My loves! I'm very sorry about the wait ♥
I had a very rough month but I think I'll be back to writing more often now ♥
Oh! And btw, if you haven't checked it out already I recently uploaded a rewritten version of my vampire/romance book "Beloved Monster" and I would really appreciate it if you could give it a chance and share your opinion!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
I love you all! ♥
•

Chapter Fourteen

       "Oh for God's sake Pete!" Yasmine grunted as she snatched the knife from Peter's hands. "It's just a huge loaf of bread!"

"A huge crusty loaf of bread." He corrected as he pulled away from the counter. She rolled her eyes as she placed one hand on the wooden board while she held the knife with the other.

"Oh God, You're right! It's very hard!" She complained while miserably trying to slice the bread. She looked up at him in frustration and found him grinning at her.

"I'll freaking stab you!" She snapped, waving the knife dangerously at him.

"What did I do?" He replied innocently, batting his eyes at her.

"It's not working." She rolled her eyes as her focus went back to the huge roll of bread.

"I might need your help in learning to feign innocence, Miss Juliette." Peter teased as he leaned against the counter.

"Heyy," Juliette scowled, crossing her arms. "That's mean."

"He's mean." Yasmine called, her hand red as she gripped the knife harder, her attempt at slicing the crusty thing failing.

"Besides, you need to look the part." Juliette added angelically.

"Now that's mean." He said, putting his hand on his chest as if offended.

"You get what you deserrrrveeee." Yasmine taunted whilst playing around with the knife impatiently. "I can't cut this thing." She mumbled, infuriated.

"Gregg always provides us the hardest tasks to do." Peter groaned, tapping his fingers on the wooden board.

"Weren't you going to join the army?" Juliette inquired playfully.

"Hey I never said I am." He tsked, as he nibbled on some grapes placed on a tray. "I said I'm considering it."

"You might need more considering." Yasmine commented as she poked the loaf. "And hey," she approached him. "These aren't for you, stay away!" She said, swatting away his hands from the grapes.

"Why? You can't resist my absence m'lady?" Peter asked as he snatched a grape from the tray.

"Or maybe, just maybe, you can't tackle a huge loaf of bread–"

"A huge crusty loaf of bread."

"Huge CrustY loAF of brEad." She mimicked him and poked her tongue out childishly.

"In my defense, you weren't able to cut it either." He retorted, glancing at the solid rock.

"And in my defense, I'm not volunteering to go to war."

"Aw, is it worry I see in your eyes?" He asked mischievously, his grin broad and wicked.

"You'll see your death in my eyes if you don't stop!" She snapped threateningly, pointing the knife at him.

"Did I come at a bad time?" All of the trio turned unexpectedly at the figure that was leaning against the kitchen's doorway.

"Lucia! Of c-course not!" Juliette cheerfully greeted and dragged her towards their counter.

"Sup, familiar girl?" Lucia's lips thinned as she narrowed her eyes at Peter. "Not this again." She grumbled.

"Hey what?" he scowled as all girls eyed him disbelievingly. "Technically she is familiar now that we've met in the infirmary."

"Are you in need of that knife?" She gestured to Yasmine's hand. "Cause I might have other uses for it." She said the last bit while staring at Peter.

"As long as I get to bury the body." Yasmine stated, winking at him.

"Calm down ladies, so eager to touc–"

"Ooh what's that thing?" Lucia abruptly asked as she eyed the dark lump on the wooden board while Peter gingerly grumbled "ruuude".

"It's supposed to be a huge loaf–"

"A huge crusty loaf of–"

"Yeah whatever, well it's so rigid and it's not cutting." Yasmine explained, throwing the knife to her when she mentioned for it.

"Oh woah," Lucia commented as she grabbed the bread and inspected it curiously with one hand. "It does look quite odd." Then, with one swift movement, she threw it in the air and twisted the knife through it, and it ended up landing on the wooden board in three equal pieces.

"Easy peasy."

"Oh wow," Yasmine admired as they stared at her at awe. "How- how did you do that?"

"She's secretly a ninja." Lucia gathered the three pieces together then moved the knife vertically across them, dividing them into six smaller pieces. She grinned at him. 

"Or, I might have imaged myself stabbing
something or someone familiar with blazing red hair."

"Poor Gregg."

"What's going on?" A coarse voice asked, as a man with dark auburn hair advanced towards them.

"Oh, the usual, my beloved cousin. Juliette's unbelievably nice and kind friends are attacking good ol' defenseless Peter again."

"Hello, ladies." Gregg greeted, nodding his head at Lucia. "Is ginger-bread (get it?) causing trouble again?" Peter gasped.

"I knewww you'd take their side." Peter replied, pretending to be hurt.

"And for your information, Gregg, you're a carrot too." Yasmine noted smacking him on the head.

"I'm changing sides."

"Too late. You're not welcome to the good side anymore." Peter joked. Juliette stared at Gregg. She hasn't been able to talk to him appropriately ever since they argued. While she immediately consoled Yasmine, she never got the chance to talk to him after their argument.

She felt a pang in her chest as she eyed his serious demeanor. A huge tension now lay between them, and she felt bad about not confronting him earlier. As if feeling her gaze on him, Gregg looked down at her. "By the way, Juliette, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Well then tell." Peter suggested, shoving a few more grapes inside his mouth, as Yasmine pried the tray away from him.

"Alone." He continued, rolling his eyes at his cousin.

"Sounds very..exciting." Peter replied, his voice muffled with food.

"Is he always this infuriating?" Lucia asked disbelievingly.

"Always. At least swallow the grapes you doofus!" Yasmine bellowed, smacking him hard on the shoulder

"Oww..Y'all are bullies." He groaned, massaging the spot Yasmine has nudged.

"E-even me?" Juliette asked, her eyes round and innocent.

"You're the only little sweetheart here. You know what, fine, I'll let you join the good side." Juliette giggled but froze as a hand touched her back.

"Will you come with me, Juliette?" She felt a bit guilty when she stared at his eyes. She missed the teasing side of Gregg; the mischievous glint that resembled Peter's. She swiftly nodded and excused her friends and followed him further inside the kitchen.

"Gregg?" She started as he walked them deeper inside the huge kitchen. It was obvious he was leading them away from their friends as much as possible.

"We're almost there." He answered as he saluted a cook passing them. Then he took a turn and dragged her to the far right of the immense kitchen.

"Jules, Jules, Jules," he began, as he fumbled with some tools on the long counter against the wall. She eyed his back and noticed how his hair would turn golden when facing the light.

"Have a seat, little one." He said, glancing over his shoulder.

"Y-you're not mad at me?" She asked hopefully as she struggled to mount the tall wooden stool.

"Mad?" He asked facing her, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Why would I be mad at you, Jules?"

"Because," she finally managed to sit, and attempted to fix her dress and apron. "Of our argument that day." She replied guiltily, while staring her hands.

"Juliette," he said calmly, "I shouldn't have gotten worked up like that..I'm the one to blame."

"I should have b-been more u-understanding." She stammered. "I hate the feeling of us being upset at each other."

"So do I," he said approaching her seat. "And this is why I took you away from the idiotic duo."

He leaned down and placed a covered plate she hadn't realized he was holding on the table right in front of her.

"Besides," he said, pushing the dish towards her. "Who would want to miss the opportunity to wish you." He removed the lid to reveal the most beautiful pastry she'd ever seen. It was big and round and covered with white frosting and decorated with rose and white petals. "Happy birthday, Jules."

"Gregg!!" She gasped in surprise as she struggled in the stool to hug him. "H-How'd you know?" He grinned mischievously. She smiled back in return as she realized Gregg was finally back to his old self.

"I heard Mabel worrying frantically about going to the village market to buy you gifts. I can put two and two together," he winked as she cut a small piece and took a bite. "It's very yummy!"

"Of course it is," he smiled as he leaned against the wooden table. "Nothing can beat the craft of my divine hands."

"You're s-silly!" She laughed as she wiggled her feet from the stool, eyeing the opalescent white frosting of the pastry. It seemed almost shiny against the light. "You must have dedicated a great time learning culinary arts to perfect such craft."

"Not really," He chuckled. "Once upon a time I was only a little boy who wanted to be something grand."

"Is that why–" she hesitated by then she decided to continue. "Is that why you were part of the army in the past?"

"Part of the reason, yes." He answered as he seated himself on the stool beside her. "I never wanted to become some bakery chef." He shook his head. "Fate really has its ways sometimes."

"But," Juliette played with the fork. "You're the best one in the world." Gregg chuckled at her innocence.

"Of course I am, why my father had the best bakery in my village. He would raise me to be like him someday."

"Really?" She looked at him curiously with big saucer eyes.

"Mhm..well to be fair it didn't work out with him." He joked. "I'd always sneak out and get myself in trouble."

"There was a certain boy," his eyes glazed as he recalled his memories. "He was slightly older and bigger than me. I don't know how I managed to befriend him," he shook his head. "But he would always drag me to trouble with him."

"And your dad would force you to work in the bakery as punishment." She surmised teasingly and Gregg nodded to her surprise.

"He would force me along with him. I would always end up abiding, but that boy..he would cause chaos wherever he was. His mother would always chide him in front of the whole place," he laughed. "She was Svėnian, so we wouldn't understand a word but it was funny nevertheless."

"And what happened to that boy?" Juliette found herself pushing as she took another bite of the heavenly cake.

"Oh you know, we grew up." Then Gregg straightened his posture and she found his shoulders got a bit stiff. "After his mother died a while after, he kind of changed. Instead of getting in trouble, he started becoming the one who caused it. And when we became of age and finished our training in the army," he scratched his faint stubble. "He was the one who convinced me to stay and fight. And I did." He confessed.

"I became a part of the army, and I joined the war. I was very young and lively back then, only seventeen of age," Juliette thought of asking him about his current age but decided against it as she didn't want to cut him off.

"–and I was driven by the will the serve the kingdom. But with each war, I joined, I felt like I was losing a part of myself. I realized I could not go on anymore. But he, with every scar he earned, something seemed to entice him. He would get more blood and power thirsty. He enjoyed being feared. Most of the men of the army admired him. That's why," He continued as his hazel eyes stared back at hers. "I'm not fond of the King's army. I know how violent and brutal they can get. I know how they think and talk." She now knew what Gregg was heading.

"And that's why, I worry when a small Juliette gets involved with one."

"I am not," she put a strand of hair behind her ear, "He's not a bad person, G-Gregg." That feeling of tightness was back again.

It's been a week since she had last seen Xander and she's been keeping herself busy with the castle work as much as she could. Every time she felt good about him, her friends would bombard her with warnings to stay away from him.

She wished she could talk to her mama about Xander. She would tell her all about him, but then again,  she doubted that even her mama would understand. Mon dieu! My own daughter! Alone with a man belonging to the King's army? Have I not taught you well?! She'd scold.

Her uneasiness increased as she thought of the last moment they shared together. Had she said something wrong? She hated how much he clouded her own thoughts and even worse, she hated how her friends interfered whenever they saw him around.

She just wanted to hide away from the world and go back to her garden and little farm, and take care of her beloved animals. How can she be scared of someone she likes? She pushed her thoughts away and tried to focus on her friend.

"I'm just–" Gregg paused as of thinking how to word his next sentence. "I'm only asking you to be careful in choosing who you trust, alright?" Had she said something wrong? He bent down and grabbed an egg that rested on the table. "Not everything is always as it seems, Juliette. Even you can't tell this is boiled unless you crack it." He smashed it on the table but it didn't break. He beamed at her. "See."

"But he- he wouldn't harm me Gregg." She found herself repeating. "He's a nice person."

"Alright." Gregg sighed then stood up and headed for the long counter again.

"Jules?" He called as he carried another covered dish.

"Yeah?" She replied, observing him.

"Would you mind taking this to the idiots? I also made a cake for them so they don't end up devouring yours."

"Oh, a-absolutely!" Juliette laughed cheerfully, pushing the anxiety into the back of her mind. "Thank you so much for the cake. It was lovely!"

"Anything for little Juliette." She returned his smile and pushed around the table, attempting to descend the tall chair.

"Oh and by the way," he called just as she was about to turn. "That loaf wasn't really made of bread." He continued in amusement. "Did they manage to cut it?" His eyes widened when she nodded.

"Lucia did it." She affirmed. "She's really good Gregg! You should have seen the way she sliced it up."

"Oh, really?" If he was shocked at Lucia's talent, he didn't show it. "Well here goes my plan at keeping them busy. Guess we'll have to find another distraction."

•

King Maximus Alexander of Volkeii stared boringly at his people, his chin resting on one gloved hand.

"You seem to be enjoying the show, your majesty." His advisor commented from his right.

"Quite." He responded coldly, glaring at some jester who wouldn't stop juggling some eggs. He hoped they would break on his head. Then he growled, "Where is James?"

"No clue, your majesty." Braden solemnly replied. Then he shifted a bit uncomfortably and said, "I might have seen him heading towards the dungeons."

"We'll see what he has to say when he shows up."  His voice was distant, almost disinterested as he leaned back into his throne. He's been sitting there for hours, searching for an opportunity to leave.

A long line of maids came rustling inside the royal hall, their hands carrying plates and trays full of food awaiting to be served on the large buffet table.

His eyes automatically searched for the girl with the golden hair and found himself relieved she wasn't among them. He wondered how she'd react if she saw him at that moment, dressed in lavish clothes with a large fur cape framing his shoulders, perched on a throne made for no other than a king.

His eyes hardened. He knew she would hide away from him. He saw the fear in her eyes every time he tried to corner her, every time he'd try to talk to her indirectly about the real side of him. He knew how fast the rumors had spread about him murdering his father, and how most of his people believed them.

He stood up and descended the raised dais slowly, making sure his posture seemed intimidating and uninviting, so no one approaches him.

He gazed outside one of the tall windows framing the gigantic royal hall, placing one hand behind his back while he sipped some wine with the other.

How can a girl so angelic and innocent, and incapable of causing harm, make him ready to declare wars just so that he can reach her?

When had she invaded his mind and conquered his thoughts? Was he not the King of a feared Kingdom, and the leader of a vicious army?

Then how come she had lured him to destruction and disarmed him of his weapons with his very own will?

For endless nights he had been working for his Kingdom, contacting royals and signing treaties, finishing off papers and issuing new security laws, trying to get her off his mind and yet, she was always there, captivating his thoughts no matter how hard he tried to push her away.

Will she be treating him the same once she realizes he's not the simple guard she assumed he was?

His thoughts were suddenly disheveled by a certain shadow looming behind him.

"What took you so long?" He snarled, still facing the window.

"You didn't provide me with an easy task, your majesty." His friend muttered grudgingly, making sure he accentuated  his title sarcastically while he stood beside him near the window.

"And?"

"I had to ask around without getting too suspicious." James replied as he too took a glass of wine from a servant.

"No shit."

"Well, I think I've gathered enough information about the girl." King Maximus raised an eyebrow at him. "Go on," he ordered.

"Eighteen years of age, orphan, apparently she's from one of the wood villages so she most probably comes from a family of farmers, she has only one aunt and she works in the castle," a faint memory of an older lady and a deal waiting to be sealed flowed through his mind. Was it the same girl? He needed to seek more answers.

"And," James continued, as he took another sip from his glass, "Her birthday is today."

Maximus gulped down the rest of his drink and tightened his grip around his glass. "Is that so?"

His friend held his gaze for a while. "Is our king finally taking an interest in a possible future queen?" He asked pleasantly.

"I have others matters to take care of, James." And confessing his feelings to his friend was not one of them. "Was that all you could retrieve?"

"For now. I need a few days to know about her background." His friend stared at him hesitatingly.

"What is it, James?" Maximus asked, his attention back to the royal gardens. It was noon, and he could glimpse some servants and gardeners fixing and reshaping some hedges.

"Have you taken a decision regarding Prince Cyran's offer?"

"Not yet." He sighed. "We have a good relation with another great Kingdom, James. I want to make sure I'm not forging an alliance blindly."

"But it seems quite the offer, no? Merging armies and people, it's almost like–"

"Conjoining both Kingdoms, literally." Maximus finished. He studied his friend silently, then continued, "You should know that I'm not willing to let strangers roam inside the kingdom freely. The Noirsèmers are not known for being generous."

"Maybe it finally opens to new roads leading to prosperous commerce and trade."

"Or maybe there's something underneath the surface." A silence moment passed before Maximus finally spoke. "Did you pry information from the one responsible of the rebellion in the south west?"

"Nothing new." Maximus nodded passively, his mind already preoccupied with a certain girl with an angelic face and a compact still awaiting to be struck.

The old lady's eyes widened, and furrowed her brows in fear at his words. "Conditions to her staying in the castle, your majesty?" He could feel his attendees' gaze on him, his friend and advisors waiting for him silently to give the verdict.

Back then, he didn't really care about some girl with golden hair nor did it matter him the notion of allowing young women to work inside the castle.

Remond stifled from beside him. "Foolish woman," He'd said loud enough for the audience to hear. A few snickers were heard across the great hall. "An untrained outsider," the old advisor laughed. "What good would she do for the castle?"

But was he not once a boy exiled from his own family, and learned to survive through hardship on his own?

"I have a favor to ask for in return. But until then, she may work in the maid's wing."

In reality, he didn't really have a plan in mind, nor was he going to actually send someone to procure her for him. In that moment, all that mattered to him was the unspoken words said so deliberately, the audacity of declaring treason so blatantly.

Did Remond really saw the kindness of his father in him, the foolishness, the imprudence of a man who greatly trusted his confidants?

He who has no enemies is killed by friends.

Though, if he was grateful for one thing of Remond's doing, is his interference in that very moment that he has yet to consider a crucial point in his life. If it was really the same girl...things could take a different turn to his benefit.

A new plan started to form in his mind and he paused just as he was about to return to his throne, "Tonight we swap roles again." He informed his friend, his mind already working around ways he could surprise his golden beauty.

•
So guys, hehe, what do you think will happen next? ♥
I know it didn't have a lot of actions, but I think this chapter is very important for the future, clues and all.
Please, please, don't forget to share your opinion, I am dying to know!
How do you find the characters?
What do you think of the story so far? Let me know! ♥

*Beloved Monster is also waiting for your feedback*

I love you all so much! ♥
–theladyandthefox

*reference:
"He who has no enemies is killed by friends." –Atticus