Chapter 82

I stared at him. It was like his mask of politeness had faded and I could see him for the scheming man he was.

I had heard many rumours about Alexander Willow, some were down-right laughable, but occasionally someone would say something that would me stop and wonder. A man who wanted to control the royal family, working towards eventually leading the country himself. Creating a power stronger than the royal family itself.

"I suppose I would uphold the values in place" I answered vaguely, hoping to brush off his question.

"And in regards to the Empire?"

"In what regard?"

His face cracked with a smile and his cold eyes softened as he let out a chuckle. I was so caught off-guard I forgot that he could be an enemy when he snapped back with.

"How they plan to claim Grandor under their wing of course. We may be under them in name, but in spirit we are much far from being sub servient towards them. How would you hold against them if the royals were to visit all of a sudden, hm?" He leaned forward, a smile widening on his face as his eyes curled downwards.

I couldn't answer as I stared at his eager face, his neck craning forward.

"I- I don't - I couldn't"- I was cut off by the sound of his laughter echoing in the room, my heart thudding loudly in my ears making his laughter sound ominous.

"I've gone too far. I simply wanted to see you taken aback abit. You have such a composed face you remind me of my neice. My apologies" He seemed genuine, but I couldn't recover from his earlier words fast enough to say it was okay.

"I- I see".

I had been caught off-guard so often recently that I was starting to feel drained.

"I'm not sure I have an acceptable answer to your question, Sir, even if I were put in that position" I answered quitely as my mind tried to wonder how such a weak nation like Grandor could fight against something like the Empire. It would mean understanding their weakness' as well as I do Grandors.

"That's quite alright, Lady Colter. You seem to have alot on your plate with this silly competition. I personally think It would be best to pick a worthy Lady to be queen- not that I don't think you'd make a fine queen" I zoned out in the middle of his words when he rested his chin on his fist, the sun catching his feminine fingers and I saw a light that made me freeze. The prism of colours floating across the room catching my breath as I stared at what was unmistably a colourful rock. An opal. An opal ring. "-That is my own opinion of course".

"Mr Willow"-

"Please just call me Alexander".

"Alexander, can I ask where you received such a stunning piece of jewellery?"

"Oh this?" He lifted the jewelled hand, casually baring the ring for me to see. It was undoubtedly an Opal ring. "It was gifted to me by my mother- there's no other quite like it in the empire" he spoke fondly of the ring as if it held dear to him.

I stared at him, viewing him as even more of an enigma than before. But I had to confirm it now.

"So no other Opal rings in Grandor are that specific colour?" I asked, wording carefully and trying not to sound like I was desperate.

He looked at me with narrowed eyes, suspicion brewing at my questions.

"The willows aren't looking to sell these" he answered bluntly and I raised my hands in defence.

"That wasn't why I asked. I'm not always looking for business deals" I laughed sheepishly.

"I see. Then I apologise. To answer your question then yes- this is the only ring in Grandor and in the world. It's passed onto the heirs who won't inherit the title of Willow. A sort of apology I suppose".

"Oh… that's fascinating…" I answered but my mind was elsewhere.

Had he travelled from the future to warn my parents? And if he did then had he already done that or will he do it? And if he hasn't then when and more importantly why? But those thoughts didn't weigh as heavily as the confirmation that I would gravely fuck up an entire nation.

"Is it? It's just a rock" he said dismissively, turning back to me with a serious look, "but back to my investigation- if you do win this then you won't be able to back out so what type of queen do you plan to be?"

"I suppose I'll have to rely on your advise for that. At least until I can walk alone that is" I answered with a soft smile and a laugh. I felt light-headed.

"Of course I'll be at your service" he smiled and for a moment I could have sworn I saw a smile hidden behind his hand.

After that we finally settled into a normal conversation until finally we were allowed to leave. I had never been more grateful to leave anywhere.

"Lady Colter" he called me just before we parted and I turned to him, "If you could stop Charlotte from being queen I would be grateful to you.".

I had to doube take and then furrowed my brows and decided to nodd.

It seemed like I was right to place him in an ambiguos status. Neither friend and hopefully not foe.

"Take care, Alexander" I said before I turned around, unexpectedly bumping into a hard chest and looking up startled to meet red eyes.

"You always seem to find a way to force yourself in my sight" He said and I stepped back, realising one of my hands was braced on his chest. He grabbed the hand, pressing on the fingers while I tried to not freak out.

"I'm so sorry, your majesty" I stepped back just as another voice spoke up behind him.

"Lady Colter, how was lunch?" Lady Raya asked, one of her arms snkaing around Jules. I couldn't help but be fixated on the contact.

"It was lovely" I lied, feeling uncomfortable, "I seem to be holding you back so I'll just..." I stared at the hand still in Jules possestion awkwardly. He stared right back at me, loosening his grip so I ould pull it away. I curtsied and made my way around them. I hadn't realised Alexander had followed me until I almost reached my bedroom. I basically jumped at his unexpected hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Oh dear...

My tear stained face looked up at him while a hiccup excaped my mouth.