ROYAL BLOOD

Turning point

As Berth stood by and watched the knights rummage through her home, she felt uncomfortable.

"Your majesty, this house is empty, what exactly are we supposed to bring along? One of the knights said, walking up to Ragaleon.

Ragaleon turned to look at Berth.

"Do you have any belongings you would like to take along? He asked, she looked around and her eyes spotted the chest box at the corner of the room.

"That chest box was precious to my father, that's the only thing I would like to take along." Berth said curtly.

Ragaleon signalled the knights and they sprang into action.

As Berth sat beside Ragaleon in the carriage her eyes couldn't help but trail around his handsome face.

Dark eyes, thick eyebrows, shoulder length black hair, and those lips….

"Do you have an idea of where your sister is? Ragaleon asked and Berth suddenly jolted back to reality.

"My sister? Oh right my sister! How do you know I have a sister? Berth peered suspiciously at him.

"Your father told me." Ragaleon said in a cold manner.

"My father, have you met him? Where is he? Berth was feigning worry.

"He is dead."

"What?! Berth's face became scripted in shock.

"He died saving my life, and now I am indebted to him, I swore to protect you and your sister." Ragaleon said without looking at Berth.

Berth eyes became teary…..

"He was a good man." She sniffed, wiping her tears away.

Ragaleon glanced at her and felt a glimpse of remorse, this wasn't right so he hardened his heart.

"I cannot bring your father to live but I can fulfill his death wish, where can I find your sister? Ragaleon asked, taking a bite from the red apple in his hands.

"I…I don't know, she left without saying a word. I thought she came to see you…" Berth said, shifting her gaze to him.

Ragaleon paused in his tracks…

"See me? Why would your sister want to meet me? He asked giving Berth a penetrative gaze.

"I…", Berth wanted to say the reason why, but then she remembered it was her fault. She was the reason the farm was destroyed, she sold her father's farm without thinking straight. She didn't want to give the king a bad impression so she said…..

"I…I don't know what I am saying. I am stressed out..I.." she wanted to say more.

"It's okay, I shouldn't be asking you these questions, you need to rest, you will get enough of it when we get back to the castle." Ragaleon said nonchalantly, taking a bite from the apples in his hands.

"The castle…" Berth muttered under her breath as her eyes became dreamy.

The royal carriage came to a halt in front of the enormous castle. Ragaleon stepped out and stretched out his hands, Berth blinked for a while before finally coming to her senses, she took his hand and helped herself out of the chamber.

Immediately Berth gazed at the palace she gasped. Her rosy lips in astonishment.

Suddenly Ragaleon snatched his hands away from her's….."Take her to the guest room, and make sure she is attended to properly." He said before making his way inside.

Berth felt empty immediately; Ragaleon snatched his hands away; she followed the aged woman who led the way to the guest house.

Berth was astonished to see such splendour and glory. The golden cups, fruit baskets filled to the brim with exotic fruit, the gardens, the horses, the people wearing beautiful dresses, she was simply blown away.

Berth was led into a chamber that smelled of burning incense. She was taken to a steamy bathtub filled with milk and rose petals.

Her dirty black hair was washed and suddenly the colour began to glow, her fair skin suddenly became flawless. After the bath, Berth hair was styled like that of royalty, some contour was applied on her cherry cheeks and she was clouded in a blue gown.

By the time she stepped out, Berth looked like a whole new person, it was as if she was never poor. Berth was given time to rest, but then soon she became restless.

How could she be in a castle, a place she had always dreamt of and now she wants to sleep? Never!

She climbed down from the bed…

"Shall I show you around." Her maid asked, seeing that the lady in front of her was restless. Berth's eyes became filled with excitement and she nodded.

The V-neck dress Berth wore exposed her cleavages and royal guards and male servants turned as she walked past them escorted by a maid, called Tamar.

Tamar was showing Berth around and just then they saw Ramah making her way towards their direction looking as proud as a peacock. Her black straight hair swayed as she walked with an air of authority escorted by two royal guards.

When Berth saw her coming, she felt intimidated.

"Who is she? She asked Tamar, not breaking her gaze away.

"Her name is Ramah, she is the King's fiancee, they will be wedded on the fourth night." Tamar said then did a courtesy as Ramah walked past them.

Berth bit her lips a little envious but suddenly straightened up and wore a proud smile, they continued their tour around the palace.

Ramah who seemed to have taken notice of Berth suddenly asks…..

"Who is she?

"That I do not know, My lady. It was said she was brought in by the emperor this morning." The maid beside Ramah answered precisely.

"I want you to keep an eye on her for me." Ramah said as she kept walking, making their way to the guest house where Ramah's brother Diego was admitted.

Ramah gazed sorrowfully at her brother immediately as she stepped into the chamber.

"Leave us! She said to the maids tending to Diego and they quietly took their leave.

"Brother…", Ramah called out softly.

"How do you feel? She asked inching forward.

Diego's eyes were distant, he gazed into nothing, then slowly a tear tugged at the side of both his eyes.

"How do I feel? His voice was filled with sarcasm.

"The grand maester told me the poison affected my legs, I will…", He paused trying to contain his emotions.

"I will never be able to walk again." He finished off his voice quivering.

Ramah's eyes shone in shock, her gaze fell and she inhaled sharply.

"I can only be thankful that you are still alive…

"You call this life! Diego screamed his lungs out.

"I will never be able to move on my own without help, I will rely on people's support for the rest of my life , you think this is living? I would rather die seven times that accept to live like this." Diego clenched his fist.

"Do not scream at me Diego!

Ramah started off her voice high pitched then she shut her eyes then opened them slowly, she wore a forced smile.

"I know how it feels to be helpless, you are the future of house Jerrah, if you had died father and mother would have pressured me to rule and become the queen of Bethalone. It's a good thing you are alive." Ramah was being selfish at the moment.

"You selfish bitch! You only care about yourself." Diego said, shifting his gaze to Ramah.

"Diego I would advise you to try and be on my good side, when I become the third queen of Decreash, I will have a lot of power in my reach. Bethalone will need a king and that would be you, but the king will need an ally, that would be me." Ramah smiled slyly.

"Get out! Diego said firmly clenching his fist.

Ramah gazed at him, her evil glare softened before she turned around to leave.

"Oh, one more thing." She said, turning to gaze at her brother.

"You better learn to stop calling me names, get used to calling me your queen, because you will be using that title a lot after my wedding to Ragaleon." She said looking proud before finally turning around to leave.

Diego shut his eyes abruptly….

"Queen my ass!

....

Selena walked into her son's chamber, her eyes laced with worry.

"The gods are merciful, to have protected my son." She said walking towards Ragaleon. Her black hair, and dark eyes fixed on him

"You should have taken some guards with you when you were going hunting." She said after getting to where he was.

Ragaleon who was reading a book while seated in his bed raised his gaze.

"Mother, you have formed this incessant habit of coming into my chamber." He said flipping a page of the book he was reading.

"And you have formed the habit of making me worry, Ragaleon. Everyday it's one new story or the other, I heard you were attacked by a bear, is that true? Selena asked, taking a step closer and she sat on a chair in the collosal chamber.

"I was attacked by a bear, but as you can see mother, I am perfectly fine, you worry for no reason." Ragaleon nonchalantly flipped a page of the book he was reading.

"I worry for nothing? Selena scoffed.

"The end of you is the end of me Ragaleon, don't you get it? If anything was to ever happen to you and you lose your live I will immediately hang myself than watch Johanna's son William sit on the throne." Selena's voice became etched.

Ragaleon closed the book he was reading then shifted the gaze to his mother.

"William will never sit on the throne. I know better than to die without leaving a will." Ragaleon said then rised up to his feet.

"The girl you bought to the palace, who is she? Selena got straight to the point.

"I do not know who she is, I know nothing about her. I only know her father saved my life and that is enough reason for me to protect her with everything I have." He said and Selena nodded her head knowingly.

"I am glad you are safe, I must take my leave now." She said rising to her feet she turned to leave.

"Mother..", Ragaleon called out calmly.

Selena paused in her tracks and turned to look at him.

"I need a favor from you." Ragaleon said with a calm tone.

"Sure, whatever you want." Selena said looking happy to help.

"It concerns the royal family of Bethalone."

"What about them? Selena asked inching forward.

"I can no longer get married to their daughter, Ramah."