Chapter 6: Royal Blessings.

"Marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long, intricate, intimate dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and your choice of partner." ~ Amy Bloom.

-

Things only seemed to get worse for Lucia, her chores accumulated. Her Aunt did not care if she was pregnant or not. Lucia had to wash all the blankets as well as all the laundry. She didn't complain nit after how Alexius had used her as a pawn in his own game. She didn't want to see him again. She had to protect her child at all costs, she needed to look for a job. Her Aunt had said she would not accommodate bastard kids in her house. She continued saying she had already raise Lucia the bastard child, she wasn't going to raise Lucia's bastard child as well.

Kyra on the other hand was due to get married to the archduke of the Royal Palace. Kyra had mentioned that they had been seeing each other for a few months, her mother could not have been more prouder always making sure to tell Lucia how much of a failer she was.

Elias Calathes, the Prince's cousin and bestfriend. He had told the Prince about a girl whom he had instantly fallen in love with. He mentioned seeing her at the river, that was the day when Lucia had promised Kyra to teach her how to swim but it was a lost cause. The Prince then decided to go see for himself, whom he then saw was Lucia..

Elias knew about the secret meeting that his cousin had been having with a local girl, he caught them right in the act but he didn't make his presence known. he later made the Prince to confess later on. He was beyond shocked when the Prince denied her infront of all those people. It was quite sad.

"Lucia come meet my fiancé ?" Kyra yelled from the dining room. Lucia was happy for Kyra, Kyra was her cousin at times they somewhat had an understanding and made each other laugh. Kyra was only bad infront of her mother not at all times.

"Elias this is Lucia my cousin and Lucia this is my fiancé Elias Calathes." Kyra introduced happily. Elias seemed to look at her from head to toe, he looked at how red her green eyes were probably from crying, the bags under her eyes, she hid the pregnancy well, it wasn't showing yet. She was washing the dishes before they had interrupted.

"It's nice to finally put a face with a name." Elias said extending his hand, she was surprised. Was he not supposed to loathe her ?

"Like wise." She said softly looking at the white tiles.

"Let's go, i need to show you something else.." Kyra pulled him away clearly excited. Khristian then entered the house without even knocking, that's close they were.

"Hey Lucy." He greeted. She simply smiled back at him. She was glad that he didn't said told you so instead he asked.."How are you feeling ? is the morning sickness still bad ? any cravings, i brought some fruits from the market." He was always so concerned. She wondered what did she do to deserve him.

"They aren't as bad anymore and thank you." She smiled gently.

"I have a proposition for you Lucy, i have thought long and hard... I want to marry you." He said shocking Lucia. The person he wanted to marry was Kyra but she found her duke so the least he could do was give this child a last name and his bestfriend sobe dignity.

"You don't have to ? I'm okay." She tried reasoning.

"I have a job and since your aunt think I'm the real father this will make everything easier." She didnt have to say anything because at that moment she just hugged him with all her might. There would never be anyway she could ever repay him.

"I will go to the palace and apologise to the King that way we have his Blessing. We could stay here for a year while I save up then we can move away from here maybe even Paris or Berlin. We could start over there together."

At this moment Lucia was in tears, she couldn't have asked anyone as understanding as him.

"My mom actually suggested the marriage plan, i could have never thought of it myself." He chuckled.

-

Khristian then went to the palace, the very next day.He requested to see the King. He waited for a few hours before the guards finally called him in.

"Your highness." Khristian bowed at the King. "My Prince and archduke Elias." He said respectfully.

"How may I be of help to you Khristian ?" The King said softly. Khristian's mother had after all been Elias and Alexius tutor during the years.

"I would like to ask for your blessings to marry Lucia Andreou." He said wistfully. The Prince stared at him emotionlessly. Elias couldn't believe it.

"Why ?" The King questioned.

"I made her pregnant and I would like to take responsibility." Khris said looking directly at the Prince who was startled.

"She must apologize to my son for spreading falsehood." The King added.

"Father, that won't be necessary." The Prince mumbled.

"I demand it." He declared. "Khristian, you may have my blessings once she apologies to my son, you are dismissed."

Elias looked at his cousin with a look of disbelief and distaste.

"Thank you, Your highness." Khristian said bidding them goodbye.