10 THE SAME COIN

Rosabella's POV

The sting burned but the taste of victory really made it a lot better. I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I had won against Ryker. It would have been nice to have let Mia tend to my wound, but I wanted to be alone for a while.

"Holy crap",I hissed when the healing potion touched my wound.

Things here, especially the one involving magic, always worked in a way opposite to what you would have wished for in the first few minutes before it really shows its effects. This was to throw off the people who didn't know much about magic and just wanted to use it for an inferior purpose. Once the burn died down, I sighed as the potion started to really work its magic. The sweet taste of victory finally made its way to my head as I got off my bed and walked to the balcony in my chamber. I lifted the jug that had my favorite wine and poured some in my glass.

As I sipped down on the red liquid, a thought came to my head. Did I really win anything if I still hadn't won my people's respect? A single fight was not going to do anything to change their minds that believed how only a male ruler could keep them safe. A single fight wouldn't change anything at all.

A knock on the door made me put my guard on in a second. I kept the glass down and braced myself.

"Your Majesty, may I come in?"

"Yes, you can!"

Sir Scott walked into my room and with one glance around the room, his eyes landed on the glass of wine.

"Celebrating victory, I see, you Highness."

I looked away at to hide my flustered face.

"The reason I am here is because we just got an invitation from the the Mortale Kingdom for the welcoming meeting with the Mortale King and his council. They will be briefing you with the common duties that both of you share and the division of some other individual duties.

The traveling ruler always goes alone to the kingdom where the meeting is held, but if you'd like, then we would love to accompany you."

The Mortale King.

Oh Daeg.

I never thought this through did I?

I obviously had to come meet him. We were representing the two sides of a coin, but at the end, it was the same coin.

It was the same exact coin.

I never thought I would have to meet him again. Not after that night.

"Your Highness? You look a little pale, would you, perhaps, like some fresh air? Or water?"

I shook my head, because I knew if I opened my mouth, words that I didn't ever want to hear would spill.

"I believe that some rest would prove to be beneficial for you, Your Majesty. I think we will discuss more about this tomorrow."

I nodded. When was the meeting though?

It had to be at least a month or so away. I just became the queen.

"W- When is this meeting, Sir Scott?"

I folded my hands against my chest, hoping it would shield me from something I didn't want to hear.

"Tomorrow evening, your majesty.", and with that he left.

My hands didn't protect me.

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Hale's POV

I don't like the rain.

Honestly, I loathe it. I hate how the tiny drops of mere water fall from the sky and people are just overjoyed.

I hate how something so small is capable enough to bring happiness to such a large crowd of people. And how it sets off something primal in two lovers. I groan when the sky thunders once again and try to close the windows in my chamber. It was about five in the morning.

Eight hours until the meeting with the Lormeian woman.

I sighed and tried to close my eyes, but the roaring sky wouldn't let me.

Why my mother decided to have windows in almost all the chambers was beyond my understanding.

I made my way out of the chamber, hoping to not run into that guard from last night.

"Your Majesty! Good to see you wide awake with dark circles under your eyes.", said a voice

But I guess, luck wasn't on my side.

"You really like testing my patience, don't you, boy?"

He smiled at me and bowed.

"Benjamin, it is sir. Not boy, Benjamin. Or at least, that's what I remember my mother naming me. If you'd like I would confirm it with her whether it was boy or Benjamin."

This was the last thing I needed, especially with the sound of rain getting louder instead of dying down.

Talking to this man made me feel like it was raining on my head, directly.

And it certainly did not feel good.

"Benjamin, I would appreciate if you'd let me be on my way. Good talking to you."

Before he could utter any other rubbish, I walked past him.

"Your Majesty! Your Maj- Yes, Your Majesty, I was looking for you."

I put my hand up when the guard comes a little too close for my liking.

"What is it?"

"It is the Colonel! S- She didn't wake up today."