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5.55% Alliah's Fight For Her Kingdom, and Her Heart / Chapter 4: A (Sort Of) Reunion

Chapitre 4: A (Sort Of) Reunion

"Your Majesty you should really get looked at." The General spoke sternly while walking at my side. I waved his concern off as I strolled down the hallway towards my father's throne room. I wanted to get the lashings out of the way first before I sought out medical attention. Nothing would hurt worse than my father's disapproval.

"I really am alright. The arrow has blocked the blood from escaping, so I can manage at least an hour before I must get it removed. His Majesty needs to know what transpired in the forest." I told him blandly. The General sighed in frustration. I could feel he wanted to stop me, but he wouldn't be able to successfully. Much like my father, we where both extremely stubborn by nature and convincing us to do anything else but what we where set on was practically impossible.

"You can literally send anyone else to do this task your Majesty. You are bleeding and wounded. Your health comes first before a report." He demanded once again. I sighed and shook my head. I wouldn't let another soldier take the brunt for my mistake. It wouldn't be fair to them to feel the wrath of my father. The wide double gold doors came into view as we approached the throne room. I could feel my nervousness grow with each step I took. I had never truly faced my father's complete wrath before, so to say that I wasn't nervous was a completely lie.

"We failed to keep two Royals safe General. This was my first task to complete, and I failed. This is my burden alone to deal with so please rest assured once my father reprimands me I will go and seek medical attention. Relax." Two guards that stood at attention the throne room doors poked their heads in and announced our arrivals. I watched their eyes widen at the sight of my visible wounds. They went to open their mouths but held my hand up to shut them up. I already had the General on my tail about my wounds, I didn't need anyone else. So, they opened the door and I walked in, my head held high.

If the situation had been different, I would have loved to be in the throne room. It was an exceptionally large and tall room with a dome towards the top. A crystal chandelier swung slightly from the peak of the dome, the candles flickering with the rush of the wind. The floor was made of polished granite and reflected the room like a giant mirror. Marble pillars lined the red carpet that led to the three thrones that perched on top the granite stairs. My father sat in the tall golden one in the middle, my sister perched on his right side. Mine was sitting at his right side.

My steps faltered slightly when I saw two men standing before my father. They both turned as the door closed and looked up surprised. A younger version of Nicklos stood before my sister. The only real difference between the two was that the younger man, had long black braided hair and the older one did not. Nicklos had his hair trimmed back just enough so that his stray hairs fell into his eyes. Our eyes met briefly, and I could feel the pull to walk up to him and slap him. To start yelling at him for the past year that he had stopped communicating to me. But I needed to keep it professional in front of my father, I didn't want to further displease him. But seeing as he was glaring at my shoulder, he was already angry to being with. I knelt before him, ignoring Nicklos's stare in the process.

"Alliah, what on earth happened?" The General had knelt beside me, giving me a sideways glanced before we both rose to our feet. I stifled a gasp as I winced in pain. "General do you want to explain to me why my daughter is here instead of seeing the nurse in the infirmary?" He demanded once again without skipping a beat. The General went to speak but I held up my hand to stop him. This was not his fight, and instead should be with the others instead of myself.

"We were hit with a heavy blow, and as this was my assignment, I should be the one to take the lashings father. I failed my assignment to keep the royal family safe." I explained to him. He walked down from the throne and stood before me. He placed both hands gently on the sides of my arms and sighed heavily. This was not the reaction I was expecting from him, and I was taken aback.

"Considering the damage that was done, I think you did a fine job. Your task was indeed to protect the Prince's and you did an exceedingly well job. After all they managed to get here unscathed so consider it a job well done. As for your injury," He paused staring at my shoulder and glaring. "Get that looked at immediately and go get some rest. The General can finish giving me the report of the ambush." He said letting me go and turning back towards the throne. As he took his seat, I bowed once and turned on my heel to walk out. I patted the General on his shoulder before taking my leave. I couldn't help glance over my shoulder one last time to look at Nicklos.

To my utmost surprise, he excused himself. My father, to my surprise permitted his leave. I couldn't stop myself from waiting at the door. Despite my anger towards him, I still wanted to get to the bottom of his absence in my life. While I waited for him to catch up, Illia glared at me. It felt like she was trying to stab daggers into my back. I knew she didn't like me, but what made her look like she was ready to kill me? I stared at her until Nicklos was at my side. Without a word, I walked through the door. The throbbing of my body was starting to mess with my temper, and now I regret not getting looked at first.

"You have really grown since I last seen you." He spoke softly. He could tell he was testing the waters as he tried to speak with me. I scoffed and rolled my eyes before glaring at him. So, he was going to try and small talk me. After all this he was going to provide small talk.

"I suppose you have grown yourself your Majesty. I see you cut your hair." He reached a hand towards his hair and played with a silky strand that dangled down his forehead. His lips formed into a smile and dropped his hand back down to his side. I hated how my heart fluttered at his very presence. I just wanted to slap him and get it over with already. He went quiet, his eyes searching my face as we continued to walk. His presence has started to annoy me more than anything, and with this stabbing pain coursing through my body, I only got more irritated with every passing step.

Just as I was about to open my mouth to snap at him, he reached a hand out and carefully wrapped the fingers around my wrist gently. As quickly as my eyes could keep up, he closed the distance between us, and his mouth was on mine. Tentative at first but became feverish. Despite my iron will and inward protests, I felt my lips form against his and return his kiss. With his free hand, he pressed his hand gently against my back and forced me to lean against him. My heart was now a thunder of hooves against the ground. I couldn't hold back my love for him despite how he treated me over the last year. But that doesn't mean I forgave him in anyway. He had a lot of explaining to do. He pulled away from me and placed his forehead against mine. His eyes where tightly closed, as if he were in pain.

"The first day I get to see you in six years, and you get injured. It seems that the only thing I have done is caused you pain." I said nothing as he gently played with my hair, his breath warm against my face as he spoke. "I know you are upset with me and you have every right to be. But please, once you get fixed up and get some rest, please come talk to me. I would like to explain my reasoning to you." His eyes opened and I stared into the two golden pools I loved. I sighed defeated and nodded once. I would give him his chance; I would have even if he hadn't asked me too. He smiled down at me and placed another gentle kiss against my lips before letting me go.

"Regardless of how angry I am with you your Majesty; I am still a woman of my word. Please excuse me." I said turning away from him, my heart still thundering and hammering away in my chest. My lips still burned with the heat of his lips against mine. After six years, it still felt warm and welcoming. The only difference is, was that he looked way more handsome than I remembered. Pressed close against his chest like that, I could feel every taught muscle and ab that protruded underneath his clothes. He was more fit now than he was back then. I blushed profusely that he had the audacity to press a grown woman against him like that. I wasn't a small girl anymore; I was a fully developed woman with needs and desires. What audacity he had. I suppose after all this time, he truly hasn't changed at all.


Chapitre 5: General's Concern

After spending some time getting chewed out by the infirmary nurse, I finally found myself back in my room. The sun was well beyond set behind the distant mountains now, signaling the day was finally over. Fatigue had washed over me, but I wasn't quite ready for bed yet. I found myself settling into the bath that I requested be set up. Steam rose slowly and sluggishly from the clean and crisp water. Lavender scented candles had been lit around the rim of the bathtub, giving off a calming aroma. I sighed with relief as the warm water lapped at my aching body. The heat working at the hard tense muscles that formed over the course of the day.

What would my life be like without my bathtub? I would truly be lost. The only issue I had with my bath, was that it gave me time to reflect. Now I had to face my reality with Nicklos. It was true that seeing him today made me realize how much I did miss him. Regardless of how our relationship turned out, he was still my trusted best friend. At first, he was the only Knight in training that saw how good I was with a sword. Then he became someone I could rely on and talk to, even if it were not about training. I grew closer to him as the year went by and finally, we started to secretly court.

I guess since neither one of us stated anything about breaking off the secret courtship, it was still official. Father couldn't really complain since after all, he was a Prince. Having a suitor aside, now I had to focus on getting everyone else here safe and sound. Those bandits would return, whether it be in larger numbers or a small few. There was no rhyme or reason for what they did, and that always made dealing with bandits dangerous. I just hoped that we could find their den soon and diminish what was left of those rotten bastards. The last thing I needed was my Kingdom falling apart because of some stupid group of thieves. If we couldn't even take care of some low life thugs, could we really call ourselves the Royal Guards?

There came a small knock on my bathroom door. Carefully I pulled a clean and dry towel from the side of the pool and covered my body with it before hollering them to enter. I had a curtain that hung from the ceiling that hid the pool from the doorway, but I would have felt better being covered than not regardless. I heard the door slowly creak open and then shut as a pair of footsteps entered the door. The newcomer awkwardly cleared their throat. I smiled at myself, knowing that it was the General who dared to enter my room.

"You know it calls for execution for you to enter a woman's room alone, General." I said teasingly. There was a nervous chuckle from behind the curtain in response. Joking aside, there had to have been a reason for his intrusion. "You wouldn't come here if you didn't have a reason. So please, state your business." I tried not to sound bossy, but I was really enjoying my bath until he came in. The General cleared his throat again.

"I really do apologize my lady. I know you are supposed to be relaxing but another Royal Carriage is on it's way in and we have been addressed to escort it to the Palace." I gave a long sigh and let my head fall back on the granite flooring. What was more dangerous than a group of bandits during the day, was a group of bandits at night. I could already come up with a million reasons why this was a terrible idea, but it was my duty nonetheless to escort them to safety. I just had to pray that there were not any bandits roaming around at this minute. We normally never got cargo in during the night any way, so the chances of an ambush where slim.

"Very well General, wait for me outside my room and we will head down together. I will only be a minute." I listened to the scuffling of the General's feet before pulling myself out of the bathtub. Water rushed off my body and towel as I sat with my feet still tucked into the bathtub. I was already starting to miss the feel of the heat as I grabbed a dry towel and started to dry off my body. With my skin now dry, I started to dawn on my new Knight clothes. A button-down shirt with white slacks. All the seems were hemmed with golden thread. I placed my cloak over my shoulders, making sure that the golden rope sat off my shoulder. The weight of the rope alone was enough to make my wound throb. I didn't want to add any other unnecessary pressure to the agitated stitching.

I pulled my white boots on and looked at myself in the mirror. I pulled my long black locks into a tight ponytail atop of my head. A few loose strands fell from the hold and fell against my face, framing it. I stood tall and proud despite the altercations I faced today. I could feel my mother's appraisal even beyond the grave. Even the small thought of her caused my heart to ache. I was a spitting image of my mother. Long black hair, dark forest green eyes, small, rounded nose. Everything I had was identical to her. Even for a split second, I thought I was looking at my mother and not myself. I took pride in her looks, because she was the greatest Queen that had ever ruled over Celestia. She was always calm and collected, but stern when she needed to be. She squashed squabbling Kingdoms with nothing more than her words and saved lots of suffering and heart ache. She was revered as a merciful Queen and was always placed on a high pedestal. I only wished I could be half the woman she was.

Taking a last glance in the mirror, I headed out the door and through my bedroom. Opening my door, the General stood at the ready. With my door closed tight behind me, we walked together in silence. The air felt different from earlier, like there was something between us that was unspoken. So, I casually nudged the General and he glanced down at me questioningly.

"Why do I feel like you are hiding something from me. You are normally so awfully chatty." There was no laughter this time. There was no witty comeback or any sign of humor as he sighed bitterly and let his shoulders slightly sag. There was a look of utter defeat upon his face as he stared ahead and continued walking.

"I saw you with his Majesty today out in the corridor. I knew you two where close in the past, but I never realized that you two where intimate." I groaned angrily and shook my head. I was afraid someone would have caught us, but I didn't think it would have been so soon. I wasn't fully understanding where his bitterness stemmed from, but I knew that he was an old man with a dad like complex. He was going to be overprotective of me regardless of my feelings of the situation.

"You are my most trusted friend and ally, General. So, I would appreciate it if you would keep this quiet and between us." The General nodded his head once and I gave him a small smile. "It's true that we are courting. We have been since before graduation. That was why I was so angry when he stopped communicating with me. We haven't talked anything out yet, but I do plan on hearing him out. After all I did promise him, I would wait for him." I said grudgingly. The General's face lit up in amusement before clapping my on my good shoulder.

"Well, if at any time, you want me to break his knees I will without hesitation." He said, the joking part of him returning. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my mouth with his promise. "But you should still tell your father. After all he will ease up on you about having a suitor. If you can't come clean about it soon, I have been told he already has an arranged marriage set up." I sighed disgruntled and nodded my head. An arranged marriage is something that should have been done a long time ago already. But now it seems like he was getting impatient and was starting to tire waiting for me to find a husband. Giving me this much time already was a blessing, so I shouldn't waste it right?

"When I figure things out with Nicklos I will. I haven't been able to talk things out yet, and right now my main concern is getting all of the possible suitors for my sister here safe and sound." The General nodded his head with approval. All the Royals and High Nobles would come first before I could find time for myself. And even still I was tasked with getting rid of the Bandits as well, so who knows when I would be able to find a proper time to sit down with both and have a proper conversation?

"I respect the love you have for your Kingdom your Majesty. I think you will make a fine Queen one day. I just hope I am around long enough to see your coronation." There was no teasing in his tone this time, just sincerity. I hoped he was around long enough too. Honestly, I wouldn't even know who to appoint as the next General if something where to happen to him. I guess I should really start paying attention to the soldiers' training early in the mornings and study them. No one could replace the General's skill and loyalty to the throne, but nothing lasts forever.


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