Malika P.O.V


    We had moved into the dining hall, alone. A Black and white cat is sitting on the table. "What a family you are marrying into." Uncle Eiran says this while trying to pet Nadja. But she leaps off the table and walks under it to hide. "I do not think I have been here since..."


    "Since my mother died." I finished.


    "That was also the last time I saw you, I believe," spoke Uncle Eiran


    As long as I remember he has never visited unless it was for a big occasion, such as a wedding or burial. The only time we''ve seen him is on our father''s annual spring journey through the Kingdom. A political journey to ensure the alliance with the leaders of different counties are carrying out their duties. Uncle Eiran always accompanies my father on these travels, I used to come along, but it''s been years since I last joined it.


    "Uncle Eiran, my future in-laws are waiting. Can we get on with it?"


    "Your father told me about your escape out into the city. When will that habit die out? Does he need to order guards to follow you around as though you were still a child?-"


    Wasn''t it enough for my father to scold me, he have to do it too. Why do people take pleasure in chiding people? "And to a brothel of all places, are you aware of the shame you brought upon yourself? If your bethroed knew..."


    I cut him off, "The Duke already knows, I told him everything."


    "Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what you have done?"


    "I am well aware, and Teival was very understanding, he even agreed it might be for the best to postpone the wedding."


    Uncle Eirans face turns stone cold, and when he speaks, it''s with the authority only a man of high rank and control can speak. It is the tone of one who expects evryone to do as he says without question. "There will be no postponing, everything needs to be going as planned. It can not be known the Crown Prince have been kidnapped. Not with the recent development."


    "What development?" I ask. Eiran do not reply so I raised my voice asking again, "What has happened to my brother!?!"


    Eiran sits down on one of the chairs. "This morning a letter arrived demanding the release of two traitors in exchange for the Crown Prince''s life. We are certain it is the girl who you went looking for, that is behind this." Oh my, this is horrible. But why is she doing this for some traitors? Is it the ones they arrested at the brothel?


    Eiran breathes out a heavy sigh. "Your father, proud as he is, has chosen not to comply with the demands. He is leaving Valor to fend for himself."


    "Your wrong father would never do such a thing. I am certain he is doing everything he can to ensure Valors safely returns." He must be, Valor is the Crown Prince. It''s his son for goodness sake, he would not abandon him.


    "Malika, you need to understand. Alfonso has given up on him. Unless Valor manages to save himself, he is being left to die. And your father made sure Valor do not possess the skills needed. I always meant it was a mistake not to teach him combat. But Alfonso would not risk it, all because of that damm curse."


    "Do not say things like that. Of course, Valor will come home safely. The girl who took him does not wish him harm, she just wants to save her friends."


    "You might be right about that. However, given the current circumstances, and with the crimes she committed. She may have no other option. Malika if Valor does not return home alive, you will be next in line to the throne. Which is a great change if things, you need to promise not to tell anyone about this."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As I return to the parlour, only Teival remains. He stands by a chair, he most likely was sitting before the door opened. As the guard closes the door behind me, I blurt out. "I am sorry for leaving."


    "I am sorry you had to witness that fight," he responded.


    "Did your family leave?" I ask. Even though I can see we''re alone.


    "Yes, my mother and I agreed that staying apart was better for the time being. Did you have a pleasant conversation with your uncle?"


    "Yes, it was pleasant speaking with him.-" I am sure my tone betrayed me, but Teival chose not to question it. "I have been ordered not to postpone the wedding, so everything will continue as planned."


    "That is a relief, does that mean your brother has been found? " I shake my head as a reply. "I see. I am sorry."


    "It is all my fault I should have gone to father. Instead of sneaking out with him."


    "If you won''t mind me asking, this does not seem to be the first time you have snuck out. Why do such a thing?"


    Why? Such a simple question, with a tough answer. "Growing up, we were never allowed to leave the castle. We were captured in its safety. The only time I had ever left its safe halls was when my father brought me for his spring journey. That is until I was sent to the monastery, as is customary in the royal family. It was the first time in my life that I did not have guards following my every step. And not only did I stand on my own, I was with folks my age. Who already had the habit of sneaking out. I soon became a part of that. It was exciting and never felt dangerous."


    "Did you never get into any trouble sneaking out?"


    "The times it was discovered we did get punished. But as we just walked to the village, and never did anything but go around it was never made out as a big problem. We did not need to do more, the intriguing part was just to go out."


    "So the other day was your first time in a brothel." He smirks, I have a feeling this is gonna be something he is going to love bringing up in our marriage. "Of course it was."


    "How long did you study at the monastery?" Teival ask.


    "Almost three years. I was supposed to return home when I was to wed. But then the betrothal was called off and I ended up staying longer. In my last summer there Valor joined the monastery too. Then winter came, and we were called home because our mother had died." A few tears are sliding down my cheek.


    I settle in one of the chairs, and Teival sits across from me, silent. Perhaps he is waiting for me to continue, or maybe he is at a loss for words.


    The silence we sit in is suffocating. I think back to the argument, what was said, and I can not help but ask "Teival what did you mean when you said your mother ruined your first marriage?"


    "Since you been so honest with me I should be honest with you too.-" He shrinks back into his chair with crossed arms, looking uncomfortable "My first wife, Eva. She was not a titled woman, just a mere servant, but I instantly fell in love with her. And against my mother''s wishes, I did marry her. That was the start of our problems."


    "My mother is a challenging woman, one moment she may be your best friend and the next your worst foe. Though for my wife she only showed her mean side. No matter what Eva did it was never good enough, she was the target of numerous abuses-" He leans forward his albus on his legs and hand covering his face. "No matter what she did, it would never be good enough for my mother."


    In a way I understand, the grand duchess''s anger. To marry a servant as a duke, it is a big shame. Still, it does not excuse abusive behaviour.


    "And then the struggle of us not being able to have a child started to create resentment between us. Which only got worse after she lost a baby. I am not proud of how I acted at the time. I made so many mistakes trying to please my mother. That I did not protect my wife. I ruined the marriage."


    "I understand the pain, my mother died during childbirth, the baby died too, it is hard losing someone that way."


    "You do not understand. Your mother died in childbirth. An honourable death. But Eva died in shame. If I had been there for Eva maybe she would have not chosen to give up and I would not have lost her." He snif and uses his palm to dry his eyes.


    He makes it sound like she chose to die. Maybe she did, after all, I don''t know how she died die.


    If that is the case that would explain a lot of Teival''s behaviour, his agreement to everything I want, his forgiveness of the side steps I have taken. "Is this why you are trying so hard to make me happy by agreeing to my every wish for the wedding?" I ask. Teival looks away, not meeting my eyes. "You do not have to agree to everything I want, I be happy if you are just you."


    "Just me was not good enough for Eva."