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“I just realized I won’t be returning. It’s all new to me.” The king’s eyes looked solemn. Then he blinked.
“I love helping others find happiness. Interactions could be complicated.”
“Well, that seems to be the case, generally. We see complicated daily in our line of work,” replied Queen Evalyn.
“I know that’s true. I remember meeting Alex, but I think Isabella said his name was, Alzerion.” She said his name slowly. She wanted to be sure that she said it right.
“Ah yes,” King Francisco nodded. “Alzerion is one of the good ones, but complicated.”
The queen smiled. “Of course. He’s just busy at the moment, but when he comes back, he will want to see you.”
“So, you didn’t have a boyfriend?” Francisco asked as he sipped some tea. His eye quirked up.
“No, of course not.” She blushed. “I never found someone who was a perfect fit for me. I know what I want and well, I wasn’t keen on anything less.”
“Oh, she is definitely your daughter.” The king laughed as he shifted in his seat.
Queen Evalyn pursed her lips as she pushed his arm. “I can’t believe you said that.” She turned her attention back to Aironell. “We want the man you choose to be the right one. I mean, here in Bachusa, you are considered an adult. As our heir to the throne, the man you pick will help you rule the kingdom. Your choice is rather important.”
“Oh, well…no pressure or anything.” Aironell gulped.
“We don’t want you to worry about that.” King Francisco swallowed. “We will support any choice you make. We’re just saying that when you’re ready to decide, you should do so with much thought. People here can be more manipulative than what you were used to. What with being the future queen and all, just be cautious.”
“I promise I won’t make any hasty decisions.” Aironell set her cup down. “I never have in my life, and I don’t plan to start now.”
“Good,” said the queen. “But sometimes things don’t always go according to plan, dear.”
* * *
Meanwhile, over in the training field, Alzerion heard panting. Some swearing as the men ran their laps. The sweat poured off of them like sweaty shirtless blurs. Until they started to finish.
“Come on, finish strong! You can do it!” yelled Alzerion.
He was trying to give the men a decent workout. Normally he would have worked out with them. He didn’t know what that surprise was but he didn’t want to need to shower from all the sweat.
“Sir, that was torture. Can we call it quits for tonight?” pleaded Castro. He was bent over hands on his knees. Strength and the ability to push forward. He knew that Castro showed promise, but he needed to master that. Some dropped to the ground and laid on their side. Catching their breath. He knew the army needed to be better, stronger. Whatever it took to be sure that Ulbrick wouldn’t defeat them.
“We’ll stop soon,” he told them, his voice booming over the field. “Not because you’re all tired but because I have to return to the palace at a reasonable time. The king said I have a surprise, whatever that means, so I will be cutting practice short tonight.”
“Alright,” said Castro. “When will we be done?” He spoke through ragged breaths.
“When I say you’re done! Come on, men, I’m disappointed that you’re all tired already.”
“In our defense, we did a lot of workouts in a short timeframe.”
“That’s true,” said Alzerion, “but—”
Something caught Alzerion’s eye. He saw a light on at the palace. He squinted for a better look. As he stared, he saw two silhouettes in a window upstairs.
He turned back to Castro and the men and said, “Well, you are all in luck. You’re done now.”
With those words, Alzerion quickly put on his white button shirt, navy blue tie, and black sweater. The men didn’t stop to ask. They headed to the barracks.Who could be in those rooms? Could there be someone trying to break in and steal something?Then with those thoughts, Alzerion disappeared in a puff of red smoke. He landed in the hall and outside the two bedrooms he saw them walk in. He strolled up to the door that contained the two silhouettes, opened it, and his jaw dropped. He was not expecting to see Isabella and Quairken, and then his eyebrow rose. He inched closer.
“W-What are you doing here?” Alzerion stammered.
“Alzerion! It’s so good to see you and that you’re in good health!” Isabella hugged him. His arms hung at his sides.
Alzerion’s eyes surveyed the area while he was rooted to the spot. He didn’t know what to think.
