Chapter 5

King Randolph

He wanted to mourn. He so wanted to grieve, but he was a king, and he had a duty to his people, and he believed he had a responsibility to protect Laurent's kingdom, at least until Prince Levi was on the throne. Hopefully, that can be done by the end of the week. Until then, Thraas wouldn't have a ruler.

He knew he had to be strong. Randolph turned his back on the others in the room and exited. His thoughts and emotions swam mercilessly, and he didn't want to return to dinner.

After the grieved for several hours that night, there was a knock on his door. He looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was nearly eleven.

"Papa, it's me," came Genevieve's voice.

"Genevieve," he choked out.

"I'm coming in," she said and pushed open the door. She closed it behind her. They stared at each other for a moment, and then Genevieve rushed to her father and threw her arms around him. He's gone, Randolph thought to himself, he's gone…just like Isabella.

"I'm so sorry, papa," Genevieve said tearfully, holding her father. Randolph said nothing but accepted his daughter's comfort. He just cried, and for once, he forgot he was King and became just a man.

Princess Genevieve

When Genevieve returned to her chambers, she was surprised that her husband was still awake. He sat up in their bed, a confused expression on his face. Genevieve had to giggle at his look.

"You should be asleep," she told him.

"So, should you," he rebutted with a smile. Then he sobered. "How is your father?" he asked as Genevieve frowned.

"He's grieving… He lost a very good friend." Derek tilted his head and studied Genevieve's features for a while. Genevieve noticed this.

"Why are you staring at me?" She asked blankly.

"You're worried," Derek said knowingly.

"You're not just worried about your father and his mourning either. You're concerned about something else…something more important that everyone is missing." Genevieve turned to her husband, her eyebrows furrowed. She hated how well he knew her sometimes.

Then again, they didn't believe in secrets. She let out a loud sigh and decided to tell him what was on her mind.

"If Prince Levi is to take the throne of Thraas, that means that Courtney will be queen by the end of the week," Genevieve said, looking up at the ceiling.

"I don't understand why you're so concerned," Derek said.

"Prince Levi has been trained to rule his entire life. Courtney will be queen, yes, but her husband will rule. When rulers die and their sons take over. Thraas must go through a transition, but they will be taken care of." Said Derek.

"I know perfectly well Courtney will have no power on the throne…but some kings seek advice from their wives," she said, looking at her husband.

"If something goes wrong, which is certainly a possibility, especially since King Laurent was poisoned, Courtney as queen could be in a lot of danger. Also, I know my sister. If things go array while she is queen, even if it has nothing to do with her, she will blame herself." Said Genevieve.

"You think somebody killed the King of Thraas? Who would kill the King?" Derek said as there was silence.

"I don't know, Derek?" she added.

"This subject is getting mysterious. Let's try to get some sleep and figure this out tomorrow, okay." He told her.

"Fine." Genevieve, with a slight grin, she goes into her wardrobe and changes quickly into her nightgown, which still covers her a bit above her knees. Since she got married, she changed most of her wardrobe clothes.

As she's getting her bed sheets to cover herself, she feels a familiar pair of strong arms go around her waist. She turns around to reveal Derek; she feels more calm and safe in Derek's arms.

Then Derek slowly started taking off her robe and removed his hands from around Genevieve's waist. As he gently laid her onto their bed, Genevieve put her hands on his neck as both gazed into each other's eyes while having nothing on to cover their bodies.

Holding each other a little tighter, the kiss became more passionate as Genevieve used her legs and wrapped them around the male's waist. Their desires for each other grew with each moment that passed.

"I love you, Genevieve."

"I love you too, Derek."

Locking lips, the two became one with each other and made love.

Princess Fallon

Fallon usually enjoyed surprises, but the announcement of King Laurent's sudden and unexpected death was not the kind of surprise she liked. The day after, the entire castle was in complete and utter chaos. Between planning a funeral and a wedding, every member of the castle's staff had something to attend to.

Her poor father had lost his best friend, and then there was poor Levi. She only saw him twice, considering he was so busy with all the things happening.

She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to lose her father, she'd been young when her mother had passed, but she was never alone. Her family was able to mourn together properly. Also, Levi didn't have eleven sisters to comfort him.

The fact that Courtney and Levi would be married tomorrow made her feel insecure; it didn't feel right to her. Though she had only known Levi for a week, she was with her sister Genevieve; it was a bit early. But what was bothering her most was how she believed she was mourning for the wrong reasons.

Yes, she certainly was saddened by the news of the King's death, but she believed she was more saddened by the fact that Courtney and Levi would be married tomorrow. Though she had only known Levi for a week, she had doubts, but now he's with Courtney, and they're going to be happy.

She refused to tell any of her sisters about what she thought about Levi because she didn't want to burden them. No matter how often she thought he was bad news, she knew perfectly well that he and Courtney were perfect for one another. Father truly had picked another ideal union.

This hurt Fallon even more; if they weren't so happy together, she wouldn't feel guilty about falling in love with the prince. Part of her felt like she was falling for the prince, while another part of her didn't trust him; there was something about him that she thought was off.

While Fallon passed by Levi's chambers that night, she was surprised when he came out of it. "Oh, Princess Fallon?" Levi said, surprised.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Fallon sputtered out. "And I wanted to congratulate you on your wedding to my sister," she said as Prince Levi smiled at her sadly.

"Your words are much appreciated. I hope my father is resting peacefully. This has come as a terrible shock. I only wish I could enjoy my wedding day without my father's passing weighing heavily on everyone's minds." He spoke.

"It must be difficult," Fallon said. Her bloodstream froze when he placed a hand on her shoulder. Her breathing became much faster, and her heartbeat irregularly; she felt slightly scared and didn't trust him completely.

"Princess Fallon," he began, and Fallon swallowed. "Your kindness gives me strength. I only wish that more people in this increasingly dark world were able to love like you are. Your empathy is truly a gift to us all." He spoke.

"Your Grace," Fallon said suddenly. "Do you love my sister?" she questioned.

"I do," Levi answered, but he looked away, "but I fear my heart is currently split into two pieces…." He looked away from her, and Fallon's breath caught.

He was so vulnerable. He was in so much pain that she didn't even think when she took his hands in hers and gazed into his perfect eyes.

"I must confess something to you," Levi said, his voice suddenly broken.

He paused, then said, "I am in love with your sister, but also…though I have only known you for a short time, I am in love with you too." Said Levi.

As Fallon's eyes widen, how could he say something like that to her? How is it even possible? She couldn't believe what he had just said; he loved her sister but also her. How can her sister's husband be, her soulmate be in love with them both?

This proved that she was partly right to feel uneasy about him; she realized she was never falling for him. She was jealous of her sister and wanted the love she thought she had found.

"Excuse me? Your grace, you are to marry my sister tomorrow; how could you be saying things like this? Why now?" she asked him as he frowned.

"I thought you should know and thought that we could possibly..." He added but then was interrupted by Fallon.

"Stop right there!" she exclaimed but not loudly enough in case anyone was nearby. "Forget what you thought, I don't feel the same way, and I would never do that to my own sister, and I hope you never do for your own good." She said.

She freed herself from Levi's hold and walked towards her room, leaving Levi behind, not wanting to hear what he had to say, and still couldn't believe what he had told her.

She wondered if she should tell her sister, but that would ruin everything; she would have to trust that Levi was talking nonsense because of his father's death. He loves her sister and would do anything to make her happy; if papa believed he would make her happy, so should she. Right?