Lucien's Watchful Eye
POV: Lucien
After my talk with Grand Pretre, I was anxious to join the reception so that I could help my brother keep an eye out for Loki and, of course, keep Alexandra safe. My main goal throughout this date was really just to ensure she was able to arrive back home with her parents after this reception of the envoys was complete. I still would have to have her well protected since the envoy would be staying here for another week. This meant that Derek or Jess would need to be with her at all times. I had even thought of assigning Ashton to her for the one class that she didn’t have with either bodyguard. This would, of course, be a well-known assignment so that the Maignys wouldn’t suspect that he knew who he was. I would have to discuss this with the General tomorrow. Thankfully, it wasn’t a school day so there wasn’t a sense of urgency. Grand Pretre sighed next to me as we walked across to the reception room, “This won’t be easy.” I looked down at her, “What do you mean by that?” She looked up, “Finding that God. He’s a trickster so the obvious hiding places, while good to check, won’t yield results. I believe Lady Kellen has just checked the obvious hiding places. Best for us all to stay on our toes and keep an eye out. It won’t be easy.” I looked off down the hall away from her to think, “Wouldn’t you be able to have insight on it?” I looked back at and she was sadly shaking her head, “My abilities can only go so far. I will be able to find him out if I am near him, much like Lady Kellen but he’s a God which is a power level higher than myself. That is my limitation.”
She stepped forward into the room and was announced. I stood in the quiet hall, contemplating the conversations I had just had with her and Sylphia. I believed both would be vigilant in making sure Alexandra still had her freedom. There was also the added stress that she would willingly go with him if she knew it was him. It would be less of a kidnapping and more of a running away with her “love.” That thought made me sicker sick than I thought it would. I took a deep breath before I stepped forward. The herald announced my name, title, and all the nonsense that went with it. Today, I hate to be the King. Today, I just wanted to be by Alexandra’s side to protect her from the one thing that she didn’t need in her life. Loki was a trickster God who cursed her so that she would give her dormant ability to him willingly. He used the emotion of love to achieve this means and he used it on the one woman in this realm that I was in love with. For that, I would search for him relentlessly, to the ends of any realm to make him give back what he stole from her. The fact that the Seely King was in on this plot angered me even more. I would not punish the Queen’s realm because of one selfish fae but I would demand punishment after this was all over.
I was immediately approached by House Maigny, all four of them. Ashton was hanging back behind his “parents” with Melody leading the way. She chose to wear pastel pink and her hair was left down and curled. When she walked, they bounced around her face which made her look like a full-grown doll. She was indeed beautiful on the outside but everything I had seen of her was that she had been treated as if she was All Mighty’s gift to the world. This made her personality ugly and no amount of outer beauty would compel me to love someone like her. She smiled brightly at me, “Your Majesty, you look so handsome with that new haircut. I had always wondered what you would look like with short hair and I was right. It really is becoming. Don’t you agree, Mother?” Her mother stepped forward, she was an older version of Melody. She too was beautiful but ugly on the inside. It was the very epitome of House Maigny. I held the disgust on the inside from being in their presence. Marquess Maigny bowed to me, “Your Majesty, I have to agree with Melody. This new look suits you very well. I wonder if you might attend tea with us sometime in the near future.” I clenched my jaw at the invitation, “Unfortunately, the council thought it would be prudent that I hold off on accepting invitations from the families of the Queen candidates. We wouldn’t want to create an image of favoritism.” Marquis Maigny frowned, “Come now, Your Majesty. Certainly, there must be a way you can sneak away to come see us. I know you are an honorable man but we all know that the council will ultimately choose my Melody. How could they not? She’s the most eligible and appropriate candidate.” He emphasized the word appropriate to, no doubt, imply that Alexandra was less than and I had to suppress my anger. I leaned forward and spoke quietly to Marquis Maigny, “Careful, you don’t want my brother to hear you make those types of comments towards a certain family. You should know what he’s capable of.” Marquis Maigny just smirked, “Speaking of your family, how is your cousin? I hear he hasn’t been seen around Vellum in a while.”
It was a thinly veiled threat towards my brother considering what happened with my “cousin” after he visited The Order. I thought to myself that this may be the thing that outed House Maigny as the other nobles behind The Order. I cleared my throat, “I’m sure he’s just taking time to himself. He will show up soon, I’m sure of it but how nice of you to inquire.” In reality, Drake was actually assuming Reginald’s duties in England for the time being. He would be brought back when the time was right to make the treasonous members of The Order sweat. I looked over at Ashton and nodded, “If you’ll excuse me Marquis Maigny, I need to discuss a special assignment that I have for your son.” The Marquis smiled, “Ah yes, my boy is quite special enough to handle anything you throw at him, Your Majesty.” Ashton followed me to my table and I asked Malinus to ensure that no one disturbed us. After Ashton made himself comfortable, I sighed, “Your fake family is really exhausting.” Ashton laughed, “Try living with them for 18 years.” I chuckled, “I can imagine. How are you doing with all of that anyway?” He took a quick glance around and leaned in, “There’s definitely something foul going on there. I asked the Marquis if I can go with him on his next outing.” I leaned forward, “And?” He smirked, “He said he was happy that he could finally take both of his children with him to his special place. I believe the special place is The Order headquarters. I think Melody is a part of it too.” I nodded, “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that were the case.” Ashton looked at me satisfied that he had done a good job, “I’m protecting her here too. I’m keeping an eye out to see if anyone weird approaches my sister.” I sighed and looked over at Alexandra, who was sitting with Blake, Jess, and Sylphia, “Unfortunately, I was told it wouldn’t be that easy. Grand Pretre said he could be anyone.” Ashton looked slightly dejected, “How do we know Blake or Jess is him in disguise?” I widened my eyes, “You’re right.”
I heard a chuckle next to us, “You two are awfully silly. Don’t you think I would have alerted you if that was the case? I was close enough to both to know they are their true selves. Also, His Majesty and young Ashton are their real selves.” I turned to see Grand Pretre had snuck past Malinus. He shrugged at me, “I wasn’t going to tell the holiest of the Vellum Realm to go away.” She smiled wide at me, “I wasn’t going to let him tell me that either. I want to sit with you and not at my stuffy table.” I sighed and waved to the chair to my left, “Suit yourself.” She smiled, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ashton smiled wide at her but didn’t look her in the eye as was custom.” She reached over and lifted his chin, “Ashton Batiste. You have almost the same soul as your sister. Very kind, very special.” He widened his eyes, “I could never be as special as Alexandra. She’s very different.” She laughed, “You’ll see someday very soon how wrong you are. I have seen your chart young man and I can tell you that your destiny is something special as well.” She sat back in her chair and merrily looked around the room. She giggled, “I think it is pretty cute Princess Nystasia has a small crush on Lady Kellen and a great admiration for Alexandra.” Ashton looked at Nystasia, who was having a conversation with Alesha, he turned around and blushed. Grand Pretre laughed, “Speaking of crushes, I believe Alesha is presently trying to convince Princess Nystasia to eliminate her.” He looked at her astonished, “What? Is it working, Your Eminence?” She laughed hard but then her face fell suddenly and her eyes went blank. She leaned back in her chair and she muttered, “No, get her. He’s here. You must save her!”
I rose from my seat to look over at the table that Alexandra had been sitting at with Sylphia but it was only Sylphia, Blake, and Jess. Ashton and I walked over to the table and I spoke first, “Where is Lady Batiste?” Blake pointed to the door, “Her father wanted to talk to her.” Ashton ran across the room to the door and flung it open then ran out. He looked around and cursed under his breath, “We took our eyes off of her for two seconds! Where is my real father?” I placed my hand on his shoulder as he leaned over to catch his breath. I looked around as Blake ran out after us. I had walked at a steady pace so as not to alarm anyone that anything was going on. Thankfully, the festivities inside seemed to continue on. It was night time so finding her would not be easy. I directed all of us to split up to go look for her after Jess and Derek had joined. We each searched a section of the gardens alone until a few minutes into the search I had heard a scream come from somewhere nearby. I ran to go find out what it was but unfortunately tripped and knocked myself unconscious.
