Chapter 37 Alpha King
"You're joking right?" Astrid asked hopefully, looking at Greer with wide eyes.
"Of course not. Now everyone is saying the king and his mate are so in love they might bring forth a little baby prince soon" Greer giggled
"That's great! Although I'm not particularly ready to be an aunt. I will try" Orchid smiled
"They aren't even wed yet" Astrid stated in a matter of fact tone trying to dissolve the topic. "It's impossib-"
"Nothing's impossible Astrid. Who knows because of the child they may get married sooner rather than waiting for approval from the council and the ministers. They'll have no choice but to give their consent" Anaise interrupted rather slyly, her gaze squinted at her sister, watching her closely for her reaction.
"And they are a match made by the goddess so their union will be blessed from a higher power" Greer pitched in, her joy immeasurable.
"You think Audrey is going to tell us?" Orchid asked
"She doesn't have to. We'll definitely see the signs sooner or later, we just have to look" Greer winked and they all burst into hearty giggles, all except Astrid who seemed to still be in shock by the news that although hadn't been proved yet seemed more likely to be true considering their closeness. It was only a matter of time.
"What are my girls all giggling about?" Audrey asked, walking up to their table.
The mornings sun had casted a beautiful glow on the garden and it looked magnificent. The four had decided it would be better they eat outside and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere while it lasted.
"Oh nothing" Orchid answered suspiciously, a wide grin on her face. "Anything you want to tell- ouch! " she whined, clutching onto the arm Greet had just pinched.
Greet put on a fake smile directed at Audrey, "What Orchid means is you're looking lovely this morning"
"Oh thank you Greer. Mind if I join?" She asked but before she could sit Ryker had walked up to their table. He had a bow and arrow in his hands and it only now occurred to them that he must have been practicing with the other guards further down the open space.
"Ladies" he greeted, earning a slight hum from all and a sweet smile from Anaise. "Princess" he bent his head slightly for Audrey and she smiled in response. "His highness had asked me to come get you for your breakfast date" he informed making all the girls coo in response.
"Awwwn it's so adorable" Orchid gushed
"Come on go now, don't keep his highness waiting" Greer giggled, wiggling her brows at Audrey whose cheeks had grown a bright pink tinge.
"Shall we?" Ryker asks, offering his arm for
Audrey to loop hers through
~
"Its a beautiful day today" Ryker smiled, looking around as the birds chirped their songs of promise of the days prowess.
"Certainly" Audrey responded, taking in the scene as well. The beautiful trees scattered thick in the distance, the beautiful evergreen lawn cut low and precise and the flower bushes that buzzed with life. "I didn't know you took an interest in archery" Audrey mentioned, her eyes landing on his bow that was carefully tucked around his shoulders and his arrows hoisted at his back.
"Of course princess. As the king's hand and chief of security it is my duty to be well equipped and versatile with various forms of weaponry. His highness has a lot of enemies and you never know when any of them will strike and at when so it is convenient to have knowledge on every and any weapon. You never know where you find yourself" Ryker finished.
"That's a huge burden to carry. Knowing you have so many threats lurking in the shadows"
"The king has many enemies. He has and he always will." Ryker stated nonchalantly like it was no big deal while Audrey couldn't help but feel sad for the king and very much concerned.
She couldn't begin to imagine what it felt like to go to sleep with one eye open and have three sets of trained tasters tasting your food for poison everytime you decide to put something in your mouth.
"Why does he have so many enemies?" She couldn't help but ask, now very engrossed in the conversation.
She wanted to believe she was really interested and not just following out Lord Odin's letter from earlier this morning. He had told her to mingle and show she was really interested in court affairs and court life. Court life was never something on Audrey's mind and now she would have to play the part.
She knew what he was doing, he was using her as his eyes and ears of the court while he played other roles. He wanted her to report if she heard anything, he was using her position to get information about his highness.
"Because he just assumed his position as king. Before he wasn't an active king, he never interfered with any matters he should have as a king. He has always been a king and now he is the Alpha king after so many centuries so ofcourse there will be people who do not approve of his iron fist after so long.
But they have no choice, his reign is undeniable and his rights can never be snatched from him. He only needed the right push" Ryker smiled into the distance.
"What was the right push?"
Ryker froze, his steps stopped and he swallowed his words. He had gotten so carried away with talking he forgot there were things Audrey still didn't know about Darius, things that were better left unknown.
Concerning his reasons for assuming his position as king, his rights and his rule, Audrey's part to play in his sudden surge to take power. All of it was a big question mark for Audrey, and Ryker knew it would be better kept that way.
"I-I mean every monarch has enemies and Darius finally realised they were taking advantage of his silence so he decided to show them he alone could rule" Ryker wasn't really lying but he would never do what Darius was meant to do- tell Audrey everything.
He noticed how concentrated she was on whatever she was thinking. She stared into the distance with furrowed brows as she contemplated everything she had heard.
"But dont worry about it princess. Darius was made for the position, he can handle it" he consoled, encouraging her to keep walking foward.
They both walked a few more steps, passing the archers and the noble ladies in the fields. They walked across the bridge to a more secluded area near a water fall.
Audrey stopped in her steps when her eyes landed on the beautiful scenery. She felt all the air in her lungs get stuck and her wide eyes settled on the gorgeous atmosphere. The sight of the king, dressed immaculately in his signature color- black.