The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
The Royal Palace
Elliot stepped into his room, exhausted.
Augustus had been gone the entire day and that had rolled all of his duties down to him.
Keeping track of everything and setting everything aright took more effort than he'd thought.
After all of the work, Elliot wondered how Augustus must feel with the flower granting him no abilities.
The morning after the Flower Event, the two brothers had met their parents to sit and discuss how they would proceed going forward.
Augustus had looked like a dead man, tired and upset but he had looked extremely gloomy every time Elliot's coming marriage was mentioned.
A few minutes into their meeting, Cecil had walked in to make the announcements that had torn the family apart.
Elliot sighed as he undressed.
If his fiancée was someone of poor character, it benefitted him that she had shown her colours so early on in their relationship. He would be relieved if it weren't for how easily she had manipulated Cecil into distancing himself from all the people who cared about him and announcing that he would fight to keep his elder brothers from taking the throne.
Elliot groaned when he felt a slow ache begin at his temples.
Sometimes, all he wanted to do was sleep and not meet the situation.
Removing the last of the garments that had fit around his toned body, Elliot walked over to a mirror to inspect a lone scar that stretched across the muscles of his back.
Sword fighting had not always come so easily to him and in several dangerous expeditions; he had expected the outing to be his last.
The bond of his men and the encouragement of his teachers had motivated him and he thanked the Lord for them every day.
There were many who cared for him.
Stepping across the room to his bed, Elliot decided he would turn in early for the day.
Too many activities had required his attention that day and he was exhausted out of his mind.
Sinking into his bed, his strong body groaned in pain.
Tiredness seeped into his mind and he cleared it for a moment to be grateful for all that he had and to wonder about the lady his brother was so clearly still scouting out for him.
The Second Day of the Month of Palefrost
Roads Leading away from the Royal Palace
Aldith moved around in her seat, struggling to pull up the plunging neckline of her dress.
The garment had done wonders for her that day.
Cecil's eyes had wandered all over her body and he had nodded to everything she'd told him like an obedient little boy.
She had also been able to acquire the assistance of Cecil's attractive bodyguard Ernien.
Aldith licked her lips when she remembered the time they'd spent in the dim-lit stairway.
The man had strong arms and his build had resembled Prince Elliot's closely.
Her stomach dropped in disappointment at not being able to taste the mysterious prince's body for herself.
Cecil was a weak boy. He had very little muscle and not much common sense either. He was easy to seduce, almost not a challenge but it made things easier for Aldith to control.
Ernien, she had ordered, to keep anyone but herself from getting close to Cecil till the wedding.
Cecil's mind wavered quickly.
Aldith knew the only reason the king or Prince Augustus didn't interfere was because they did not see the fiasco as a threat.
Aldith, however, was determined to use everything in her power to succeed in taking the throne.
"I pose as the bride's friend?" Xyla was confused.
Augustus nodded before elaborating, "I would prefer if the bride was introduced as someone you exchanged letters with for years. You and the bride, a foreign princess, are close friends. She meets you tomorrow and, the family assumes, falls in love with Elliot who you introduce. They are engaged and marry a day before Aldith and Cecil do."
Xyla stared for a moment as she processed things, "Al- alright but, is this necessary?"
Augustus seemed surprised, "I beg your pardon?"
Xyla hesitated when he watched her, waiting for a response, "I- Prince Augustus… there's so much confusion in the palace already. Will such an act be necessary? Won't this lead to more chaos?"
Augustus paused for a moment before giving it a little thought, "I doubt it will cause too many problems, Xyla. All I really want is for Elliot to not be alone at the wedding. When I heard of the kind girl, I could not pass up."
Xyla swayed at the sincerity she heard in his voice, "I- I will assist you with this, Prince Augustus. Please tell me what I can do!"
The Second Night of the month of Palefrost
The Royal Palace
"Where is Prince Elliot?"
Augustus walked into the palace, body sore from all the horse-riding he'd done that day.
"He's retired for the day, sire. He said he was rather tired."
"I see," Augustus nodded for the man to leave before he took the stairs up to go to his room.
He winced at a memory; the memories of seeing Aldith Everglower kiss sir Waldorf in the dark of a stairway. He had caught a glance of it as he had passed and hadn't believed his eyes.
Sir Waldorf was a married man who was rather respectable and Aldith seemed so gentle, naïve and delicate.
The couple he had seen had had a lustful, urgent grip on each others bodies that he could never attribute to either of them.
He had promised himself, as time passed, that he had not seen what he thought he had but ever since the flower Event and Cecil's sudden announcement, Augustus was convinced Aldith was a venomous lady that Elliot had had the blessing of avoiding.
He sighed as he walked through the rich hall.
Separating her from Cecil would be too difficult.
She had poisoned his mind into trusting no one and it seemed too impossible to stop or delay their wedding.
The handsome prince walked into his room, tired from the day's work.
He smiled to himself remembering the dainty lady who'd agreed to marry his younger brother.