Chapter 54

It's quite amazing that Julian took all that happened that night seriously. He saw the both of us walk out of the hall. We didn't get the chance to say anything because the king's messenger interrupted. Though, I'm still very curious and also glad that Julian got really ioo9 jealous. After a stress filled day at work, I forced my eyelids shut but sleep was really far away from me. I had a lot on my mind and I was expecting someone. Emiliar, that witch promised to always be there for me. Where the hell is she now?! But I'm also happy she isn't here because right now I'm finding it hard to sleep, thinking of him. His stare, his smell, his taste, his touch, I just can't think straight. I feel like I've gotten myself into something I can't deal with.

I heard a knock on my door, it was Raleigh. What could have brought him to my chamber this late today in the night? I remembered the look on Julian's face when I mentioned his name. Hehehe! That's supposed to be funny but...it isn't, not now that I have a daring demon standing right in front of me.

" Milady, may I? " he bowed.

"Its late Raleigh. What are you doing here?"

" I have something very important to discuss with you and this is the best time."

I hesitated. " Trust me Milady, I won't be creepy."

I allowed him in, since it's a very important talk that probably can't be said during the day. I was in a nightie, quite revealing, but I didn't care, since it was dark anyway. We settled at the dining table

" coffee or gin?"

" Never mind. I brought wine, just glass cups." I got one wine glass and gave it to him.

" why one commander?"

" I don't drink at night" I winced, already regretting why I had let him in. My subconscious was acting like Julian.

' what happened yesternight?' he might be watching me tonight also. Who knows?

" wow, nice. " he grinned, visible enough in dim light. " little wonder you're so perfect and beautiful."

If that's a compliment, I'm not taking it.

" what's this important talk about?"

" The war." he sipped his wine. " we are going to fight against my father and I am in support of it. You might think that I'm a ..."

" Prodigal son huh? " I smirked.

" Yeah. I've always been the black sheep of our family. It's not my fault. My father hates me. You know why?"

I shook my head.

" cause I'm not from the queen. A kinda Royal bastard" he emphasize on the last two words. " my mother is one of my father's mistresses and I must say, he had never treated her well. I also, even as the last child has never been treated like royalty" he gulped in more wine and all I could do was watch. I was disappointed though, this doesn't look like an important talk. Maybe he just needed someone to talk to, like a gist partner. But why me?

" But that is not the reason I chose to fight against my father. " he paused. " my father is old. I hear he's lived hundreds of thousands of years. And you know the norm when a king is about to die. His children wage war against themselves to seek the throne. I lost two brothers in a space of one year commander"

He stopped as if digesting the pain. " I needed that to stop..."

" cause you knew the throne will never be yours no matter how you try?" I added.

" No. If I'm the only one left, I'll take the throne but there's a very great possibility that I might not live either, if i allow all these to go on. I can't fight my brothers, they are way too powerful. So I've asked Roger to take it from him. I'll be the prime minister or his deputy." he laughed. " I am nice, ain't I ?"

"oh you are." I said sarcastically." you are very nice and selfless indeed."

" I could show you how nice..." he walked over to the back of my chair and placed his hands on my shoulders. I flinched it off and faced him.

" Hei, this is not a battle ground commander, calm down. " he grinned.

" you sure do not know how to treat a woman, do not touch me ever again! " I yelled.

" ahhh don't shout. it's late."

Aargh! He's drunk on wine. Why did I ever allow this happen? Katrienair, don't you think?!

"You need to leave, right now" he staggered backward and pulled me to himself.

" you're save commander, don't stress yourself." he yanked off my shower cap. Then I remembered what I was wearing, a transparent nightgown with no under wear. With raw rage, I pushed him hard that he stumble on the chair. When I checked him, he was fast asleep or maybe dead. I was dead scared. What have I done?!

'Emiliar, where the hell are you?' I sent to her, not expecting a reply though.

I oneeled over his body.

" Raleigh, look at me" he didn't budge. I pushed him with ' gifted hands' . My powers works mostly at the wrong time. I traced his neckline with my fingers until I got his vein and began the healing process. I chanted silent spells until I could feel his pulse again.

Thank goodness, I'd have killed a man.

" Raleigh, wake up." I tapped him but he was fast asleep. Frustrated, I rushed to my closet and got some clothes on. I've made a grave mistake tonight and I'll have to face it. I walked out of my chamber hoping I could get somewhere to go—at least to clear my head. Map in hand, I was sure of a lengthy journey. When I got to the stable, my cute horse, Rose, was there, glad to see me I guess. but from afar I could see that someone else was mounting on his horse. He stopped on seeing me. I stalled myself as he walked towards me. Julian. His face reflected in dim light. What again?! Must our paths always cross?