(9) The Arrival and Departure

~Alex~

It was weird to ride the train by myself. Despite having a private car I felt as if everyone's eyes were on me, like if they knew me and Cathrine had had a falling out. She hasn't texted me, and I haven't texted her either. I figured she'd be too busy trying to figure out a way to get rid of those spirits. No, not really, I'm just afraid and guilty.

"So you're saying we shouldn't get married," I stated furiously that she would rather choose this place than our home. I saw Cathy's face fall and her shoulders lowered.

"Alex I didn't mea-" she started softly

"I think I understand now Cathrine no need to explain any further. I'm leaving now so don't worry. Just do whatever you want." I cut her off and left before she could say another word.

I'm such a dick! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.

"Uh, miss? Are you okay?"

I look up and the conductor is there pointing at my hands. I look down to see them and see that they're red from me squeezing them too tightly. I quickly let go and frown.

"Yeah" I breathe a chuckle, "love am I right?" I respond awkwardly. The conductor smiles politely and nods faintly.

He leaves after he punches a hole in my ticket.

I'm nervous. What if I don't do a good job at protecting my nation? What if I fail? I can't fail I-

I grab my chest, it's as if a boulder landed on it and I can barely breath

"Miss!" The conductor runs in after I fall. After a while of him helping me breathe he rubs my back and looks at me concerned "is there anyone I can call to help you?" He asked softly.

"Cat-" no "no, no one I'll be fine," I said getting up and sitting back down on the bench. He nods slowly and bows slightly as he leaves. I fight tears as I force myself to stare into the outside.

Cathrine

...

Arriving at the Capital was difficult. They've added guards to every post I've ever known and even those that I didn't even know. It was until Demitri came to see me through the rings of guards outside the castle walls, that they let me in.

"What's going on? Why are there so many guards?" I ask him as he walks me inside the second of the three rings. He looks away,

"Because of the invasion, the Queen is worried that the demons will try to assassinate the king, as he is gravely ill," he said softly. I stopped. Wait what. I grab him by the shoulder and stop him.

"What did you say?" I ask, afraid of the answer. He can't be-

"The doctors have all concluded that the king is not likely to last for another week," he whispers.

"But I- I just saw him!" I said remembering that night at the dinner table, "he- he- he had a cough Dimitri but that- but that was it!" Dimitri stays silent, looking to his feet. "Dimitri! I command you to tell me what is happening with my father!" I snap, he shuffles his feet

"We must go, the Queen is waiting," he says walking forward quietly. I stand there unable to comprehend what was happening. My father, the one who gave the order to announce I had died during birth, the one who commanded guards to train me until I was in full control, the one who permitted me to marry Cathrine, my Cathrine, oh Cathrine if only you were here.

"Let's go, princess Alex,"

...

I stumbled into my father's study, expecting to see him there,

"Listen Alexie you were born with a gift! So you must master all 6 elements okay? You want to help papa don't you?"

"Oh, Carter don't be a fool and ask her, command her! She is our child and she will obey us! And enough of that 'papa' 'mama' nonsense she's five already! Now go back to your designated area! Before I have the guards take you Alexis!"

"Yes, mama,"

"Why don't you listen? you obnoxious little child!"

"Alexis it's about time you arrive," my mother said impatiently as her glare demanded my full attention, I lower my head and bowed slightly,

"My apologies mother, I was appeasing king Abrafo with a favor as he seemed to be rather upset you were not there to join him in his celebration," I respond, she scoffs

"That Abrafo does nothing but party, you'd think his citizens would have already overthrown him," she snarky remarked. I nod politely.

"If you'll excuse me, I want to visit father, as I heard he is ill," I ask. She narrows her eyes but then smiles.

"You can visit him later my dear," she stands up and begins to walk out the room, "we're late for a war meeting," a war meeting? I usually don't partake in those

"Oh," was all I was able to get out. I wanted to visit my father but I couldn't go against my mother's instructions. I'll go later as she said.

"By the way, I don't seem to recall Dimitri informing me Cathrine had arrived with you. Will she be returning later?" she said as we head to the war room. I couldn't see her face but I knew she was smiling. I can't let her know we got into a fight. Dimitri looked back at me from mother's side.

"She stayed behind to help with a favor king Abrafo asked of us," I respond calmly.

"I see," she simply responded continuing to walk.

...

"Crown princess Alexis, what do you think about our plan?" General Irawli asked, everyone, turned to me. To be honest, I hadn't paid much attention, I was thinking about Cathrine and whether or not she was safe. I didn't know. I needed her to be safe.

"Alexis," my mother snapped and I looked up from my lap.

"I think it is a solid plan, do we have another plan in case that one fails?" I ask. In the games of strategy that I played with the guards you always have to think ahead. Predict your opponent's actions and predict what they think might throw you off. Apparently, a high nobleman didn't know this because I heard a snicker among the large group of men before me.

"So you don't think our plan will work?" He asked out loud. Then he turned to his side and whispered to his companion "why must we listen to this child," I narrowed my eyes and stood up pointing at him.

"Lord Candlen do you believe this plan will work with absolute certainty? Do you believe that the enemy will act as you think they will and that everything will go as planned? If you do have this absolute certainty, good for you. Because it will be your nobility that will be taken from you if it does not succeed," I stop waiting for a response. From my mother, from anyone. His eyes glance to my mother then at me and shoots daggers. "Guessing by your lack of response and respect you have nothing more to add." He looks off and lowers his head as murmurs begin. "Now!" I call to attention the people in the room, "this plan is well secured. But we must plan not only for now but for the future. Predict their unpredictability and we will win! For Kauldin! Du Zief Aufri!" The generals raised their fists and responded

"Du Zief Aufri!" They yelled unanimously. I felt a heavy pressure on my shoulder. I turn to see my mother grinning maliciously and nodding proudly. Suddenly the war room doors abruptly opened and in came a soldier panting.

"Can't you see we're in a meeting boy! What do you thi-" the boy looked up and turned to us, interrupting the general

"YOUR HIGHNESS, PRINCESS ALEXIS! YOU MUST COME, THE KING!" He shouts with the utmost urgency. What's happening. My mother stood up with me and we began to hurry through the corridors to the east wing where my father laid.

When we got there the doctors were surrounding him. When a doctor noticed us standing at the doorway his look was grim and sour. He murmured something and the doctors turned and bowed and left.

It was just me, mother, and father.

As I approached the bed I heard his hoarse cough as he turns. He faintly smiles at me.

"Father" I barely get out. His limp hand waves to his side as I take it. I felt my mother watching from afar.

"Alexis, I'm so sorry," he said softly as he was able to. His body had long betrayed him but a fraction of his voice remained. How did it get this worse so fast? I don't understand "Alexis come closer," I lean in and he forces his shaking hand to wipe the tear that had begun to run down my face. "Not everything is what it seems," he whispers in my ear, but even then it was barely audible, "Alex I love yo-" I heard an exhale and his hand fell. I fell back screaming.

"Father! Father! FATHER! FATHER! FATH-"

"Enough Alexis, screaming won't do anything," I bit my tongue. How dare she! HOW DARE SHE

The wind inside the room began to pick up as I stand furious before my mother. She looked around

"Alexis enough!" She said slightly frightened. I felt my vision blurred

"ENOUGH? ENOUGH? I'LL SHOW YOU ENOUGH!" I wave my arms to send the wave of force wind to her but I felt a hand on my shoulder

"Enough Alex, what's done is done,"

"Cathrine?" I whisper and stumble back. My mother regained her grounding as I pushed past her out to the hallway.

Headed to the west wing, where I belonged.

———-

Rest In Peace, King Carter Loft of Kauldin

Yours, Aegean✨