CHAPTER FOUR: MYSTERY KING

ELARA's POV

“What the…” I mumbled as I crept closer to hear more but the sounds of footsteps coming down the hall made me change my mind.

I sprang back from the door and run-walked down the hall.

Back in my room,I panted for breath. I sat on the bed, contemplating what I had just eavesdropped on.

"A new man for you."

What the hell does that mean? My grandfather was definitely talking to my nother . Does he intend to marry her off even to another ridiculous person, was it?

Before I could think about it even further, a knock ik the door startled me.

"My Lady," one of the maids said."Dinner is ready and your mother and grandparents have invited you to join them." She said and walked away without a reply.

I sighed, stood up, and ran my fingers through my hair.

 I quickly changed into something simple, that a maid had left out for me. "Perfect," I said under my breath, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

 I walked down to the dining hall, the long dining table stood. Grandfather, as always, seated at the head of the table, and serious. My mother sat by his right hand side , and my mother, Isolde, gave me a weak smile as she sat at his left hand side.

"Elara," said my grandmother softly. "Come and sit here beside your mother, dear."

I nodded and sat with her. The aroma of the food was heavenly, making my mouth water. The silence was broken after my father blessed the meal and took the first bite. Only then did we start eating, it had always been like this, even at father’s kingdom.

He wiped his mouth, and leaning backward in his chair said, "About what your father did," in a cold voice. "This man has lost all dignity."

My grandmother frowned, and placed her hand on his arm. "Please," she said, "not in front of the child."

He whirled savagely towards her."She's not a child any longer," he said."And she knows quite well what's going on. Right, Elara?".

I stood frozen for a second then gave a slight shake of my head. "Uh-uh, yes, Grandfather."

He nodded. "Good. Then you understand why I have to be direct. Your father's demanding back the dowry yesterday and embarrassing your mother before the court were shameful."

My grandmother sighed as though it were really causing an uncomfortable feeling in her but my grand father paid no attention to her and continued his talk.

"Let me assure you, as is already quite clear, this family will never become an inject to ridicule," he added. "If by any chance, this spreads far and wide your mother will never again marry, and sad as it is, a lady is a burden once she reached a certain age and its shameful for her to remain in her father’s house.”

 I looked at my mom, but she only put a piece of beef in her mouth and chewed quietly. I wanted to stand in defense of her or at least tell him to stop talking like that about her this way, he was basically treating her like some item in the house, but I decided to shut my mouth up.

My grandfather put his spoon down very loudly. "As such, I've already made moves to cover this," he said.

My grandmother blurted, surprised. "Which measures?"

"I have spoken to another king," he added, a tinge of pride in his voice. "A stronger and more powerful one. The conversation started shortly after Aldric started misbehaving. He agreed to marry Isolde."

My fork stopped midair. I looked to my mother, who was staring at her plate, her face blank.

"You don’t mean that?," grand mother gasped, "you are getting her remarried, so soon?"

"Yes," came the reply, "that's the plan, yes; marriage within a few days, possibly tomorrow or the next day. Tomorrow morning, we're going to his kingdom."

I could have opened my mouth to say something, anything , but for some reason, my tongue didn't seem to work. Everything is starting to go so fast again. We were kicked out of one palace yesterday and we are going to another one tomorrow?

I swallowed hard as my gaze fell to the plate. My mother's hand moved below the table, brushing against my thigh as a silent warning not to say anything. She didn't even look at me, but I got her message.

Grandfather drank some wine and continued. “This new king has also agreed to take Elara to live with you at the new palace."

I looked up. "Me?"

"Yes." He said, "But do not assume you will have an idle time. That court is filled with noble families at. We shall find you a good husband soon enough. Time to think about your future."

I tried to smile. "Thank you, Grandfather," I managed to say while trying to keep my voice even. "That is... very kind."

He nodded, flattered, and continued his meal. After a few minutes, he waved his hand. "Now, Elara, you can depart. The rest of this is for the adults."

I stood, bowed, and left quietly. Once outside, I took a deep breath.

The night I saw him out of my room, he stopped by the window, staring at the night sky. The moon was very low, soft and pale, while I was thinking what just happened.

Does Grandfather really care about my mother's happiness? Or is this just another political stunt ? Just another way of strengthening his power?

He said it like he did it to save mother because he loved her but it felt like it was business and not love.

And then, of course, there was that other matter which I could not stop thinking about.

Who was this new king?

A king mightier and more powerful than my father?

I began thinking of all the rulers I had heard about. One by one, I ruled them out. Most already had a queen.

Except one.

"Except for one," I whispered.