Alexander
There is a moment of heavy silence that cloaks the space between us as I look the man in the eyes, searching them for some sort of clue to help me figure out what his comment meant. Unlike a moment before, they reveal everything that I'm looking for as if his words had taken his defenses with him when they fled his lips. You look just like him.
Illius takes a step closer and Sage retreats to my side, both able to feel the tension that crackles between the man and I. The way that my guest clenches his jaw suggests some sort of mental struggle. He has yet to take his eyes from my face as if he is trapped in some sort of memory that my features have somehow triggered in him. Recognizing the behavior as something that he cannot control well, I release my offense at his trespass in a sigh, resting a hand on the top of Sage's head to reassure her.
It has often been said that I appear to be a younger, spitting image of the King. If my deduction is correct, why does this man seem to be in turmoil at the observation of our likeness? He reminds me of a soldier grasping at an ancient wound, no longer in any physical pain, but the ghost of his injury still haunts his brain as if it still existed.
The younger man in his company offers an inquiring glance between us, taking his piercing eyes from me for a split second to check on the wellness of his companion. As if on cue to the younger man's unspoken question, the doe-eyed mercenary shakes his head to clear it of whatever thoughts had possessed his mouth, finally breaking his stare from my face.
He offers me an apologetic smile, holding up one hand and placing the other on his brow, unable to meet my gaze in his embarrassment. "Forgive me, Young Prince, I did not mean to act so rudely. Will you join us for this breakfast that you so generously offer us? We would be happy to speak with you for a while."
My eyes drift to the center of the table to the bountiful amount of food that my Uncle has laid out for the guests. The amount makes me believe that he is trying to conceal that anything is wrong with our economy, perhaps ashamed to let our troubles be known by outsiders. A subtle frown tugs at the corners of my lips as I shoot a sharp look at Lance. What a foolish decision, willing to waste such an amount of lavish food to preserve his honor.
My Uncle had been approaching the table to stand between the newcomers and me, able to sense my offense as Illius and Sage had. He stopped his advancement a few feet away, however, when the older man spoke up and excused himself for his verbal dysentery. Upon seeing the expression on my face, Lance's steps pause and he cringes, reacting as if I had physically thrown something at him. His cognac eyes beg me to understand his reasoning for having my starving servants bring so much food out to these unnamed people, but I turn my gaze away, refusing to give him my mercy. He will personally pay a price for his unconditioned actions later.
My voice is as smooth as satin when I give my response to the man's question, though what I think about is what amount of food there will be left over after they have eaten their fill. Certainly much more will remain if I do not partake in the meal, though I do not see how I can politely refuse to sit with the group after they have offered their help to Felix and my Uncle. "Of course, I would be delighted to sit with you," I turn to my Uncle with a pointed look, gesturing to the empty seat beside his professed friend of old.
The doe-eyed man dips his head in an approving nod at my decision and makes a gesture to the head of the table for me to sit in my rightful place. "We appreciate you taking time to meet us, Your Highness. My name is Jeddediah, Grand Duke of Arinal. These are the children of King Kaldadin." His eyes flicker behind me to Illius, who follows my body like a shadow in the late evening.
The Prince looks as well and shares a look with his sister who nods in understanding at some secret that they apparently share. He turns his eyes back to mine, holding my gaze with unwavering confidence. "My name is Bellamy. This is my sister, Bethany. We are pleased to meet you." I note that he does not mention what had caught his attention about my Captain, much to my vexation. Many people are captivated by my Captain's outward appearance, though the graveness of their expressions alludes to their interest being in something else.
Upon hearing what position he fills, I understand the challenging way in which the younger man, Bellamy, looks at me. He is a Prince, as well, no doubt judging my ability to rule my kingdom and comparing his competence to my own. Though in a less obvious way, I would do the same in his position. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, as well. You are welcomed inside my walls," I say, striving to take my seat at the head of the table, Illius trailing me quietly. "You have my gratitude for helping my Uncle."
Jeddediah smiles, though his eyes seem to hold a hint of sadness in their gleam. The way in which I addressed Lance seems to have confirmed something for him that he does not quite like. "Lancing is an old friend of mine. It was my pleasure to have been in the right place at the right time. It must have been fate that we crossed paths with him at that moment, as we were actually on our way here to see you at the time."
By the time he has finished his sentence, I have come to the realization of the reason behind his strange body language. It makes sense, now, the bitter way in which he spoke to me; It had nothing to do with me, as a person, at all, but everything to do with my parents. I can only hope, for his sake, that he is not still in love with my mother.
I forge a smile. "Is that so? For what reason do you seek me out?"
Jeddediah glances away, back towards the door that I had just come through, seeming to search for someone, even further proving my discovery correct. "To be frank, Your Highness, you are not the one that I was sent after. However, I have been informed by your Uncle that the Queen is not present."
I coach my expression not to show my emotions. It is just as I concluded, after all. "I see. You are correct. I apologize, but my mother is off with my father." I gauge his reaction carefully, as I offer a gesture to the food on the table, giving permission for my guests to help themselves. The siblings share another look before digging into the dish that is, horrifyingly enough, filled to the brim with an assortment of fruit.
Jeddediah nods once, lowering his head and his eyes. "It is no surprise that she would fight in your war. She has always been such a free spirit like that... It is probably for the best, anyhow." Realizing that he is being melancholy, he sighs quietly and reaches for one of many pastries that sit beside the fruit, dripping with warm honey butter.
"I am Steward in place of my parents, however, so if there is any business that you wish to discuss, there is no need to restrain yourselves." I make a point to include Bellamy and Bethany in the sentence, giving them the chance to speak out about what their interest in Illius is.
Illius remains properly nonverbal, but he reaches over me to thoroughly inspect a pomegranate before placing it on the empty plate in front of me, encouraging me to eat something.
Prince Bellamy casts a look from beside me as he pops a grape into his mouth. He casts a look towards his sister again, but they still do not feel obligated to share whatever it is that they have discovered.
I try not to make a face that mirrors the disgust that I feel as I look down at the fruit on my plate. Illius knows that I dislike the pomegranate the most out of all fruits, but because I am in the presence of guests, he is also aware that I will not refuse to eat it, lest I appear to be like a stubborn child to them. He is always insisting that they are good for my health, and pestering me to eat one every once in a while. I glance longingly at the saturated pastries that were placed unfairly close to me but begin to peel open the detestable fruit.
"We have noticed a lack in communication with Nordic. My King has been sending letters to Samson on the battlefield periodically, but he has never received any back. He sent us to see if anything has gone wrong."
"Your King has yet to receive his birds back, is that correct?"
Jeddediah nods, furrow his brow the slightest bit. "That is correct, yes."
"They have been intercepted and shot down, then. My father has not received any of them. I do hope they did not contain any sensitive information."
"Of course they did not," Bellamy speaks up from beside me, sounding annoyed. "My father is not a fool. We assumed that was the case, which is why we have come all the way here."
Illius tenses, unhappy with the other man's tone towards me. I feel him place a hand on the back of my chair, out of their view, to calm himself.
"I am glad to know that my allies are not all idiots," I remark, making and holding eye contact with the smart-mouthed Prince. "Would you like to enlighten me about the reason behind your visit? I do have several prior engagements."
Jeddediah shoots Bellamy a sharp look, scolding him without words. "Of course, we do not mean to keep you, Your Highness. Forgive my Nephew, he knows not when to control his words."
Bellamy shoots a poisonous look at Jeddediah, popping another grape into his mouth. "I know when to speak and in what manner, Uncle."
Jeddediah rolls his eyes and dutifully ignores the blue-eyed Prince and his childish commentary. "Please, pardon him. We are here to bring our assistance. My Lord has assumed from the lack of communication that there may be some trouble here," There is a moment of pause, in which he smiles half-heartedly. "We were not under the impression that Lyra had left Nordic."
"Of course," I state, rolling the small red seeds of the pomegranate around on my plate with a spoon. "If you know my mother, you know what sort of person she is. She will always do what she sees fit, regardless of repercussions that may come about because of her decision. I am surprised that she did not inform your King that she would be leaving me in her seat for the time being. However, we are in need of your aid, since you are so willing to offer it."
Lance glances at me from the other side of Jeddediah, halting a forkful of fruit on its way to his mouth. His eyes drift to Illius before returning to his breakfast. His expression suggests that he wishes I would not bring up the fact that Nordic is experiencing a food shortage. I cannot help feeling angered by his unprofitable pride. It is lucky for my people that he is not the one who was left in charge, after all.
Jeddediah does not notice the exchange, though the look that Bellemy shares with his sister, yet again, implies that it does not escape either of their attention. I cannot help but wonder if this is similar to how people feel about Illius and me, always being excluded from some private discussion that is being had through looks and subtle nods. It must be frustrating for average people.
"Of course. What is it that you need from us?" Jeddediah asks, his gentle, brown eyes expressing genuine concern.
"Whales is intercepting our deliveries of rations to my parents and our troops. Despite how it may appear," I cut a look to Lance, who avoids making eye contact as he finds some invisible thing to interest him in the opposite corner of the room. "We are experiencing a food shortage because of it. The most fortunate of my people receive one meal each day. If the King of Arinal would see it fit to offer aid in the way of previsions, I would be indebted to him."
Jeddediah turns his head to look at Lance, who avoids him, as well, then back to the food in front of him. His eyes flicker to the plate of massacred, but uneaten fruit on my plate then sets his buttered pastry down, seeming to lose his appetite. "There is no need to offer us such a bounty of food. Bread would have been sufficient to fill our stomachs. My Lord Kaladin would not hesitate in sending a portion of our previsions to you and your people. He would wish only that you had asked sooner."
I bow my head in a low, grateful nod. "You have my gratitude, Sir Jeddediah. However, it is not to the city that we require the rations to be sent; I am in the process of taking care of my kingdoms famine. Please, have guarded shipments send directly to my troops, and expect ambushes. The situation of my soldiers is rather momentous, I am afraid."
"As you wish," Jeddediah nods, seeming to find this to be a reasonable request. He looks curious to know what sort of plan I have orchestrated to end the hunger in my people's bellies, one of his eyebrows cocking slightly.
"If I may ask," Bethany speaks up for the first time, surprising me with the hardness of her voice.
I should not be taken so off guard by it. Since she was likely raised around these people who were once well-known mercenaries, it would make sense that her voice has a sharp bite to it naturally.
I was actually beginning to wonder if she was a mute, but now I see that she is simply an observer by nature. Similarly to me, she prefers to gather information about a situation and analyze it before she feels comfortable speaking. She shares a look with Bellamy before she continues, turning her striking cerulean eyes to me.
"What is your plan for feeding your people? Surely any available plot of land is already in use. Perhaps you should allow us to send provisions to you here, as well. We can spare them." Bethany's way of speaking is more polite than her brother's, leading me to believe that she must have undergone some sort of training to prepare her for being the Princess of a kingdom. Either her twin did not share in the experience, or he simply refuses to act appropriately out of candid willfulness.
I offer her an obligatory smile as I make to stand from my seat. "I mean you no disrespect, Princess, but I have a particularly pressing matter to attend to that involves someone I care deeply about. My Uncle would be happy to fill you in, however," I straighten my shirt as I turn a pointed look to Lance, assigning him the task of entertaining our guests for as long as they will stay. "You are all welcome to remain here for as long as you like."
I join Illius, casting a subtle glance between him and the twins, who watch us with their matching eyes. Both they and Jeddediah stand, revealing three swords, one hanging from each of their belts. I suppose that it should not surprise me that Bethany carries a weapon, considering that my own mother is the one who made it normal for a woman to carry a sword in Nordic. I was unaware that ladies in other countries had taken up a similar habit.
"Thank you, Your Highness. We request your presence again before we set off if you do not mind. I find it is only appropriate to say goodbye properly." I am surprised to hear the polite words from Bellamy, who holds my gaze intensely, seeming to want something from me. There is a challenge swirling within his eyes, the way that fish swim in the blue of the sea; always present, hidden just below the surface.
I offer him a smile that shows my teeth, apparently catching him off guard. Whatever reaction he was looking to draw out of me, this is not it. "Certainly, Bellamy. I am grateful that you have traveled so far to check on Nordic's well-being. Please do give your father my regards when you head back. We certainly are indebted to Arinal and her Fair King."
Jeddediah bows his head and offers me his hand. "We appreciate your time, Prince Alexander. We will call upon you again."
"As you wish, Sir Jeddediah," I grip his large paw firmly before making my way to the door. I pause behind my Uncle's seat, however, and lean in close to his face as I snatch a fresh, hardly touched pastry from his plate. I make no effort to lower my voice to a whisper as I continue speaking directly to him. "As for you, Dear Uncle. You will personally see to the delivery of what remains of this bountiful breakfast you so willing prepared for our guests. Be certain to disperse it to the servants and cooks. If any remains, hand it out to the townspeople."
Lance sighs through his nose but nods at my command, surely having foreseen such a punishment. His expression is stone as I search his face for any signs of retaliation, handing the food in my hand to Illius. Without moving my gaze from Lance's features, I can tell that the twins share another look.
"As you command, Your Highness," Lance says, voice toneless.
Satisfied by his response, I raise my head and continue walking towards the doors. Before leaving, however, I toss a wave over my shoulder. "Make certain to deliver some of the fruit directly to Harold, Uncle. He prefers pomegranates to pastries."
_
Author's Note
I'm sorry for the shorter chapter. Hopefully, it wasn't a horrible disappointment, I know that it's a bit watery. Was anyone surprised by the reveal of our mystery guest? Are you happy to have him back? Feel free to let me know how you're feeling about it in the comments, I love to hear from you guys.
On a different note, I celebrated my twenty-first birthday yesterday. It snowed this morning, too, which really put me in a good mood. I love the snow. I find it strange though that I feel the same, almost as if I expected a number to have an effect on my maturity level. It turns out that I still have no idea what I'm doing in the adult world... Oh well, does anyone, really? Don't stress about your age, just live your life however you're the happiest.
I've discovered a blessed little program called Grammarly, so my grammar and spelling mistakes shouldn't be an eyesore anymore. Consider it my Christmas present to you all. I had no idea how badly inflicted my writing really was; I'm very sorry to have forced such atrocity onto your poor eyes!
Speaking of Christmas, please don't drive yourselves crazy as the holidays approach. I hope you all look after yourselves and don't overspend on presents this year. Take a breath and take a step back; Everything will be alright. Enjoy the enchanting sights, smells, and ambiance that come with this time of year! Even if you are alone this season, there is always something to be grateful for. Sometimes, solitude in itself is the most wonderful gift.
Until next time,
-A.
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