Helping Toby
POV: Alexandra
My mother helped me to finish getting ready for the assembly. As she was leaving the room, she turned back to me, “Xan?” I looked up at her from my vanity, “Yeah?” She smiled, “Thanks for the talk. I think I needed it. With everything going on, it felt good to do something so normal. Do you know what I mean?” I nodded, “I know exactly what you mean.” She left the room while I put the finishing touches on my makeup as we had planned. She had to go get herself in her own uniform. I rose from my seat at the vanity and walked out of the room. Toby was leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. I was a bit startled to see him there since he had left for home yesterday, “Toby, you scared me! What are you doing here?” He smirked at me, “I was asked by Derek to escort you today. He is meeting up with someone pretty important. I also wanted to talk to you about something if you have a bit of time.” I nodded and gestured in my room, “Let’s sit and talk.” He pushed off the wall with his foot and walked into my room. As soon as I closed the door and turned to him, I felt his lips on mine. He pulled away and I gasped, “What are you doing?” He sighed, “Sorry, I know I should have asked but I just wanted to test a theory.”
He walked over to my tea table and threw himself down on the chair, “I was testing to see what it felt like to kiss you. I thought you were very pretty since the first time I saw you so I figured that if I was going to be attracted to someone it might be you.” I sat down opposite him, “That’s not how that works, Toby.” He leaned forward, “How do you figure?” I giggled, “I am the soul child of the Goddess of Love, I think I know something about it. Can I ask you a question?” He nodded, “Sure.” I clasped my hands on the table and leaned forward, “Have you been really attracted to anyone? It doesn’t have to be a woman.” He shrugged, “I don’t necessarily know. I’ve always felt so numb to love. Does this mean I’m cursed?” I shook my head, “I don’t think so but we can have someone take a look. Have you ever felt like any guys were attractive?” He hesitantly nodded, “I thought maybe Meldon and Theodore Befent were quite handsome.” I nodded, “I’m frankly surprised you didn’t say Derek, he’s very handsome.” He shrugged, “I suppose but I just don’t like how tall he is.” Derek did tower over everyone else except maybe Lucien but I didn’t think that was a physical trait that could turn someone off. I reached over and patted Toby on the arm, “Have you ever thought of testing your theory on one of them?” He narrowed his eyes at me, “I thought you said that’s not how it works.” I shrugged, “It’s worth the shot though.” He shook his head, “I somehow don’t think Meldon would appreciate me kissing him and I might never live it down. He’s a Maigny and that house seems rather intolerant.” I shook my head and sighed, “You’d be surprised how tolerant Meldon is.” It felt weird to call my brother by that other name but we were trying to keep his existence as a Batiste a secret for now. He sighed and got up from his seat. He walked over to the window and looked out into the garden, “I just don’t know, Lady Alexandra.” I giggled, “You can call me Alexandra, Toby. I think we should talk as friends with no honorifics.” He turned to me and smiled, “Do you think Theodore would be opposed to me kissing him?” I smiled back at him, “I really don’t think he would be opposed. We just need to create an opportunity.” He leaned against the window sill, “How would you do that?” I thought for a minute, “How about the ball? If I can get you both in a secluded place, would you be willing to try then?” He nodded, “Okay, that sounds good. Let me know what the plan is.”
A knock on my door took me out of my thoughts on the subject and I turned and opened the door. It was Jess, “Hey, I just got word that my father is in Tarn and he’s asked me to join him so he could escort me to the assembly. I see Toby is here so you should be good on a bodyguard.” I nodded at her, “I’m in very capable hands. Thanks for letting me know Jess. Oh, but how are you going to get there?” She smiled at me, “Vanessa is downstairs, she said she’d open a portal to my house.” I nodded at her, “Okay, give Lord Kellen my best.” She smiled, “I will. Safe travels my friend.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek then turned and ran down the stairs. I turned to Toby, “I think we should probably get downstairs ourselves. My mother should be ready by now. She’s so flawless that it takes her no time to get herself ready.” He smiled and walked forward then offered me his arm, “Let us go then, my friend. I appreciate you listening to my troubles.” I took his arm, “No worries, Toby, I will always be here for you.” We made our way down the stairs where Vanessa and my father were speaking. She stopped talking when she saw me, “Xan, you look totally cute in your little uniform. It’s my first time seeing it. How adorable.” I rolled my eyes at her, “I know you are joking. I feel like I should be at a boarding school in Switzerland or something.” She laughed, “Well, you’d probably fit right in too.” She looked at Toby, “Hello young Ligidew, I’m surprised to see you here.” He smiled at her, “Ms. Tannen, I am here to escort this beautiful lady to the Assembly as instructed by the General.” She looked surprised, “I thought that was Derek’s job.” My father chuckled, “Usually it is but he set off earlier to catch Lord Kellen.” I widened my eyes, “Did he ask him the question then Daddy?” He smiled at me and winked, “Yes, His Majesty brought Lord Kellen back for this assembly, especially for someone he dearly loves. I guess this person asked him to help them out.” I was thankful that Lucien had remembered when I was lamenting to him that I wanted Jess to be at ease with her status in Derek’s eyes. I could absolutely kiss him right now and I was honestly missing his lips on mine. I blushed at the thought and my father caught the action and smiled.
I heard high heels clicking on the wood on the stairs behind me and looked up to see my mother putting on an earring while she descended the stairs. She smiled at me as our eyes met, “I see you were able to find your own earrings, Xan? Where were they?” I rubbed my ear where the earrings bearing my family’s shield were, “They were stuck in the very back of the jewelry box. The box they were in got caught in the drawer.” She nodded, “So that is what was catching.” I inhaled deeply, “Sadly the box they were in got damaged in me trying to pull them out.” I was waiting for her to lecture me on the care of the things that were handed down to me in this family but it never came. She simply smiled at me, “That’s no problem, I will have it sent out for repair.” Vanessa let out a very audible gasp and then placed a hand over her mouth. My mother shot a glare at her, “What now?” Vanessa shrugged, “Oh, I just never thought I’d see the day the viper wouldn’t bite is all.” My mother let out an exasperated sigh, “I hate that nickname and you know it, Ness.” Vanessa shrugged, “It is fitting and you know it. What brought this change on?” She placed an arm around me and smiled back at Vanessa, “I just felt like it was time to treat her like the strong confident woman she is.” My father looked at her lovingly, “It’s definitely a change but I know you better than anyone else and it doesn’t surprise me one bit.” She walked forward and kissed my father then wiped the red lipstick off his lips afterward, “Have I told you how much I love you lately?” He smiled at her and gently stroked her back, “You have but I will never get tired of it. Anyhow, we should get going before we’re late. Ness, we can discuss later when I return.” Vanessa nodded at him, “Yeah, I just wanted to make you aware of the situation. It is your land after all.”
I had wondered what that was about but I didn’t have time to really think about it since we were going to the assembly and my mind drifted off to the rescue attempt that would happen while we were attending. Ashton was standing outside waiting for me. He looked at my hand placed on the arm of Toby, “Can I speak with Alexandra before you guys leave?” Toby nodded but didn’t make to leave me alone. Ashton cleared his throat, “I meant alone, my friend. She should be okay with me for a little while, I would think.” Toby looked at me and I nodded at him, “I’ll be okay with Meldon.” I felt myself wanting to say his true name but he had to be Meldon in front of Toby. Toby nodded, “Okay, I will be with your parents then. Make sure you escort her back to me, Maigny.” He sternly nodded at Toby, “Of course. By the book Ligidew. You know me.” Toby cleared his throat, “Then excuse me, my lady. I shall not be far should you need me.” Toby walked off but Ashton said nothing until Toby was out of earshot, “I just wanted to see you off sister. I wish you luck in not being eliminated today.” I sighed, “I hadn’t thought of that but thanks for adding to my stress brother.” He laughed, “Sorry sis. I know you’re anxious for me but it’s the reason I felt I needed to talk to you before I left. Do you know what a heartstone is?” I shook my head, “No, what is it?” He smiled and pulled a black stone out of his pocket, it had a rune on it but I didn’t quite know what it meant. He handed it to me, “These are special stones that only twins can use. It connects us, I will have the other one on me. When I tap it twice, yours will heat up and vibrate. It will also glow pink. This will let you know that I am safe.” I took the stone from him and placed it in my pocket. I hugged him, “Be safe, brother. No funny heroics. I don’t need you getting caught too.” He squeezed me tight to him, “I will sis.” He pulled away and escorted me to my parents and Toby. Just then a portal opened up and Dorothea stepped out. She smiled up at my brother, “Well hunkie, are you ready to get our young friend?” He nodded at her and turned back to me and winked then pointed to his pocket. I felt better knowing there was a way to communicate that he was safe. I silently said a prayer to All Mighty to keep them safe then climbed into the carriage.
