3rd Person POV
“That is preposterous!” said one of the noble ministers with indignation.
“I would like to hold a soiree here and invite them to come,” said Reginald, ignoring the preposterous comment.
“We cannot allow that,” said one of the other noble Lords.
“Then I believe we have a problem with the heir to the throne,” said Reginald.
Dagen remained quiet. He had been told that his son was an enigma in court and that he knew how to draw out the thoughts of people into the open. It was amazing to watch him in action. Although, he could sense that something weighed heavily on his mind and he made a mental note to ask Reginald about it after the court session ended.
“Your Highness, I was not suggesting anything of the sort,” said the man.
“Really? I have heard there are issues with my bloodline. It has something to do with my mother being a hybrid wolf and so by nature of my birth, I have vampire blood. Does anyone in this throne room have a problem with me inheriting my father's throne because of this?” quipped Reginald in a strong firm tone.
The room rang with silence. No one said a thing.
“If it really is, please speak now or forever hold your peace. If I do find out after today that someone, any of you, is funding such sentiments among my people, I will treat it as an act of treason. I hope I have made myself very clear.”
****
“Is everything alright, son?” quipped Dagen as he enjoyed a private dinner with his son.
“Yes, yes,” replied Reginald.
“I know you miss your sister and friend but you have to…”
“Father, I understand what is needed of me. Besides, I love being here,” Reginald had a smile on his face when he said this but Dagen was not convinced.
“You don't fool me one bit, son,” said Dagen.
“There's uhm… there's something I must check in uhm… Harlin, Harlin and I…”
“It's a woman, isn't it?” quipped Dagen. Tyler had tried to warn him but he had been deaf all this while. However seeing his son stutter and desperately try to make up an excuse to leave the pack, he knew. After all, he had been young once.
“No, I… uhm, there's no…”
“You can tell me about it, son. I've been there, you know. Women are complicated. You think they want something and then they wake up and realise you are a mistake… something that should not have happened… Can't she cut me some slack? It's been years, years and still she cannot…”
“Father, are you still talking about me?” Reginald asked. Dagen cleared his throat. He had gotten carried away.
“Of course, son. Women are just so…”
“Are you seeing someone Dad?” asked Reginald. The question caught Dagen off guard and he began to stutter which made Reginald laugh.
“Who is she, huh? Will you marry her?” asked Reginald.
“Marry? Stop saying nonsense!” Dagen said and continued to eat in silence.
“I will be travelling to the Blood Moon Pack for the weekend. I'll be back before court sessions begin in the new week,” Reginald told his father. Dagen was a little disappointed that his son would not be spending the weekend with him.
“Of course,” said Dagen. He could not refuse his son anything.
****
“Stop with this nonsense of a Prince, he would only hurt you, don't you ever learn?” quipped Lord Augustine. He could not understand the obsession his daughter had for this man who was way younger than she was.
“Reginald is a good man,” returned Xanthippe.
“His father held a ball for him to choose a woman,” Lord Augustine was not certain what other evidence he had to present to his daughter to show that Reginald did not love her and that he would soon get bored and move on. He was flattered that the prince had even admired his daughter at all. He also knew that the young prince had continued to send his daughter letters but he had put a stop to it by collecting them himself. He did not want to deepen his daughter's delusions. There was just no way a young prince would want to settle for a woman like his daughter. He was a father and he would continue to protect his daughter from getting hurt.
“I’m certain there's an explanation for that and the rumours are just exaggerated,” said the former Lady Lowell.
“Exaggerated? Why hasn't he written to you since then? Huh?” asked Lord Augustine.
“He must be busy with state duties, he's a prince,” was her response.
“Finlay has asked for your hand in…”
“You really want to set me up in another unhappy marriage?”
“Growing up lonely and without children is lonely.”
“You know nothing about me, absolutely nothing. Just know this, I would rather die than be married to that slob.”
“That slob? What makes you think you can marry a prince, huh? Face it Thippe, you are past your prime. He can marry just about anyone he wants. Why would he marry you? Don't tell me you are deluded enough to think that age is just a number!”
“Is that what this is? You do not think I am capable of attracting a prince?” She was deeply hurt by the words of her father. She understood that she did not fit the conventional standard of beauty but was her father not meant to think that his baby girl was the most beautiful woman in the world?
“You always say that I look like mother. Did you not love her?” her father was quiet, “you did not love her. It's always been your horses that have your attention, huh?” With those words, Xanthippe left the presence of her father.
****
“As of today, the lockdown is lifted. Some Zombies would not stop us from going about our daily business. Instead, adequate protection would be provided to ensure that everyone feels safe.”