6. Only The Beginning
1401 Words
Serena was on her way to Theodore’s estate. She and Liam had been summoned by him, and it seemed quite urgent from their brother’s text.
She couldn’t help but remember the few words she had exchanged with Gregory the day prior after seeking him out, alone – again.
He had been harsh and almost unforgiving. “You again?” He spat out at her distastefully. “Listen, woman. And listen well! I do not know you and do not care about you.”
“I am aware,” she told him bitterly.
“But if you must know, I am planning to overthrow my father, and that is one of the many reasons why I need no distractions. Forget about me,” he said in a tone of finality.
As she gasped in shock at his words and stood frozen to her spot, he turned on his heels and left her staring at his back.
Once she and Liam arrived at the estate, she did her best to school her features so as not to let her sadness slip through her mask.
It was soon enough revealed that Theodore had forgotten about Emily entirely.
She could almost feel her friend’s pain as if it were her own. And that made her desperate to find a solution, desperate enough to agree to Theodore’s not so brilliant idea – the seismotherapy.
Thankfully, it worked as they had all openly hoped for.
Emily was on cloud nine, and Theodore was back to normal, calling his mate dorogaya instead of Ems, and basically worshipping her like she was a goddess he ought to adore.
It seemed like even Liam and Tatiana had come to a little bit of an understanding. And for that, Serena was indescribably happy. Nevertheless, there was this tiny piece of her that wished for the same happiness her siblings were experiencing.
It almost felt like she was a small girl again, seeking love and comfort from her parents, but only finding unspoken support in her brothers’ discreetly affectionate eyes.
As royals, they had been taught from a very young age that there was no room for mistakes, that they shouldn’t allow themselves to be swept away with something as futile and as fickle as emotions. In an environment that was most hostile and disturbingly cold, she had barely been allowed to grow – emotionally that was.
And thus, it was no wonder that she was still much like a small flower bud, desperate for attention, love, and care.
Would she ever bloom or was she doomed to wither away?
Her mother got what she deserved and Theodore was only too happy to be the executioner. She guessed he didn’t trust anyone from the court to carry out the deed, save for her and Liam… but he wanted to spare them such a burden. He was as per usual the epitome of the protective older brother.
Conrad, their butler, who had seen the former queen turn into something evil, and had then tried desperately – and succeeded – to give Theodore some love, seemed saddened by the turn of events.
Serena stopped to console him on her way out of the public execution, “It was for the best.”
“Yes, princess Serena,” he agreed with great deference and yet almost imperceptible fondness.
“He was the one who insisted on being the executioner,” she went on with a wry smile.
“I am aware, princess Serena,” he let out on a sigh that spoke louder than any words could have of his conflicted emotions. “I am young no more, princess Serena. My heart wouldn’t take it if Theodore were to get himself into deep waters again…”
“We shall stand by him,” she told him honestly, “always.”
“Please do,” he said softly, and then excused himself, saying the palace wouldn’t run itself.
She smiled at his retreating back.
“Is he always as protective of Theos as he was back when he was young?” Liam asked, appearing, together with Tatiana, behind her.
“Yes, he is,” she nodded. “Ironically, he hurt more for Theodore than he did for mother.”
“He basically raised Theodore,” Liam retorted. “Whereas, mother, he had only watched her turn into the worst version of herself.”
“Well, her reign has come to an end. But do you think it’s now over?”
“I feel like it’s only the beginning of something else,” he said almost ominously.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It was soon enough lunch of the following day, and they were all reunited at the table, save for their father who had retired to a mansion, claiming he wouldn’t want to be associated with murderers.
The guys were discussing kingdom related matters, how the last queen’s open execution that was held the day prior was going to affect the public opinion, and so on.
The girls on the other hand had other things to talk about. Silly things such as the latest trends, and other more meaningful topics such as the child growing in Emily’s womb.
“What are you going to name her if it’s her?” Serena asked, genuinely curious.
“Not Hinata, I can assure you that much,” Emily told her teasingly.
Serena pouted briefly at that, hating how her friend was revealing that without batting an eyelash, before saying, “As long as it’s not Sakura, I see no objection.”
Tatiana and Emily both laughed. Serena, on the other hand, just smiled.
“Are you okay, S?” Emily asked, her tone laced with concern.
“Peachy,” Serena was quick to say… too quick almost.
“Sure?” She raised an eyebrow at her.
“Positive.”
“I don’t buy it,” Emily insisted. “There’s something off about you. I can’t say what it is exactly but there’s definitely something off.”
Serena flashed her an uncertain smile at that point, and then said on a sigh, “I met my mate.”
“That’s celebration material… Why the long face?” Emily probed, tilting her head to the side.
“Who is he?” Theodore asked. As always, he was the very definition of the protective brother.
“What did he do?” Liam asked in much the same tone.
“He is the prince of Oblivion,” she said on yet another sigh.
Emily was seemingly at a loss at that. “Is that a place or something else?”
“Actually, the biggest and ruling coven of witches is called Oblivion, dorogaya,” Theodore supplied then.
She let out an astonished “oh” at that.
“But the last time I checked, Serena, the self-proclaimed king of Oblivion only has 2 daughters,” Liam objected pensively.
“He has a bastard son though,” Theodore told him.
“That’s the one,” Serena nodded, trying hard not to cry.
“And where is he now?” Tatiana asked softly.
“He says he wants to overthrow his father and that he won’t rest until he does,” Serena said bleakly. “And that he wants nothing to do with me.”
“It would benefit us all,” Theodore commented. “His father is one vile man.”
“Don’t fret it,” Tatiana told her placatingly. “I am sure he will come to his senses soon enough.”
“Will he?” She sounded weak and vulnerable at that point, and she hated the effect one man – mate or not – had on her.
“Sure you got no meddlesome mother who’d plant an aphrodisiac candle in your bed chambers, but you got us,” Liam let out in a joking manner.
A giggle escaped Serena at that.
“All’s well that ends well though,” Tatiana said as she smiled at her mate.
The love she carried for him was obvious for all to see. And in the smile she received was painted the exact same feeling.
“Kindly don’t act so lovey dovey in front of me,” Serena let out in a whining tone as she mock glared at them.
Whereas her brothers chuckled at her expense, their mates were more sympathetic and only smiled at her.
- Writer
