Bab 11: The Royal Secretary
Bel felt all the blood rush to her head. She looked up at the guard who was speaking. He had his head bent and from where she sat on the horse all she could see was a glimpse of his structure.
She heard the sound of riding coming closer and she turned around to see Tharus riding towards her on the path but he wasn't alone. The most unexpected person was riding alongside him.
"Princess," his voice reached her ears as he slowed his horse to a halt.
Bel winced, it was Lord Landon, the Royal Secretary, informally known as the King's advisor. Her father had official advisors but everyone knows he only ever listened to Lord Landon.
According to what she heard, they had grown up together and Lord Landon was integrated into her family. His only son got married a few months back and his wife was expecting.
"Lord Landon," she grumbled out. "I didn't know you were in the castle already."
"I just got here," he responded.
Bel frowned, "May I ask to what I owe this honor and while you're at it could you tell the guards to open the gates."
If her father sent him, it can't be a good sign. Landon was known for one thing, his convincing manner of approach.
He chuckled softly, "Curt as ever when you don't have your way. Unfortunately, I can't do that. Your father gave strict orders."
"I already heard that."
"I know," he replied.
"But I figured it would be nice if I told you myself."
"I don't think so. It would be nice if you convinced my father otherwise."
Landon laughed a little. "Could I have a word? Surely you have time."
"No, I will be too busy scaling the castle's fence," she replied.
"You won't," he said with his eyes slightly widened.
She tilted her head with a smug expression, her eyes telling him to put her to the test.
"I suppose you would," he sighed. "How about this? If you listen to what I have to say I shall speak to your father?"
"How about this instead? If you convince my father, I shall return early and have the talk you're insistent on."
Landon blinked, obviously surprised at her flip.
"Don't look so surprised, you taught me well," she commented.
Lord Landon laughed. He was a middle-aged man who was at least fifty-five years old. Bel was sure he was older than her father but she wasn't sure what the age difference was.
"Lunch," he replied. "Since we are negotiating."
Her face darkened. "You don't leave the castle until an hour before sunset. We don't have to speak by lunch."
"Deal or not?"
He was of average height with a face that had aged well. It didn't help that he was easy on the eyes and had this softness about him.
"Deal," she said with a sigh. She knew better than to drag this out. Lord Landon looked to be in a good mood. He could be stubborn.
"Alright," he waved his right hand, flipping his wrist upwards, a loud sound echoed and the bars started to move up.
"I thought father gave strict orders," she said with a smug look.
Landon shrugged, "He wants me to convince you and as we have found out, not giving you what you want is the worst way to go about it."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "What a backhanded way to call me spoiled."
"But you are," he smiled. His eyes crinkled to match his smile and Bel looked away. She didn't like that his blue eyes looked like they saw too much.
"I'll see you after lunch," he called to her as she started to ride away with Tharus and three other guards close on her heels.
***
If Bel thought breakfast was bad, lunch was even worse. She was glad when it ended and she left.
"What do you think about a walk?" Lord Landon asked as they walked out together.
She scrunched up her face. She wasn't super excited about walking around in the sun.
"I will pass, maybe if you had picked the time I wanted," she replied.
"My bad," he responded. "I supposed the drawing room it is."
Bel nodded and slowly grounded her teeth as a flash of her father's outburst echoed in her ears.
She sighed and led the way. It wasn't like she would suddenly grow afraid of the drawing room.
They walked in and it was just as she had left it, by the looks of things, no one had used it since they did last night.
She dropped on the seat facing the window. The drapes were drawn and from this point, she could see the trees at the side of the castle.
Lord Landon didn't sit across from her, instead he sat next to her on the other end of the same couch, making sure to put enough distance between them.
"I heard you fought with your father."
She squinted her eyes at him. "I wouldn't call it a fight. It was just a lot of words, mostly from him."
"You are angry."
"I am not angry." She responded. "You said you wanted to talk, I doubt the situation between me and father is the topic."
"No, but it is a subtopic. I would have to speak on it to address the main topic."
"I would prefer it if you didn't. I understand you and father are pretty close but I would prefer if you think of this as a private matter between me and my father," she said darkly.
Lord Landon adjusted, "I pissed you off, didn't I? I apologize. Still, it's a little cruel to say we have no relationship. I am not just close to your father."
"Apology accepted. Now, what is this about?"
"I thought you knew exactly what this is about."
"I know but I don't think it is my place to say. You are the one who wants to have a word with me."
"You intend on making this difficult."
"I don't think so. I have been nothing but amicable this entire exchange."
Landon laughed, "Amicable! I would hate to see what you call difficult."
"I could show you," she offered with a smile.
"No, thank you." Landon immediately went silent and Bel was forced to look at his face. "You can't get out of marrying Prince Davien."
Bel grimaced but she was more annoyed about the fact that Lord Landon called the prince by his name.
"You don't know that," she whispered.
"I pretty sure if anyone knew it would be me," he replied.
"I am not going to be forced into a marriage."
"Even though the marriage will benefit the Kingdom times over?" He asked. "Don't forget you're a princess, your duty is to your people."
"You've said there is nothing wrong with being a little selfish sometimes. Duty or not, I will be the one stuck with him for the entirety of my life while it will be a mere fragment of his."
"Is that where your refusal lies?" He asked.
"No, I would rather not be married to a strange vampire."
"I see. You don't look like you intend to change your mind."
"Absolutely not."
"I have news for you," he said, his voice turning serious. "Your father had absolutely no plans to change his mind. Surely, you didn't think you were more stubborn than he is."
Bel gave him an unimpressed look. "Only because you haven't advised him otherwise."
"Is that a proposition?" He asked.
Bel blinked and sat upright. "It could be," she whispered as she tried to read his face but Lord Landon wasn't giving anything away.
He chuckled, "Of course, you'll jump in on the idea. Absolutely not. I have no reason to convince your father to call off the marriage."
She stared disdainfully at him. "I guess my happiness is unimportant."
"Emotional blackmail isn't going to work," he declared. "However, something else might."
Bel looked at Landon with disbelief. From the sound of his voice she could tell what he was about to tell her was something he shouldn't.
"I am listening," she replied.
"We should receive our future in-laws by tomorrow night."
Bel winced, feeling an evil shiver move all over her skin. That wasn't going to happen if she had something to say about it.
"If you can get Prince Davien to end the marriage or better still cancel the wedding altogether, that should work. However, you have to make sure it ends amicably."
"'Those two words shouldn't dare be in the same sentence. How the hell am I supposed to accomplish that?" She asked in horror.
"I don't know. That's up to you to figure out."
"However, we would probably still be able to keep the alliance if he is the one who ends things."
"Why would they want that?"
"Leave that to me," Lord Landon said with a smug expression.
"If you are so sure of your skills, help me out of this."
"I cannot," he replied and stood to his feet. "To be honest, you have no reason to refuse this. There is no better offer than Prince Davien."
"The next time someone says that to my face again, I might just throw up."
Landon laughed, "I wish you a blissful marriage," he said and started for the door.
"Lord Landon," she cried.
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