138 Chapter 138 : The wives

“Shall I show you to your chambers?” Theo spoke to the guests. “Please make yourselves at home, we should be expecting his majesty and the princess any day from now.”

Julia quickly turned around and continued her journey to the palace gardens, that was Melissa’s family Theo was speaking to wasn’t it? What were they doing here? The green eyed woman walked thoughtfully down the hall and out through the large glass doors to the vast gardens covered in vines, flowers and blossoming trees.

She didn’t notice that as she passed one of the doors in the hallway, a pair of honey brown eyes were watching her. Clovis stepped out of his quarters and walked steadily behind Julia. He has seen her going to sit in the garden on several occasions now, she would even have her breakfast and lunch there with a book in hand, and for some reason, Clovis couldn’t help but watch her.

Ever since he and her touched hands, yes just the mere touch of a hand, he had become so drawn to her and it was insane. This woman, he wanted to get to know her more, figure out why he was so drawn to her of all people. Clovis had never been interested in women, not even once, his life revolved around work and his duty to the throne. His need to get to know her was mind boggling.

That’s why today he had decided to actually go up to her and speak with her. The silver haired prince walked over to where Julia was sitting and cleared his throat, “good morning..”

The woman did not hear him, she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Julia was busy pondering over what king Elric was up to this time, why had Melissa’s family been summoned to the palace?

“Julia...”

Julia looked up at the man hovering over her and gasped, she rose from her seat abruptly and tripped in the process. Luckily Clovis was quick and grabbed her hand, helping her up before she could crush to the ground.

Clovis helped her recompose herself and took a step back, “sorry to startle you..” the man apologized.

.....

Julia curtsied nervously and nodded her head, “it’s alright your grace,” she responded. She really couldn’t get used to bumping into Clovis, the resemblance between him and Elric was startling.

“Can I join you for your tea?” The man asked. His voice too resembled Elric, except that his was a lot deeper and smoother.

“Of course your grace,” she responded and gestured him to take her seat. “I’m sorry I never have guests so there’s only one chair.”

“It’s alright.” Clovis walked passed the woman and returned with a thick log that he placed on the ground and sat on, “you can have the chair I’ll sit here.”

Julia looked at the prince and hesitantly sat across from him. Why did he all of a sudden want to join her for her mid morning tea? To come to think of it, no one in the palace ever payed any heed to her.

“May I help you your grace?” Julia asked the man. She wondered what the real reason behind this visit was.

Clovis called a maid over and asked her to bring an extra cup and more crumpets before turning to look at Julia. “Yes you may actually..” the prince responded.

{I knew it..} Julia thought to herself. That was how it always was, she was nothing but a pawn to all these people. A tool for power and getting what they wanted.

“What is it you want?” Julia questioned the man.

“I want to get to know you..” Clovis responded as he took the cup and extra plate of crumpets from the maid who had returned from the kitchen.

“What?” Julia’s eyes rounded in surprise. He wanted to get to know her? But why?

“I want to get to know you better lady Julia,” Clovis repeated himself, “maybe you and I can be friends.”

The small green eyed woman chuckled lightly, “friends? Why would you want to be friends with the woman known for killing the queen?”

“Actually that’s a good place to start,” the silver haired man responded. He lifted the teapot and poured tea into both their cups, he then handed Julia a crumpet and took one for himself. “Why don’t you tell me about that? What actually happened Julia, why did you kill my mother?”

The woman lowered her green eyes and sighed in embarrassment.

*

Zander waved his friends goodbye and closed the door. As he turned he sighed and glanced at the pillar where Zara was hiding. “You can come out now I know you’ve been eavesdropping this entire time.”

Zander’s youngest sister slowly peeked from behind the pillar and walked towards her brother with an awkward look on her face. “Hey..”

“How many times have I told you not to listen to people’s conversations it’s rude,” Zander scolded the girl.

“But-”

Zander put his hand in front of Zara to stop her from talking and peeked over her shoulder, “you can all come out too!” The blonde man yelled, “Zelda, Zoey, Zainab, Zora, Zuri! Come out from back there!”

The five young women walked out of their hiding places with sullen looks in their faces. They joined Zara and stood in a line in front of of Zander.

“What do you all have to say for yourselves?” The man asked the six sulking women.

historical

“We wanted to know what’s going on,” Zelda spoke first.

“Yeah, why did Vivian have to leave? What’s going on?” Zara added on.

“What’s going on Zander is she going to be okay?” Zainab asked, “you realize if anything happens to her you’re going to die alone right?!”

“Everyone calm down!” Zander spoke, “Viv is going to be fine, I’m going after her.”

The six women’s identical faces all lit up at Zander’s words.

“If princess Melissa is safe and here with prince Gareth,” Zander explained with a sly smile, “then Viv will be here with me as well. It’s all part of my plan.”

“You sly elf you,” Zoey chuckled, “and here I was about to scold you for helping someone else’s love life while yours suffers.”

“It’s all part of the plan,” Zander responded, “Vivian is the only woman I’ve ever loved and im going to bring her back here and make her the lady of this house.”

*

“Calm down Ivan aren’t you supposed to be excited?” Beric questioned the profusely sweating man with a chuckle.

“You know to come to think of it,” Roland commented as he sipped in his ale, “the only person who has seen Ivan’s wife is the prince.”

The group of men had decided to go to a nearby bar in town after they had received news that the carriage carrying their wives would be arriving in Ervelon1 earlier than they had anticipated. The news had made Beric, Ozias and Odran very happy but Ivan on the other hand looked like he was about to be sentenced to death.

Among the men, Roland was the only single one. He had a bad experience in the dating department because of his beautiful feminine looks and men mistaking him for a woman. But he really didn’t mind, he knew the right woman would come along one one day, just like it had happened with Zander.

“Ivan come on you should be happy you even have someone,” Roland spoke as he downed his ale, “what are you so nervous about, you want to be single and alone like me?”

“You don’t understand,” Ivan responded in a jittery tone, “the relationship I have with my wife is complicated, she makes me nervous and makes me questing everything and everyone I know.”

“Let me guess,” Ozias commented, “she’s not hot enough for you? You know it’s not always about the looks right?”

“Shut up you don’t understand!” Ivan yelled and downed his cup in three large gulps.

Before long a messenger elf walked towards the table the men were sitting at and told them they had visitors outside. Beric immediately rose to his feet and practically ran outside, followed by Ozias and Odran. Roland pat Ivan on the back and gestured him towards the door.

“Come on Ivan, let’s go take a peek at this wife of yours.”

The men walked outside and Roland could see his comrades embracing their wives in passionate hugs and sweet kisses. Ozias’ wife was like a little doll, small and cute. She looked even smaller standing next to the baby giant who is Ozias.

Odran’s wife looked poised and uptight, she was already scolding him about his unkempt hair seconds after seeing him. She had even brought the children with her, two twin boys who looked just like their father.

Beric’s wife was a sweet cinnamon roll just like her husband, they made the perfect match.

Roland’s eyes scanned the area for Ivan’s wife wondering what she looked like. Was she plain and boring, rough and uptight? What kind of woman would have the casanova of the group shaking in his boots.

“Ivan!”

“Oh Gods,” Ivan whined as he turned to look at where the call had come from.

The rest of the men turned to look at the woman who was marching towards Ivan and all dropped their jaws to the ground. That was Ivan’s wife?!

“Why do you look like that?! Didn’t you miss me?!” The woman demanded.

Ivan looked like a little puppy as he spoke to his wife, “welcome love..”