REGNUM. [L.H] - Chapter 9
Summary:Â In a dystopian future, a tragedy leads Prince Luke to become King of Gardenstone. From her neighboring kingdom Maredale, our protagonist Amberly must choose between King Luke and King Ashton of Lauxwell to close the alliance that the three kingdoms are destined to make. In the process and after, Amberly will encounter mysteries, a love triangle, and betrayals that will define her future. (Basically, enemies to lovers)
Word Count: Â 2,822
MASTERLIST.
I hid my head under my pillow as I heard knock after knock on the door. The sound became so tired that I had to wake up.
I picked up the sheets I had thrown on the floor during the night, the only window the room had was stuck, I could not open it to get rid of the awful heat that enveloped the room. I looked around in search of the gown that matched my pink silk nightgown, between the sleep and the incessant knocking, I left it behind and opened the door.
âPrincess, forgive me... âLuke's gaze studied my silhouette in front of him, instinctively I covered my cleavage, embracing my arms. Annoyed.
âI rather donÂŽt forgive you, thank you very much. What's wrong... â I tried to correct my tone â... your majesty?â and I failed.
Luke ran a hand through his shiny blonde hair, I had barely had time to look at it in the sunshine coming through the windows in the hallway.
âI didn't know the disrespect started so early, or I would have asked someone else to come and wake you up, princess," he said mockingly, I grimaced. âWe leave the palace in an hour, wear something comfortable, and pack lightly.â
He turned around, I stopped him holding his shirt.
âWhere are we going?â I asked, quickly covering myself again, he laughed at my action. âTell me.â
âIt is a Gardenstone tradition to share a little trip to the town of Mudtry when welcoming Maredale, now that Queen Elizabeth is coming back here we must leave," he explained. In a moment of distraction, he took my hands gently, letting them fall to my side. âEven though you look better like this, I recommend a coat. It's cold over there, Princess.â
I covered myself again, he laughed again and walked down the corridor.
âIdiot," I muttered.
âPain in the ass!â he shouted around the corner.
„
I don't remember ever having been so solicited as this morning, even the instructions came out with little energy and no firmness, it probably wasn't the lack of being needed that made me feel this way, it was the sour taste in my mouth since Ashton decided not to speak to me.
I relived the scene as I watched the blue decorations glow everywhere; I had looked for him when I returned from a few good hours in the greenhouse, knocked on his door, waited patiently outside believing that he would come out at any moment, he did not. Instead, he turned off the lights. I wanted to apologize for my reaction, I had ruined the beautiful atmosphere we had arranged and I longed for his forgiveness perhaps more than I should have. I also didn't know how we were going to talk without mentioning his proposal. I still didn't tell my mother.
âPrincess, do you consider it appropriate to roll out the red carpet for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth?â Calum asked, for the third time this morning.
âNo, Calum, like the two previous times I do not consider it appropriate since she is only returning from Maredale.â
I replied wearily that it did not go unnoticed, his brown eyes searching for a sign of sarcasm.
âI'm sorry," he corrected himself as he noticed the presence of servants around us, "-Your Highness, for the insistence. His Majesty, King Luke, wishes everything to be in order for your mother's arrival.â
Luke showed - with his attention to detail and investment in perfecting the palace - his clear interest in my mother's return. After all, my mother was the only leader who could bestow real knowledge of value on Luke... even on Ashton, but she wouldn't just do that. Compared to me, the great Queen Elizabeth always has backup plans, analyzes her moves, and lays her cards on the table with all the elegance and authority that can exist in a single human being.
Therefore, my mother's return was important to Luke. An opportunity to learn that he should exploit. And he knew it, his majesty knew it. So he had relieved me of my greenhouse duties and put servants to work in the greenhouse during my mother's stay at the palace, at last, a decent decision.
âSpeaking of which, His Majesty the King asked me to give you this portfolioâ Calum's arms managed to swing samples of cloth and other paperwork and extend a somewhat thick grey portfolio to me. âIt contains your first official cases to be dealt with as Maredale's ambassador.â
I took it with fear that the emotion would shoot out of my fingertips.
âThank you.â
Calum knew I was serious. Even if it was a bribe to keep quiet about the work I had been doing in the greenhouse or organizing the picnic, the words "official cases" made me smile broadly.
âThere is an office available... in the east wing one floor up from his room in case youÂŽd  like to look at documents away from this mess.â
I nodded excitedly. I turned around and started my way to the office.
Every step, every step I took was done without my absolute concentration. My mind was distracted by the real actions I could perform during these days, the happy face of the Maredan people who wanted to settle in the capital at the moment of telling them that it was a possibility and that it was going to happen filled me with happiness. It was time to contact the people who had asked, maybe persuade Luke to finance some of the cases now was something I could do.
âAmberly," Michael's voice cut through my step, "What are you doing here?â
He was just a few feet away from me coming out of his room, I guessed. Dressed in his typical casual attire of a loose black shirt and comfortable pants.
âCalum gave me this," I happily shook my portfolio and said the following in a shriek: "This is real work!â
Michael laughed nervously at my gesture.
âI'm going to the office two floors up, are you coming?â I invited him, he opened his mouth and babbled out. âWhat's going on?â
âThere's an unoccupied one in the west wing..." he spoke quickly without fear of getting stuck. âI have to go but I'll see you there, okay?â
He closed the door behind him after struggling with the handle, each action more clumsy than the last.
âOf course... â
He pointed to the stairs in a gesture to indicate the change of direction. I nodded, watching his sudden change of... stability.
Without arguing, I walked up the stairs for the remaining two floors. I looked down the long hallway leading to the west wing, diving into the east. A couple of steps joined me a short distance from the door that I assumed was the office. I stopped short and turned, bumping into a figure taller and stronger than me. The portfolio crumpled up against me.
âIt's okay- Oh.â
Ashton spoke in front of me. I felt my tongue entangled in my mouth, all the things I wanted to say were trapped in my mouth and I couldn't get them out.
His eyes still had a certain glow in them, he wasn't going to be rude now, I hoped he would be willing to talk... watching his posture and the fact that he didn't bother to increase the distance between us, he even seemed ready to do so.
âI..." I said, at last. âI did not expect to find you here.â
âI come from the other wing... I called my sister in the office, they have a good reception there.â
His voice came out flat, I felt a hand squeeze my heart as I remembered that same voice asking to be his queen under the moonlight...
âI want to apologizeâ I waited, closing my eyes for a moment to put my words in order. âIt was not my intention to answer you like that, I was unprepared and I... did not know that the subject needed an immediate answerâŠâ
I placed the hand that held the portfolio at my side and the other hand slowly approached his, I caressed it waiting for an answer. His glance saw something behind me and fixed on my face gently.
âI understand if you're upset with me, I thought that-â
He joined our lips in a fast and firm movement, passing a hand to my waist. The one I previously caressed closed with mine. I breathed in his essence; masculine and with traces of vanilla; before breaking the kiss.
âEverything's fine, Amberly..." he said in a sensual whisper brushing our noses. âWe are fine.â
I nodded and we shared a smile, my cheeks felt warm which made me move away from him amicably.
âWow, a reconciliation of pathetic lovebirds. Your bags for Mudtry won't be packed alone.â
We both turned around, finding Luke leaning against the door he should have entered, forcing a smile. He had a book in his hands and grabbed it tightly, judging by his white knuckles.
More steps joined in, Michael looked at all of us as he continued walking, stopping between Luke and us. Calum came up behind him practically running.
âWhat happened?â Luke asked, his blue eyes traveling between Michael and Calum to Ashton and me, who clearly had no idea. âSpeak up, that's an order.â
Calum stepped forward, barely catching his breath.
âYour Majesty, there was a problem with... the horses, you see.â
While Calum and Michael were talking to Luke about a problem they had pulled out of their sleeves, Ashton approached them to hear the same. He probably knew it was made up, but knowing him, he wouldn't miss the opportunity to see them humiliate themselves.
I looked at the four of them: two kings, a duke, and a royal advisor. I remembered the time Ashton told me that they used to play together, or rather fight, the simple image of those four figures living together innocently made me laugh out loud. Who knows how much trouble they would have gotten into together, the universe wasn't ready for that... maybe that's why they were now separated in some way.
„
âLidia, it's very important that you take the portfolio to Duke Clifford," I pouted without moving from the mirror. âPlease.â
We laughed at the same time, Lidia shook her head and patted my right shoulder.
When I finished my work in the office, I thought it was not a bad option to ask Lidia to take the portfolio to Michael, something could come out of that contact the maid wanted so much.
âOkay.â
I jumped up with euphoria and wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight and then looking at her with emotion.
âYour outfit!â she exclaimed, making me stop. âI'll take the briefcase, but I'm not promising anything, that's enough for now.â
I took some fabric samples from the chest of drawers and pretended to give them to her in a seductive voice, "Oh, Duke, take the portfolio... and my heart!â
She burst out laughing, snatching the samples from me and leaving them in their place.
Lidia took me by the shoulders and positioned me in front of the mirror again. âI hope her majesty Queen Elizabeth will like my choice.â
âQueen Elizabeth loves your choice. It captures the comfort and the countryside to perfection.â
Hearing my mother's voice standing at the door, I jumped up to her in an embrace. After that, she insisted on having things to talk to me about before the trip and we walked with our arms intertwined through the gardens.
âIt is strange to be here without Robert and Susan, may they rest in peace.â
The desire to know more about the life of the kings fell silent on its own as I remembered the incident - the murder. They had been my mother's friends, as far as I knew, but I couldn't reveal to her what Michael and Calum had discovered, even Luke didn't know.
âYou look a little lost, daughter," my mother said, nudging me sideways. âTell me about your work, is it everything you wanted?â
Memories of my work in the greenhouse crossed my mind. The effort took to make some progress in the first few days, including my day in the barn. But that wasn't my job at the end of the day, helping out was. On the sly or just for blackmail, there was 'my grain of sand' as we used to say in Maredale.
âIt's been... satisfying," I sighed. âI understand why you like being a queen, you can help people and you have the power to do it in your hands.â
âOh, little one... the power is there when you have the intention. There is nothing to stop you if you have your aim clear.â
The voice of reason had returned and I was very grateful for it. I squeezed her hand lightly and she gestured back to me.
Two young girls passed in front of us carrying their instruments in a cart to transport them to Mudtry and began to play typical Maredale music given by a harp and a violin. Calum who was passing by approached us as he heard the music and rushed to the girls, surely.
âWhat a marvel! âexclaimed my mother. She let go of my arm and linked hers with Calum's." Young Hood, you must grant me this piece.â
Calum fired an alarmed look before being dragged into the middle of the garden by my mother.
âPoor Calum, he hasn't danced in a good six months.â
Michael stood next to me, watching the queen and the political advisor dance around each other with humor.
âAnd apparently the Queen didn't either," we laughed. He came a little closer to me, speaking at the level of my left ear.
â You didn't say anything to her majesty, did you? About what I showed you?â
I shook my head.
âNot at all. But I won't be able to keep silent any longer, you have to tell Luke.â
He laughed softly, neither of them had turned their eyes away from Calum and my mother.
âOh, no. You will, Amberly.â
No, it wasn't my business. No. A resounding "no".
âVery funny, Duke. -Do I have to laugh now?â I asked with growing anger, he rolled his eyes hesitantly. âI won't do it, I have nothing to do with it.â
âYou were there, weren't you?â
âSo? YOU found it," I frowned and folded my arms in front of him. âTell me one good reason why I should do it and I'll go right now.â
Michael crossed his arms as I did, we were terrifyingly close to each other, he opened his mouth a couple of times to talk but nothing came out.
âSee?â
I smiled in victory mode with my lips closed. He imitated my gesture.
âIt's a direct order from your boss, honey.â
I took a breath to respond when a hand-pulled Michael's shirt abruptly, causing him to stumble backward. Ashton's body came between Michael and my mother's view of the garden, preventing anyone from seeing the scene.
âWhat are you doing?!â I exclaimed quietly, helping Michael get up from the grass. He shook off the dirt and tried to grab Ashton by the collar of his shirt, so I held his hand. Michael took a step back and I stood between the two of them. âQuiet, both of you!â
Ashton raised an accusing finger near Michael's face, who was still behind me.
âYou better keep those compliments to yourself, Clifford. Just because you need them doesn't mean Amberly needs them. Excuse me.â
âAsh... âI muttered walking behind him, he adjusted his grip on my wrist. âAshton, you're hurting me!â
I exclaimed, releasing my wrist with a strong tug, rubbed it with my other hand, and stopped short. We were closer to the greenhouse than to the celebration, the sun giving the last of its rays announcing nightfall.
âWhat happened to you? You shouldn't have-â
His arms were wrapped securely around my waist, he approached me with a strong kiss... no, possessive, it felt like he owned me.
We walked away after a few seconds, his face at a distance where his words were barely understandable, nothing more in my field of vision than his glowing eyes overflowing with intensity.
âI don't like it. Both of you spending time together... not since you  were found in the office alone.â
I placed both hands on his chest, asking for some space to think.
âI explained that nothing happened-â
â-Unless it's for work, I don't want you anywhere near Michael.â
I was silent for a moment, it didn't seem like a favor, a recommendation... it was an order.
He kissed the corner of my mouth with exasperating slowness.
âUnderstood, Amberly?â
I nodded.
The next voice heard was Luke interrupting the music, my mother's dancing, and the closeness between Ashton and me.
âLet the journey begin.â


















