I wake up to Jace kissing my shoulder. "Good morning love," Jace says. I look over my shoulder and into his beautiful golden eyes. "Good morning," I say. "We have that meeting at 9:30. We should go ahead and get dressed for that" Jace says. The meeting with Leon Verlac was moved a few weeks later and up to 9:30. "Alright. I'm going to go down to my dress room then" I say. I brush my teeth and hair and get ready then grab some flats and walk down to my dress room.
I look through the racks of my maternity dresses and find an emerald green dress. It's long-sleeved so if I get cold I'll be alright.
I slide my flats on and walk out of the room and wait on my family. "Mommy" I hear and Grace and Braxton run up to me and hug me. I hug them back. "Let's go to breakfast," I say and hold their hands and Jace follows behind us. "Mommy, daddy, why are you both dressed like that" Grace asks. "Because we both have a meeting while you both are at school" I answer her. "You look pretty mommy," Braxton says. Braxton is just like Jace in that way, a little flirt. "Thank you, Braxton," I say,
"When will our little brothers and sisters be here," Braxton asks. "In February. That reminds me, I need to set up the date for the C-section later" I tell him. "But you still have almost half a month until February" Jace says. "I know but it is better safe and have it scheduled than doing it at the last minute," I say. "I guess," he says.
"Are you two ready to see your friends?" I ask, "Yeah," they both say excitedly. Grace has been talking about how she is so excited to get to see Jordyn again. Jordyn has been away with her parents in Australia for the past month. "I miss Jordyn," Grace says. "I know you do Grace. You will get to see her in about an hour" Jace says.
We all eat our breakfast and Charlotte and Christopher take Grace and Braxton to school. "Alice," I say when she gets here. "Yes," she asks. "Have you found anyone to take care of the triplets like Charlotte and Christopher?" I ask. "Not yet. I was going to start interviewing people today. Should I try and find one or three" she asks. "Three would be best. If you can only find one or two that's alright" I say. "I will start my search for someone today. I need to get my things and you and Jace need to get to the throne room. You look beautiful by the way" she says. "Thanks," I say. I find Jace in our room and we head over to the throne room.
Someone brings us Jaces crown and my first one. I use my first crown for simple times like this. We both take our seats on our thrones and wait. I feel my babies kick and I rest my hand on my stomach. "Are you alright?" Jace asks. "Yes, the babies are kicking again," I say. "As long as you are alright. Are you sure you want to be here? You haven't done anything royalty work-related since you became pregnant" Jace asks. I love how concerned he is for me and our babies. "Yes, I think I will be alright. A few minutes are not going to hurt us. I just need to not get to worked up about whatever this meeting is about" I say. "Just let me know if it gets to be too much. I don't want anything happening to my four babies" he says. I smile at him. "You know I will. I will make sure to be careful always. They're mine too" I say. "I know love, I just want to keep you four safe," he says. "I know," I say.
Alice comes into the room and stands beside me like she does every Monday when we do questions of requests or even we have a meeting in here instead. A guard walks forward with a boy with red hair walking behind him. "Hello, your majesties. Queen clary, beautiful as always" the boy says. "Mhm, thank you. Now, what's your name" I ask. "My name is Leon Verlac. I came to ask about my cousin" he says. "Your cousin? Sebastian? Why he is dead" Jace asks. "Exactly, he's dead. My cousin should not be dead. He was a good person. He did not deserve to be killed in cold blood like he was" Leon says. "I agree but we cannot bring your cousin back to life, "I say. "I know that, but that's not what I want," he says. "We were not informed you were here with demands," I say. "That's because no one asked. Now, what I want is to be able to talk to the one who did it himself. I want him to hurt for what he did" he says. "You want to get to my brother," I say. "Yes. Now, you send someone to fetch him and I will leave you all alone" he says. "Absolutely not. You will not touch my brother or anyone in this family" I say sternly. "Yes, Mr. verlac I agree, it's unfortunate that years ago your cousin was murdered. Jonathan redeemed himself under the mortal sword and we all know what really happened. If you were not there then that's too bad but do not come here to our castle demanding us to do something. You're lucky we don't throw you in the guard for that. Now, you will pack your things and we will have someone send you back to Paris. That's where you're from am I right" Jace says. "That's right," Leon says. "I thought so. You will be on the next trip out of here and back to Paris. You will also leave Jonathan alone" Jace commands. "One other thing. I heard that "Jonathan" has a son and a daughter. It would be a shame if something happened to either of them" he taunts putting Jonathan's name in air quotes. I hear Alice's breath hitch. I shoot up from my seat fuming with anger. No one is to threaten either of those two. "Don't you dare ever threaten those two. Don't ever threaten my brother and his family. Yes, it's wrong Sebastian was murdered, but do not bring my brothers, kids, into this. Zillah is just a baby and they are both innocent in all of this. I change my mind. You are to spend 10 days in the guard" I say raising my voice. If I wasn't heavily pregnant I would go down there and teach him not to mess with my brother's family. Leon just looks at me with a blank face. "Take him," I tell the guards. They grab Leon's arms and walk him out of the room, castle, and to the guard.
"Clary, sit down," Jace says. I plop myself down on my throne. "Calm down love. He's not going to get zillah or ash or Jonathan" he says. I nod my head and say "I know." I take a deep breath and calm myself down. "Nothing is going to happen to them now clary. But he did overstep his boundaries by demanding things of us and threatening them" Jace says to me and Alice. "I know Jonathan and ash can protect themselves and zillah if they need to, but I don't want but zillah or any of them getting hurt," Alice says. "They won't, Alice. We will make sure of it" Jace says.
Someone comes in and hands a packet of papers to Alice. She opens it up and looks at what it says. "There is someone here about the position for head of the London Institute," she says. "Go ahead and send them in," Jace says. "But give me a few minutes, I'll be right back, just got to step out for a few minutes," I say and stand up. "Are you alright?" he asks. "Yeah, just need to use the bathroom. These babies are kicking on my bladder once again" I say. "Alright, hey, on your way back why don't you get the notebook and the things we need for our interviews," Jace says. "Alright," I say and leave the room.
I go to one of the bathrooms and go to our office. One of the disadvantages of being pregnant is you have to pee, constantly. I look through the filing cabinet and get out the papers I need. I grab the notebook some pens and a clipboard. Once I have everything I think we will need I head back to the throne room. "Feel better now," Jace asks. "Yeah," I say and hand him the notebook, clipboard, and things he will need and I sit back down.
"Ready," Jace asks. "Yeah," I say and motion for the guards to let the person in. They open the doors and a woman walks in. She stands in front of us at the bottom of the two steps. "We were told you want to interview for the position of the head of the London institute," I say. "Yes, that's right," she says. "Alright well first off, why don't you tell us your name," I ask. "My name is Laura Thrushtower," she says. I write her name down on our interview page. "Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself," I say. "I'm 25 years old. My husbands' name is Joshua Thrushtower and we have three kids. Two daughters and a son. They tend to take up most of my time but when I can get some peace and quiet I like to read or go for a jog" she tells us. We write some of that down. "Tell us, Laura, why do you want to be the new head of the London Institute," Jace asks. "I am up for the challenge and I like to challenge myself. I would love to live in London and be the head of the institute there. I would love to be able to report back to you every once in a while. If you would allow me to, if I get the position that is, to let my husband lead by my side. He is very smart as well, especially in tactical approaches" she informs us. I write down a few key traits I like about her.
"Laura, tell me, if the institute was under attack, what would you do," Jace asks. This is something Jace and I are going to start using in our interviews. Ask the person a theoretical question and see what they would do in a situation we would give them. We would give each interviewee a different scenario. If they answer right they may be put in the top picks for the job. "Well, I wouldn't necessarily go in guns a blazing straight ahead. I would get the younger ones that either have had no training, are too young, or not trained enough to safety. I would gather whoever is able in the institute who can fight and go against the attacker. If things don't go as well as planned I would send a message to you or the consul asking for assistance fighting against the enemy" she says.
"Interesting. Tell me, how do you deal with stressful situations or a lot of work put on you" I ask. "I try to do things one at a time. If I need to I would put my social life behind my work but never my family. My family always comes first. My family is very important to me. I would spend however long I must in order to get all of my work that is required of me finished" she tells us. "Thank you Mrs. Thrushtower, we will contact you once we have made our decision," Jace tells her. "Thank you, your majesty," she says and curtsies. A guard escorts her out.
"Is there anyone else?" Jace asks. "No sir," the guard says. "Alice, do you want to join us for lunch," I ask. "Sure," she says. Jace and I get up and put our things in our office and the three of us head to the dining room for lunch.
"I like her, laura I mean," I say. "Me too, she's got potential in her. She answered all questions the right answer" Jace says. "She has her priorities in the right place. Family first then work" Alice says. "I like that about her too, I think she's a good fit," Jace says. "So do you think you will give her the position," Alice asks. "I think so. She seems like the most qualified for the position" I say.
"When are you going into the city," Jace asks me. "After we finish eating probably" I answer. "Why are you going into the city," Alice asks. "I am going to schedule my c-section. I know it's early but it's better to have it planned and be prepared" I say. "You're right, it's probably better to get it planned" she agrees with me. "Do you want anyone to go with you?" Jace asks. "I don't think I need anyone to go with me. I will be fine. It's just a short walk through the city" I say. "Alright, well if you change your mind let me know," he says.
"What are we going to do when your gone Alice? What will we do without you" I ask? She smiles. "I will be back occasionally. No one here knows I am leaving yet. You guys can call me anytime if you need me" she says. "We always need you Alice, but we won't stop you from going," I say. "What would I do about my job here," she asks. "Well, it would be hard to have a job here full time and be across the world at the same time. So how about this, you work here when you are home on your breaks and when you go back we will do our best to do your job" Jace proposes. "That sounds like a good plan" she agrees. "We can do that then," Jace says.
After we all eat Ash comes over but goes straight to the back with Denali. "I will be back," I tell Jace. "Alright, I will be here waiting," he says. I kiss his cheek and go out of the front castle doors. "Queen Clary" I hear a little girl call. I stop and turn around. She can't be more than 3 or 4. "Hi" I say to her. "Where are you going," she asks. "The hospital. You should be more bundled up, you could get cold" I tell her. "I will be alright. I like your dress. Your crown is really pretty" she says. "Why thank you. What's your name" I ask. "Cassie," she says. "It is nice to meet you, Cassie," I say. "I wish I could be just like you when I grow up. My mommy tells me lots of stories about you and King Jace" she tells me. "My job can be very challenging Cassie. How old are you" I ask. "Four," she says. "I think you would get along with my kids," I tell her. "Mommy says I am not allowed to play with strangers," she says. "Your mommy is right. You can play with Grace and Braxton. Your mommy can trust them and us" I tell her. "Okay" she says. "Do you know how to get to your house from here?" I ask. "Yeah, it's not far. Will I see you again" she asks. "I hope so little Cassie. Get on home to your mommy before she gets worried" I tell her. "Okay, bye Queen Clary," she says and wanders off. She is a cute little girl.
I go to the hospital and there is a front desk person waiting. "Hello, Queen Clary," she says. "Hello, I need to plan my C-section for February," I tell her. "It is a little early, don't you think," she asks. "Yes, I know but I figured it would be better to get it scheduled than having to wait," I tell her. "Alright, was there a day you had in mind," she asks. "How about February the 12th," I say. She writes the date down. "Any time of day," she asks. "Let's do it in the morning," I say and she writes that down too. "Alright, we have you down. Just come whatever time in the morning and we can do it" she says. "Aright, thank you," I say. "You are welcome ma'am," she says. I smile at her and walk back to the castle.
I find Jace working in our office. "It's done," I tell him. He smiles at me. "That's good. That's enough walking and getting worked up for one day for you. You need to rest clary" he says. "Jace, I'm alright," I tell him. "I know but you need to stay off your feet, Clary. Go rest" he tells me. "Fine," I say and head over to my art room. I paint for a while and rest. Just like Jace wanted.
So do you guys like the chapter?
I hope it sorts makes up for me being MIA.
Do you like Laura?
What do you guys think of Leon verlacs appearance?
What do you think of his threat on Jonathan, ash and zillah?
Did you like Cassie?