2 - PREPARATIONS

117 7 5
                                    

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐘. Seeing as Talil would soon inherit the throne and the kingdom, he was expected to attend, and it was set to take place mere hours after Rael had announced Odin's invasion of Tobruk, the time delayed due to some members having to make their way from their positions in different parts of the region; although the process didn't take very long, everyone involved was relieved to have some time to themselves before decisions were made and further chaos ensued.

Much to his relief, the royal supper was, of course, cancelled, as he had expected it would be in light of new events, although he would have much rather sit through the supper as opposed to worrying about a potential invasion at the hands of Odin the conqueror.

Talil was left alone for the most part, only expected to come early to the council meeting with his father, and was left to his own devices until then. His mother had suggested he go for a walk to clear his head before rushing off to instruct yet another handmaiden. He almost took her advice, even went so far to put on more comfortable shoes before glancing out the window and hearing the shouting and protests in the street, deciding against it and easing down onto a chair for the rest of the night.

He wished he could say he did something productive—even if he was lying to himself—but as much as he wanted to believe otherwise, Talil was lost in his thoughts and worries until it was nearly time for the meeting, many people in the streets having been sent home with instructions on how to be kept safe. He shook his head as he went to dress—his mother had told him to dress more formally for the meeting, although he hardly understood why—as if trying to ward off thoughts of the inevitable, hoping that history would not repeat itself.

He was just putting on his headdress when a knock on the door came, calling for the person to come in as he made slight adjustments, raising his eyebrow in the mirror as he caught sight of his vistor's snow white hair.

"Beatrice," Talil greeted, his lips moving into a smile despite his mood, speaking to her through the mirror, "What are you doing here? I thought you were to do inventory tonight, were you requested at the meeting?"

"Sadly, no," she answered, closing the door and leaning against the door frame, wringing her hands as if unsure what to do with them without her spear, "I'm glad I caught you, I wanted to talk to you before you left."

With one last glance at his reflection in the mirror, he turned around to face his friend, catching sight of her stern expression as he took in her expression, moving to open the door as he figured they could speak as they walked, only to find her pale hand grasp his just as he went to turn the knob.

"I wanted to speak with you alone," Beatrice insisted, gently removing his hand and briefly cupping it in hers before dropping her arms at her side.

Talil wasn't quite sure where she was going with this, but the uneasiness in his stomach only doubled as he sat down across from her, beckoning her to sit down as well, folding his hands in his lap with a concerned expression. "What did you want to tell me?"

The woman took a deep breath as she glanced out the balcony and across the dimming lights of the kingdom—despite the late hour, it seemed many people were still awake, no doubt discussing what could happen next—with a troubled look on her face, turning her head to face the prince before she spoke, her voice low.

"I know you don't care for such meetings," she began, her fingers tracing a chain on her sleeve, "And that you aren't very comfortable speaking up unless spoken to, and I respect that, but these are different circumstances. Our people need to know they will be kept safe, that their king cares about them and will protect them at any cost."

Bohemian Romance ▷Thor OdinsonWhere stories live. Discover now