She looked up at him, tears falling from her eyes.
"I fell in love with you the first time we met, Alistair; I'll gladly die by your hands." She said as she rested her head on the sword.
I could not handle it anymore.
"Umm….Alpha? Can I.…
"This does not involve you Seraphina." He interrupted harshly.
"Very well." Alistair raised his sharp sword in the air swiftly. "You shouldn't have done that to the Alpha."
I closed my eyes in shock as the sword went down to her neck, then opened them.
It was fast. Her head tossed on the sandy floor and her body fell slowly as blood flowed down to her dress.
Alistair dropped his sword and knelt before Lorien immediately.
"I shall always serve you, my king."
He was hurt and terrified but he hid it so well. I realized Lorien was far more brutal than I thought. He had no mercy for his enemies not even for his brother.
"Stand up and raise your head high, brother; we have just defeated a dangerous enemy. We deserve a drink." He replied as he walked to me.
Alistair stood up slowly, his eyes glued to the floor.
"If you'd give me the permission, can I bury her?" He asked gently.
Lorien was about to object but I held his hand secretly. He looked at me and I nodded.
"Your wish is granted."
Alistair carried the headless body on his shoulder and took the lifeless head then walked past the tired warriors.
They must have fallen for each other and had their moments together, it's so devastating she had to die at his hands.
"Bow to my woman, Queen Seraphina of duskbane!" Lorien announced and they all obeyed.
He turned and looked at me lovingly. "You're mine now."
I smiled lightly.
The battle was over, at last, but more war was still coming.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After our success on the battlefield, I became a role model. Most of the maids looked up to me and came to me for advice most time.
I was fully accepted.
I trained most of them in the courtyard most times and this made me busy. I stayed in a different chamber but close to him. I had no time for Lorien and I was glad about that.
After the sad scene that happened on the field, I feared him more.
Alistair was mostly indoors, probably mourning Ivy. I heard rumors from the maids that he'd sneak out to visit the spot where he buried her.
I hope he finds peace soon.
Lorien was busy, setting up new defenses and controlling fallen buildings back. He had no time for trials or me, I missed him.
On this particular day, we were on the training ground. The people here had a rule that women couldn't join in a war but I changed that.
I showed them women can be more than maids, chefs, queens, or princesses. We can be more than that.
I was spotted on the bench, watching the maids try out the war equipment but some guardsmen watched them.
"Be careful!" I called out, picking up the sword beside me.
"Our to-be Queen."
I looked back and saw Alistair coming forward in his royal attire. He looked better, probably recovered.
I was not dressed properly, my long hair hung loose over my bare shoulders. My gown was off-shoulder and quite revealing at the front, showing my cleavage.
I brought my hair to my chest and bowed politely.
"Prince Alistair, welcome."
"The queen should never bow to anyone except the alpha, Seraphina." He replied, his hands folded to his back as he sat down beside me.
My nose caught an unusual smell, my senses became alarmed. It was his cologne, he used a strange cologne and it was messing with my head.
"I should…..
I tried to be on my feet but sat back on the bench, he helped me and stared at me.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned.
No, I wasn't! Something was happening and u can't describe it!
"I felt dizzy…I think I need some rest."
"You look fine to me." He replied, closing on to me.
The cologne got stronger, it was as if something had affected my senses. I looked at him and the noise around us subsided. It felt magical to be with him, his eyes and lips seemed unreal.
I raised my hand to touch his lips when the baritone voice called out behind us.
The maids quickly dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to us bowing to Lorien.
"Alistair?"
He immediately shifted away from me, and I came back to my senses; what was I thinking? What the heck happened?
"Welcome brother, Seraphina….
"Queen." Lorien glared at him.
"I'm sorry, but Queen Seraphina seemed unwell; she almost fell some minutes ago."
Lorien gaze shifted to me, I had a headache, and it pissed me off so bad that I stood up, but I was still weak.
Lorien rushed to help me as he realized I was truly weak but I was fine a while ago.
"Seraphina? Are you alright?" He asked.
"I think I need rest, I don't really feel good," I replied gently.
"Here, I'll take you to your chamber." He said as he took me up in his arms. Oh God, how I missed this man!
I cuddled up in his arms and waved Alistair bye. My maids and his guards rushed behind us quickly.
Most workers and nobles in the castle peeped out of their windows to watch the cute sight. I smiled inwardly; this life had a lot of trouble but had its positive sides, too.
We got to my chamber and the maids waited outside. Lorien dropped me on the bed gently, adjusting my dress.
"Why were you at the training ground?" He asked as he poured me water.
"I was instructing the maids….
"It's dangerous, Seraphina; you used up your strength." He interrupted as he walked back to me with the cup in his hand.
"No Lorien, it's not the training."
"Then what?"
He helped me up and I sipped the water.
"I can't explain…..
"Rest Seraphina, you're feeble."
I nodded and lay in my bed quietly. "I guess so."
"I'll check up on you later, take care."
I smiled sweetly and he pecked my cheek then proceeded out.
I wondered what was wrong earlier. I was okay until Alistair came along but he did nothing to me. How did I get so weak? I must be truly weak.
I woke up a few hours later and felt better, it was a good idea to take a nap. I yawned and sat up then called on my maids.
They came in quickly holding trays of food and snacks.
"Are you okay now my queen?" One of them asked eagerly.
"I'm fine now. The alpha must have been mean to you, and I apologize for that."
"No, Your Majesty, don't apologize to us. We should have focused on you instead of the training."
I smiled and noticed a little girl behind them, they hid her behind them. She seemed lost but marveled.
"Who is that?" I asked curiously and they all got on their knees.
"We are so sorry to bring her to your chamber, Your Majesty; please have mercy!" They said in chorus.
"No no, I'm not angry. Who is she?"
"She….she is my daughter." The fourth maid said.
I had five maids in total. Two old women and three younger ones who looked like they were in their late thirties. I'm still struggling to get their names right.
"Really? Come forward." I said to the surprised girl.
I have not seen a little girl in the castle ever since my soul came to this era. I was delighted to see one. She walked towards me, she looked young and pretty.
I smiled as I rushed her to my bed, and she stood beside me unfearfully. "What is your name?"
"Aurelia," she said meekly.
"That's a beautiful name, are you enjoying it here?" I asked and she nodded negatively.
"My mom hides me all the time and I don't get to see you or the Alpha," she said softly.
"Awwn, you won't stay hidden as from now," I said to her and she smiled broadly.
The maids looked at each other swiftly.
"Why were you hiding her?" my voice stern.
"The alpha despises children in the castle, Your Majesty; he might kill her if he knows….
"He is not killing anyone. Aurelia will stay with me from now and I'll inform the alpha myself." I saw a pure horror in her eyes.
"Trust me, he won't do anything to her."
I added and she smiled joyfully.
"Thank you for your kindness, your majesty!"
"I'll be staying with you?" she asked sweetly.
"Yes, dear Aurelia," I replied holding her hands.
"You look gorgeous as they say, my queen,, and I can't wait to see the Alpha."
"Thank you and you will see the Alpha soon. Are you okay with staying with me? You'd visit your mother anytime you like, I'm not holding you captive." I explained gently.
"Thank you for your generosity, my queen." She retorted and it embraced me.