Aidan's POV
I walk into the hall which has already been lit up with candles at various positions.
I look up to find the towering throne with a crown placed on it.
The high council members, elders and Kings are already here. I find my father standing with the old King maker beside him.
Rumour has it that he's the oldest vampire who has survived through decades.
"It's time." He says as my father beckons on me to come forward.
"Dear members and allies of the Balcroft Kingdom, tonight we come together to crown a new king of this great kingdom…." He says with the ceremony taking place as my gaze settles on the throne once again, my mind drifting to Zelda.
I reminisce on the times we've spent together and mull over the thought of our future. I plan getting married to her soon, definitely after our engagement which I would've ignored if not for tradition.
I smile at the thought of her being crowned Queen and ruling by my side. What a formidable couple we'll be!
Taking a deep breath, I recall vividly the words of the diviner I met regarding Griselda's powers. If one thing is certain, she's a Gilmorsh but the intriguing part is the powers she possess.
I mentally scoff at her prophesy regarding the later outturn of events between Griselda and I. To douse the effect of the ridiculous prophecy she made, she made a suggestion of letting her go to live among her people, saying 'If the love between you two is meant to be, it will be. Your paths will meet again.'
I can't and will never let her go to live among the Gilmorsh's, one can never be too sure of those vile creatures or plans they harbor.
Griselda will live in Balcroft and find her path here. As for those who make attempts to find her, they'll be put off.
The king maker comes forward and drapes a red robe with an enlarged insignia of the royal family around me with the lit candles now burning fiercely and brightly, an elder comes forward and hands him the crown .....
*******
JAMES ABODE
Marilyn screeches in anger and pulls at her pearl necklace which falls and jumps all over.
"What?! He definitely can't do it, father!!"
"Marilyn, this is the current king of Balcroft we're speaking about, not the former Prince Aidan.
He definitely holds more power than any member of the council right now."
"Father…." Marilyn draws walking closer to him and sitting.
"Can't you use a position to rile up other council members to oppose his decision of getting married to that girl?"
"I really wish I could… King Aidan had a reputation as a Prince for his cruelty, talk about now he's a King.
He can definitely punish or worse have anyone plotting behind him beheaded without a second thought.
I can't risk being on his bad side, definitely can't." Sir James says.
"Father.." Marilyn begins but is cut off by her father.
"Look, one thing was clear to me today. After his coronation, King Aidan declared his engagement and marriage to the girl; his mistress, in a few weeks.
His decision about marrying a bought girl was questioned by some but the ferocity and threatening tone to which he replied them dissuaded me from conjuring a plan to thwart the marriage."
"Father, I definitely can't sit and watch that wrench get married to Aidan, worse being crowned Queen. I can't, father!
I'm sorry but I won't attend the ceremony to watch her gloat over me." Marilyn says springing up from the sofa.
"Of course Marilyn, we have to act because you can't be sidelined in all these." Sir James says and getting up closes and locks the door.
He walks over to the window and closes them, drawing the curtains together as Marilyn watches him with squinted eyes.
He walks over to her as the figures cast shadows on the walls, in a hushed tone, he begins, "I recently met with the previous Queen, Hatia. She expressed her displeasure over the recent happenings of King Aidan favored over her son in many ways.
There, we came up with a plan to be set in motion. Her son, Maverick will usurp the throne with the support from some of the council members. I will help play a part in the overthrow of King Aidan. After Maverick is crowned King, you will be made Queen."
"Father!" Marilyn shouts.
"You… you want to indulge in the overthrow of King Aidan.. and then make me marry his brother, why?"
"Hush Marilyn, hush! When you get married to Maverick and end up being crowned Queen, you can put up with him for sometime and probably have a child before doing away with him.
Yes, you can put him off the picture and be the new and only ruler of Balcroft till your child grows and you can hand power over to him or her.
Think about the power, fame and respect you'll get from being the Queen of this kingdom, think about it!" Sir James shouts in a hush.
"Of course father, I've thought about that and more but… this is not just about power, it's above love! I love Aidan, a lot!
I've stayed with him all these years nursing hopes of our future together. I don't think I can envision him being with another woman!
Can't we go with another plan father? One with Aidan and I in the picture, please father?" Marilyn asks.
"Marilyn James! I raised you better than this! The reason I set you off with Aidan in the first place was because of the status, fame and power his position in this kingdom will bring to you, to this family.
I would have gone with that and left you with a happily ever after was he still interested in you. You didn't play your cards right, hence his newfound interest and love.
Now…. do away with those feelings and think about the future. Would you rather stay behind the scenes fighting for love to probably end up a mistress with no respect in the society to the King? Or would you rather…. would you rather do away with those feelings and fight your way up where you'll get and revel in that power, respect, money?
Choose wisely and don't dare bring shame to this family nor make my plans futile."
He says leaving while Marilyn slumps on the sofa as her body racks while she sobs.