Aforetime by Lina Ravenhill

Author:Lina Ravenhill [Ravenhill, Lina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“Where is my favorite girl?” I shrugged hearing the king’s voice. This evening could not get much worse.

“Your majesty?” Slowly, I turned around and saw that I was alone with Lucien.

Where is everybody?

“I thought we could have some time to get to know each other.” He gestured for me to walk with him.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” I started saying when he stopped me.

“I know that everything is new to you here. I know that you may feel that you are not a part of this world, but I created this place to give people peace and calm their souls. I wanted everyone to be happy here.” He lifted his light brown eyes, and his expression softened. It completely changed his face. He did not look like a spoiled and arrogant young man. He looked sincere and open.

“This is certainly the most beautiful place I have ever seen,” I hesitated.

“But . . .” He raised his eyebrows.

“Your Majesty . . .” I did not know how to get out of this unexpected intimacy between us.

“Call me Lucien,” he interjected with a gentle smile.

This is how he does it. This is how he charms them!

I forced myself to look away.

“Lucien, I really don’t belong here. And I need to get back.” I stopped speaking. His face was somber and he seemed to think about my words for a while.

“I know what the world on the surface is like; it’s filled with pain and suffering. Constant wars, false ideologies, greed; people killing each other for no reason. Even magical creatures are corrupted by humans. There is no true honor or real beauty there, not anymore. Trust me, I know. I was like you once, very young and pure at heart,” he confessed, looking at the horizon. The colors of the sky were changing rapidly. The tender aquamarine was shifting into warm, soft purple. The sky behind the hills and the forest turned the darkest shades of blue.

“I know that you did not drink your wine. Who helped you?” He studied my face with curiosity. I was not prepared for this question and stood there for some time calculating my answer. Lucien seemed to know what I was thinking; he tilted his head, watching me.

“I . . . I don’t know,” I lied. I knew he felt that I was not telling the truth.

“All I am asking is that you give this place a chance, give me a chance,” he requested looking at me earnestly.

“I cannot. I’m not like other girls. I will not be a part of your harem. I won’t do it.” I shook my head. I needed to make him understand that I will never belong in his world.

“You do not have to be. Marry me!” His face was serious.

“What? That’s crazy!” My cheeks glowed bright red against my will. Lucien smiled looking at my astonished face.

“Just think about it.” He took my hand into his. I was still standing with my mouth open.

“We don’t even know each other.” I shook my head, trying to take my hand back, which he did not allow me to do.

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