Chapter 25

Disappointment clouded my thoughts while a grim expression covered my face.

Of course, this would happen. Just as my trip in Bohemia was taking off, someone had to go and ruin it.

I watched them lower the casket into the ground.

I'd be stuck wearing black clothes for the next month.

Which was something I intended to bring up with Newt and Thomas.

Just as we had arrived in Parsille a messenger arrived to inform us that Zart, Newts cousin and third in line for the throne was dead. They claimed that he had fallen of his horse and broken his skull.

How convenient.

Our Honey moon would have taken around two months to complete meaning that Newts coronation wouldn't happen until a month after we got back.

How nice that now the coronation would only be a month away. With mourning rites only lasting 4 weeks and Antonietta not waiting to get the preparation started, Newt would be King in 30 days.

And I, I would be Queen.

Queen of Britanicca. How wonderfully terrifying.

I hadn't started sniffing around as to why Zart had decided to die at such a convenient time for the Isaac line. However, I had every intention to do so.

The sky was grey, very fitting, Oxfordshire had very depressing weather. The wind was blowing small clouds of dirt unto the crowds of royals watching the burial.

A part of me knew I was being selfish. I was disappointed about my trip to Bohemia being ruined when a man had died. I forced all thoughts of pastel walls and coffee out my head and paid attention to the conversation Minho was having with Newt.

Thomas, was nowhere to be found. He had been missing since this morning, Well, in all honesty it had been impossible to know where he was at any given time ever since we got back. I wondered what nonsense he had gotten mixed up in.

"You know Newt, I really think we should go back and have some tea to warm up after this," Minho said "I'd sure love to get to sit down."

That was code for "Something is fishy"

"Oh of course, I know Roan would love a warm cuppa too." Newt slapped my back. I lost my balance a bit and slid forward. I gave Newt an unamused look but he simply stared ahead.

It was easy to forget you were at a funeral with Minho around.

Nearly the entire Royal family was there. Antonietta and Rosemary, Obviously Georgios and who I assumed was his family. Cecilia Vanderbilt was a handsome woman with fair features. Her pale face was covered with a black veil that wrapped around her blonde hair. I had never seen her before. Not even at the wedding. You would expect her to be there but with Gerogios as a husband one never knew. She was still in her thirties compared to Georgios who was entering his fifties.

Newt was only two years older than me which I appreciated.

The procession was simple enough. There wasn't a lof of fanfare or obvious signs of mourning, which was fine by me. I didn't have the energy to deal with the galore that usually accompanied such ceremonies. Zart was buried quickly. I watched Gerogios throw a pile of dirt along with his wife. Cecilia would sniffle every now and then but nothing too loud. There was a slight twinge of discomfort in my chest. Something seemed off. The convenience of the death, for us anyways, was what made me so uneasy. I was rather glad Minho was also not pleased with the current occurrence. I knew I wouldn't to Newt about it anytime soon. Antonietta was in our carriage and I doubted talking about such matters would be a good idea with her around.

After a scholar gave a few solemn words, the nobility retreated. I knew Zart was not the next in line for the throne but he was a member of the royal family after all. I expected his farewell to be more royal and not so hushed.

Once we got back to the carriage, a new source of discomfort appeared.

Antonietta took out her handkerchief and smoothed it over the back silk of her dress.

"Janson has informed me of our little situation," That explained why she decided to ride with us, " As the only male heir, Newt, you are in a very vulnerable position. We need to get started now if we want to secure the family line and we cant marry Rosemary off until you have a child, she is of age. Besides, we paid quite the price to get Roan here, I expect a return on my investment."

I wasn't sure how to respond, thankfully, I didn't have to.

"Mother, Roan and I have children when we have children, that could be tomorrow or in two years. And she is hardly some cow you bought at the market so I wouldn't hold my breath if you expect anything for your investment."

I couldn't help but smirk, I was indeed not a cow.

"If you wait too long to have children, Rosemary might have to take the throne."

I didnt miss the underlying threat in her statement.

I watched Newt narrow his eyes and stare down his mother. The air in the carriage felt dense and heavy. I figured my best bet was to stay silent.

My heart leapt out of my chest when Newt decided to take my hand in his.

"I wouldn't worry about that, Roan here will handle things if for some reason I am indisposed, it is in the contract after all."

Antonietta looked at our intertwined hands, she raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"You're right," She fixated her gaze on me and looked me over, from the top of my head to the hem of my dress "I don't know what Janson is so worried about. Its only a matter of time."

I felt Newt tense besides me, he let go of my hand.

"Perhaps but who knows maybe I will meet Zart sooner than expected."

I watched Newt from across the room. Alby was taking his coat and gloves. I handed my hat to Agnes and dismissed her.

Once we were alone, I spoke.

"I hope you were joking," I said.

Newt turned to look at me, his demeanor was calm. The patience he sometimes displayed towards me made me feel like a child. I did behave like one at times. I should really do something about that.

"I have no plans to rule this kingdom by myself." I said, crossing my arms and looked at him. I tried to appear solid but deep down, I felt fear clench underneath my lungs.

Newt broke a smile "Neither do I," He paused for a moment and his features scrunched a bit, "As much as I hate to admit, my mother has a point."

She did indeed have a point.

We spent a couple of seconds in silence.

"But we should probably leaver that for later. We have other things to worry about…like you liking me for instance."

I let ouf a sigh of relief and rolled my eyes. "I like you now and I told you the whole marrying you made it hard but not much we can do about that now… but don't get too cocky. I might still change my mind."

"Oh I am very well aware of that but I think I can at least call you friend can't I?"

"One might say you could."

It wasn't as if I still hated Newt. We were on much better terms and it made no sense to keep fighting him. That would get us nowhere. My pride still wanted to hold me back and keep Newt at a distance but that would just draw things out.

"Later, he said he was going to find Thomas…" Newt paused and looked down, a frown overtaking his features "Was…or is…has…to your knowledge has Thomas been involved with anyone recently?"

The question caught me off guard. I wish I had taken the time to think about it more closely, it might have saved us a lot of trouble.

"Not that I know of. His parents were thinking of finding him a wife but they decided to send him here with me. Why?"

Newts frown deepened. "If … could…you…"He touched his pocket "He's been disappearing quite a lot hasn't he?"

I nodded "Newt…"

What was he trying to say?

"I'm just worried. I was hoping maybe he was involved with someone."

After a couple of months, I would come to learn when Newt was lying to me but in that moment I would have never guessed.

I shrugged "Maybe or sometimes he gets curious, you know how he is."

Newt nodded, as if trying to convince himself. "That's rather true…All right well enough of that."

He turned away and went to his desk. For some reason unbeknownst to me, I followed him to it.

I felt the stupidity of what I had done when he glanced at me over his shoulder and smirked.

I blushed a bright red. I needed to come up with something and quick. "I was cold and… do you want to…I don't know where they keep the tea here."

I'm sure there was something better to explain why I had decided to follow him.

Newt turned towards me "I'll get us some tea and we can go to our sitting room where they can light a fire."

I nodded "Yes…that should take care of it."

I wanted to hit myself. What on earth was I doing? Why did I follow him?

Oh well, I just hoped things weren't awkward in the sitting room.

Finally! I've been strugling with that chapter forever! I wrote it like seven different times. Feedback is greatly appreciated, I want to make this story better for you guys.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT IT REMINDS ME I HAVE TO WRITE.