The clinking of goblets and the murmur of polite conversation faded as I approached my brothers' table. Ace, Jacob, Mason, and James were already deep in discussion, goblets of crimson wine halfway drained. Typical of them to gather for a private council after any significant event. Tonight, it was Athenia's coronation as an official princess of Northernglades, a ceremony filled with pomp and circumstance that I'd hoped would be a unifying moment for the kingdom after a period of unrest.
"So, did you enjoy the coronation?" I asked, pulling up a chair.
Four pairs of eyes flicked to me, each holding a different response. Ace, ever the stoic, gave a curt nod. Jacob, more easygoing, offered a warm smile. Mason, meticulous as always, scrutinized my appearance briefly before offering a barely perceptible nod of approval. And James, the youngest, bounced with barely contained energy.
"It was incredible, Izzy! The winged horses were stunning, and Athenia looked like a true princess," James gushed, earning a glare from Mason for his informality.
"It was… acceptable," Mason conceded, though his tone suggested he'd already mentally cataloged a dozen things that could have been improved.
"Thank you," I said, genuinely touched. "I wanted it to be special for her, for us all."
We fell into a general conversation, touching on the success of the event, the visiting dignitaries, and the upcoming trade negotiations with the Wing Kingdom. I steered the conversation towards less stressful topics, relieved that everyone seemed to have at least enjoyed the celebration.
Later, after the crowds had thinned and the musicians had packed away their instruments, Ace beckoned me and my brothers to a secluded balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens. His expression was serious, a familiar sign that he had something weighty to share.
"I've been looking into our father's past," he began, his voice low. "Specifically, the circumstances surrounding his marriage to our mother."
A knot formed in my stomach. I had always sensed a certain unspoken tension around the topic of our parents.
"And?" I prompted, bracing myself.
"It appears… it wasn't a love match," Ace said, choosing his words carefully. "Father was forced into the marriage to save his kingdom. The Washington kingdom was going through the aftermath of a devastating war. Our grandmother, Helen, agreed to restore it, but on one condition: that he marry one of her daughters to preserve the bloodline. Both bloodlines being pure, they decided to keep it that way."
The air seemed to thicken around us. Jacob swore under his breath. Mason's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed. James looked visibly shaken. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me. The romantic ideal I'd held of my parents' union shattered, replaced by a cold, calculated alliance.
"So, we were pawns in a political game?" James asked, his voice laced with bitterness.
"Essentially," Ace confirmed. "The agreement was that Father and Mother would marry at eighteen and bear children around twenty-one."
"That's… awful," I whispered, my throat tight.
"There's more," Ace continued, his gaze troubled. "I could find almost nothing about our grandfather. It's as if he simply... ceased to exist."
A chill ran down my spine. Erasing someone's existence completely seemed impossible, unless… "Unless he wasn't my mother's father." The thought terrified me. What if Elara's father wasn't human?
My head throbbed, a dull ache building behind my eyes. Ace noticed my distress, handing me a glass of water. I took a small sip, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
"So, now what?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"We keep digging," Jacob stated firmly. "We need to know the truth."
I nodded, agreeing with him. The shadows of the past were closing in, and we had to unravel the secrets they held before they consumed us. I excused myself, needing a strong drink to quell the unease that had settled within me.
I found an unoccupied table and sank into a chair, signaling a passing servant for a glass of wine. Moments later, Harley and Kristy joined me, their presence a welcome distraction. Harley, ever the life of the party, produced a bottle of vodka and a handful of shot glasses.
"Let's forget about royal duties and ancient conspiracies for one night," she declared, pouring a generous shot for each of us.
I knew where this was headed, and honestly, tonight, I didn't care.
Fifteen minutes later, Ginny and Harley were already cutting loose on the dance floor, their laughter echoing through the hall. Kristy and I, slightly more reserved, were somewhere between tipsy and sober, observing the chaotic scene with amusement.
"So, how's motherhood treating you?" Kristy asked, a genuine curiosity in her eyes.
"It's... interesting," I replied with a smile. "Every day is an adventure. Athenia is an amazing kid."
"You're an amazing mom," Kristy added, her tone sincere. "She's lucky to have you."
Her words warmed me. I took another shot of vodka, the burn a familiar comfort.
"Want another?" Kristy asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Shot or kid?" I asked
"Both" She grinned
I swallowed my fourteenth shot and looked at her flushed. "N-not sure." I mumbled. She laughed, her face red and relaxed from the alcohol. I smiled, happy to see a side of her that I never thought was possible. Feeling the alcohol taking its toll, I excused myself and stumbled down the hall. I found Wilson, my trusted bodyguard, and tapped him lightly on the arm.
"Shut the party down when people start leaving," I instructed, my words slightly slurred.
He nodded, his expression unwavering. "Of course, Your Majesty." I smiled at his professionalism.
I continued down the hall to my chambers, collapsing onto the bed. This was enough for one day. I needed to sleep, to escape the weight of the revelations and the lingering effects of the vodka. I drifted off almost immediately, plunging into a deep, dreamless slumber.