“Alira, do you agree? If you become Caden’s fiance, you will be the crown princess of Flousia and the queen in the future. We want you to know that we are not forcing you to do this. Both of you have a choice to break the engagement when the time comes that you change your mind.” Kyle asked again.
Everyone was quiet, waiting for Alira’s response.
“Yes, I agree.” She answered in a soft voice.
“Then, it’s settled. We’ll have an engagement party tomorrow night.” Kyle answered lively.
“W-Wait!” I exclaimed.
They looked at me with a frown on their faces. I couldn’t just allow something like this. I need to set at least a limitation between the kids.
“I will agree with your crazy idea. But, after all of this, you are not allowed to see each other until you both reach eighteen.” I firmly said.
“B-But-“
“No buts Caden! You both need to focus on your studies. You will stay here in Flousia with your Uncle. I will transfer your papers so you can study here. If both of you still wanted to get married when you reach that age, then so be it. Trust your heart and your feelings to each other.”
I crouched down and held Caden on his shoulders. I smiled at him and then to Alira.
I didn’t know if they understood the reason why I wanted them apart. They’re kids, anything could happen.
“You do realize that our child is a girl, right? I think I should be the one reacting like that.” Alora said in sarcasm.
“Yeah. But you calmly accepted everything. You should be more protective of her.” I answered while glaring at her.
She chuckled. “You know I protect my kids differently. Just so you know, if your son made my daughter cry, I swear he’ll pay the consequences. You know me, Peggy. I love Caden like my own son, but my children come first.”
It was a warning from Alora. I know she wasn’t bluffing. She would do everything for her family and friends, especially her kids. She already killed people for the sake of her husband, what more could she do if it’s about her kids. That’s how she protects them.
“I know. Stop telling me that. It creeps me out.” I pouted.
After planning the kids’ engagement, we received a report that Benjamin was seen lurking around town. Jayden and the others came to see if the report was true. I waited in our bedroom, hoping for good news.
I wanted to see mom so badly. And I know it’s the same with Kyle.
I heard a knock before someone opened the door and came. It was Kyle. I was standing by the window when he went inside. He didn’t say a word and just quietly walked towards me.
I frowned. He was acting so weird while getting closer to me. He suddenly wrapped his arms around me, embracing me tightly. Then I felt his shoulders trembling.
“Brother? Is something wrong?” I asked, worried.
“Just let me be like this for a while. I don’t want Emily to worry so I came here. I’m sorry.” He said.
Kyle was trying to be strong from the beginning. I didn’t even ask him if he was okay. Of course he would say yes but the weight of being the King of a country was not that easy. And the attack happened just after he was crowned as the new king.
I wrapped my arms around him, rubbing my hand on his back, and let him cry quietly in my arms. He needed it.
Then I pulled him outside so we could have a chat in the garden. The servants served some refreshments and left us alone.
Kyle looked at the sky after a sip of his tea. He sighed as he stared blankly into the vast blue sky.
“Do you ever think of something you want to tell mom when you see her?” He suddenly asked.
I didn’t expect that question from him. But he looked so serious so I took a sip of my own tea before answering him.
“When I was little and alone in that mansion, I always talked to mom. I asked her why she had to leave me so early. Whenever I had a fever, I cursed her for dying. Then apologized to her after. I always wanted to know what she looked like. There were a lot of things I wanted to tell her, but now that we found out she’s still alive, I couldn’t even think of a word to say to her. I just wanted to see her, Kyle” I answered sincerely.
He looked at me, and smiled. But I could see that he was faking it. He was forcing himself to smile at me.
“You know if you want to say something inappropriate, you could tell me. It’s just the two of us.”
He sighed, then lifted the glass of tea, and sipped another.
“I am honestly mad at her for being a bitch. I want to blame her for everything that happened. I was thinking that if she just became an obedient princess, then maybe this wouldn’t happen. Maybe we lived in peace.” He took a deep breath and continued.
“But then, if she was that princess, I wouldn’t be here. I would not be with Emily. And I wouldn’t be your brother, right?” He said.
“What do you want to ask her when you see her?” I asked.
He looked at me intently, as if he was thinking deeply.
“I-I don’t know. But I wanted to see her. Grandpa would be happy, you will be happy. I have mixed feelings, Margaret.” He sighed.
“Have you talked to your father again? He’s one of the prisoners, right?”
Kyle’s father was one of Alejandro’s men. He was caught and currently imprisoned.
“I don’t want to see him.” He answered with gritted teeth.
I put the glass of tea on the table to reach his hand. He stared at me as I smiled at him.
“Hey, you know you need to talk to him. He’s still your father.”
A servant came running, cutting our conversation. She was panting and looked like she had seen a ghost.
“What is it?” Kyl asked with a frown face.
“Your Majesty, it’s Princess Catherine!” She shouted with a trembling voice.