The Special Promise
POV: Alexandra
I left the rest of my party in the foyer and walked over to the study. My father was sitting with a glass of water in his hand in front of the fireplace, staring into the fire. When I walked into the room, I smiled at him and he sent me an exhausted smile back. I walked over and kissed him on the cheek, “You look tired, daddy.” He sighed, “I’m afraid I have been working really hard the past day for His Majesty. They found some more information about the whole Kastilidan affair. I got so far into the analysis that I hadn’t slept yet.” I let out my own yawn, “It is early, is that why the house seems so quiet?” He sighed, “Well, your mother was up rather late assisting me so she is not up as early as she would be. Your brother is at the castle, His Majesty wanted him for a special project. He wouldn’t give details on that. Dana was up attending your mother. Your grandfather has been resting a lot more lately. Theodore had to return home for a few days to take care of things on one of the farms that had an accident. Since your brother is in the most secure place in all of Vellum, His Majesty sent Toby away. Lucy had a sleepover in the greenhouse room with Nystasia. I heard them up late giggling so I imagine they are still asleep. It’s just an odd day to come home, little rose.” I nodded and settled onto the settee, “So what did you need to talk to me about?”
He rose to his feet and walked over to his desk and pulled out a paper. He handed it to me as he walked over, “I had quite an interesting conversation with His Majesty yesterday. This document came from that conversation. My thought is that he didn’t want to wait long to engage himself with you should you win the competition. As you know, the competition wraps up two weeks after the ball…that is if it still happens.” I looked down at the document which was an officially sealed document and the letterhead said, “Official Agreement of Betrothal.” This was the document signed between a lady’s parents and, usually, the parents of the gentleman she is to be betrothed to. No one had really gotten to the signing part of their engagements yet. Most had to go through the process with the Elder Council. Even the King wasn’t immune from that paperwork nightmare. I looked up at my father, “How did he do this?” My father chuckled, “He was very clever and asked for three of such documents. He justified to the council that the engagement paperwork should be done right away so that the other two families cannot dispute the decision. He said that he had only intended to use this one.” I shook my head, “I told him that we didn’t know I was going to win.” My father shrugged, “You can’t blame a man in love, little rose. The heart wants what the heart wants. I certainly can’t blame him for falling in love with you. You are the sweetest thing any man can have in his life. I would know since I have had the pleasure of watching you grow and become the woman you are today. I know he doesn’t only think with his heart, he is in the position where he has to think with his head as well. You may not see it since you’re always so humble but you are the best choice to help him lead this realm. That being said…” He got up again, took the paper from me, walked over to his desk, and retrieved two letters. He handed them to me, “One is a letter from His Majesty and the other is from Elder Enzo. I believe that is your next assignment. I hear they made Lady Melody and Lady Rayla write mock letters to Her Majesty Queen Reina as if they were trying to end the war. It’s probably something along those lines. I think I’m going to run upstairs and get a nap in.” He squeezed my hand and kissed my forehead, “You can stay put and read those. I think I hear Dana, I’ll make sure she knows that no one is to disturb you for now.” I nodded, “Thanks, Daddy. That would be best.”
I waited until my father shut the door and I opened the letter from Lucien first. He wrote:
“My dearest,
I hope you had a safe journey home. You don’t know how anxious I have been these past five days for word of your daily exploits and to see if you were well. I didn’t want to leave you and I know you know that since I had expressed as much to you when we were last with each other. The torment was enough for me to know that I cannot imagine any part of my life without you in it. After the first day, I worked to get those official documents that I am in no doubt you have discussed with your father by now. I know that you told me that nothing is promised and I understand that but I choose to believe that you, my love, are my destiny. I feel that your soul and my soul are meant to be together throughout our lives. How can that feeling be wrong? No, I believe it cannot be since it has never steered me in the wrong direction. For now, that document can only be a symbol of my commitment to you but in the near future, I am hoping it will be the solidification of everything you have fought to earn. I can think of no one any more deserving of the crown and I hope to be equally as deserving of your heart, my sweet love. I must cut short this letter since I am leaving to see your father now.
I am forever humbly yours,
Lucien”
I sighed and told myself aloud, “He really does have sweet words.” I sat and reread the letter that he wrote so eloquently and let the commitment that he put down in words and actions swirl around in my head. Was I really ready to be someone’s wife when I was only starting out in life on my own? Sure, I was in a new place, and marrying, once one turned eighteen was commonplace here. I had already spoken to him about how I wanted to finish school before I got married but I also wanted to see Seely and visit there for a time. I wasn’t sure it was entirely safe for me in Seely since the King had a keen interest in helping Loki out. I sighed and decided that these thoughts would have to be tabled when I wasn’t dealing with daily tasks from the Elders. I wouldn’t have Lucien to marry if I didn’t win this competition and that was first and foremost the very thing I needed to concentrate on for now. I took the letter in my hand and was just about to open it when the bookshelf made a creaking noise. I looked up to see Malinus enter. He smiled at me and turned, “It seems she is back, Your Majesty.” He walked into the room from the bookshelf, took hurried strides toward me, and swept me up into a kiss. It was a deep passionate kiss that left me breathless. After he pressed his forehead to mine, “You don’t know how much I have missed you.” I giggled, “I think I understand that much, Lucien.” I waved my hand at the letter and I saw a blush creep in on his face, “Right, that. Did he discuss it with you?” I smiled, “Not in detail but he showed me the document that you both signed.” He nodded, “Well, there wasn’t much to negotiate and I suspect we will need to sign a new one since we both dated it for yesterday. The Elders will want a new one. This one is just more symbolic as I said.” I sighed as I pulled him onto the settee with me, “You still don’t know…” He pressed a finger to my lips, “Ever the rational one, I know it will happen. Grand Pretre has told me that the greatest love of my life will be in my family and I choose to believe that is you.” I huffed out a little frustration, “I’m just trying to curb your expectations.”
He looked down at the coffee table at the letters, “You have another letter?” He frowned, “Not from some other man who is trying to court you.” I laughed, “Unless you think Elder Enzo is trying to throw his hat in the ring, no. Besides, I don’t think anyone but you and Blake are interested in me now. Derek has Jess and Garrett was merely cursed and loves Rayla.” He shrugged, “Then every man who has laid eyes on you and spoke with you are but fools for not loving you.” I smiled, “Or they don’t like having you for competition.” He smirked, “Fair point. I can give you a realm whereas others cannot.” I laughed, “You should know better than anyone I am not materialistic like that but I know you are being playful so I shall let it slide.” He hugged me, “What did the Elder assign for you today?” I shrugged, “I was just about to open it before you came in.” He pulled away, “I don’t want to get in the way of your task then but I am curious to know what your assignment is. I understand you have done well in every assignment laid at your feet so far.” I shrugged again, “It’s really all subjective and dependent upon opinion, isn’t it? One person could think I’m doing well while another could see that I was awkward in my task. If doing well is what Elders Enzo and Edgar report then it must be so.” He nodded, “Right, that is true since Melody had different Elders evaluating her than she did with the ousted ones. They said she’s been stumbling.” I sat up, “They ousted some Elders then.” He nodded, “Yeah the vote was held yesterday and they are bringing them in today to inform them that not only are they ousted but the Citadel is investigating them for crimes against the crown. They will be placed under arrest. It’s a step closer to keeping you safe from The Order.” I leaned my head against his shoulder, “I’m just wondering what crimes of theirs they haven’t caught and who was caught in the crossfire of their selfishness.” He sighed, “Who knows but they have the finest investigator on the case. Toby should find everything he needs to know about this case. He’s also going to help your father with his work. But I don’t want to keep you too long from your task, you should open your letter and find out what you have to do.”
I sat up and took the letter off the table, “My father said he was having everyone write mock letters to Queen Reina. I suspect that is my task this time.” I opened the letter and read it out loud:
“To Lady Alexandra Batiste of House Batiste,
You are hereby ordered to report to the Elder Council today at noon for your next task. Please ensure that you have a bag packed for three days with warm weather clothing and bring it with you. You are also only allowed to bring with you, Lady Jesslynne Kellen. The Chalshin is not permitted to go where you are going.
Humbly at your service,
Elder Enzo”
I looked up at Lucien quizzically, “Do you know what this is about?” He furrowed his brow and shook his head, “I don’t know, right now but I intend to find out why they are sending you somewhere without my say-so or knowledge.” He looked back at Malinus, “Do you know of this?” Malinus hastily shook his head, “Not at all, Your Majesty. I’m just as perplexed as you are.” He nodded and hopped up from his seat, “We’re going to go find answers and someone had better be willing to explain.”
