My dearest Maliki,
I miss you dearly. With the days after your abrupt departure, I have grown weary and worried for your well-being. I know that you have left early in the news of your father and sister and I truly wish my condolences to you. I am told you are now in the household of Elizabeth’s and I wish you the best of luck with her and I hope that we would be able to talk about it further in later time. I am extremely happy for you.
As for Treyton, we still communicate. He has sent me numerous letters explaining that he has been doing remarkably well. The army is strong even though with the loss of Timothy but I trust Treyton will do everything in his power as he has such great leadership.
Timothy comes to the castle every now and then and even sits down with us for dinner. Zach had evacuated with the rest of the villagers and during that time he had met a girl. It was not just any girl but a girl who had finally put him into a steady place. She had done wonders and they have been with each other ever since.
Enough about others, let me turn this subject back to you, Maliki. The rumors that had been circulating the castle had me suspicious but I was told that you were engaged to Elizabeth. I knew this would happen and if it is not a true rumor I know you will do it soon so good luck! If, however, all news is true about your wedding closely following after mine, I want to wish you the warmest congratulation.
I hope you come to my wedding as you are invited. Bring Elizabeth with you and we shall talk more on everything. We need to talk and catch up on what is to happen to the kingdom. I will wish for your presence every day. Until then, I wish you blessings.
Sincerely,
Izzy
Izzy finally finished writing. It had taken her a faster time than it had the first time she had written a letter. She had a tutor for two months and she was easily able to excel in all her subjects. With hard practice, Izzy had finally learned.
As Izzy signed her name, she felt a presence behind her. Unable to act more quickly, she felt the figure bend down and kiss her cheeks.
“Practicing again? Should you get a break or some rest? You are working yourself too hard,” Alex muttered into her ear softly. His melodic voice made Izzy’s heart skip a beat and the feeling of happiness emitted from her. Even after two months, she was still getting used to Alex’s open affection for her. Everything that she thought could only be a dream had come true. It was almost unrealistic.
“Zander, I was writing a letter to Maliki. I have not been able to talk to him and I was getting worried,” Izzy replied, feeling a tinge of disappointment.
After she had found out he was her brother, she was ecstatic but he had left before she could talk to him. Apparently, he had left after knowing the truth. She was nervous about Maliki’s response. Did he not like to think of her as his sister? Was she not good enough? Was she a poor excuse to replace Annie? The endless possibilities rambled on inside Izzy’s head.
“He will come to the wedding, Izzy. He cares for you.” Alex said it with such confidence that Izzy believed him. Maliki did care for her. All those times they had spent together proved that he did. Izzy nodded in silent agreement.
“Good,” Alex said, smiling. “Let’s do something fun now.” Alex tugged her to her feet gently yet eagerly and swept her away.
Two weeks later
Izzy walked down the aisle, her long white, ivory dress following behind her gracefully. She was nervous and felt her palms grow wet with sweat. She had been waiting for this day yet she had never expected it.
Nevertheless, she looked straight ahead with her head held high in front of the entire kingdom. She walked like she was taught and made sure to make her presence known. She felt all eyes on her but as she walked down the aisle there was only one pair of eyes she could see.
Alex stood by the alter, his body turned towards Izzy, waiting for his bride to join him. Izzy was breathless, knowing that by the end of the day, she would be in Alex’s arms and by his side forever.
When she neared him, he helped her step up to the alter where the priest was already waiting. He smiled kindly to Izzy and she could only smile weakly back, fighting the nerves that had settled in her stomach. Alex gave Izzy’s hand a squeeze and her eyes met his. He gave her a reassuring smile and a short nod of encouragement and that was all he had to do to help Izzy.
“I bring here Princess Isabelle and Prince Alexander on this afternoon of celebration; to unite two kingdoms into one…” the priest started. Izzy and Alex was partially there as the priest spoke but they couldn’t help glancing at each other, waiting impatiently for the wait to be over. As they exchanged their vows, Alex looked at Izzy in a way she couldn’t describe. He truly loved her.
“I do,” Alex said with such confidence that it even startled him how loud he had said it. It was a proclamation of his love for her.
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the priest’s loud voice boomed for all the kingdom to hear.
As soon as the priest’s words left his mouth, Alex stepped forward quickly, spending no extra time lingering before kissing her. He took her eagerly, waiting to seal the marriage, proving his love for her in front of his people.
Izzy gasped at his gesture but as soon as his hands tugged her closer to him, she obliged. He was hers and that was all that mattered. His lips were on hers, soft and full but it left too early than she wished.
When they let go, Izzy remembered the crowd of people screaming in excitement. Everything seemed to have blurred when he had kissed her and she blushed as she realized what had happened.
Alex put his hands on his waist, showing everyone that she was his and his forever. They walked down the aisle as one.
Lights and candles were set up everywhere behind the castle, celebration of the newlyweds filled the air. The atmosphere was of victory and a mixture of ecstasy. Chairs and tables were set outside for the reception and dancing couples were enjoying each other’s company. In the middle stood Alex and Izzy, dancing slowly, her head on his chest as they moved with the swaying music.
“I love you, Izzy,” Alex whispered what seemed to be the hundredth time. However every time he said it, it drove Izzy’s heart crazy.
“I love you too,” she whispered into his chest, taking a deep breath to remind her of what he smelled like. They stayed like that, enjoying each other’s presence with silence.
“Can I cut in?” someone cleared their voice uneasily. Izzy composed herself quickly and turned to the voice, immediately recognizing it.
“Maliki!” Izzy said a little too loudly but she didn’t care. She was waiting for his reply but it had never come and to see him at the wedding was something she wasn’t sure would come true.
Izzy let go of Alex and hugged Maliki. Alex smiled at Izzy and mouthed a thank-you towards Maliki’s direction.
“I have been meaning to send you a letter but there was no time. Can I still speak with you for a moment?” he asked, his smile curving into a grin.
“Of course,” Izzy replied with a heartwarming smile. She looked at Alex as if for a response and he smiled at her, kissing her quickly.
“Go,” he urged and watched as Izzy led Maliki to privacy.
Izzy and Maliki walked together towards the garden area where guests were prohibited to enter. They had reached a small pond at the end of the garden, near the place where Maliki had resided during his time here. Izzy watched Maliki look straight ahead at the sky with an indescribable expression. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking about.
“What is it?” Izzy said, after silence.
“I asked Elizabeth to marry me,” Maliki said weakly with a smile. Izzy beamed in happiness and squealed as she hugged Maliki. He laughed at her response, letting her embrace soothe him. “I thought you should be the first to know.”
“Yes, you guessed right!” Izzy smiled, letting go of him. He smiled for a while and looked towards the sunset, sighing. “But there’s something more,” Izzy said softly, watching him look like he was in a different world.
“My father…” Maliki said but almost choked on his words.
Our father, Izzy thought.
“There was a small private funeral for him and the kingdom mourned for their loss,” Maliki said, his voice wavering. “I just cannot accept it. My father dead and my dear sister a criminal.”
Izzy felt her heart break. She was his sister too yet in a way genetic wasn’t enough for him to call her that.
“I’m sorry, Maliki. I truly am,” Izzy said genuinely. Although they had plot her to kidnap her and almost kill her, she felt terrible for how it was affecting Maliki. She couldn’t forgive them but her heart still went out for Maliki.
“That won’t bring them back,” Maliki whispered, his eyes still glassy as he watched the waning sun.
“I know,” Izzy replied because it was true. No matter how great her sympathy was, it wouldn’t solve anything.
“Will you be alright?” Izzy asked, knowing that it was a terrible question to ask. He was grieving but she wanted to help.
“I loved my sister and that will never change despite her cursed name but they have made me suffer greatly. They never let me cry when our mother passed away and so I will do the same today. I will not cry,” Maliki said stiffly, suddenly looking back down at Izzy with confidence. Izzy wasn’t sure if Maliki’s decision was good but she nodded.
Maliki caught Izzy’s eyes from the reflection from the pond and Maliki’s heart softened. He was glad that at least he still had one blood member, his true sister standing side by side. With her, he knew he would heal. He knew he could keep going.
“Maliki, I love you. You are my brother although we have only known this for a short time. I will do everything in my power to help you. It’s okay to cry for a loved one,” Izzy responded, looking at him. Maliki turned his gaze away from the pond and stared at her. Her green eyes shown with intelligence and the care and love he had received from Izzy.
“I love you too, Izzy,” Maliki smiled. His heart was still broken and but he knew now that he could get back up and keep perservering.
“I have a proposal for you,” Izzy said suddenly, shifting the mood. Maliki looked at her with curiosity.
“What do you mean?”
“Zander and I have discussed this along with the late king, King John, and we have decided that it is best not to divide the two kingdoms,” Izzy said, remembering the day when they all met together for a meeting.
“What are you talking about? You need the alliance. Two kingdoms together is better than a separate one. There will be a chance of war,” Maliki said incredulously.
“Not if you are the king.” Izzy saw Maliki’s jaw slightly drop. She couldn’t help but smirk a little. They had planned it with hours of thought and it came to a conclusion that Maliki should be the next king. He knew his people better than Izzy and his people trusted him more.
“Me? King?” Maliki shouted, feeling his heart quicken. He wasn’t sure if he would make a good king. He had never imagined himself being able to become one because of Annie.
“Yes, you!” Izzy laughed while smiling at him.
“I-I cannot be a good king. I-I cannot,” he stuttered, surprised by the proposal.
“Maliki, your people know you better and they need you. This is your duty. With you as king there will always be an alliance between the two kingdoms,” Izzy said, showing him the positive prospect of it.
“I-I’m not so sure. I-”
“Maliki! You will become king! I know you are capable of it!” Izzy said boldly, almost scolding him like a child. Maliki looked shocked and speechless. “You are a great man and you will make a good king.”
A slow smile crossed his face as he took in what Izzy had said. No one had ever had that much trust and confidence in him.
“You really think so?” he asked, quietly, feeling the courage and the strength to accomplish this.
“I think you know the answer,” Izzy smiled smugly. She knew what his answer would be.
“Yes,” he said.