Care of Alexandra
POV: Jess
I was not too shocked that Alexandra collapsed with exhaustion, she had been taking on a lot and not had much time to unwind from all the things coming at her. The King placed her in his own bed which had been a shock to both Malinus and I, he insisted that she be somewhere comfortable and his bed was the most comfortable in the entire castle. He directed Malinus to go to the Citadel and inform Derek to come to the castle to retrieve Alexandra. He looked at me after giving his orders, “Let’s go have a chat.” I knew this was coming because I believed he misinterpreted my actions in his office. His face said everything his mouth had not, he thought I was flirting with him. His mother had already gone into Blake’s room to keep watch over him as he rested so the conversation would be undisturbed for now. He led me into his study and offered me a beverage but I politely declined. He poured himself some water and walked over to a chair next to where I sat on the couch. He placed a coaster and the glass down in front of him, “So why did you wink at me in the office?” I sighed, “I noticed how you were looking at Alexandra while she dealt with her crisis. It looked like one of admiration. I winked because I understood your feelings.” He folded his hands in his lap, “Ah, so I misunderstood. Thank you for clarifying.”
He picked up his drink and took a sip, “You are probably the closest to Alexandra. What do you think of a way to help her to unwind?” I shifted in my seat, “I don’t think your mother’s idea is the worst one. I just don’t think it should be just the two of you. Alexandra admires you a great deal but I think to be alone at this point would just make her feel uncomfortable.” He nodded, “That’s what I thought. I can do thoughtful things for her that would show what my mom thinks I’m feeling. I don’t want her to feel more stressed in the action of de-stressing her.” I rubbed my chin as the silence set in, “If you’ll allow me to make a suggestion.” He waved for me to continue and I obliged, “You could still make a trip to the retreat but find some other people she’s comfortable with to go along. We can also create times for you to be alone if you so wish.” He nodded, “That makes sense. I am taking what Grand Pretre said very seriously. I don’t want my dearest friend to fall into madness. I understand your birthday will be right after the presentation ceremony.” With everything going on, I had expected everyone to forget my birthday. I felt very touched that he would remember so his stock was rising in my assessment of the guys that Alexandra could choose to end up with. Humans did that often with fictional characters and it was something I used to love about being around them.
I nodded, “Yes, it is. Are you suggesting we use my birthday as a way to get her up there?” He sighed, “You make it sound like we have to trick her. No, I was thinking this would be an excuse to officially go up there. I could host your party and invite some people. The only thing is that you may have to invite other Queen candidates.” I shook my head, “That won’t do, Your Majesty. I believe Melody would only add to Alexandra’s stress. She’s not exactly kind to her.” He chuckled, “No, I know that. I meant perhaps invite a few that you know Alexandra gets along with. Does she have other friends amongst them?” I shrugged, “I guess she got along with Lady Delnaro and Lady Baltilliard. They were really sweet to her at the last party. I am friends with those ladies so it wouldn’t be odd to get them up there.” He tapped the arm of his chair, “It’s settled then, we can set that up for your birthday. We can also invite Derek and Blake.” I shook my head, “Are you sure about that? I see Derek and Blake as being in direct conflict over Alexandra. They both like her a great deal and adding you to the mix…”
He looked confused and I sighed, “Are you not aware of your own feelings?” He took a big gulp of his water, “What feelings?” I pulled my hand to my forehead and drug it down my face then looked at him, “I need to explain something to you that you may not know about me before I enlighten you.” He nodded, “Sure, I don’t think we’ve actually sat down and got to know one another.” I cleared my throat, “I am part empath. I can feel what others feel when I am in their presence. When Grand Pretre spoke of Alexandra falling in love with the God who cursed her, you had jealousy in your heart. When she collapsed, you were worried. When placed her on your bed and peered into her face, you felt romantic love. You are in love with Alexandra but it seems you don’t realize it.” He stared at me silently as my words sunk into his ears and permeated in his brain. He was feeling conflicted on what I had to say to him. I sighed, “Do you need proof or some way to find out that I am right?” He looked down at his hands grasping the glass, “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just don’t know how to feel about what you say. I guess I would have to spend more time with her to find out.” I sat there thinking about what he just said and an idea came to mind, “Alright, we should invite those you suggested we invite. We will set up dates between all the gentlemen and ladies in attendance.” He looked taken aback, “Why would we do that?” I smiled at him, “So that you can see first hand how you feel for her. Not to mention that would give you some alone time with her. I gather that you have never really spent a whole lot of time together alone.”
He set down his glass and looked at me, “That’s not entirely accurate.” I widened my eyes, “What do you mean by that?” He inhaled deeply, “When she first came to Vellum, I met her in disguise. I was curious about her but I didn’t want to intimidate her. I wanted her to feel and act natural with me. I was disguised as the Gatekeeper.” This information sounded like something he didn’t really want anyone else to know with how he spoke hesitantly. I asked, “Does she know?” He nodded, “One of the stipulations to getting the magical tool from Vanessa is that I confess my deception to Alexandra when we met as King and subject. I told her while we danced at the ball.” I rose from my seat and went over to the drink area to pour myself a glass of water, “I’m guessing that you don’t want anyone other than the three women who now know about it to know.” He nodded as I made my way back to the couch, “I don’t think it would go over well with the other nobles if they knew that I was secretly meeting with a Queen candidate.” I took a sip of my water, “You’re probably right in the secrecy. I imagine it is very hard to keep balance between all of the noble factions.” He sighed and relaxed back into his chair, “You have no idea. I know that once I am married some of those burdens will lift from me. Right now, the biggest burden is which House that I will be married into. I came up with this solution of the competition to keep the Houses from warring should I pick one that isn’t amenable to the rest.” To me that seemed like a very cold type of way to find one’s life partner but Royalty was so different from nobility.
I looked at him, “I think you may need a break just as much as she does. You seem very stressed about all of this Queen business.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, “I am stressed but only because I really don’t want to marry Melody.” I laughed, “I imagine that would be a fate worse than death.” He laughed as well, “Trust me, Blake would be my heir if that happened. I have no desire to breed with Melody. She’s a beautiful woman, don’t get me wrong but her personality is atrocious.” I nodded at him, “She’s a manipulative bully and you should see how she flirts with Derek. You would think he was her contingency plan if she fails to get power through the throne.” He shook his head, “I wouldn’t put it past her honestly. Derek would be the sort to go for her too.” I sighed, “I would hope not but he seems to like the gorgeous ones with his behavior towards Melody in the past and now Alexandra.” I gripped the glass in my hand and Lucien spoke, “You like him, don’t you?” My gaze shot up and my eyes widened, “How is it you know my feelings and not know your own?” He shrugged, “I’ve always been good at reading people, I can’t necessarily read myself.” I shook my head in disbelief, “You should be able to read yourself best of all Lucien.” He sighed, “I don’t really have time for self reflection.” We heard a knock on the door and Lucien got up to answer. He said, “Ah, Derek. We were just talking about you.” Derek walked into the room, “Oh? What about?” Lucien shrugged, “I forget the actual subject, I’m tired.” Lucien winked at me to let me know that my secret was safe with him. Derek looked back at him, “So why did you summon me Your Majesty and why is Jess here?” Lucien sighed, “I guess Malinus didn’t tell you that Alexandra had collapsed into my arms. She is resting on my bed. You will need to carry her to the carriage so that she can rest comfortably at home.”
We all filed out of the room towards Lucien’s room and opened the door. Derek walked over to Alexandra and scooped her up in his arms. I made a note to look at Lucien at that exact moment and he looked away from the sight, he was totally oblivious to his feelings. As Derek was walking towards the stair case, Alexandra thrashed at him and he nearly dropped her. He bent down to his knees with her still in his arms and looked up at me, “What is going on?” I shrugged, “I’m not sure but she is muttering under breath quietly if you listen.” All of us were silent, listening carefully to what she was saying, “Doom comes for those who stray from fate.”
