Chapter 23| Marriage?

Later that day I was called to the throne hall. On the way, I thought about the past events, and sadly I was still not over it. The pain is still present, and it throbs every time I think about Julian. Even after three days, he still did not bother to apologize, but even though deep inside my heart I wished that this was all a dream, a horrible one at that. I did not miss him- no. Not after what he had done. It was as if a click sounded inside of me right when he said those words.

Speak of the devil, and he shall come. Julian walked towards us, his body still emitting the same power and strength that makes everyone bow to his feet. Seeing him was surreal- unbelievable even. Nostalgia hit me from when we first saw each other. Back then, my stomach was filled with butterflies and my eyes were immediately captured by his beauty, but now it all changed. Knots filled my stomach as I looked at him in disdain.

His Black Curls had grown, and a scruff of beard graced his face. He looked mature, even though it was just three days ago. I tried forcing my self to feel something other than hatred for him, but I can't. It was all gone. The adoration, the sparkle in my eyes whenever I look at him, the butterflies in my stomach- it was all gone. I was like a void shell in the ocean.

He stopped in front of me, and I immediately scrunched my nose when a smell hit me. He reeked of liquor, but his eyes were not hooded, so it was enough for me to know that he was drinking for the past few days. He was now sober, but whenever he exhales, his breath smells of alcohol.

"Aurora..." he started, his voice hoarse. He pleaded me with his eyes that I came to love so much, but now I refuse to listen to any word he says. It was not worth my time.

"Save it. I do not want to disgrace my name any further by being late. " I spoke to him with venom, but my eyes said otherwise. My blue orbs were empty as I looked ahead.

He exhaled a breath. "What I did was-"

I dismissed him with a raise of my hand. He looked at it, frowning that he did not find the ring he gave me. He took hold of my hand and examined it. I expected sparks, but I felt nothing. Not even tingles.

Julian looked at me with confused eyes. "Where is the ring I gave you?" he asked.

I did not answer him as I snatched my hand and walked away, towards the throne hall. I could hear his long strides as he tried to catch up with me. We stopped in front of the large oak doors before it opened to reveal Cavil seating on his throne and Karilla standing beside him.

I hardened my gaze as we arrived in front of them. We bowed to him. My eyes just looked ahead, but I could feel Cavill's burning gaze on me. I tried not to flinch.

"Why did you call for us?" Julian asked as he scrutinized him.

Cavill stood up from his throne, his long hair beautifully done in small braids. He smirked while Karill stood beside him, looking uncomfortable. She avoided my eyes as she fumbled with her fingers.

"I have a brilliant proposal to give you Julian. It will benefit us both, and I am sure that you will take it the moment you hear it from me," he encircled me before stopping on my behind. He leaned and I tried not to shiver as I felt his nose taking in the scent of my neck.

On the corner of my eye, I could see Julian fisting his hand, trying so hard not to swing it towards Cavill. Funny, seeing as how he cheated on me three days ago and blamed me about it.

"Out with it Cavill." Julian gritted.

Cavill withdrew from me and walked back to his throne. He shook his head as his eyes diverted from me to Julian.

"For the Allegiance, I want you to wed my sister," he paused, looking at our reaction before continuing, " And I also want to marry Aurora."

My hard gaze cracked and my heart stopped when it suddenly dawned on me. Karilla would be Julian's second wife? But how can he marry me if I'm still married to Julian? Speaking of him, he stayed silent the entire time.

"How can you marry her when she is still married to me?" Julian asked. Wait, he is not considering this, isn't he? If it was possible, my heart broke, even more, when I realized that he was actually considering it. I was not sad because he agreed to marry me off like my father did. I was sad that I did not have a say in this. Two Kings and a Queen? I stood no chance.

" Then leave her. You can have my sister instead, and you can continue whatever affair is going on between the two of you. As for Aurora, I will marry her so that she can be my queen, so that I can take care of her which you did not clearly do," he answered as he looked at me with pure adoration, something I did not see in Julian's.

Julian's face remained calm as he looked between the two of us. It was as if he was having an inner battle within himself. I looked at Karilla to see her looking at me with a shocked face. She clearly did not expect this.

"No." Julian's voice boomed. He looked at me with determination.

Cavill scrunched his brows. "What did you say?"

Julian looked at him with a menacing glare. I could tell that he was on edge. "I refuse to leave my life just because of an Allegiance. She is worth more than it, much, much more."

I was surprised when I heard Cavill laugh. He pulled me flush against him before cocking his head to Julian. " Well then, if that is the case, I think we should let her decide.," he turned to me, his face just millimeters away from mine. I sucked in a deep breath.

"Would you choose me, a King who has no other intention than to treat you like a queen that you truly are and promises to not hurt you in any way possible, or him, a king that is your husband, someone who cheated on you and told you that it was all your fault?" Cavill asked.

I knew that he knew my answer, yet when I looked over to Julian, I knew that he knew too. He was just waiting for me to say it out loud.

A tear left my eye as I held his gaze. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

Cavill looked like he had just reached the moon as he grinned ear to ear. Julian looked like the world just crashed on top of his shoulders, but his eyes still held a glimmer of hope.

"I want you to say it out loud." his voice cracked in the end. His eyes shone with tears, but he tried so hard to keep them in.

I exhaled as I held Cavill's hand. "I choose him. I choose Cavill."

What was once hope-filled eyes turned into sad ones. " I... I understand." he bowed and left the room. Karill ran after him, but he did not stop.

Cavill and I were the only ones left. He looked at me with happiness. "Thank you, my love."

For a strange reason, it sent chills down my spine as he called me with the endearment. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "I promise, you will not regret choosing me. I will do everything that I can to make you happy and contented. I will make sure of it."

I smiled at him faintly."Actions speak better than words,"

He leaned down to kiss me, but I turned away. He stopped. "What's the matter?"

"I-I just want to take things slow, and I am tired." I reasoned with him. It was true, I wanted to take things slow. My mind kept wondering back to Julian, but I quickly dismissed it.

He smiled at me and cupped my cheek lovingly. "I understand."

I was escorted back to mine and Julian's chamber and when I got there, his things were gone. On the bed was a scarlet scarf and when I smelt it, my nose was filled with his scent. A note was underneath it.

Dear Aurora,

I am sorry for breaking my promise. I am sorry because I decided to be a coward and not fight for you. Everything that we did together will now sadly be a distant memory, but know this. I cherished every second of it. I love you.

-Julian

Tears burned my eyes as I held the note on my hand. I just lost him. I sobbed as I felt my knees give up. Our memories played in my brain, and I found my self wishing that someone could take me back to it. When we first met each other, our first night together where he made his first promise, when he decided to wait for the consummation and instead he took me to his favorite place. It all came rushing back to me, and I sobbed harder.

I knew that I could not do anything to take it all back, but a small part of me hoped. At that moment, I knew that I had just lost the man I loved. It took longer to realize that.

I love him.

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