revolting House Maigny not because of you. I want to bring them down, they are a sore in the nobility.” I was hesitant to let him go so he could go back to House Maigny but if he was a child of Talia Batiste, he would be just as stubborn as I am. I nodded, “Just promise me, you’ll leave if it gets too dangerous.” He kissed my cheek, “Of course, dear sister. I have a family that I admire to live for and Alesha, my love.” I giggled, “Yes, she would heal you just to injure you again if you get hurt doing something reckless.”
We laughed together until we heard Mordred clear his throat. We all looked at him, “I’m glad everyone is gathered here today because we need to also discuss this God that cursed our little rose.” My father furrowed his brow, “What about him?” Mordred looked at Whisperia and then spoke, “Whisperia and I have discussed the ritual to summon a God at length. We believe tonight to be the best time to do so. I need to let everyone here know that you cannot be there with us. It will only be Alexandra and me. We don’t need interference from anyone.” I said, “On that note, I did speak with my soul parents and…” I cleared my throat, “All Mighty.” There was a loud, unified gasp in the room but I continued, “He had my soul parents give Sebastian powers to protect me and everyone here should the God go after anyone here. So please do not worry, I am well protected.” Mordred spoke again, “On that note, Alexandra, I need you to wear a special virgin sacrificial dress to this ritual tonight. In a sense, you are going to be offered to the God as a sacrifice.”
