53

Noah
“What happened to James? Tell me. ” I asked my mother, sitting on the bench.
“He was involved in a mild disagreement and got injured. He’s been cared for at the military base near Midon. ” My mother voiced out slowly, taking the paper from my arms.
I rubbed my hands across my face, wondering how and why James would get involved in a disagreement in the first place. Anytime we argued as kids or adults, James was always the first to pull out of it, no matter what.
“What disagreement? James doesn’t involve himself in fights. ” I stated.
“He crossed the red zone,” My mother looked at me, “Everyone is forbidden from crossing over to Narnia’s red zone. They said he was trying to stop a Narnian soldier from hurting a horse who went astray. ”
“What red zone? Why did Narnia do that?” I questioned my mother.
“That is their law.” My mother promptly responded. I noticed how her eyes seem unsettled and the way her hands kept trembling while she tried to tuck strands of her hair behind her back.
“Tell me why Narnia is in disagreement with Midon. ” I demanded.
“Noah,” My mother called out.
“Are you hiding anything?” I cut her off, my hands, placed along the buckle of my belt.
“Noah,” My mother started, her gaze on me unwavering, “Do not tell Gordon about what happened to his son.”
“You are not going to tell Gordon that his son is injured?” I clicked my tongue, mashing my lips and wondering what else she was hiding from me.
“Just do as I say and stop asking me questions. Do not call James. Don’t bring up any problems. ” My mother yelled back at me. I observed her facial expression and the fact that her eyes were glossy.
“But will you stop James from speaking to his father? Are you planning to hide this and bury it down to the ground?”
“James will not speak about this to his father because he knows what is at stake here. Stop yapping and leave.” she retorted sharply, her head whipping back to focus on the reflection of the sun against the various flowers around the garden.
I mashed my lips, watching as my mother said nothing afterward, she let out deep sighs while I watched for a while before taking a quick bow and taking my exit.
I turned around and noticed she was still sitting on that bench, but her right hand was clenched into a fist. I took slow steps forwards, my mind drifting in and out of different thoughts.
Why were Midon and Narnia in conflict?
Should I ask my father?
I shook my head violently, dismissing the thought in my head. Asking him would arouse more problems and trying to talk to him would be my downfall and in the long run, all I might earn from him would be the lashing of his tongue.
I walked further and sighted Gordon in his white long hat hiding his bald head and a white double-breasted jacket, his pants in a black-and-white houndstooth pattern. He was talking to his subordinate who had his hands clasped behind his back.
He sighted me and bowed, “My Prince. ”
I nodded with my hands buried in my pants. He smiled at me full of affection while my facial expression was that of a mixture of pity and guilt.
I walked up the stairs, ignoring the chatters that the servants made and wordlessly responding to their greetings.
I took quick strides towards my chambers, ready to take a quick bath while thinking about the events that were happening around me and was still a mystery. I couldn’t have the courage anymore to ask my mother about Nadia and my heart was mildly shattered that I had to stop going to the bakery.
Ashley was the reason why I kept coming back but my heart ached, remembering Mason.
Why on earth did she have to have feelings for someone else?
It hurt badly when she talked about her date and how romantic it was. It hurt, even more, when I couldn’t kiss her when I had the chance, and to worsen it, she was the woman I danced with at the ball.
I noticed that there were no guards stationed outside my chambers.
“Did Matthew ask them to do this?” I muttered to myself, hoping that he wasn’t petty enough to deny me the security I needed.
I inhaled sharply and wrapped my two hands around the chamber doors, opening them slowly. I walked in, removing a button off my shirt with each step I took.
I was about to head towards the king-sized bed when I noticed a figure sprawled out in it.
Could it be Rose?
I shook my head. She was still annoyed at me. Why would she, she was still very much annoyed with me.
I advanced closer, my heart racing faster and as I took a step forward, holding the one of poles, that held the king-sized bed, I heard someone speak,
“Did you go hunting all day or do you want to avoid your future bride?”
I shut my eyes briefly, my left hand slowly curling itself into a tight fist.
“Get off my bed, Matilda,” I told her, my eyes narrowing in on the way she rose, her fingers diving into her hair, “How did you get in here?”
“The people who work here are very respectful and were kind to tell me about your chambers, ” Matilda answered, advancing closer to me, “-And I was bored to death in my room, doing nothing and even now you seem uninterested in seeing me.”
“Leave my chambers. I have no time to spare for you.” I uttered.
“Not even a minute? I thought you were going to make an effort.” Matilda crossed her arms around her bust as she touched my shirt, spreading out her fingers to reach into my naked shirt but my hand reached out to grab her sneaky fingers, yanking it away.
“I am hurt. You’re not giving me any attention nor are you ready to start over and give me a chance. ” Matilda circled me like a predator watching her food before biting hard.
“I don’t care about your feelings. Get over yourself. I didn’t choose you. You chose me.” I blurted the words out.
“Have you forgotten we are going to be wedded? Do you want me to march right now to your father and call it off? Should I give it a trial?” Matilda threatened, lifting her neck. The corner of my lips sloped downwards to give a stern frown while I watched her cackle.
Rage bathed my senses as my hands grabbed her neck, pushing her against the pole.
“I told you to never threaten me with that. Do you not listen? What do you want from me?” I told her with my right hand tightly wrapped around her small neck.
I was a bit taken aback when I heard a moan escape from her lips. Her hands reached up to her neck, flexing her fingers to cover mine.
“I just need affection from you. Can’t you give that to me? I just need your heart. ” Matilda answered.
“My heart? First, it was the merger you wanted and now, you desire my heart. I don’t trust you and you act like a chameleon, sometimes.” I responded.
“Give me a chance. I would be leaving for Arendelle soon. I’ll come back during the festival in Midon and then we can go hunting together, don’t you agree?” Matilda muttered.
“I don’t trust any word that comes out of your lips.” I slowly removed my grasp from her neck, watching her groan softly.
“If I don’t get married to you, I might end up being wedded to a man who is almost thrice my age. ” Matilda answered while chuckling, “Can you believe that?”
“Leave, Matilda. I don’t want to listen to you, anymore. ” I shut my eyes briefly, feeling a headache coming.
“Do you feel pity for me now? Do you see that it’s not only your life that is at stake? The moment I don’t marry you, Arendelle will fall out with Midon and I will be trapped with a man who might not be able to get it up. ” Matilda said.
I squinted my eyes, my hands reaching out for a glass cup.
“Answer me, Noah. Don’t you feel pity for me?” Matilda voiced out.
I felt another strange feeling wash through my body as I reached out to pour the booze into the glass cup, quickly emptying it into my mouth in a go.
“If your heart can’t open up to me, at least, you should understand what I’m also going through. ” Matilda spoke again.
“Leave my chambers, Matilda,” I muttered, placing the cup on a silver tray.
I heard her slowly retreat as she walked towards the door. When she had left, I sat on the rug, leaning against the bed and one of my hands reached to caress my forehead.
Was Matilda honest with me? Is that the reason why suddenly apologized and desired my affection?
I suddenly remembered the scars I saw on her back and my head began to hurt once more.
Matilda and I were slightly similar. Two messed up people with families who were more interested in their selfish desires.
I looked at the booze, picked it up, and began to drown it in my belly without using a cup.
That was the only thing I felt that would bring me comfort at that moment.