Tough Love Pt.1

Letharia's POV

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I gasped for air. Feeling pain in my side, It hurt to breathe, I tried to cry, but nothing came out. I heard Council Member Velis's voice "Please Relax, try to breathe as slow and shallow as you can."

Velis touched my chest and forehead speaking in tongue I couldn't comprehend. I started to breathe normally, I started to sob. "Daughter of Letra, is that all that pains you?"

I nodded.

"What happened", I spoke weakly.

"You slept for about 72 hours straight after the execution, I thought I should wake you considering how you started to cry in your sleep, I should probably alert Prince Aven."

"Please don't."

"Hm. Well, aren't you supposed to be wed soon?"

"He's a cruel man, and I just can't see myself falling in love with someone who sells their first love into sexual slavery".

"Aslan Bordeheim, is that whom you're speaking of?"

"Yes".

"My advice to you Daughter of Letra, would be to accept him the way he is. He hasn't shown you his true and compassionate side, once you show him yours and accept him as the wild brute you think he is, he'll treat you right".

"I can't love someone who doesn't care about my own well-being".

"Who said he doesn't?"

"He shot my father, sent my brother to prison, he used and abused his first love, he broke my fingers, he treats everyone as his pawn, I cannot accept that".

"So? He broke your fingers when you went after his life, he ignored the principles "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth", for a girl he wants to "use" you sure are special when he doesn't take your life away.

"I thought you were better than Aven's meaningless tomfoolery".

"What can I say? I've worked for his father since I was only a child, I know his family to their core. Base them off of your assumptions and you're going into a blind battle."

He called Aven on a phone.

I sat there and braced myself for seeing him. A passing thought hit my head. "Jessi".

"Where's my brother?!", I blurted out.

"He is at a conference with King Nero, but I should have told you something, Daughter of Letra".

"What?"

"I suggest you fake it until you make it".

I looked at him confused.

"Fuck you, Zane Velis, how could a man like you work for a prick like him?"

"Your Mother. In actuality, her destiny has caused a lot of grief for me personally, but it was the gods and their will that your mother met her fate the way she did. So it is now your fate to marry Aven.

"I-

"Hello, Dear."

Zane bowed to Aven exiting the room.

"You've given me an idea, the last time we talked about the gods. I know how to restore your virginity."

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, certainly. I want you to feel as you felt your first time".

"Oh, now really? Are you sure you won't turn me into Aslan?"

He stared at me with a hint of anger in his eyes.

"Aslan, who told you?"

"You really are stupid."

He smirked "You saw her memories, huh?"

He continued "Well in all regards I give you permission to see mine... you know tit for tat".

He sat on the bed and grabbed my hand, placing it on his forehead.

"Go ahead, don't get caught off guard", he spoke.

I hesitated but closed my eyes and muttered the words Zane had taught to me. His memories are flashing in my head. But they're hard to read. Images and overlapping voices are filling my head. Then I had a clear picture and conversation. He sat across from his father looking a year younger "Why can't I be in love with that girl anymore, Father....please answer."

"If you do not want the gods to punish you for staying with someone they did not chose for you then give her away, sever your ties with her-

"But Father! You didn't sever your ties with that slut, when you married mother. Who are you to talk about love, and being punished by the gods because you clearly weren't!"

Aven's Father stood up, then pulled out a dagger, cutting Aven's face "I was punished by the gods for having a son like you, only if hades could send you back."

Aven held his tears back, and sat there silently with blood dripping from his face "I-I sincerely apologize Father".

"You will never understand Aven, do you think I was ever in love with your mother? The gods punished me for not staying true to my word, you weren't my first child and you weren't my last... Aven, you should obey the dreams that the goddess has given you or you will never have someone you will truly love, when you wake up next to her everyday all you will have in your heart is pure hate and regret, I give you this warning to not make the same mistakes I did, that slut, was my true love and yet I feel as if the gods made a mistake or was it I?"

Nero had regret and sadness in his voice. He let his tears flow freely without looking at Aven.

"Yes, Father", Aven's voice had cracked.

The next memory in my head showed Aven with Zane Velis, walking side by side. Earlier this year.

"I think I'm in love, Zane".

"Mm, with who?"

"That beautiful girl from my dreams, the one from the prophecy".

"Oh, but you haven't met her yet".

"I will, but I do have concerns".

"Concerns?"

"Yes, I don't know how to show my soft side, the way I express something like love is by sheer force. I want her to bare my children, I want to be a better father than my father. I don't want to be in a loveless marriage, I know she might have flaws but it's not that I care. It feels as if I don't know how to love since Asalin, that feeling scares me now, how would I express it to her, I don't want her to hate me, I want her to love me, I know she might not at first but I want to try".

"Lord Aven, be vulnerable with her, share your thoughts and worries with her, if all you share is something that comes off as anger, I don't think she'd love you, or see a human being. As long as you communicate and share your interests you'll be fine, I guarantee that".

"Guarantee, huh? Thank you, Zane".

I pulled away from Aven.

He immediately looked away from me. "Tell me if you hate me, the blood and flesh I have come from my father, and I know you may hate our bloodline because of the pain and grief my father has caused your family, and he was the most foolish of fools, and he still is, I am sorry for everything I've done, and I won't try to hurt you."

"An apology and even a memory does not make your apology feel even more genuine!", I screamed at him.

"You don't understand...", I continued.

"You're ignorant, Aven! All this time you saw how people have lived in the Slums...but you let them live that way. I cannot be queen or princess of a broken Xoria. I cannot wed a man that thinks virginity is more important than his country and his people. I may contribute to anarchy but anarchy is a step to correct a corrupt monarchy. I refuse to love a man who stands for everything I stand against!

He looked down "Well then I can't bribe you to love me, but I shall remind you your father's life still hangs in the balance"...

He paused for a second "...ah and by the way, the idea you gave me about your virginity... have you heard of the spring of kanathos?"

I looked away from him.

"Mm, well darling, Hera, the wife and sister of Zeus bathed in the spring and renewed her virginity, and I have arranged it so you will bathe in it regularly, for what I desire of you."

"So you haven't heard of a word I've said?", I raised my voice to Aven.

I stood up from my bed a little too fast.

I started to stumble, and my knees started to give out.

Aven immediately stood up and grabbed me by my waist and the side of my chest.

My hair fell out of a messy bun due to the impact, my hair came down simultaneously. Aven stared at me, my hand landed on his chest.

"Letharia, darling, rest and we'll talk about this later".

"I-

A sudden knock came on the door moments before the door flung open. "Letharia!", I heard a familiar voice yell.

"Jessi", my voice had shook.

"Evander??", Aven looked confused.

Jessi had worn a military uniform with his hair gelled back, with a royal crest on his left sleeve.

Aven held me in the same position while I started to cry.