The Beginning
POV: Lucien
I don’t know why but I was nervous to be presented all these ladies. I was getting ready while Blake who was being wheeled about in his wheelchair was in the room with me. He looked at me through the mirror as I pulled my white shirt over my well-toned body, “You look like you’re sweating, brother.” I shrugged, "I think it is because this whole thing is now beginning to feel really real. I don’t know what to expect and where these ladies will end up at the end of all this. I just hope the panel chooses the right Queen.” He shook his head, “Brother, I know you need to have a Queen by your side that can take on her duties properly but you need to have that emotional connection too. I can only think of a small handful of the women among those being presented that can fit both roles.” I gave him a pointed look, “And how do you see Alexandra in that? She is a candidate.” He sighed, “Sadly, I can count her among those women who could handle the job of Queen and emotional role as a wife.” I turned around to look at him, “I am well aware of how you feel about her. What if they chose her to be my wife and Queen? How would you feel?” He looked down at his hands, “It would hurt me, of course. She was always my dream since the moment we met. I love Vellum just as much too. I would have to let her go, hesitantly.” I crouched down to him and squeezed his hand, “Brother, I would never want you hurt. You must believe that.” His green eyes locked into mine, “I know that, brother. You won’t have a choice if the Council mandates that she is the most appropriate one to take the crown. I know I’ve given you issues in the past but I just never liked that I was bypassed the crown. I will not cause you issues in this. Just promise me that if she is chosen that you take good care of her.” His eyes were starting to tear up, “I would dream of nothing less, brother.”
We heard a knock on the door and Malinus appear in his dress blue suit that was his official dress for ceremonies. He would normally not have to wear this as my aide but he was assigned to escort Alexandra. He bowed, “Your Majesty, Your Highness. The throne room is set and the people have all come that should be here and ready for your arrival.” I nodded at him, “How about the young ladies?” He smiled, “All here and accounted for. I believe Elder Enzo will be the one directing the ladies out of the room. He has advised that he will be placing Alexandra last since she is the senior member of nobility. The main event if you will.” Blake chuckled, “She wouldn’t like that.” Malinus nodded, “I wouldn’t doubt that knowing who raised her. Those two are the most even keeled people in Vellum so they probably raised their daughter to be that way.” Blake shook his head, “No probably, she is.” I think Blake was just about the only person outside of House Batiste that knew her best. I doubt that even Jess could read her that well.
My mind wandered to the things that Jess and I spoke about during our time alone the other night. She told me that I was in love with Alexandra but wasn’t aware of my feelings. Was she right? I know that upon hearing about her curse, I was upset to hear that ultimately, she would fall in love with a God. I hadn’t divulged this fact to Blake before now but perhaps he should know this. Blake was the most resourceful person I have ever known so if I told him, maybe he could figure out a way to help her. I looked down at him, “Blake, before we go out there, I need to tell you something that I found out while the doctor was working on you. You need to keep this to yourself though because Alexandra is not aware that I know this.” He looked conflicted, “I don’t know if I want to know this, brother.” I shook my head, “I think you need to know this so that you can help me figure out a way to help her.” His eyes widened, “What’s wrong? Is someone else trying to kill her?” I sighed, “No but she is cursed.” I could see the vein in his neck bulge and his jaw and hands clenched, “What?” I could see the darkness in his eyes, this was a completely different Blake than I was speaking to before. I pat his shoulder, “It is a shadow curse from a God, it is one that will bring her to fall in love with him when they meet. Grand Pretre could not tell us which God it was since Brigit’s powers do not fall under the celestial beings.” I could hear the heavy breathing through his nostrils, “I will find a way to help her. Thank you for letting me know, brother.” He closed his eyes for a little while and I saw his jaw and fists unclench then the vein disappeared. He opened his eyes and looked at me, “I will be sure not to say anything to our dear Alexandra. She doesn’t need more stress.” I had told him of her collapse and what Grand Pretre had said about losing her to madness if we didn’t help her. I also told him of our plan to invite her out to the retreat during the fall break under the guise of celebrating Jess’ birthday. He loved the idea of getting to spend time with her in a relaxing spa like environment.
Malinus cleared his throat, “Sir, I believe we need to kick things off and get things going. We don’t want unrest.” I nodded at him, “I guess we should go then. Are you ready Blake?” I think he knew what I meant by that because he let out a long breath and breathed in long once again while closing his eyes. He opened them and nodded, “Yeah, I’m calm now. We should go.” Malinus crossed the room and started to wheel Blake out of the room. I turned look at myself in the mirror and put my jacket on. I had to wear the official white and gold suit since this was a ceremony. I tugged the bottom of my jacket and smoothed it out. I nodded at myself, satisfied that everything was in place. I strode out of the room just as my mother was announced and reached the door where Blake and Malinus were standing. He looked up at me, “Good luck out there, brother. The nobility of Vellum will be scrutinizing your every action as each woman is presented to you.” I sighed, “I know, that is why I promised myself to keep an even face throughout. Blake was announced and Malinus wheeled him to the dais and helped him into his throne to the left of my throne. I inhaled deeply then nodded at the herald who proceeded to announce me. All eyes fell onto me as I entered the room and made my way to the throne. I didn’t sit down immediately since I needed to address the crowd. I swept my eyes over the crowd and saw Talia standing out among them since her hair was so bright. She smiled up at me but I couldn’t smile back since I was supposed to be non reactionary today. I spoke, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for being here today for the official Queen candidate presentation. The ladies will be brought to me in the order that the Council has determined ahead of time. Please hold your conversation until after the last lady is presented. We will have a reception in the ball room afterwards.” I sat down as all in attendance applauded. I nodded at Elder Enzo who was standing at the door at the end of the room.
One by one each lady was presented to me until we got to Jess who was presented to me be Derek. She had a visible blush on her face the entire time. As they got up to the dais, Derek bowed, “Your Majesties and Your Highness, on behalf of House Kellen: I present Lady Jess Jorna Kellen as a candidate for His Majesty’s bride and Queen.” I looked down and nodded, “I welcome the lady as candidate and wish her luck.” I waved them on and they both bowed and walked off to the side where they were supposed to go. The next woman was announced, it was Melody Maigny. Her twin brother Meldon was escorting her and they came up to the dais. She was trying her best to give me a flirtatious smile as her brother had a plastered nervous smile on his face. He spoke, “Your Majesties and Your Highness, on behalf of House Maigny: I present Lady Melody Truie Maigny as a candidate for His Majesty’s bride and Queen.” I felt a nausea rise within me as I went to speak my obligatory statement. I got it out just as I should have but it left me feeling awful afterward as she smiled and winked at me. I looked over at Blake who rolled his eyes and then he looked back at me. He winked at me knowing what I was thinking and then I smiled at him. Then the herald announced Alexandra who was escorted by Malinus. She was wearing a lovely shade of green and pearls. She always knew how to dress appropriately and the crowd knew it too since there were whispers. I only caught a few remarking how lovely she was. They came before us on the dais and bowed. Malinus spoke, “Your Majesties and Your Highness, on behalf of House Batiste: I present The Batiste, Alexandra Rose Batiste as candidate for His Majesty’s bride and Queen.” I nodded and looked down at her and gave my statement then waved her on. Elder Enzo made his way to the front and whispered in my ear, “Your Majesty, before you join your guests, the Council requests that we discuss the results from today after you dismiss everyone to the reception.
