The Seven Kings

Chapter 4: Lemon Pie

Zara's POV:

My god, is it really that difficult?

"I'm not marrying anyone, I won't be choosing, I refuse to be tied down to some female barking orders quietly at me behind a door." He said with anger.

Giving Cronus a small gaze, I caught his eyes and he sighed, "I didn't want to do this Valen, but it's been long enough and you're getting too old for choosing a bride, we will choose for you." He said while holding his stare with Valen.

I watched as Valens lip twitched and disgust filled his facial expressions, "Just make sure she knows how to keep her mouth shut." He said slamming the glass cup down before standing.

His eyes ran over Nikkolas, "You will not choose my bride. I can't stand your taste." He said bluntly as his eyes ran over Phoebe.

Such a rude and entitled boy, he's a King who deserves to hear the word 'No' and to have someone put him in his place.

Cronus dropped his gaze to the table as Valen walked out shoving the doors open and angrily heading out the room.

I can't stand his temper.

Valen is such a little-well he's a-an asshole.

Phoebe tried to hide her embarrassment and I felt for her, to be thrown out there like that, especially in front of the Kings.

That was rude.

Cronus ran his hand over his face, "How's the new bride?" He asked me as he c****d an eyebrow.

I gave a nod, "She's passed all the tests and is ready for the wedding tonight." I responded while he gave a stern look to the youngest, Ebner.

He pointed to Ebner, "Congratulations on the new bride Eb, May she bring you children, loyalty and lots of pleasure." He said grinning.

I blushed and looked down at the emeralds on my fingers, jewels, endless jewels.

Ebner's bride would rest in his room the first few nights, then she'll sleep in Cronus's before rotating through the married Kings. Ebner will be more than happy, he'll finally be able to sleep with the other Queens as he will have lost his own virginity.

A sick feeling came to my stomach again, it keeps happening.

I refuse to tell Cronus, but I think I might be pregnant. I won't tell him until after I know for sure, after all, this would end up being the fourth time I've failed to give birth.

Zadok stood and smiled, clapping his hands together, "Lets go see what offerings the people have for us. I love the pies." He said sighing and tossing his arm over Mika's shoulder before smacking Pheobe's ass as she stood.

I internally rolled my eyes and felt the annoyance of a thousand mothers, angered for their treatment.

Mika gave a small and nervous smile to him and gave a nod.

We all stood and walked out the room heading to the throne room as the Kings walked ahead of us, all of them checking out the maids and trying not to make it obvious, except Nikkolas, he made it clear.

He even whistled and cat called them, i***t.

I held my poise stance and watched the men in front, completely in disbelief that these are the men running this country.

Idiots, all of them.

Valen walked over joining them with his anger and clear annoyance for everyone.

Mika kept her eyes on Valen with a clear desire, she likes the assholes I guess.

Heading to the throne room, I took my seat to the right of Cronus and Adalric sat beside me with his wife Norah to his right.

Norah was the only wife I actually tolerated, she had a similar annoyance for the Kings like I had.

The people lined up to bring offerings for our table, the first dinner with the bride to be before she is a part of the royal family.

Cronus thanked each one, and I watched the girl, her long brown hair braided back, small little field flowers braided into her hair and a simple dark green dress on, it was nicely fitted to her body, and I didn't need to look to the Kings to know she'd caught their attention.

I tried to think back on her name, I couldn't remember it though.

She bowed her head and held up a beautifully braided pie, "A lemon pie for your dinner." She said softly while the guard went to take it.

I stood and walked over taking it personally, giving her a small nod as she looked up and smiled softly to me.

Her eyes quickly dropped and I watched her leave out the throne room, taking a sniff of the pie before I handed it to the guard.

It smelt delicious.

Taking a seat I earned a small and confused look from Cronus, then I gave him a small smile and stare.

He must've got the idea, both our eyes moved to Valen and he was focused on carving into a wood piece.

His eyebrows furrowed and a clear focus on his face.

A girl who could fall from a tree and land on her back, then stand up and smile, could possibly handle a King with a temper.

Just maybe.

After we finished, I had Cronus send in an invitation to the girls home, he was going to send a gown for her, one of Valen's favorite color.

We'll let her know she's to be married to Valen, hopefully she doesn't faint from joy of marrying a King.

I hope she doesn't steal anything.

Cronus and I walked to the dining hall, hand in hand as we thought carefully, "She seems like a sweet girl. You don't think he'll hurt her, right?" I asked worriedly.

He furrowed his eyebrows, "I'm not sure Zara, he's got a bad temper and a heavy love for....hunting." He said questionably.

Yeah, I've seen the many trophies in his bedroom, all the deer heads and the boars.

I sighed and gave Cronus's hand a squeeze, "You think the others will vote her?" I asked him while he laughed a bit, "Did you see Nikkolas? When she appeared he leaned forward and eyed her over like a lamb roast." He said smirking.

Right, "But what about Klaudio, you know he hates Valen, he'd want an ugly bride for her." I retaliated.

He sighed and pulled me to the side, "My dear, trust me, tonight she'll arrive, she'll win the Kings over and when I suggest it, they'll accept. She's beautiful, what's there not to accept to?" He asked making me feel a bit jealous.

Jealousy is no place for a Queen here though, it's almost shunned upon.

I ran a hand over my stomach and gave a nod, "You're right, we should get to the dinner before they begin to argue over the pie." I said smiling.

He gave a nod, "So she was the girl who picked the lemon? The one you told me fell and stood like it was nothing?" He asked with amusement.

I gave a nod, "She's remarkably brave, I just hope we don't find the one person who may break her. He's very harsh." I said feeling the turn in my stomach again.

Maybe it's guilt?

He smiled and kissed my lips, "She'll be fine, she'll have you to keep her strong too." He reminded me before we went into the dining room.

I took my seat beside Cronus and we all stared around the round table, ready to eat.

The pie was remarkable, a sweet yet lemony taste that made you feel like it was summer already.

Zadok ate most of the pie and left us with small pieces but called that we must have her make more because it was his new favorite dish.

I'd smelt the chicken roast and felt my stomach turn, it took one more whiff and I stood, "Excuse me." I said holding my composure before hurrying out the dining room and vomiting into the vase by the door.

Cronus's hand ran down my back, "Again?" He asked with fear.

I stared at the vomit before turning my head and nodding, "I'm not ready to lose again, I want a child Cronus, and I can't-I can't keep doing this." I said worriedly.

He gave me a careful stare before looking to my hands, "Would you like to try another king? If this doesn't...doesn't work?" He asked nervously.

He means try with another one of the Kings, I stared at the double doors feeling like I could never actually imagine myself ever lying with any of those imbeciles.

But I want to bear a child for him, and any child born by me is his, no matter which King is the rightful father.

I gave a nod, "I need to give you a King." I said softly before he smiled and pulled me to his chest, hugging me gently.

The door opened and I watched Zadok stick his head out, "You okay?" He asked with worry on his face.

Cronus nodded, "Just a bug, she'll be fine. I'll walk her to her room, continue eating." He said as Zadok nodded.

That poor girl Jane, she won't know how simple her life is now until she comes here.