Chapter 6 - Not Only Love, Trust too.

-Aurelia-

Did Uncle Diomar just—?

“What?!” I exclaimed in shock as his words echoed in my ears.

I stared up at him. I must have heard wrong, but the look on my uncle’s face told me otherwise. I hadn’t misheard him.

“Love? Uncle Diomar… love?”

My uncle nodded and said nothing.

No, this was not the time for Uncle to stay quiet. I understood that Uncle Diomar hated repeating himself, but this time he would have to.

Because what the hell did he mean by love?

“But Lord Draxmere,” Azura began, glancing between me and my uncle, “I don’t think my Queen can pull that off.”

Oh right! I can't! All I want is to see the end of that bastard that brought down my family and my kingdom.

“Father, Azura is right.” Sorya said with a nod.

We all waited, staring at the man before us, but still he remained silent.

I shook my head, getting impatient at my Uncle's silence. “That monster deserves no love, not even a pretend one. What he deserves is his non-existence.”

I clenched my fists as I rose to my feet, and immediately everyone else—including my uncle—stood as well.

“The goddess has finally given me a chance. I will not waste that chance on pretending to love a monster. Never.”

Uncle Diomar sighed, he turned to me and stared at me straight in the eyes. If I hadn't been trained by him to never look away no matter how intense a gaze was, I would have diverted my gaze because the fierceness in those orbs can't be matched.

But still, I held his gaze.

And without blinking, Uncle Diomar started “Death..” he paused and shook his head, “would be mercy for Alaric Valerian.” he said coldly.

“We can not allow that.”

“But Father, the Moon Goddess already—”

“I know, Sorya,” he interrupted, turning to his daughter. “But would simply killing him truly avenge us? This monster killed—”

He paused and turned to me, he closed his eyes and brought his balled fist up. He pointed at me and opened his eyes. I swallowed because in just a short interval, my uncle’s eyes were reddened.

“—my brother. Your father.”

His words awakened memories I have tried so hard to keep at bay, they flashed through my mind.

Blood. More blood. “Aurelia… goooo!”

I shut my eyes and gritted my teeth, years of pain slashed through me, anger boiled in me.

Screams.

“He killed your mother while she carried the heir.”

“Mother!” I could hear my young frightened voice call out to my mother. But it was already too late.

I balled my fists as hot tears made their way down my cheeks

“He made all our lives miserable!” Uncle Diomar thundered as he stomped his foot, he turned around and pointed to each of us, spelling out his words “My life. Your life. Our lives. Miserable”

“The great Kingdom of the North, gone!”

Again, the scenes of where all the citizens were running around, shouting, crying… fathers calling out to their mates and children, children crying.

Bloodied bodies falling to the ground, silver arrows flying around.

I opened my teary, bloodshot eyes.

“He brought down an entire nation because of greed, and we think death is the best option?” he asked as his gaze roamed from Azura to Sorya and finally stopped on me.

I clenched my fists tighter, my vision blurred with more hot tears as memories I desperately wished to bury clawed their way to me.

Uncle Diomar took several steps towards me, “If you ask me,” He said darkly, “death is the most merciful thing we could do to him, my Queen.”

Silence fell. Only the noises from the crickets and the soft rustling of the trees as the soft wind blew them could be heard.

“My Queen, remember the screams, remember the agony, remember the sound of the collapsing of our fortified walls.”

Again, my mind travelled back in time seeing my younger self kneeling with a smile to have my crown placed over my head, waiting to be crowned until everything turned upside down.

People screaming, running around, the bell going off and the announcement of an ambush.

My breathing became fast and uneven, the lungs keeps expanding for air that wasn't forthcoming. I could feel my feet grew weak, they were seconds away from buckling beneath... I needed support.

I felt hands on my shoulders, the touch fastened me out of my thoughts, I stared at Uncle Diomar who gave me a small smile and patted my shoulders to stop whatever crash out was coming.

My uncle stared at me, I stared back. We both said nothing.

Alaric Valerian, death was just too easy for you.

“What could it be, my Queen?” He asked as he released my shoulders and stepped back.

“The pain caused by his grandfather, his father and himself. My Queen, death would be too easy.” Uncle Diomar bowed.

Again silence descended.

The Valerians must pay.

“For Alaric Valerian, death is far too easy. He must pass through misery, pain and hell. He must.”

Now that I was his caregiver, the plan was to continuously add the deadly poison to his medications and since the poison was expertly made, it can not be traced, after the space of a month Alaric would be dead but this all looks too easy and merciful just as Uncle Diomar has said.

“But,” Azura started as she folded her hands and looked at my Uncle, “how would making the Alpha King in love rid him of his senses?” She asked, Sorya nodded to Azura’s question.

“Love brings senselessness. No one loves and thinks straight.” Uncle Diomar answered with a frown.

“Love is weakness.” He added.

I was nodding in agreement when my father's words echoed in my mind.

“Aurelia darling. The goddess makes no mistake in giving us love. Love is our strength.”

Was my father wrong?

Uncle Diomar said making the Alpha King fall for me will rid him of all his senses, love would make him weak, was that right?

“My Queen, make Alaric Valerian collapse before you, before the North. Ruin him until he is left with nothing. Ruin him until he begs for mercy.”

My lips curled up in a smile… I love the sound of that… they made my inside giddy… the downfall of Alaric Leontius Valerian is all I live for.

“Yes, I will.”

“We need a plan.” Sorya said.

Uncle Diomar nodded, “Yes, we do but first, the issue with Beta Ilan must be resolved.”

“Oh yes!” Azura exclaimed, “That he-wolf is scary.”

Uncle Diomar chuckled, “Ilan Yonimas is not only scary, I tell you, he can smell trouble from a mile away. I must say, he is a very cautious and wise man.”

Uncle turned to me, “If we are not careful, he will expose us. The stories about him are not false.”

Sorya huffed, “He is such an obstacle.”

Uncle Diomar nodded, “He sure is.”

“Then what do we do?” Azura asked.

My hand went to the back of my neck, I pulled it and my veil came off, “I will earn his trust.”

“Not only love can be a weakness, trust can be too.”

“But how?” Azura asked, I could see the confusion written all over her face.

I smirked, “Watch me.”

Uncle Diomar's lips stretched out in a proud smile, he bowed and said, “All hail the Queen.”

Azura and Sorya bowed immediately and responded, “All hail!”