Life's Complications

POV: Alexandra

I felt sweat begin to bead on my neck staring down at Cal and his father. King Renier had a big smirk on his face as he neared the dais where Lucien was sitting and where we were standing. They both bowed at Lucien who sat up straight looking very regal with the crown on his head, “Welcome to my kingdom Your Majesty, Your Highness.” I took a glance at Lucien who had narrowed his eyes at Cal and I knew he was not pleased that the man who had dared to ask for my hand was in his throne room. Renier looked up and smiled at me, “Thank you, Your Majesty. It is our first time here. I like to see that you keep great company with you in your kingdom’s dealings. I imagine Her Highest Highness is a very capable helper.” Lucien looked up at me lovingly, “I couldn’t imagine having a better person by my side.” I knew that with the way Lucien had said that, he meant that as a way of claiming me for himself. It was, in a way, a declaration of war for my hand in marriage. I blushed and looked down and Malinus whispered, “This looks to be a long pissing match over you, my cousin.” Lucien waved at us, “This is Malinus Esperanza, my official Royal Scribe. He aids me in everything and is the cousin to House Batiste. The young man there is Theodore Befent of House Befent who is one of my apprentice Royal Scribes and you, of course, know Alexandra Batiste who is my other apprentice.

I saw a grin on Renier’s face that told me he was getting ready to say something rather offensive to Lucien, at least that was how he would take it. He said, “Oh we revere Her Highest Highness as a living Goddess in my realm and here you have her as a lowly servant.” I saw Lucien’s hand clench into a fist and I stepped forward, “If I may, Your Majesty.” Lucien looked up at me startled, “It is…a bit…different that someone else would address my guests but go ahead.” I nodded at him, “Your Majesty, King Renier, I would ask that you respect my King while you are in Vellum. I chose to go into the scribe program for my studies because I wish to serve my kingdom in any way I can. I am not a lowly servant here but a respected lady. Please remember that during your visit here.” Renier smirked then bowed at me, “I didn't mean to offend you, Your Highest Highness. I hope you will forgive me and accept an invitation to have lunch with me later.” I looked back at Lucien, “I will have to check my schedule as this is my first day. I will accept your apology though if you apologize to my King.” I turned to walk back and smiled at Lucien who returned it. Renier nodded, “My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to offend.” Lucien waved his hand, “If Her Grace is not offended and accepts your apology, then I will accept as well.” Renier cleared his throat, “My further apologies, this my son Prince Calypso. I figured I would bring him so he can be immersed in your culture. I feel it is important for my children to know of other places. My daughters have already been here for some time, especially Nystasia. I am hoping she is learning well in Her Highest Highness’ home.” I nodded at him as he looked over at me. He smiled, “Very good to know she is being well taken care of. Anyways, Calypso, why don’t you introduce yourself to King Lucien?”

Calypso stepped forward and bowed at Lucien, “It is an honor to be welcomed into Vellum by you, Your Majesty. I hope to learn much during my stay here.” Lucien looked at him, “So this is the boy that wishes to marry Lady Alexandra?” Another sentence that dripped with passive aggressiveness. Calypso sighed, “I don’t mean to offend, Your Majesty. It was the wish of my mother and father that our two realms be joined. Her Highest Highness was very graceful and courteous during her stay with us. This impressed both my parents and thought she would make a suitable match. We don’t want to step on your toes with this.” He glanced at me apologetically before looking back at Lucien, “But, it is my wish as well, that I marry Her Highest Highness as I feel she would be well-suited to not only be the wife of Seely Royalty but also the best ruler for our realm.” I opened my mouth shocked at what he was saying and looked at Lucien whose fist had balled up again I didn’t know if I could save Cal from the backlash of what he said. Lucien stood up, “You realize that she is a candidate to be MY wife. This is NOT an acceptable request and my council agrees. I would be well within my rights to declare war on Seely.” Renier stepped forward, “Your Majesty, I assure you that we don’t mean to influence the selection process in any way.” Bullshit, I knew better and he was lying to appease Lucien. I shook my head and Malinus whispered, “What do you make of what he said?” I whispered back, “I believe he is lying so that he can stay. He’s got something planned and I just don’t know why yet.” Malinus nodded, “Lucien knows the best path here. Watch.” I had never seen Lucien in an official capacity that didn’t involve the selection process or the Elder Council so I was really curious to see how he would handle diplomacy.

Lucien sat down and crossed his left leg over the other, “That being said, I know that Lady Alexandra has the utmost respect for the royalty in the Seely Realm so I will allow you to continue your stay here in Vellum. I understand that you have requested her assistance?” Renier nodded, “My wife’s prophets believe that our Goddess Solamor will lead us out of a series of problems that will befall Seely. She has graciously agreed to mitigate one issue that has been prophesied to pass. This disease in Vellum, we are told that a similar situation will happen in Seely at a massive scale. Her Highest Highness has graciously offered to send us some light-healing potion.” Lucien smiled up at me, “She has a kind heart. We are so very lucky to have her here with us. That being said, I think the five of us should have lunch together. It will be more relaxed without honorifics and she can address you without asking permission. She is at her best when she is able to be relaxed.” I smiled back down at him and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Cal tensed up. I somehow didn’t think this lunch would end up with me being relaxed considering the two men warring for me were going to sit at the same table. I sighed and looked down at the notebook in my hands. Lucien looked back at Renier, “I think you had a long journey so I will let you settle down. Malinus will show you to your rooms. Alexandra and Theodore, you will come with me. I have a few things I will need you to do for me.” All three of us bowed at Lucien with our fist to our left breast, “As you will it, Your Majesty.” Teddy and I followed Lucien out of the side door but as I was leaving I glanced at Cal who smiled at me lovingly. I wondered what he was playing at when declared his intention for my hand. He had already told me that he didn’t wish to marry me for my own safety.

As soon as the door to the side hall closed, Lucien exhaled hard, “Teddy, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like you to go to the library and get me a book.” He reached for Teddy’s notebook and scribbled down the title then handed it back to Teddy. He bowed, “As you will it, Your Majesty.” Lucien stood with his back to me as Teddy made his way out of the private hallway. He turned to me and placed his hands on my cheeks. He leaned in and kissed me passionately. It was so strong that I backed up to the wall and it captured my breath. He came up for air and leaned his forehead against mine, “I was losing my mind not being able to see you or talk to you privately like this. Seeing that man declare his wish to marry you made my blood boil.” I sighed, “I know what you mean. When I heard that you have to take Rayla and Melody out on dates that is precisely what I felt.” He leaned back, “What?” He looked genuinely confused and I sighed, “I guess they haven’t informed you yet. I had my last interview yesterday which included looking at scenes you and I had together. They saw our date and thought in the interest of fairness that the other two women should have a date with you.”

His jaw clenched, “Son of a goat herder.” Ordinarily hearing Lucien trying to avoid cussing would crack me up but I couldn’t bring myself to laugh. Even I could be serious in a very serious moment. I didn’t like the development of this latest shenanigan of the whole Queen selection process. I would have other women going out with the man I was deeply in love with. It didn’t sit well with me and I imagined, through his body language, that it wasn’t sitting well with him either. He pulled away from me and started to pace, “How am I supposed to run my realm and take two women I have absolutely no interest in on dates? I am now hating my decision to get married this way. I should have called this silly farce off and declared you my fiance.” I grabbed his hands, “You and I both know that that would do no good for Vellum, Lucien. That would cause a civil war and I don’t want that.” He sighed, “I just get this nagging feeling that things will go so wrong somehow.” He looked me in the eyes and stroked my cheek, “I cannot imagine building my life and family without you. Can you imagine that for yourself? What do you honestly think about all of this offer from Seely business?” I grabbed his hand, sighed, and looked down, “My honest thoughts? You really want them?” I looked up at him looking at me tenderly and it broke my heart that he asked this of me. He sighed, “Knowing you, you’re going to say something practical. I won’t take it to heart, I know who you are, Alexandra. Yours is the opinion I most respect in any world or realm in this life or the next.” I sighed, “I had a lot of thinking to do about all of this. Different scenarios have played in my head about this selection process. It is possible I won’t be selected and there is a little tension with Seely right now. If those two things happen, I will likely agree to marry Prince Calypso.” Lucien nodded, “I figured you would say so since you love Vellum and would do anything for it.” He let out a frustrated groan, “I just wish that I could end it here and marry you now. That would leave no doubt as to who would be my Queen.”

He started to walk down the hallway, “Let’s go. We’re probably going to be missed if we don’t get on with the day.” I followed behind him and we made our way upstairs to his office when we saw Cal exit his room down the hall. I hadn’t realized that he would be so close to where I was going to work. Lucien mumbled something inaudible and opened the door, “Ladies first.” I smiled up at him and thanked him as I was stepping into the room. I smiled as I walked over to my desk and Lucien was walking into his office, “I’m going to be doing some paperwork. You can man the desks while the others are out, right?” I nodded, “I think I can be capable of receiving paperwork and visitors on my own.” I sat there quietly until the door opened and Malinus stepped in, “Ah there you are. I had walked back here after I showed our guests to their rooms but you weren’t here. Is His Majesty in?” I nodded, “He said he had paperwork to do.” Malinus walked over to his desk and grabbed a paper, “Can you bring this in to him? Just knock and wait to be summoned.” I took the paperwork from him and rose to my feet. I knocked and immediately heard, “You may enter.” I stepped into the room where Lucien was sitting at his desk wearing his reading glasses and signing a sheet of paper, “Your Majesty, I have some paperwork from Malinus.” He took off his glasses and smiled up at me, “You can leave it here.” He gestured to an ornate file organizer that was labeled inbox. I placed the paper there gently and bowed while Lucien smiled, placed the glasses back on his face, and went back to reading and signing his paperwork.

I stepped out of the office only to see Melody standing in the reception room with a letter in her hand. Malinus wasn’t there so I had to greet her, “Welcome my lady, what can I do for you?” She smirked and cocked her eyebrow, “I’m supposed to give this letter to one of you and wait here for a response by order of the Elder Council.” I took the letter from her and she sat down at one of the chairs provided for guests to wait. She was dressed like she was going on a date which made my heart beat wildly. I knew what the letter had to say and what her intent was being here. I knocked on the door again and another immediate summon to the room happened. I stepped in and closed the door behind me with a frown on my face. This time when Lucien looked up at me his smile faded, “What’s going on?” I walked forward and held out the letter, “The Elder Council sent Melody Maigny to deliver this letter and ask to you respond to her directly.” He took the letter from me, opened it, and read it. His hand that wasn’t holding the letter was resting on the desk and it clenched up into another fist. He threw the letter on the table and ripped off his glasses, “Son of a goat herder. People have to make my life complicated.”