I'll get you the throne

"Do you want to talk about it?" she sighed. She couldn't do it. She couldn't watch him being eaten away by whatever was bothering him.

"Hmm?" He snapped back to reality.

"Do you want to talk about it? You look troubled and you're no longer smiling." She cringed at her words, which sounded way better in her head.

He smiled smugly, "So you like my smile?"

"I didn't say that. I just noticed it was gone," she took a pin from her medicine tray and held the bandage in place, "All done," she announced.

She made to stand up, but he quickly grabbed her arm, "Wait."

Bright red color filled Levina's cheek at the contact, she couldn't describe the feeling but she could have sworn that she heard her heart sink. She snatched her hand, looking away shyly.

Lucien grinned at her reaction, she was even prettier when she blushed. "My father is arranging my marriage." He managed to say, his smile waning away.

"Oh." She looked down at the floor, willing the overwhelming feeling of loss gnawing at her chest to go away.

"You don't want to get married?" she asked weakly.

"I would love to get married. But this is not the right time. There is the hope of getting my position of chief commander back, and if that happens, I'll be going away to the army camp."

Levina rubbed her arm uneasily, why was she feeling this way? They aren't even friends but somehow the sound of him going away made her sad.

"And I don't want an arranged marriage," he added, staring solemnly at her.

Levina looked away, "Talk to your father then."

Lucien shook his head, "I know him. Once he sets his mind to something, there is no going back."

A long silence flowed. Levina bit her nails nervously, she did not know what to say to make him feel better, or relieved at least.

"Would you like an arranged marriage? He asked.

The question took her by surprise, "Well..." she stuttered. "Not really. I want my parents had. I want to choose my partner."

"You want a love marriage?" Lucien asked, and there was a brief silence before Levina replied;

She nodded, "Yes."

"Me too." He held her gaze. "I want to meet my woman out of the blue. I want to court her and sweep her off her feet. I want to earn her love. I want her to choose me, not for her family's sake, not because it is convenient, but because she loves me just as much as I love her." His voice had reduced to a whisper before he finished talking.

Levina caught herself staring into his eyes, her head spinning from all the forbidden thoughts that had begun to take shape. What if? What if she could be the... She shook her head and jumped to her feet, ruining the moment they just had.

She cleared her throat, "I will come and check on you before I leave tonight." She hurried out of the room before Lucien had a chance to stop her.

______________

Lucretia knocked on Zarek's door.

"Go away!" he barked.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, "Are you kicking your mother away?" She asked, leaning against the closed door.

Zarek sat up on his bed, "I didn't know it was you." He raked his hand aggressively through his head.

"Why is it so dark in here?" she went ahead to open up the curtains. Light flooded the room, revealing the mess Zarek had made. His clothes were strewn across the room, and his gold-plated cups, sword, and portrait were all on the floor.

"What happened here?" she shrieked.

"Your husband happened," he scowled.

"I know you're upset about what happened at breakfast, but…."

"Upset? I am furious!" he jumped to his feet. "You promised me the throne Mother. Why tell me that I will be the next king of Arvenia when you can't even make that happen."

He punched the wall with his balled fist, "All my life, you've been telling me that the throne is mine. Now what happened? Hunh?"

She went closer to him and grabbed his shoulder, "Get a hold of yourself, Zarek."

Zarek tried to pull away but she hugged him tightly, locking her hands behind his back.

"When have I ever let you down? Tell me?" She could hear Zarek breathing heavily.

He did not respond.

"I promised you the throne and I will get you that throne. Even if it's the last thing I do. This is nothing but a minor setback." She looked up at him, her little boy of yesterday was now a full-fledged man, she thought proudly.

"Trust me!" She released him from her death grip.

Zarek grunted, clearly unsatisfied by her words, but nodded his head in agreement.

"Just give me a little bit of time, I am working on a solution, a permanent solution," she said with a straight face.

She cupped his face, the stubs of his beards pricking her palm, "In the meantime, I need you to get yourself together, cheer up and let your mother handle the rest. Do you understand?"

"Whatever you have planned, you better get it done quickly. I am getting really impatient," he grunted.

"Patience my boy, patience," she whispered, looking him straight in the eye.

"I have been patient and I still am. But if you don't handle this soon, I will have to come up with my own solution."

Lucretia nodded and let go of him, "I will get someone to tidy up this mess."

She turned to leave, "Go talk to your father. I need you to be on good terms with him, do you understand?" She threw over her shoulder as she left the room.

As soon as she left, Zarek pulled out a metal box from under his bed. He unlocked it and retrieved two leather pouches filled with gold coins. He shut the box and replaced it under the bed.

He stormed out of his room, concealing the pouches inside his coat.