Zemira looked at Cassian as he gently touched the eye on Gerta's belly. Dried blood stuck to the wound. When Cassian wiped a towel on the wound, she neighed in pain.
"I am sorry" he rubbed her belly. "Who did this to her?" Zemira asked and he looked at her, "You have never heard of the kingdom of Oculus?" he asked and she shook her head, "Before I met and married you, I never bothered myself with things of this kingdom. I only cared about five things; myself, Stern, alcohol, liquid nicotine and fun".
Cassian rolled his eyes at the mention of Stern's name. He hated Stern since the wedding day, where he had caused a scene. "Oculus is a band of people. They are not yet an official kingdom because they do not have people. They only have soldiers brainwashed to do their leader's bidding". "Brainwashed? Like metaphorically or literally?"
"Have you ever heard of the Dune?"Cassian asked "The laboratory that took those children?" "My brother was one of those children" he said and her face fell, "I am sorry". "Well, I am not. I was sorry when he was first taken...I felt it was my fault. He protected me and was taken. My parents looked for him but a rumour circulated around about his death and so they stopped looking, then everyone heard about the destruction of the laboratory and everyone that was in there. Both the scientists and the other children" Cassian stood up and walked to her.
"You do not mean---" "My brother was responsible for that destruction" he slipped his hand into his trousers' pockets. "He was also responsible for my parents' death" he walked out.
Zemira stared at him then at the eye on Gerta's abdomen. Whoever this kingdom of Oculus were, they had made their mark without getting caught and they had to be ready because they were coming.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Peace treaty?!" Cassian rose up from his chair in the study. The king's messenger kept his head down. "Peace treaty when the kingdom is in peril? Who decided this?" Cassian asked, "It was the council men" "Those damned old geezers!" Cassian slammed his hands on the desk, angrily.
Zemira came into the study and the messenger bowed, "You can leave" she said and he bowed and ran out.
Cassian ran his hand down his black wooly hair. "What is the matter?" she asked and he sighed and handed her the letter he had just received. She read it and gasped unbelievably, "Did the king agree to this?" she asked and he looked at her, "Only one way to find out".
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Cassian held his hat and looked at Gertrude, "Do I have to go?" he grumbled and she chuckled and pulled him closer with his white bowtie then she arranged it neatly, "If you do not go, how else are you going to cut all those old men's throat?" "I can disguise myself as a bandit and drop down from the roof of their bedroom and get the job done" he said playfully and she hit his shoulder, "And risk getting caught?"
He smiled and wore his top hat then he headed towards the carriage. "Cassian!" someone shouted and Gertrude turned and saw Zemira running down the stairs, "My lady, for goodness sake, you are with child!" she said but Zemira ran past her.
"Cassian! Wait for me!" Cassian was about to enter the carriage but he turned and saw Zemira running towards him. He found himself smiling as she ran towards him. Her long black curls flying with the wind, her brown bodice clinging to her breasts which had gotten fuller due to her pregnancy, her skirt being ruffled by the wind. He loved all of it.
He regained himself when she crashed into his arms. She looked up at him and for some seconds, he got lost in her brown eyes. Those same brown eyes he had regarded as plain, boring and ordinary, were now looking so alluring to him.
His eyes moved away from her eyes to her cleavage which was very visible to him. Due to her increase in weight, her clothes had gotten tighter on her. He liked seeing all of her in his arms...I mean he liked seeing her pregnant...No, that is not right either.
He rolled his eyes and helped her stand straight, "Lady Monterey, what is the meaning of all this running? I thought we had a list were running was crossed out" and she panted, "I apologize. I just want to follow you for the peace treaty meeting". "You do know that women are not allowed in those type of meetings" he licked his teeth.
"I do not wish to attend the meeting. I just want to be with the queen" Zemira said and entered the carriage. Cassian was surprised, "Since when did you and the queen become friends?" he asked as he entered the carriage.
Zemira found Cassian struggling to keep his eyes away from her body, because they were sitting opposite each other and she was still flustered from all that running.
She dragged her bodice up and covered herself up with her her woollen shawl. Cassian inwardly tsked. He did not want to admit it, but a part of him...no, all of him wanted to continue seeing her exposed and flustered self.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Soteria held hands with an old man in a green waistcoat which was on top a white shirt and a black trousers. When Soteria saw Cassian walking in with Zemira, he was elated. At least, there would be someone who shares his idea of getting Isander's head.
"Cassian" he hugged him. Cassian felt his pain, his only son was bedridden in a vegetative state. "Lady Cob---Lady Monterey, what are you doing here?" he asked and she looked around, "Where can I find the queen?" she asked.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"You have a guest, your highness" a maid informed Noelle who was holding her son's hand. "I do not wish to speak with anyone" she said "It is Lady Monterey, the viscountess of Damodar" the maid said and Noelle looked up then she looked at the maid, "Send her in!"
The maid went out and Zemira came into Sorin's room. Noelle got up and Zemira felt pity for her. "Your highness" Zemira held her tears as moves to her with her arms outstretched. "Zemira" Noelle sobbed and walked into Zemira's arms and Zemira hugged her.
Though they hated each other, Zemira felt that Noelle needed a long hug and Noelle just needed a woman who could understand the fear of losing her child.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Soteria looked at the council men who were turning their heads and discussing about Cassian being there with them; "He is just a mere viscount of Damodar" "The duke of Damodar is not even here" some whispered. "That is because Damodar is very insignificant among the four states of Thurtian" Mace said.
Present at the council, were the king's advisers, the duke of the three remaining states and Cassian. The king's advisers were the ones who had suggested Cassian's banishment but Soteria had reduced the position to demotion.
"I believe that is highly untrue" someone spoke up and they looked at who had spoken. It was the duke of West Scottin, Azrael, a lanky man in blue livery which was in deep contrast to his hazel eyes.
"Damodar thrives in marketing. Perhaps the duke could not make it so he sent the viscount in his stead, or perhaps the king specially requested for him" Azrael continued and Mace's brows furrowed, "You would not understand because you are among the lot who thinks they are special whereas you are given the same treatment as everyone else...perhaps even below everyone" he smirked and Mace got up and grabbed his starched blue collar.
"How dare you?!" Mace thundered and people held him from hitting Azrael who chuckled, "I am a duke as well. We are on the same level" "Do not ever compare yourself to myself! I am of royal blood! You were just picked from your barony and made into a duke" Mace spat out. Azrael's eyes darkened and he smirked, "How about we cut ourselves and see if your blood has tiny crowns in it?" "Insolent dog!" Mace cried out as he raised his hand to punch Azrael, but Soteria came in.
"Am I that insignificant that you dare to cause a scene in my court?" he asked and Mace pushed Azrael into his seat then he bowed, "No, your majesty" he said then he sat on his seat. Azrael chuckled and ran his fingers through his blonde hair.
Soteria sat on the throne, "I specially requested for the viscount of Damodar because he knows the kingdom of Oculus more than we do. He has waged war against them so he should know better" he said and crossed his legs, "If anyone has a problem with my decision speak up now".
No one dared to stand up or even drag their feet on the floor. The silence which had fallen upon the courtroom was so thick that a cook would derive pleasure in cutting it with his best knife.
Soteria cleared his throat and looked around, "Shall we begin?" "You can not start a peace treaty without the other party who caused the trouble". Cassian froze. He knew that voice. That voice that made him weak in his knees and made him quiver with fear.
The door to the courtroom opened and Isander walked in, liveried in a red tail-coat which was on top a white shirt and white trousers, and in his hand was a cane. He had a smug look on his face which made Cassian angry but the way Isander's black boots made a deep sound on the floor, made his hands tremble.
Isander passed Cassian and then the person he had came with passed him too. All thoughts about Isander was erased from Cassian's head. The person that had just passed him seemed very familiar. He turned to look at the person following Isander. That person had the same presence and feeling as...Nola. But it can not be, he had seen Nola die with his two eyes.
Isander bowed slightly before Soteria, "Good to see you again, your majesty" he looked up and Soteria's heart flew up to his throat. His pulse quickened as he stared into Isander's cold and empty dark eyes. His hands balled into fists. This was the same man who had put his son in the same state that he is currently.
Now that Isander had made his way into his palace, he was not going to let him go without him taking his head off.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A maid poured tea into Zemira's cup, "How are you feeling?" Zemira asked Noelle who sniffled and covered her nose with her pale pink handkerchief, "I shall not lie to you, the only thing that is keeping my sanity right now is Soteria. He had promised me that he will find the antidote before it is too late for Sorin".
Zemira held her hand, "He will find it. Right now, he and Cassian are fighting to stop the two kingdoms from coming to a peace settlement. I believe in the both of them. There will not be a settlement" she said and Noelle nodded, "I also believe in them" she sniffled and Zemira patted her hand.
"Zemira, I am sorry for doing all those things I did to you. I am sorry for loving your husband when I have my own" Noelle sobbed and Zemira shook her head, "Do not apologize for falling in love. It is not your fault. Love happens suddenly, we can not control our emotions" "I should have kept my emotions to my self and not act like a fool, almost creating a scandal" Noelle said. "I understand why you would fall in love with someone like Cassian. He is strong, reliable, kind and though he pushes people away, he just wants someone to be there although he pushes them away".
"Will you be that person?" Noelle asked and Zemira looked at her, "I do not know if I can be that person" "But you do love him?" "Of course I do! I love him a lot!" "Then what is the problem?" "He is in love with Nola". "And so what? She is dead, she can not be there for him. You are still alive so be there for him! If I had the chance, I would stand by his side. But I am married to a man who loves me and now, I need to be by his side" Noelle squeezed Zemira's hand and they gave each other comforting smiles.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mace got up, "How dare you?!" Isander looked at him, "You cause trouble and then you storm in here uninvited wearing the same thing as the king!" Isander looked at his clothing then at Soteria's clothing. They were wearing the same thing.
He smirked. He had asked her to find out what the king was going to wear. He did not know how she found out, but he was going to reward her by giving her son two square meals.
Isander bowed before Mace, "I apologize but perhaps it is the king who has worn the same thing as me". An adviser stood up, "Are you accusing the king of copying from a mere troublemaker?" "I am only saying, my lords" Isander smirked.
Soteria waved his hand for them to stop, "It is just clothing, forget it" "But your majesty, he even came in with a cane bearing the same emblem that was crested on our sons'...your son's hand!" "I said that is enough!" Soteria yelled and Mace bowed down and took his seat.
Isander smirked, "If it displeases his majesty so much, I should get rid of it" he said and gave the cane to the person who had come with him. The person gripped the cane with strength, then smashed it on the floor, causing the golden top of the cane to shatter into pieces and creating a dent on the floor.
Cassian was awed. That person could not be Nola. Nola was small and she did not like harming people or even non-living objects. That was how they had met. She had seen Gerta tied up at the market and in a halter, saddle and a bridle. She had thought Gerta was for sale, so she freed her and got on top of her to ride her to safety. She had almost died due to Gerta's wildness but Cassian had saved her.
That was not his Nola. That person had a lot of strength...but the person's hand was slender and had long and slim fingers just like Nola.
"Shall we continue?" Isander sat on a vacant seat. The king's right-hand man took the scroll and read; "We are gathered here today to---" "Everyone here knows what we are here for" Isander rolled his eyes. "How dare you interrupt procedures?" Mace eyed him and Soteria raised his hand to silence them, "He is right. We all know what we came for...and I do not agree to a settlement".
Cassian raised his hand, "I second the notion" he said and Isander looked at him and laughed, "Anyone else?" he asked. No one raised their hand.
Soteria was surprised. Why was no one raising their hands? "What are you lot doing? Your sons were killed by this man's men!" he said and Isander got up and bowed, "They were not soldiers. They were children, in their early youths. And we all know how they behave; rebellious, rude and they pull on so many pranks" "Are you saying the killing of the first born sons and the young prince being in a vegetative state, was all a prank?" Cassian asked and Isander nodded, "Yes of course" he laughed.
"Your majesty, we should think about this rationally and not with our emotions" Mace began but Azrael got up, "Oh please, you are just saying that because a servant was killed in your son's stead. Your majesty, we do not have enough man power to go to war".
"If I may, your majesty, I propose their heads" Isander spoke up as he looked at Cassian who was boiling with rage. "What?" Mace asked "The heads of the rascals who pulled such a prank on a great kingdom like Thurtian" "Stop calling it a prank!" Cassian yelled and took out his sword. Swords from the guards at the door, were held up to his neck.
Isander smiled, "Does it please his majesty?" he asked and Soteria bit the wall of his mouth, "Their heads will not bring out my son from his vegetative state, would it?" he asked but Isander just kept that smug smile on his face.
"Answer me!" Soteria growled and Isander brought out a potion from the pocket of his coat. "This is what will bring your son out of his vegetative state" he stretched it out to Soteria who tried to grab it but Isander took it away from his reach, "Do we agree to a settlement?" he grinned sadistically.
Soteria looked at Cassian who shook his head furiously. A tear slipped out of Soteria's eye as he blinked, "Yes...I agree to a settlement" he said and Isander shook his hand then he handed the small bottle to Soteria.
Soteria felt dirty as his palm came in contact with Isander's palm. Isander laughed maliciously as he turned around. Cassian threw his face away as he gripped his sword. Isander had already planned how the meeting was going to be. It all went according to his plan.
Cassian grunted and hit the nearest guard with his elbow then he bent down and swept the other guards off their feet, with his leg. He got up and ran towards Isander, whose back was to him.
"Cassian no!" Soteria called out. Cassian brought his sword down on Isander's back but instead of striking flesh, he struck metal. It was the person Isander had come with. The person had stopped Cassian's sword with his sword.
From the little swell on the cloak, Cassian knew it was a woman. She grunted and pushed him away. Cassian turned his sword over and charged towards the woman. She caught his sword and he hit her neck with his elbow. She staggered back and before she could regain herself, she saw Cassian in front of her with his sword close to her belly...but he was not moving.
She turned and saw Isander with his hand stretched out. Everyone in the courtroom was shocked at the drama before them. Isander raised Cassian and applied pressure on his neck.
Cassian's sword fell from his hand and his hand went to his throat. Isander grunted and flung him to the wall. "You have gotten weak, brother" Isander walked out of the courtroom with the woman behind him.
Soteria ran to Cassian, "Are you alright?" he asked Cassian who groaned in response then he touched the back of his head and felt blood. Soteria sighed, "I am sorry, my friend" he said and helped Cassian up.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Zemira heard commotion coming from the courtroom then she saw someone who had the same build as Cassian, coming out of the courtroom. "Cassian" she called out and got up. Noelle got up too and they walked towards him but Zemira realized it was not him when she saw his face properly.
This man had no scar running along his eyebrow, but he had one on his right cheek. He had the same height, the same hair and almost the same facial features, just that this man had a small beard, thin lips and dark eyes. When she had looked into his eyes, it felt as if she was staring at a bottomless pit.
"Ladies" he slightly raised his top hat to them with a smug smile on his face as he walked away. The woman behind him stared daggers at Zemira as she followed Isander.
Soteria ran to them and they bowed, "Your majesty" they said and he held Noelle's hand, "My queen, come!" he dragged her away.
Zemira turned to the door of the courtroom then she saw Azrael coming out. "My lord! My lord!" she walked briskly to him and bowed, "My lady" he kissed her hand. "How do you do?" he smiled and she nodded, "I am fine" "Your pregnancy has made you even more beautiful" "Thank you, do you---" "Your sister told me you would be here. She sends her greetings" "Oh, how delightful!" she said with a fake smile and he smiled.
"May I know how the meeting ended?" she asked and he sighed, "We came to a settlement" "What? What about Cassian?" "He..." Azrael was saying and she ran past him into the courtroom.
She saw Cassian picking up his sword and on the back of his black jacket was blood. "Cassian!" she gasped and was running to him but someone grabbed her arm. She turned and saw Mace smirking at her, "Who let a woman into the place of men? A prostitute for that matter".
Zemira tried to remove her arm from the old man's grip but as old as he is, his grip was not weak. Suddenly, Mace was sent flying to the other side of the room. Cassian held Zemira's hand and pulled her closer to his chest, "That prostitute is my wife. Do not touch her with those hands of yours".
Mace sat up and winced as he felt a sharp pain in his arm. Cassian had broken his arm when he had kicked him from across the room. "How dare you?!" Mace thundered and was about to stand up but a sword was held to his throat. He looked up and saw Azrael.
"That seems like your favorite sentence these days" he chuckled and some of the advisers helped Mace up, "Do not think you are untouchable because the king has your back. I shall make you pay for this disrespect!" Mace said as he was led away.
Cassian looked at Zemira then he checked her arm for any bruise, "Are you alright?" he asked and her hand made its way up to the back of his head and she felt blood.
He was the wounded one but yet he was worried about her because someone had gripped her arm harshly. How could she not feel safe with him? How could he expect her not to fall in love with him when he did these little and kind gestures which made her heart race so much?