CHAPTER XVII - ❝The Awakening❞

                                    

                                          
Elissi begins eating and she dreads having to ask King Valente to call off the marriage, but she knows that it has to be done in order to be with her one true love.
                          
"So, my dear, why have you come to Ambrosia? Not that I don't love this pleasant surprise, but why now?"
                          
"I have something to ask you."
                          
"Of course, ask me anything."
                          
"I don't think that the engagement between Vincent and I is quite proper. He's always away and I do believe that he has plans for something greater, something unlawful, something disastrous."
                          
"What are you trying to say?"
                          
"I'm saying.. Well I'm asking you.. Is there any way that you would ever consider cancelling the engagement?"
                          
"Dear, have you gone mad? Vincent is a good man. He can provide for you. There is nothing that he has done that is even remotely close to whatever nonsense you're talking about. Please make your way to your sleeping quarters.."
                          
"But Your H-"
                          
"Now, young lady."
                          
"Yes, Your Highness." One of the staff members leads her to her sleeping quarters. She keeps her head low and tries to figure out a way to steer the king's answer to abide her wishes. As she walks through the halls, she overhears Vincent talking to someone. Perhaps a colleague or friend?
                          
"Once I am wed to Elissi Williams, I'll be in control of two of the most powerful kingdoms. That is... After father has passed."
                          
"And soon you'll rule all the kingdoms over all seven seas." The other voice adds. She wants to turn around and expose him to the king, but she knows that it would just put her in greater danger than she already is.
                          
"Here is where you will be sleeping tonight, ma'am."
                          
"Thank you." The staff member turns around to leave, but Elissi stops her.
                          
"Hey.. do you know of Vincent's plans? Of what he's doing?"
                          
"Yes ma'am, but I am not to speak of it."
                          
"Why not? Why haven't you exposed him? What's stopping you?"
                          
"His father doesn't believe a single soul. He trusts his son's word over any other. He wouldn't believe us unless we had a solid piece of evidence." While Elissi and the staff member discuss Vincent's wrongdoings, King Valente goes through the residence to make sure that everything is in order. He accidentally eavesdrops on his son's conversation as he walks on by.
                          
"Father will never know, don't worry, my friend, once he dies.. Might it be by natural causes or force.. We will have all the power that we need. Those who have wronged us will rue the day." He says "us" but truly, he is only talking about himself.
                          
King Valente is shocked at what he is hearing. His first instinct is to burst into the room and make sure that his son didn't do any more. But he had to apologize to Elissi before doing anything else. She had been right this whole time, but he hadn't believed a word. He'd put trust into his son but was returned with a string of lies. He makes his way to Elissi's quarter and knocks on her door. 
                          
"Yes?" Elissi answers, dismissing the staff member.
                          
"Dear, we must talk."
                          
"What is it?"
                          
"I've been wronged by my son, Vincent. He isn't a good person. I know that now."
                          
"Oh? However did you know?"
                          
"I've just overheard his conversation with his colleague, Robert. It seems as though they are waiting for me to die or even to kill me."
                          
"To kill you?! Why on earth?"
                          
"He wants the throne. For revenge, for advantage."
                          
"Revenge?"
                          
"He's always said that he'd get those who have fallen out of an engagement with him. But he always laughed it off, so I assumed that he was joking.. I was wrong. Dear, I want you to hear me when I say this."
                          
"I'm listening.."
                          
"The engagement, as you've requested, is now officially cancelled. I'll make sure that my son doesn't do any harm to any of you women who have bailed on an engagement to him. Leave early tomorrow, at dawn. If you're gone before he awakens, then everything will be well, you'll be too far for him to reach. Thank you, my dear. Get some rest."
                          
"I.. Thank you, Your Majesty."
                          
"Of course." He spreads his arms open for her to hug him. She runs to him, embraced in his touch.
                          
"Now please get some rest."
                          
"I will." She tries to go to bed but is kept up by her thoughts. All she can think about is whether or not Vincent will try to end her life after he finds out that she has ended the engagement, without even a goodbye. Is her life in danger? Is she safe? Can she truly trust the king's word? She is met with never ending thoughts, but she finally falls asleep, as she thinks about Perseus and how her life will be so much better when she is back in his arms.