"My mother said….what?" Julia asked, looking up at the king from her spot on the couch. "Yes, you're mother wrote me a letter…." The king said, handing it to her. Julia's eyes scanned the letter. "Upon my death, and destruction of our kingdom…if my daughters ever return it is my wish for my oldest daughter Julia to marry the oldest son of the Abrah Kingdom, Paxton Fritz. Together they will have conjoint rule…." Julia paused and held up the letter.
"It's her signature…" Julia said, looking at Rodney. "Yes it is. So shall we say the wedding be in a few months then? Plenty of time to prepare. Why don't we let the bride and groom to be get some time to know each other, ah? Come now…" he said, ushering the others out of the room. Rodney and Glitch shot a worried look at Julia, before walking out.
Cain stood up and looked at Julia for a few seconds. "Come on Tin Man…" the king said, putting his arm around his shoulders and steering Cain out of the room.
Paxton shifted over and sat next to Julia. "You seem…uncomfortable…" he said. Julia turned to look at him. "Well…yea. I'm kind of….I don't even know. I don't think my mother would…I just don't…" she paused. Paxton smiled. "We can get to know each other, you know? Spend some time together…" Paxton said, sliding his hand onto Julia's thigh.
Julia stood up. "Um….I need air. Be right back…" Julia said, walking away. She walked down the hall and pushed open the balcony doors that looked over the lands. She rested her hands on the balcony, and then began pacing. "Okay…oh….okay. Calm down…calm…oh geez…" Julia said, squatting down. She heard the door open. "Julz?" came the voice of Rodney.
"Hmmm?" Julia grunted. "You…okay?" Rodney asked, slowly approaching her sister. Julia began to laugh and Rodney tilted her head slightly. "Did you hear that? I have to get married. The whole gig. I've gotta wear a white dress and…and…the flowers…the ball before the wedding….the wedding parties…" Julia said, before laughing again.
She paused and looked down at the ground. "It feels too soon…" Julia said, her face getting serious. "Yea. Wasn't exactly the welcome I was looking for. Wasn't expecting a welcome anyway but…" she stopped when she saw a few tears come from Julia's eyes. "Julia?" she asked. "I don't even know this guy, and I have to marry him? I can't just fall in love like that…" Julia trailed, before biting her lip.
Rodney sighed, and sat next to her sister. "What do you want to do?" she asked. Julia shrugged. "I don't really have any options Rodney…" Julia said, looking away. Rodney stood up. "I'll give you some time to think…" she said, walking off the balcony. Julia stared out into space. She felt as if everything was now in slow motion. "Why?" she asked, even though no one was there.
"Mom, why would you make me do this?" she asked, before laying down on the balcony.
Rodney walked into the room where everyone else was. "Is she alright?" King Ronald asked, with his creepy grin. "Its a lot for her to handle…" Rodney said. Cain turned to face her. "I'll go talk to her," he suggested. "No, allow me. Perfect time for me to get to know her…" Paxton said, standing up. "Aren't you the reason she left in the first place?" Cain asked. Paxton shot Cain a look, before faking a smile.
"I guess I moved too fast. Don't worry, tin man, I won't kill her or anything…" he said, walking towards Cain. A glare was shared between the two, before Paxton walked by. Cain gritted his teeth and glared at the floor. Rodney raised her eyebrow. Cain seemed very protective. The King smiled. "Well, this is…well its just….ah, so Princess Rodney have you found yourself a suitor?" he asked, sitting down. He leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs.
"Yes…" she said. The King tilted his head. "Good for you. The suitor is extremely lucky. You are such a beautiful girl…" he said. Rodney raised her eyebrows and laughed nervously, and looked at Azkadellia. "Thanks…" she said, although it was more like a question. "You are most certainly welcome. Be sure to save me a dance at the wedding ball. It would be a huge honor…" he said, with a knowing smile.
"Yea…okay…" she said. She shifted uncomfortably. Glitch reached over and squeezed her hand. The King frowned slightly. "So…this is the suitor?" he asked. "Yes. Why do you sound disappointed?" Rodney asked. "I'm not…but…I never expected…." The King stuttered. Glitch straightened his back. "Are you saying I'm pathetic or something?" Glitch asked.
"No, no…not at all my dear boy…" The King said, chuckling. Rodney and Glitch looked at each other. "It's just…normally… a princess would be with a prince…or…a king…" he said, flashing Rodney a flirtatious smile. "I'm not exactly what you call a normal princess am I? I did live in a cave for eight years, and I fight like a warrior…instead of sewing…." Rodney trailed.
"Hmmm. An adventurous woman! I love it!" he said, grinning more. Rodney realized that nothing she said would make him stop hitting on her. "Yea, well I love it more. Did you know that when the light touches her eyes they change color? Or that she has a smile when she's uncomfortable and a smile when she really means it?" Glitch asked. Rodney squeezed his hand tighter, and Glitch looked at her.
She smiled up at him, and he returned it. The King sighed. "I did not, but now I do….and I look forward to getting to know you better…every detail…." He said, his eyes overlooking her. Rodney shivered slightly.
The King smiled, and looked at Cain. His smile faded. "What's wrong with you?" he asked. Cain looked up at him. "Nothing…" he said, before looking away. "Awww, come on. Something is bothering you my boy…do share…" the King said. Cain gave him a look. "Okay. I see we need to get to understand each other. First of all, don't call me 'boy'. Second of all, if something is bothering me why do I need to tell you?" Cain questioned.
The King sighed. "I've heard that you were stubborn, Cain. I guess the tin suit really does affect people…." The king said, looking away. Cain squared his jaw, and closed his eyes. He wouldn't let this idiotic King get to him.
There was the sound of footsteps, and the group looked up to see Julia and Paxton walking back. Her arm was laced through his. Even though the King and Paxton couldn't see it, the rest of the group could sense how uncomfortable Julia looked. Even Aiden.
Aiden walked over to her. "Mommy, why do you look sad?" he asked her. Julia forced a smile. "Oh, Aiden. I'm not sad….why would you think I'm sad?" she asked. "You weren't smiling…" he said. Julia sighed. "Mommy is just tired…" Julia said, running a hand over his hair. Cain looked up. "I'll walk you back to your room…" he suggested. "No, allow me. After all…I'll be doing it for the rest of our lives…." Paxton said.
"No, Paxton its okay. I want to get to know you better. We are going to be in-laws after all…" Rodney said, walking over to Paxton and putting a hand on his shoulder. Julia slid her arm out from Paxton's and laced her other arm through Cain's. A look passed between Paxton and Cain, as Cain led her down the hall.
Paxton scoffed. "Who is that guy?" he asked.
"Wyatt Cain, he is a tin man…" the King said. "Oh, I should of known…with that attitude…" Paxton said, with a sigh. "So Paxton…any questions about Julia?" Rodney asked. Paxton shrugged. "Not really. She's blonde and she is a princess. Sounds good to me…" Paxton said, before sitting next to his father. Rodney bit her lip, before looking at the two sitting on the couch.
This was going to be their new family? So far all she saw was a horny ass king, and a jerk of a son. Oh yea, this wasn't gonna happen without some conflicts…
Julia and Cain continued to walk down the hallway. Julia sighed and slid her arm out from Cain's. "Thanks Cain…I'll….I'll be fine now…" she said. Cain looked at her. "You sure?" he asked. "Yea…thanks…" she said. She went to walk towards her room. Cain watched her walk, before turning around. He heard Julia sigh, and turned to see her knees give out.
Cain moved swiftly and caught her, before she hit the ground. "I don't think you're fine…" Cain said, helping her to stand up. "I just felt dizzy. Lack of sleep I guess. Didn't exactly sleep on a soft bed last night…" she said, smiling slightly. Cain raised an eyebrow. "So you saying I was hard?" Cain asked. "I didn't say that. You were comfortable….muscular actually. It's nice to have a shoulder to sleep on sometimes, but beds are good too…" she said. Cain smiled slightly and she blushed.
"Can you pretend that the past minute I spent talking never happened?" she asked. Cain shrugged. "Can't imagine what you're like when you get drunk…" he said, steadying her. They were about four inches apart. "I hope you never have to see me like that. I can get messy. Rodney can too…" Julia said, smiling slightly. "I'm sure I could handle it…" Cain said, feeling short of breath.
"I think I need sleep…" Julia said. "I'm sorry I wasn't the best pillow…" Cain said. Julia smiled. "I thought that conversation never happened…" Julia said. Cain rolled his eyes. "Oh right….what was I talking about?" Cain asked. They shared a smile, and Cain's face softened. "Julia, are you going to be okay with marrying this guy?" he asked.
Julia looked away for a second. "No, I'm not…but it's what my mother wanted…" Julia said. "I don't think your mother would want you doing something that makes you uncomfortable…" Cain said. Julia looked into his eyes for a second. "The world is full of uncomfortable things. Obstacles to see how we handle life…" she said.
"There are always ways around those obstacles…" Cain said. Julia shook her head. "No. Not this one," she said, looking away.
"Ah, there you are…" came Paxton's voice. Julia turned around to see him walking towards her. She put on a smile. "I'm alittle sleepy…" she said. "She doesn't exactly feel well…" Cain added. Paxton held her chin for a second. "She looks fine, but if you want to sleep…go ahead…you'll need all your energy…" Paxton said. He leaned in, as if to kiss her.
"Whoa…" Julia said, backing away. She felt her back touch Cain's chest. Paxton sighed. "I'm sorry my dear…" he said. She turned and disappeared into her room. Paxton turned to look at Cain, at the same time Cain looked at him. Both of their smiles disappeared and they gave each other cold looks. "They are probably waiting for us in the room…" Cain spoke up.
"Probably…" Paxton said. They shared a glare again. Cain put on a fake smile and held out his arm. "After you…" he said. Paxton turned away. "Your highness…" Cain said, mockingly. Paxton turned around and gave Cain a look. Cain shrugged. "What?" he asked. Paxton shook his head and headed down the hallway. Cain smiled to himself. He was going to tear this guy apart…