Chapter 5 Something In Her Eyes

[Allaric’s POV]

I stare at the woman in front of me as she seems so at ease despite not knowing anything about me. How could she be that trusting? Was it a fatal flaw? Or did she just not care?

Honestly, I was having trouble wrapping my head around this strange woman, especially after how she chose me to be her next king instead of my father.

After my uncle’s death, my father stayed by her side, comforting her, keeping her company, and mourning along side her. During that time it was easy to see that they were growing close and when my father told me that he and she would soon be married, I gave him my blessing.

I was fine with the union since he was grown and I was as well, even if he got himself a wife, it wouldn’t make a difference, well, I guess you couldn’t quite say that it wouldn’t make a difference since the wife that he was supposed to be getting was the queen of Hadoom and the widow of his brother.

Aside from that, she was a perfect pick for him since he cared for her greatly and from what I could see she cared for him just the same.

Then why?

Why did she pick me to be her next king?

Why did she treat my father so coldly?

Frowning, I fix my gaze with the woman in question’s and try to find an answer to the question that had been plaguing me since she picked me out of a crowd of worshippers to become her next queen.

“Go ahead and ask.” She tells me, her voice even, her gaze calm. “The question that is making your brows furrow so much, go ahead and ask it. Although, I believe I’ve already answered it once.”

She had, but even then, I still couldn’t understand it.

“Why not my father?” I ask, deciding to adjust my question. “The two of you have been close, so why?”

“Because he isn’t the right pick.”

As Navaeh responds, her eyes flash with an emotion that I can’t quite make out, but I don’t miss the way her expression darkens.

Did something happen? Was there something I was missing?

I continue to take Navaeh in while all these questions rush through my head, but before I can ask anything more, Elder Alviz approaches with two women.

“My queen,” he calls, drawing Navaeh’s attention toward him.

“It seems our time together is up.”

Navaeh’s voice is even once more as she speaks and when she turns her icy blue gaze toward the two women with Alviz, I can see that they are filled once more with calm.

“Is it that time?” She asks, taking the trio in. “And here I thought I would at least have a couple more minutes with my future husband.”

“I’m afraid that time is limited between now and the day of your wedding.” Alviz counters. “You know the tradition, my queen.”

“I do,” she confirms. “But do I really have to go through it again when I’ve already done it once?”

As she speaks, I see a hint of sadness flash in her icy orbs and I’m certain that in the moment she is thinking about my late uncle Rayden. At this realization, I feel something in me shift because he should be the one beside her, not me.

“Apologies,” Alviz says now, drawing my attention. “I’m sure you were wanting to spend time with your future wife, but traditions are traditions.”

“Of course,” I nod. “You go ahead and do what you must. I have business to attend to as well.”

First, I needed to go see my father and try to make peace over what has happened. After that, I had a meeting with my commanders to discuss how things were going on Hadoom’s borders.

Since fighting the battle of Fairborn, peace has been blessed to the kingdom of Hadoom, but just like in the past, the peace was beginning to grow unsteady. Because of that, I made sure that troops remained on the borders, protecting them, and making sure that anyone who wished harm to the kingdom didn’t dare get through.

“Allaric.”

I turn my gaze to Navaeh as she takes me in, her gaze unreadable, her expression a bit uneasy, and I can’t help but wonder what it is that is going through her mind.

“I apologize again for this, but please believe that I had a good reason to do so.”

“Mmmmm.”

I keep my expression neutral, trying not to show her what I’m feeling because I’m certain that whatever her reasons for this were they had to be good, at least, that was what I wanted to hope, because they beat the latter option.

That option involved her wanting to play with father and son, but I didn’t think that she was someone to do such a thing.

“I promise I’ll explain soon.” She continues. “Until then, please, just trust me.”

She doesn’t get to say anything else after that as she is dragged away by the two women with Alviz and only when they are out of sight does the elder turn his dark gaze toward me.

“Allaric,” he says, taking me in. “Are you certain that you’re up for the responsibility that comes with being the next king?”

For a moment, I don’t respond as I consider what he is asking me and when I see a bit of hope that I will say that I’m not, I realize that maybe there is something more going on than meets the eye.

“I’m certain,” I tell him, my voice even. “My queen has chosen me and since she has, I will do everything in my power to be a good king and husband.”

“See that you do.” He says, but even then, I still see that disbelief. “I do hope that this doesn’t ruin the relationship between you and your father. Everyone is aware of how close he and Navaeh are.”

“Navaeh,” I repeat, my mood quickly souring. “Are you so bold to call the queen of Hadoom Navaeh instead of my queen?”

At my words, Elder Alviz’s expression drops and his gaze narrows, but he bites back on what he wants to say.

“My mistake,” he says slowly. “Please excuse my slip up.”

“It is excused,” I tell him, standing at my full seven foot height so that the old man is left to stare up at me. “But be sure it doesn’t happen again. As my queen’s future king, I will make sure that no one dares disrespect her.”