Deep In Thought
POV: Lucien
I stood there trying to steady my fast-beating heart that came about when he questioned my feelings for Alexandra. I took a deep breath and stepped forward and started to listen to the forest for the squeaking of the Blackwood Hare. As I was listening, I started to roll Blake’s question in my mind, “Did you come to have feelings for her?” I never thought about how I felt about her really, I knew that I had some feelings towards her especially after the ball. Was it the two kisses we shared that changed my heart? Did I love her because of this? I remember the letters I wrote to her afterwards describing what I felt but I didn’t know if it was love. It could have been a slight infatuation, I admitted to myself that that was likely what I felt towards Alexandra. I could not allow myself to truly love someone since I had resolved to have this competition. If she were to win, would that be an outcome I would be overjoyed with though? My own question now occupied my mind, but it distracted me from the task because right in front of me a hare dashed out of the shadows. I tried to catch it, but I was not fast enough even with the enhanced speed the talisman provided. I believe I could have caught it if I had seen it when it first made its appearance. I cursed, “Dammit, I need to get my mind right!” I pushed my last question to myself to the back of my mind and mused to myself out loud, “I’ll figure it out later.” I set myself back on the task of listening for the creature that I was here to hunt. I needed to focus so we could make her better and we could see her color come back so she wouldn’t look dead. I shuddered at the thought of her appearance.
I heard another squeak beside me, and I sprung into action and caught the little hare. It was a younger hare and, as I held it, I was petting it on the head. I calmed down immediately after a few pats. Now that I had the hare in my hand I started back towards the manor. Now that I had what I came for my brain brought forward the question that had been on my mind before I decided to focus on the task at hand. Would I be overjoyed if Alexandra won the competition to become both the queen and my wife? I looked down at the creature now napping in my arms and pondered the answer. I definitely would hate for Melody to win since my impression of her was that she was underhanded, snotty, and manipulative. That paired with the fact that she immediately targeted Alexandra as an enemy and even tried to hit her on the first day, she was neither ideal nor desirable. Next, I thought about Jess, she was supposed to be in the competition as well, but I got the feeling that she wasn’t really looking seriously compete. She had an even temperament for the position of queen. She was rational, had a good head on her shoulders and was very kind. As far as being a wife to me, I wasn’t really attracted to her. Sure, I could do my husbandly duties with her so that we could provide an heir but that was it. As I walked, I continued to ponder the dozen other ladies in the kingdom, every single one had a knock on them. They either had a poor temperament for the position of queen, or they just didn’t attract me.
I finally came to Alexandra, I saved her for last. What were her qualities that could make her a great queen? For one, she didn’t seek out power, but she had a sense of duty to her kingdom in choosing a career that would best use her talents. She also said herself that she would love to help Vellum in any way she could. She was tough when she needed to be. I was sure there were more qualities, but I wanted to think about the other aspect, to be my wife. She was stunningly beautiful, that was evident by how many men were willing to go on this hunt for her. Her smile would light up any room that she went into. More than that, I loved to listen/read her thoughts on many things. Her mind was very attractive more than anything. She had such a fresh perspective of things, and it might have had something to do with the fact that she was raised in another realm. Knowing all of this, my conclusion was that she was, indeed, my preferred winner. Did that mean that I loved her though? No, Lucien, that meant that she was your ideal candidate amongst the ladies who will be presented to me in a few days.
I thought about the presentation ceremony. It was the day after mother’s tea party, it was to be held in the throne room of the castle. I would be seated next to my mother and Grand Pretre on the dais. This was another event in the competition. The council thought that it would be best to judge each lady on their choice of attire, poise and grace when presented alone in front of an audience. I knew that Jess and Alexandra would likely pass their test since they both had excellent taste in clothing and were appropriately poised and graceful when needed to be. Melody would be dress beautifully because she was vain in that way. I thought that poise might be an issue for her since she would have to be in the same room with Alexandra. What the candidates won’t know is that their test will start in the staging room where the ladies will be able to socialize until their names are called. Blake has graciously donated Mesha stones for a few council members to observe. His only caveat is that he be allowed to be in the room to observe with the council members as well.
Finally, I got to the manor and knocked on the door. Dana opened it, smiled at me, and bowed, “Your Majesty.” I nodded at her and entered carrying my little catch. She looked down at it and her brow furrowed, “Unfortunately, you weren’t the first back and the gentlemen who was first back brought a dead one.” I sighed in disappointment, “How about the other one?” It had to have been Blake since he didn’t strike me as the type to be able to hunt anything so quickly. My question was answered with another knock on the door. I turned to the door to see Derek holding a dead hare at the threshold. When he saw me, he looked dejected and dropped his gaze to the dead animal in his hand. That meant that Blake was here with his kill which irritated me. I walked up the stairs to Alexandra’s bedroom where Blake was standing by her side, holding her hand. Dorothea smiled as both Derek and I entered the room, “Sorry guys, he was just a smidge faster than you. It was great that you were all so expedient though. She’s definitely in good hands.” She motioned to Dana, “You can take hunky’s kill to the kitchen. That would make a great meal for her when she wakes up. That will fortify the potion further.”
She looked into my arms to find the sleeping creature there, “Your Majesty, you didn’t kill your hare?” I shook my head, “It didn’t feel right somehow, I thought we could cut it for its blood.” She chuckled, “Well, now maybe you can gift it to her since you didn’t win and didn’t want to kill it.” I nodded, “I will see about getting a cage made for her.” Vanessa cleared her throat, “I have one at the cottage, Your Majesty. I will go get it so you can put it down.” She made her portal and came right back with the cage. I placed the animal in the cage and Vanessa brought it over to Alexandra’s desk, “Dana can procure the necessary food from the kitchen too.” Dana took the hare from Derek and nodded at me, “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I will make sure the little thing is fed.” Dorothea walked over to Blake and grabbed his kill from him, “I will take this back to my hearth and finish the potion.” She nodded at Vanessa who opened another portal and Vanessa said before she stepped through, “This will take a few minutes, try to get along while we’re gone. Jess, slap them around if you need to.” Jess startled, “B,but I don’t want to hit the King.” Vanessa chuckled as she and Dorothea walked through the portal.
Blake pulled Alexandra’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, “She’s been in this position far too much. The Order will dearly pay for their transgressions against her. I promise you, brother, it won’t be clean.” I sat down on the other side of the bed and regarded the rage that was emanating from his eyes. I nodded, “I don’t think you’re alone in feeling the immense rage towards what was done to Alexandra. All in this room, Vanessa and her family; I would presume we all feel that way.” I looked around the room to find Jess and Derek nodding. It amazed me that Alexandra could get people here in Vellum to care for her so quickly. She’d only really got to know Derek on this day, but he would walk through hell for her. Jess was her best friend so, of course, she would feel a certain way about someone harming Alexandra. As for me, I had a friendship with her that invaluable and perhaps an infatuation. Just about everyone in the room knew of Blake’s obsession with Alexandra. He was part of the reason why my father sent House Batiste to Terre. He didn’t want Blake to harm Alexandra and effectively ending his most powerful alliance in all of Vellum. House Batiste was invaluable to the throne, whoever they chose to back had security in their throne since they were the oldest and most respected family in all of Vellum.
Naturally, I had heard rumors of the all the families with young men wanted to have an alliance with House Batiste through marriage. Many requests were sent to Reggie for a marriage contract, but he refused to sell his daughter off for clout and power. His replies were always, “She will choose who she wants to marry if she so chooses to marry.” I believe that even Blake sent a marriage contract to Reggie once he became the Duke of Mesha two years ago. He got the same reply from Reggie, he wasn’t too pleased that he got a rejection. It was bound to happen though since Reggie was cautious about Blake when it came to Alexandra. It was understandable since we got news of what happened to the human who was exposed to her ability. No one in Vellum outside of House Batiste, the Royal Family and the Kellens knew anything about her ability. There was a definite fear that she would get kidnapped by The Order and weaponize her yet here we sit trying to cure her of The Order trying to weaponize her.
The room was eerily silent as we all waited for the witches to return from their task. Derek was the first to speak, “I wonder why this feels like they are taking an eternity. I wish I had gone with them.” Blake shot him a glance over his shoulder, “Quiet Chalshin, they’ll take as long as they need to make the most effective potion for my beloved. Efficiency isn’t so important as effectiveness in this case.” Derek grunted and sat down on the floor and Jess giggled at him. She spoke, “Alexandra is in good hands with the three of you fretting over her. She’ll be grateful for the care and attentiveness.” I merely nodded and Blake smiled up at Jess, “You as well Jess. I know she values your friendship above all.” Jess blushed at the genuine smile that Blake was giving her, “It’s nothing for me since she is my first real friend. She saved me more than she knows. I’m happy to return the favor by watching over her.” The portal opened in the bedroom and the two women stepped through. Dorothea handed Blake the vial, “Here you go brat, enjoy getting smoochie faced with pretty here.”
