“Kaden! Oh my god!” she gasped cheering in excitement. Her childhood friend who went to an academy far away for his studies. Whom she gave up on meeting again had shown up becoming the hulk of a built man. “You were this small when I last saw you. Look how tall you’ve grown.” He complimented though she only reached his shoulder, she felt accomplished. “look at yourself, youngman.” She replied and he took her hand gently lifting to only kiss the back of it as he bent leaving tingles and their eyes met again, anticipating something more. “So Where is the lucky man accompanying you tonight?” She noticed his rough callous hands he acquired from all the field work.
“Oh, This poor lady couldn’t entice a single soul yet. What about you Prince Everett?”
She hadn’t met him or heard from him in years. But hears about him all the time. He visits the palace once in years for his mother resides here, but then he’s ever seen again.566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgyjgi6e8M
“I guess, you have already allured me.” He took her hand once again. “Will you spare me a dance tonight, my Lady?”
“Yes. Sure. My pleasure.”
And off to the dance floor they were.
After a dance session, she puts up the question to greet the king next. He agreed.
Prince Kaden, The Archduke. His mother, a Courtesan. There’s always a tension between the two princes. Kaden never get entangled with the court matters but serves the country battling at the borders of the Country and provides for the needy or trapped. Basically, Loved by the People. On the other hand the crown prince has earned himself the title of a playboy.
Aaliyah wondered to ask if he plans to fight for the throne. But decided to keep shut, remembering Clemons’s words. 566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilyeyO9Qlk
Kaden doesn’t only belong to the kingdom. He serves for the Country, he commands the troops and various other kingdom bow to him to earn his loyalty. Because if he turns against anyone. The nation will fall apart. Military can take over. A Power shift will cause downfall of huge businesses. A man like him cannot be intrigued.
Meanwhile, they were both planning to overthrow the current monarch.
Both had their personal reasons.
Hers Revenge.
His Disgust.
The greetings went fine. The king called his good for nothing son, Braxton over and made him acquainted with the couple.
Aaliyah couldn’t hold herself back seeing him again, in this life. The Life her Fairy Godmother had bestowed upon her to complete her revenge, and upon doing so, she will be called back to the heavens again.
“Greetings your highness.” She bowed, lifting her gown a bit, gracefully. Her insides were boiling though. The blonde frail man of a price stepped forward to touch her hand but she stepped back, so he left it at that and appreciating her beauty he tugged his partner close. The lady with Braxton also introduced herself as Perla, with pride. Aaliyah recalled, the Daughter of the Marquees.
“Haven’t seen you since your last visit here.” Braxton tried to initiate the talk when all eyes didn’t waver from him. 566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsqKVp0aeV
“Oh, but I saw you entering a motel escorting some gorgeous woman, in the back of the lone end of the city.. but I can’t seem to remember her name.” Perla's eyes widened accusingly at him, Kaden had a hint of amused smile playing on his lips, Braxton opened his mouth to target Aaliyah but she started before he could. “.. While I was at Mandy’s jewellery shop. A gem she carved caught my eye, and who Better than his majesty knows,” her eyes briefly met Maurice’s “..when I set my eye on something, I get it. That instant.”
Braxton now gulped and set his pleading eyes on his father. The king, helpless. Can’t afford to punish the Clemons Family. The Clemonss have their business scattered across the country, gold to coal mines, lands to shops, from assisting the collapsing ones to sponsoring rising businesses, They had set foot marking their Territory in every possible domain. Infact, all surrounding Kingdoms including Asden have to pay taxes in bulk alone to this Influential family. If Connor wants, this palace can be theirs in a flick of his fingers. Men Aaliyah doesn’t like can disappear if she says so. Everyone knew of their holdings and all were aware who held the true power here.
The King convulsed into fits of Laughter. Trying to lighten the situation. “O Aaliyah! Let the guy off. Must be your imagination.”
She smiled back to the prince, “We’ll be hanging out in the pavilion, if the king needs us. Greetings, Your Highness.” and took her leave linking her arm with Kaden, who was trying to hold his laughter back. After they disappeared into the dark, Claudia left Braxton after a heated conversation and Maurice left for his room for a heavy drink. His head hurt witnessing such defaming fight. Just as he was retiring to his room, his butler showed up.
“Your highness! Sir Connor's Chancellor dropped by today, he handed over documents regarding his Aaliyah’s marriage and need them sanctioned by tomorrow.” At this, his ears perked up. ‘Marriage? He loves his daughter more than anything. How can he accept the marriage proposal so soon? Until..’ his thoughts wander off. “With whom?”
“The Archduke, Prince Kadens. Your Majesty.” As soon as the words reached Maurice's ears, he felt the ground slip under his feet. “This can’t be possible! They are a Threat to the Throne.” he started mumbling in anxiety. He recalled The Duke did bring up the topic of marriage when they were talking earlier this afternoon. But the king thought he must be going on about his Other two daughters, because bringing up any topic about betrothing Aaliyah has always got on his nerves, it’s like getting on his bad side.
Meanwhile, Lady Clemons’s eyes were bulging out seeing the pair from a distance. Prince Kaden, who is always too busy to heed a Young woman’s cry, entertaining was far from possible. Unbelieving this abnormal child of hers could get an untouchable man like him.
Aaliyah and Kaden were dancing in the night, on the grass, near the pool, talking endless about worldly things and then as the clouds started veiling the moon, they started going on about themselves, future and dreams. She was having the night of her life. Somewhere between the talks he realised she didn’t know that they were to be engaged. He didn’t break it to her instead went with the flow getting to know her without any constraints.
On the other hand, The king had called an emergency meeting with trusted Knights and the Commander. “She is very strategic.” The king started slowly. “She schemes.. there’s no way even Frances as father would love someone as much as he do his Aaliyah.. I know him. He’s twice as calculative as his daughter.” She has potential, won his affection over because of her capability. Have you ever seen him caring about Isabel or Sofia like he does for Aaliyah? Braxton just entered, dejected.
The King continued without acknowledging his presence. “It’s because she has an equal hand in acquiring provinces like her father. They work together. That girl accomplice with Kaden, Will pose as a Threat to the Throne!”
By this time of the midnight many had left. The Banquet had nearly ended. The Couple had decided to bid goodbyes to head back for their Chateaus. But coming back to reality she found out, her family had already left for home and left a message for her in the hands of their Steward, ‘Apologies for leaving uninformed, but you appeared so cheerful with your Prince Everett, it wasn’t in our heart to disturb you, now that he has stolen you from us, enjoy every bit of it.’ Aaliyah’s neck grew pink and so did the apple of her cheeks when he said aloud in front of the prince himself. Kaden didn’t suppress his grin either, she was too Embarrassed to show her face now. Her Steward disappeared the moment his job was over. And now she was left alone with him,
“Would you mind a ride with me, Princess?” he proposed and though her Embarrassment remained, without hesitation she rested her hand on his. And they turned to her way leading home.
Behind the locked doors of the secret meeting room of the royal palace, the meeting continued. “If he can give his daughter’s hand to a son of a courtesan, leaving the fact he has my blood running in his veins too. A huge conspiracy must be going on behind our back.” Now everyone gulped, all eyes focused on Maurice. “They could be planning to overthrow the current monarch.” He banged the table as his voice rose in panic. “I can see my Throne Slipping away from my hands!” he stood up gesturing fisting his rising hand, hot blood pumping, the Soldiers faces going crimson with agony, their grip tighten on their swords.
The soldiers were dispatched. The official order was passed, on confidential credentials. To, 'Exterminate Lady Aaliyah and Sir Kaden Everett. None shall be able to see the rising sun. The matter shall also die in the night of the grave soil.’
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