Heart of Darkness

Roxana went to the defense quarters where she could already hear Sir Fulker yelling his insults. She went to greet him.

"Good morning Sir," She smiled.

"What morning? It is soon lunchtime. Get your lazy self too early if you are going to come here." He said staying in character.

"Yes, Sir." She said firmly, glad that he wasn't treating her any differently. But everyone else had already started gossiping, wondering what she was doing here as a guard.

Roxana ignored them and went to the storage to take her weapons. She didn't care to look for Gary and Peter as she didn't want to make them uncomfortable. She could understand their reason.

As she walked through the halls, she realized the rumors had spread more than she expected. The servants glanced her way, and the maids whispered as soon as they walked past her. She wasn't even a queen yet she was already scrutinized.

Ignoring all the whispers and stares she went to the king's quarters and met Gary in the halls.

"Roxana, you are back. I heard you were ill?" He said.

So that was what he was compelled to believe?

"Ah, yes. I am better now."

He smiled. "It is good to hear."

He also seemed confused as to why she was still a guard. Perhaps she should stop and not make everyone uncomfortable.

"His Majesty is in his study so we are free at the moment," Gary said. "I'll go have some lunch." He said and excused himself.

Did this feel strange or was it just her? Deciding not to think much of it, she went to Alexander's study. He wasn't there. With the teleporting thing, she imagined that he could be anywhere. Looking for him would be like chasing air.

She sat on the couch and decided to relax. Perhaps later she would ask Alexander to take her to Fanny and uncle Ben. She missed them already.

Suddenly she felt a rush of air and Alexander appeared out of thin air. "You are here," He said casually and went to the table. He sat down with a sigh.

Roxana shifted on the couch to look at him. "Where were you?"

He looked up from the papers that he had already begun to review.  "You have not met Lucrezia yet?"

"Your punisher? No." But she wanted to.

The whole thing of punishment and redemption she couldn't understand yet.

"You will get to meet her in time." He said, his eyes scanning through the paper. He scribbled down something and then put it aside to look at the next one. "Tomorrow is the King's ball."

Roxana had heard of it. It was a big ball thrown every year at the castle where noble people and other royalty could attend. It was also an opportunity for people to introduce their daughters or sons to members of the royal family in hopes of catching a king, a prince, or a princess's eyes. Everyone wanted to marry a royal.

"Am I invited?" She asked playfully.

"You have to come," he said without looking up. "Otherwise, how can people know the woman I have chosen for myself."

Roxana tried not to be obvious with the big smile that crept to her face.

"I would like to invite Fanny and uncle Ben as well." He added.

"They would love that," she said. "I was thinking if you could take me to them after work."

"Alright."

Roxana watched him being very busy for the rest of the day. She followed him where he needed to be, listened to discussions he had with courtiers and officials, and noticed the difference to when he spoke to the lords. He also had a discussion with Lord Rayven and Lord Davis.

Lord Davis offered himself to move to one of the provinces of Kraghorn after the death of the latest governor. Both Lord Rayven and Alexander tried to change his mind, wondering why he was so keen on leaving but Lord Davis had already made up his mind.

Roxana was also curious as to why he would want to leave. Alexander gave him permission after listening to his arguments. They could not force him to stay.

"Your sister won't be happy," Lord Rayven said, not convinced yet.

Roxana could see that Lord Davis became uncomfortable. As much as she could understand that it would be difficult for his sister even if Lord Davis gave the argument that he could visit her often if one of them teleported him or that they could easily go to see him, he was old enough to make his own decisions and built the life he wanted for himself. His sister would have to let him go to pursue his goals.

Roxana looked at Alexander once both the lords left. "He is not a little boy, you know." She told him.

"I know." He said. "I trust him, it is just that there is something he isn't saying."

Roxana had felt the same. "He is smart. He will be fine."

Knowing that Fanny had still not returned from work, Alexander took them to Lord Rayven's home in the demon world.

They had guests. Acheron held little Aiden in his arms as they sat in the parlor having tea and coffee with Lazarus and Vitale. They started talking about the ball as they arrived and Roxana went to sit beside Angelica.

"Did you two not meet at the king's ball for the first time?" Lazarus asked Rayven and Angelica.

"Yes," Angelica replied.

Then he turned to Roxana, "and you two met...?"

"At a river."

"Oh, you like rivers like our Skender?"

"No. I was running away from debt collectors and jumped into the river. I hurt my leg and almost drowned but Alexander saved me."

Everyone looked at her.

"Drowning?" Lazarus said thoughtfully. "That is an interesting first meeting." He said glancing at Skender who ignored him.

"Anyway. I am not sure if Angelica told you that I arranged her wedding."

Angelica nodded with a smile. "He did. It was well organized."

"Thank you. I don't know if Skender has told you, but don't mind him. I will be your right-hand man. I will guide you through to becoming a queen."

"Why?"

"Because I like you." He smiled.  "I told you. I am on your side. I have wanted you as our queen since I laid eyes on you."

She chuckled. "You talk rubbish."

"It is the truth." He said seriously.

"Alright. Then what do I need to do?"

"Well, for tomorrow you need to learn certain etiquettes. Can you dance?"

She panicked. "I am a terrible dancer."

He shook his head. "We don't have time. We will have to start by teaching you that first. I could teach you if your mate is not overly jealous."

Alexander looked his way immediately and they stared at each other in silence, before he turned back to her. "Well, I can teach you royal etiquette and then he can teach you to dance."

Angelica chuckled.

"Shall we?" He said standing up.

"I will come with you two," Angelica said.

Roxana was curious about what he would teach her.

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