Chapter 99 - His Decision...

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The Author's POV.

The food choked in her guts, when she heard that question. The Queen mother was looking at her so we're the others. Taking a deep breath , she managed to swallowed the food and turned towards the tutor. Angelina was expecting her to give an answer.

"Just like me, Angelina's parents are migrates. We left came here after our city was destroyed" the tutor said. Angelina was relieved that she didn't tell the queen their real identity now, who know? Maybe they might end up causing more problems for them and coven.

"Oh I see. No wonder her beauty is out of the world" the queen mother gave a smile. "She looked like a goddess."

"Thank you ma" Angelina said, looking at tutor. She wanted them to leave before the queen ask further questions. She was feeling unease already.

"If you permit us Queen mother, we would like to be out way please" the tutor said, standing up from the chair. Angel did the same and it became clear to the queen that they wanted to leave.

"I won't stop you because this breakfast wasn't planned. Take care" she beamed Angelina a smile. "Do make those cakes again for us. Both of my sons enjoyed it especially Stefan."

Eewwww why Stefan? Even though Lincoln was the king , his brother's name was the most respected name in Akkad.

In the village, every child wanted to grow up and be like Stefan. The girls wished him to be their boyfriend. It was too much for her. At home, the favorite prince was still this jerk that made her to come all to the palace just to apologize.

"As you wish Queen mother" the tutor answered while Angelina bowed.

"You may leave" she permitted.

Quickly, Angelina began to make her way to the door. One may think she was leaving the den of Lions. Of course they were all Lions feeding on people while they cry.

She has never seen Queen mother Daria being wicked but from the tales told in the village, it was clear that no one jokes with her and go free.

The tutor followed her behind when they entered the carriage. She was glad prince Stefan did not come after them to look for more trouble. Looking out through the windows, she saw him with a woman.

She was royalty and beautiful. He seemed to be lost when chatting with her. Each time the woman said something Stefan would laugh like a joker was talking to him.

Angelina now understood the type of person the prince was. Going after women just to satisfy his urges. Those were the type of men that the creator allowed her to meet! Shameless men. No wonder he torn her blouse to the extend that her breast was showing. He only wanted to have fun with her.

"Such a dirty man" she said aloud.

"Who is dirty ?" The tutor who was confused with the way she was acting asked.

"No one tutor. I was just thinking aloud."

When they got to her home , she came down from the carriage and bid the tutor good bye. Now, it was time to face her parents, Angelina thoughts. Her father was moody before she left for the palace. Maybe he had a fight with the coven.

The last time her father was like it was because of a stupid prophecy that a witch told them. She said Angelina's marriage will bring nothing but sorrows to the entire coven.

In conclusion, the coven restricted her movements and asked her not to start a conversation or to reply to any one in the village.

Since that day, Angelina stayed far away from the children in the village. Her best friend was Isabel, who was also a witch. Men who made passes at her got nothing but just an eye contact, warning them to stay away from her.

**

Stefan saw her leaving but there was no way he could go after her. His sister in law was telling him stories of how his brother Lincoln annoys her.

"To make matter worst, last night, he told me to give him more sons" Annabelle said, with brows furrowed. Could you imagine Stefan? He wants twin!"

"Was that why you were sad after giving them a male?" He asked with his eyes fixed on the carriage.

This was the fifth time , he asked the same question. Annabelle wondered if Stefan was listening to her. She got angry and kicked him legs.

"Ouch! " He said, holding his right leg. "What have you done woman? Even after giving birth, you have not drop that Viking spirit in you."

"Why will I ?" she smiled at him. Annabelle was a fearless warrior and a princess. She had trained well before becoming the wife of the king. All her life, she  wished to have a female child who would look just like her but in the end , the creator blessed her with a boy. Now, she had no choice but to stay with the king.

"What if it was a girl? You know that the Queen mother won't hesitate to throw you out of the Akkad for ever" Stefan reminded her, of the rules.

"Exactly what I want Stefan. To leave this Palace for ever" she said in a low tone. "I don't want to stay here. Don't you get it?"

"What ? You want to the palace ?" His eyes widened. Stefan was shocked to hear that from her. He used to think Annabelle was the strongest of his brother's wives.  She has endured a lot of things in this Palace. Little did he know that she was planning to run away.

"Yes Stefan. I want to leave Akkad for good. Now, that I have a son, they will never let me go" she said. Her eyes were teary. "You are my only helper."

"Don't cry please Belle. I don't want anyone to see you like this" his darted forth and back to see if queen mother Daria or the king was watching. "I will get back to you before tomorrow noon. For now, stay calm and do not do anything that will raise any suspicion".

"I won't Stefan" she bowed and left.

Sighs. He was not the only one tired of staying here. Annabelle always acted like she was happy in the palace but  behind that smiling face of her were pains caused by his heartless brother.

Going back to his room, Stefan started thinking about the beauty that came to the palace earlier. The both of them wore green today. The perfect sign he needed.

From the day he set his eyes on Angelina, he knew that they were meant to be together. Though the circumstances, they met weren't pleasant at all , there was still hope that things would get better.

… And he was the only one to bring them together.

**

In the evening, he sent for Sigurd and Mustapha. Stefan was looking the best advice he could get.

"Come in" he said when the knock came on his door. They walked to the room looking at the artworks and paintings.

"You keep changing the design of your room every month" Sigurd eyes traveled around the room then back to Stefan. "I never wish to be a prince but now you are tempting me."

"Don't be tempted. All these are vanity upon vanity. We all die one day and leave them for others to use" he told him.

"Are you planning to die? Is that why you called us ? Don't tell me you want us to join you ?" Sigurd queried.

Stefan took a pillow from the bed and threw it at him. He wanted to dodge but it was too late, the pillow landed on his head.

"Really Stefan? Your brother almost killed you with a spear, now you want to kill Sigurd with a pillow?" Mustapha asked. They were surprised to hear him say that. He was the quiet among them.

"See what Sigurd has done to you. He is a bad company to you just like my mother had said" Stefan told him. "Come sit here Mustapha" he pointed the edges of the bed.

They sat on the bed and listen to what the prince have to tell them.

"I have a serious problem, I would love you to give me an advice. By the way Angelina came to the palace this morning to apologize."

"Who is Angelina?" they asked him. Stefan had forgotten that his friends did not know the name of the girl that they met at the well yesterday.

"The girl we met at the well yesterday. Do remember?" He reminded them.

"Yeah. We do" Mustapha was the one that answered. Sigurd's face was still showing confusion, Stefan knew that he was looking for the perfect word to tease.

"You mean the girl that slapped you last night after the dance?" Sigurd asked.

"Yes that one fool. I am not ashamed that she slapped me. True love always starts with hatred then crush then…"

"Love and marriage" Mustapha interrupted him. "I am glad she came to apologize. What that girl did was wrong. Queen mother Daria was mad at her."

"Mother is calm for now. But I am not" Stefan said standing up from the bed. He went to where the windows were and drew the curtains. My heart is racing faster ever. My soul is restless.. I think I am in love with Angelina.