Chapter 8
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Royal Palace
Cecil sat down in a comfortable chair, his hand lazing to grab a drink from
the table at his side.
The actions he'd taken after the night of the flower had driven an
irreparable ridge between him and his family.
It surprised him how unbothered he was by it.
He wondered if this was what it felt like to be a man.
Cecil Whitecrest was now engaged to the most breath-taking girl in the
entire kingdom.
Men swooned at the sight of her and she was now Cecil's to marry.
He still remembered the night she'd come to see him, to meet him and
offer reassurance and help.
Cecil had been picked by the flower to rule the kingdom and Aldith had
explained to him what his family had planned.
How they had decided to employ both his older brothers in the court and
send him away with a minor sum. He had been confused at first but things
had made sense to him.
All the times he'd sit around while his brothers discussed court matters and
he would not understand a thing; they never bothered to explain things to
him or to elaborate.
All the times his parents called for only his brothers when discussing
important things to be done in the palace.
Cecil had taken it as his time off and as a route for him to enjoy his
freedom but Aldith had shown him how much power, money and
influence his family would be keeping from him.
A future where his lifestyle was paid for did not appeal to him after
Aldith's words.
What lifestyle would they be funding?
A lifestyle he chose for himself or one chosen for him?
Aldith had promised to help him get the throne for himself, his rightful
position.
Remembering the night she had promised to help him take the throne,
Cecil felt his lips lift in a smile.
She had stood in the dark of a corridor when he'd bumped into her,
waiting outside his bedroom.
Long, luscious hair had swirled around her curvaceous body when she'd
stepped closer to him, making his heart pound wildly.
He had scrambled to apologize, "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you-"
She had stood there in breathtaking beauty, moonlight bathing her
gorgeous form until she looked mesmerizing.
Her soft pink lips were parted and Cecil's gaze had shifted down to where
he could get a peak of her generous bosom, the line of her gown
dangerously low.
"Cecil, you will make a great king."
He had shaken his head no before she had stopped him, her delicate hands
on either side of his face.
"Don't say that. I knew you had potential the moment I saw you. In fact,
there are things I must share with you… things Elliot has kept from you. I
am afraid I am acting in a very dangerous manner. Your brother threatened
me not to tell you but- I have always been so infatuated with you."
The way her voice had gone husky in the end set several fires in him.
"I don't understand, Aldith."
"I think you do…" her soft whisper made the hair on his arms lift.
"Your brothers have driven into your head that they're better than you."
She traced a slow finger down his collarbone, making him shiver, "Tell me,
why the flower would choose you over them?"
She took his hand and placed it at her tiny waist, her breath tickling his
neck as she got close.
"I-" Cecil didn't want the conversation to end.
The woman shifted her body into his, her hands sliding down his chest, "I
knew the moment I saw you that I liked you… I'm afraid your mother
parted us. I wish I could be yours, Cecil."
Cecil felt his body heat up at the words, "I- you like my brother-"
Aldith had shook her head no before her eyes had clouded, her lips
drooping down, "Then why is it that when I'm with him, I only think of
you?"
Cecil's heart had begun to race rapidly.
No other seemed to be on his mind but the mesmerizing lady in front of
him.
A few more quiet sentences from her before she'd brought his lips down to
hers and given him the most passionate and fiery kiss he had ever had;
Cecil was given to believe anything more that left Aldith's lips.
The following day, Cecil had announced that he would be trying for the
throne in the rest of the four tests.
Based on news he had received from Aldith, he would no longer be
speaking or dining with any of the members of his family and demanded an
entire floor of the Palace be given to him till the tests were complete.
He made two other announcements that shook the Court.
He would be marrying Aldith Everglower on the day his brother's wedding
was scheduled and he requested Elliot be removed from his position as
Chief Economy Analyst because of his harassment to his now-ex-fiancee; a
statement that greatly angered Prince Augustus and shocked the rest of the
Palace.
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Town of Edgecraft
Blythe sat in the middle of her room, her heart pounding wildly.
She had done it, she had made her choice.
Prince Augustus had left minutes before with her consent to a marriage
into the Royal Palace.
A wave of emotions churned in her.
She felt a thrill of excitement and the fear of the unknown. What would
she be experiencing when she entered the life of a royal Princess? Would
she be welcomed into the palace? Would they be cold to her?
Her mother would now receive the expensive treatments she needed…
Their family would never need to work hard and save every penny. Her
status had elevated so quickly and so easily.
But what about her husband? Would he show her affection or treat the
marriage as it was; a contract to benefit them?
The Second Day of the month of Palefrost
A Mansion in the Capital
Prince Augustus dropped to the ground, landing on his feet.
He let his hands graze through the mane of his tired horse.
It was late into the evening.
A journey to the town of Edgecraft took two hours of his time and several
more minutes if he was to avoid the gaze of the people. He had had to pick
a horse instead of a carriage that day to maintain that no one but him knew
of his visit to sweet Blythe Gardenlight.
Glancing at the mansion he had stopped at, Prince Augustus straightened.
He had a visit to pay the lovely Xyla Riverlove, his younger brother's
childhood friend.