Laid Out Plans
POV: Lucien
The doctor had just put Alexandra to sleep but she fought the potion just a bit. Her father had mentioned some news that he was hesitating to tell her. I didn’t want to stick my nose where it wasn’t wanted but I had wondered if there was a way that I could invite them to speak about what they wouldn’t tell her. I shook the thought from my head because I didn’t feel like it would be appropriate to butt into their business. The doctor turned to all of us, “I hate to kick you all out but The Befent and I need to be able to focus on The Batiste.” I turned to Reggie and Talia, “You need not return home to wait for them to finish. How would you like to join me for tea in my study.” Sylphia popped up from her seat, “Do you mind if I join you all?” I shook my head, “I don’t mind.” Looked over to Reggie and Talia, Reggie shook his head, “We don’t mind. We would like some advice, I think.” I nodded and led the three out of the room and Malinus followed us as we went to the study. Once we were all seated, Malinus turned to us, “I will be back shortly with the tea.” He bowed at me and left the room.
Reggie turned to me, “Your Majesty…” I shook my head, “This isn’t an official meeting, we are meeting as friends so you need not address me with honorifics. I cannot speak for Her Highness though.” Sylphia chuckled, “No, no. I hate the stuffiness of the title. Please call me Sylphia.” Reggie continued, “This news that we were going to tell Xan…it…isn’t good news.” I didn’t know what to say since Reggie looked like he was struggling to talk about it. Talia patted Reggie’s arm, “It’s okay Reggie, I will talk to Lucien about this. I know this is difficult.” She turned to me, “Listen, Lucien, we probably wouldn’t bring you into our dilemma if it weren’t for your closeness to this family and are a very good friend to Darren.” She looked over at Sylphia, “I’m sorry Sylphia, I don’t know if you’ve had the pleasure of meeting my father-in-law.” She shook her head, “I have not but my mother told me of Darren Batiste. He was one of the original envoys sent to Seely by King Thierry. She had the highest regard for him because he was such a great and even diplomat.” Talia smiled, “Yes, that does sound like Darren.” Reggie sucked in a sharp breath and looked down at his hands that were clasped in his lap. Talia patted him on the back and looked up at me, “Our dilemma, Lucien, is that something happened with Darren and we are trying to figure out if this news would be a detriment to Alexandra’s recovery.” I looked towards the door, “I wish we could bring one of those two in here to help us determine that.” Talia shook her head, “I told Reggie not to mention that to them. It is Darren’s wish that not many know. He was okay with us talking to Lucien and maybe one of the Seely envoys. I’m glad he was okay with that. He knows you ladies are very adept at emotions and could help us figure out a way to talk to Alexandra about this.”
A purple flash was seen in the room and Aphrodite and Apollo were standing in my study. I rose from my seat, “Welcome, Alexandra is not with us. I am sorry to say this.” Aphrodite smiled and shook her head, “She is in very good hands at this moment. We came to support her physical parents and offer some insight to them on their difficult moment.” Talia smiled up at Aphrodite, “Thank you, holy one. I assume you know what is going on.” She smiled and nodded, “We do which is why we had asked permission to come down to appear to you. We got extended permission so we will not be disappearing off in a hurry this time. All Mighty said that this situation requires the utmost care and consideration. He felt that our presence and advice would help you but the most important opinion here will be that of Princess Nystasia.” Talia looked confused, “But Nystasia isn’t in the room. I am confused.” Apollo pointed at the door, “She will be. She knows she is needed.” As soon as his sentence was finished, Nystasia burst into the room. Her eyes widened and she bowed to Aphrodite, “Oh Goddess of Heart, it is an honor to be in the presence of she who I worship.” Aphrodite smiled at her, “You are my most devout follower and I appreciate your gifts child. Please raise your head and join your sister on the couch. Apollo and I have a few things to discuss with you and then Talia can continue with her news.” It was my turn to look confused at Aphrodite and Apollo sighed, “And this is who she chose to fall in love with. Look, we were set on a task by All Mighty to assist Alexandra and He has asked us to relay your roles in this. So pipe down and listen.”
Apollo paced back and forth, “Unfortunately, we knew of this attempt ahead of time but we couldn’t warn anyone of this. This had to happen for Alexandra to steel her resolve to take on her enemies once and for all.” He glared at me, “SOME in this room will coddle her and shelter her if we don’t set the record straight.” He pointed at Reggie, “You will need to get stronger emotionally for her. I know your current situation is hard but she needs you too. I’m sure he would agree as well. As a matter of fact, we will be visiting him after this to explain his role in this as well.” Reggie’s eyes widened, “You will be able to speak to him?” Apollo nodded, “I assure you he is cognizant for now.” Aphrodite chimed in, “Talia, you will need to continue your perfect mothering of her. She needs your strength as an example.” Talia nodded at Aphrodite determined, “Xan will always have a fierce supporter in me in the form of tough love. I will continue, I promise.” Aphrodite turned to Sylphia, “You have a special role.” She pulled out a scroll and handed it to her, “Read that when you are alone. The instructions are on there. Be careful though. Once you open it and read it entirely, it will self-destruct. No one but you needs to know about your instructions.” Sylphia nodded, “Yes, your holiness. I will follow your instructions as the deity of the Seely.” She placed the scroll on her lap.
Aphrodite turned to Nystasia, “First, you know your first instruction. This is why you are here, right?” Nystasia nodded, “The Duke and Duchess need my insight into Alexandra’s emotions. I will need to Dream Weave.” Aphrodite smiled, “Yes but you also will be key in her recovery. You will need to request from your mother, Queen Reina, that you will need to stay for a time to care for your dear friend.” Nystasia looked at Sylphia, “Do you think she would allow that?” Sylphia nodded, “I believe so. Your role in court is minimal for now. She won’t have an issue especially if we explain that your dear friend is Lucien’s beloved. We need to leverage that connection to give permission.” Apollo grunted, “The mark of a great leader. You are both wise and beautiful, Your Highness.” He smiled at her and Aphrodite shot him a glare, “Evidently, you are not very wise.” Aphrodite cleared her throat and looked at me, “Lucien, your role is to be supportive of the decisions she needs to make. That would include time away from you. Will you have an issue with that?” I looked at her and shook my head, “Of course. I would do anything for her.” Apollo scoffed, “That’s exactly the attitude that I’m talking about. Don’t coddle her. Let her go when she needs you to. That is the best thing you can do for her. She won’t be gone long and you’ll get to schmooze her when she gets back, lover boy.” Aphrodite elbowed Apollo in the ribs, “Shut the hell up, Apollo! Apologies, Lucien. He’s just being super protective and thinks Alexandra could do better.” She glared at him again, “And he couldn’t be MORE wrong. I mean, I’m only the Goddess of Love so I know what I’m talking about. Big dumb God!”
Malinus entered the room with the tea service. He gasped at the sight of the two deities and bowed at them, “Apologies, your holies. I was just surprised to see you. I think I shouldn’t be where my cousin is concerned.” Apollo smiled at Malinus, “No problem. I don’t expect you to be ready to greet us at all times.” Malinus smiled at him nervously, “Would you both like some tea?” Aphrodite smiled and shook her head, “We rarely partake in food of the mortals and semi-mortals. It is like if you would eat the food of your pet. Oh…sorry that’s not meant to be insulting. Please don’t take offense everyone.” We all shook our heads. Aphrodite sighed in relief, “Oh good. Anyhow, Reggie and Talia, I believe you should get on with your piece of news.” Talia sighed then looked at me, “I don’t know the best way to tell you this Lucien.” I leaned over and patted her hands that were tightly clasped in her lap, “Take your time, Talia, we have time until Alexandra is out of surgery and awake.” She started to sniffle and Malinus pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her. She smiled at him sadly, “Thank you, dear cousin. I will continue. Right around the time that Alexandra was injured, Darren collapsed in the foyer of our home.” I inhaled sharply, “Is he okay?” Her eyes began to dampen and she shook her head, “No, we are being told that he is dying. He doesn’t have much time left.”
