Rhea
Ever since my announcement a few days ago, I've been getting numerous letters. Some people are absolutely pissed, thinking I'm not fit for queen, for provoking another kingdom.
Others want to avenge their former king and queen. They think I'm right.
I've been asking myself the same question since.
Do I really want a war?
Do I really want to risk everything?
My answer is yes.
I want a war. I want a war for myself, for my parents, for other kingdoms who have been wronged by the Campbell's, and I want a war for Elijah, for Kinsley.
The past couple of days, I've been ordering Dal and Elijah around. Telling them what to do. They've abided by my every command, training my soldiers, teaching me self-defense, watching at my towers.
Elijah and I haven't even had a moment to ourselves because we've been so busy. He's my worker at this point.
Our conversations are short and professional, unless we're on the mat.
Unless we're training, and our bodies are close. When his lips are by my ear telling me a series of techniques, and rules.
It never felt like this with Allen. Whenever he taught me to defend myself, I was focused, I was stubborn, and I failed a lot.
It isn't like that with Elijah.
I'm too aware of him, of his lips, his body against mine, the seriousness in his tone when he's teaching me. I could care less that Dal and Liam are always watching.
"Arm in, if you have it out like that, your opponent could grab you easily, like this," Elijah roughly grabs my elbow, twisting me over him until we land on the ground, him above me.
He stares down at me, knife to my throat. "You have to be more aware of your body," he insists, huffing out of breath.
He lifts himself up, holding a hand out for me.
I take his hand, letting him pull me up and onto my feet.
"Again!"
I get into position, my arms tucked close to my body, my dagger in my hand, curled into my fist. I step back once, watching Elijah as he circles me.
"Be aware of your body, how much weight are you balancing? Could you move out of the way fast enough?" He calls out.
I focus, trying my best to ignore his gaze.
He takes a swipe at me, his blade just inches from my eyes, I step back on instinct. He takes this opportunity to kick under my feet as I move, knocking me on my back. He drops himself to me, the tip of blade just barely pressing into my skin.
"Just like that, you're dead."
I sigh, pushing him off of me, frustration burning into my mind.
"Don't get mad, emotions cloud your judgement. If your opponent pisses you off, you'll start taking swipes at them instead of defending yourself. You'll be vulnerable."
He stares at me, watches the emotions swirling inside me. "Breathe, count to your favorite number, over and over until you're calm."
"18."
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
I exhale, looking straight at him.
I get into position once again, aware of both of our bodies. "Watch for my tells, watch my body but be aware of yours," he explains.
His leg slightly twitches, his fist turning just an inch. There's more weight in my left leg than there is in my right.
He throws his fist out, I turn, my right leg out and my left leg free. I block his leg with mine, grabbing his arm as I bring him to me, knocking him in his nose with my elbow.
His head snaps back, a trickle of blood dripping down his lips from his nose.
I gasp, "Shit! I'm sorry!"
His gaze falls down to mine, a gorgeous grin plays on his lips as he bleeds. "Perfect, just like that, let's do it again."
__
Different ranks of soldiers stand before me. Their hands behind their backs, their chins up, and their focus on me.
I've been doing this everyday. Checking on them, on their progress.
I need them to understand the seriousness of this. I need them to understand that they will be fighting for their life.
The last time Ovantasa went to war was over sixty years ago. We lost too many soldiers, our history books have too many names of the dead in them and I don't want any more.
"We're getting more supplies at the harbor today, shipments have come in from the south," Dal informs me, as he takes me down rows of training grounds.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
He nods, "I'm taking few soldiers, it'll be in and out."
I look over the crowd of troops in my field, training their asses off. I stop when I see a familiar face.
In moments, I stop before him, waiting until he sees me. When he does, he bows immediately, "Your majesty."
"Philip? What are you doing here?" I ask.
His wrinkled lips form a smile, "excuse my language but I'll be damned if I sit back and let your family go to war without my help. I've watched you grow up Ms. Windsor."
Philip. In his late sixties.
One of our valued soldiers since forever. I had Bellie fire him when I couldn't trust my soldiers almost a year back. I had her fire all of them.
"Don't be too hard on our Bellie, she knew I wanted to help, and I wouldn't take no for an answer."
I smile, "I can't persuade you into going back home, relaxing into a bed or a couch?"
He shakes his head gently, "not at all."
__
I watch my soldiers train, sitting on a bench just outside the wall. Each and every one of them are drenched in sweat, their knuckles bruised.
I watch a woman, maybe her late twenties, tie up her hair in a braid, eager to get it out of her face as she continues to train with her partner.
"People watching?" Liam asks, sitting next to me.
I grin, "more like watching who could fight for their life better."
"Gruesome, Windsor, just gruesome."
I shrug.
He looks out, beginning to watch along with me.
I break the comfortable silence. "Liam."
"Hm?" He looks over at me.
"Are you absolutely sure you're up for this?"
"Yeah I'm-"
I shake my head, "No, I'm serious, are you going to be okay if I end up killing your parents?"
He stares at me, wide eyed, shocked in my honesty.
"You don't hold back."
"Not when it's serious," I agree.
He sighs, his eyes locked on mine, "I am not my parents. What they're doing is wrong, it's disgusting. I don't want to be apart of a family, a kingdom who doesn't hold the same morals as me. If they die by your hand, that is on them. You're giving them a choice, whether it's genuine or not, it's still their choice. It won't weigh on my conscience."
I nod, "if you're sure."
"I am."
__
Elijah
Rows and rows of flowers are bloomed before me. In just a month or two, there won't be any flowers here anymore. Different kinds of hues shine in my eyes, as I gently touch the edges of their petals.
"Everything alright?" I hear an older woman ask behind me.
I turn around and see Bellie. Rhea told me that she's practically her mother.
I smile, "I'm okay."
She scoffs, her eyes locked on mine. "I know a lie when I hear one, young man."
I chuckle, embarrassed.
My eyes wander back to the flowers. "My little sister would've loved to see these," I admit.
I hear her footsteps, until she stops beside me. "I assume she's no longer with us?"
I clear my throat, "You would be right."
She breathes gently, looking out at the garden. "You see these flowers?" She asks, pointing around us.
I nod, "Yes."
"You're alive, yes?"
I nod again.
"Then she sees them."
Confused, I begin to ask but she explains before I have the chance.
"Your sister lives within you. You keep her spirit alive with the memories you hold and the words you speak of her. Don't forget her, but embrace her. Do not worry, she can see the flowers that remind you of her," she looks into my eyes.
I look back at the flowers, a new meaning behind them.
She lets out a light chuckle, "Rhea used to love these fields. She'd watch her mother plant each and every flower, joining in every so often."
I smile at the thought of little Rhea, carefree and happy.
"When her mother died, I promised Rhea I would keep this garden alive while she was gone in Aepresea," she continues, "ever since she came back, I've seen her walk out here, at five in the morning exactly, just to water this garden. The same exact time her mother would."
My smile falters.
"I was worried about her when she left," I watch her speak as if she's talking to herself.
"She left with Allen on a mission, nothing but hurt in her eyes. When she called to tell me Allen had passed, I couldn't imagine how she was, how much trouble she would get herself into. She's grieving, and she has power. That is a dangerous combination."
I nod, "It is."
Finally, Bellie looks over at me, her wrinkled eyes focused. "Do you understand the significance of Rhea's role as ruler?"
My eyes are locked on hers, "Yes."
"One day, in the future, Rhea will have to marry, she will have to continue the bloodline," she pauses, "I would rather it be with someone she loves."
I stay silent, not wanting to disturb her words.
"Can you handle that type of role, young man?"
I stare at her stunned, ready to ask how she even knew, but she speaks, "I have been running this estate for more years than I can count. Nothing happens without my knowing. I see the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you. Now, answer my question."
I straighten myself, firm in my words, "For her, I would."
Bellie smiles, looking up at the sky.
"She's changed. You can see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch, hear it in her tone. She's not the same, and she's never coming back," she murmurs, "I assume you're the reason?"
I look out, watching the tree leaves sway back and forth.
"Rhea has always had fire in her, she just didn't know she had it. I guess you could say I brought that out of her. I wasn't trying to change her, or make her more violent, I just wanted her to be sure of herself, to be confident in her abilities and stop being sorry for who she is and what she wants," I pause, "and I don't regret it."
Bellie hums to herself, satisfied, "very well."
She turns, beginning to leave, just to stop, "it was nice to meet you, Mr. Anton."
I look to her, smiling, "you as well."
With that, she walks off, and back to the estate.
I stand there processing everything she said to me.
"She means, Rhea will someday be my wife," I smile to myself.
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I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you to everyone who follows along with this book! I greatly appreciate you!
Love you all! :)
-hc <3