Perfect Blend

ODELINA'S TREAT

MONTFORT PALACE, 1133

KINGDOM OF THORGUNNA

ODELINA'S TREAT. King Tremaine, Prince Ezra, and Prince Simone just arrived from Issenberg after the annual hunting tournament. The townspeople of Thorgunna were all in cheers when they saw them back alive. Hunting is dangerous. Hunters die along with their prey.

It was a long trip for the Montfort's. The Kingdom of Issenberg is ten hours away from the Kingdom of Thorgunna and a couple of hours away from the Kingdom of Egilson. However, if a rider takes the short path, which is the coast of Durandal near the Kingdom of Brickenden, traveling to Issenberg will only take three hours away. No horse carriages can pass through the stiff slopes of Turstin valley. The border between Brickenden, Issenberg and Thorgunna.

Queen Venetia, the king's second wife, is thrilled to see her family. She herself was away preparing for Ezra's birthday celebration that is happening in a week. For the first time in forever, Venetia greeted Ezra and embraced her son. She realized how distant she has been from her firstborn. Suppose she could only tell Ezra how she suffered in so much pain and longing when Queen Callista took him away from her. His twenty-first birthday will be a celebration she must be proud of. She was hands-on in preparation for Ezra's birthday ball and engagement. Venetia wanted Ezra to feel she love him the same way she loves Simone.

“How was the hunting, Ezra?” Venetia asked.

“It was fantastic, mother," Ezra replied.

“How about you, my son. Did you have fun, Simone?

“Gae, mother. But I am saddened. It’s the first time I did not get to hunt with Ely." Simone said, handing his bow and arrow to Desmond.

"Please take them to my bedchamber, Desmond. I shall share my deer jerky with you later. Father, showed me how to make them!"

Seventeen-year-old Simone was ecstatic to tell Desmond his new learned skills.

"Why? What happened to Princess Elysendria? How come she wasn't there?"

"I don't know, mother. Her twin brother was there too. I mean, Primo was there, but when we get to the second round, he left in a hurry. It's puzzling me. Ely likes hunting, but she wasn't there. You know how we champ every year because of her."

"Mm-hmm, that's bizarre for her not to be there."

"Father, have you not known anything?" Simone asked his father.

"If I do, I shall tell you, son."

“Ezra, have you talked to your betrothed? Did you leave her in Raleigh?”

“No, mother, we went together at Egilson, and then I dropped her off at the Issenberg castle before the hunting tournament began. She said she'll come with Primo. Something must have come up. I'll be off to see her tomorrow."

“How about Prince Primo?” Venetia questioned again.

“Mother, I said Primo was there with his grandfather. I saw him hunting with his uncles. But then they all left in haste."

"Where's sister, mother?"

Odelina, Ezra’s adopted sister and King Tremaine’s trusted psychic, waited for them by the porch when they arrived from a month-long hunting tournament in Issenberg. She was waving at them as the three get off the carriage. 

"She just arrived from Edinburgh."

"Oh, was she on a trip?"

"She wanted to explore London, so I let her be."

"Um, I saw her by the porch when we were pulling in," said Simone.

"Oh. There she is," Venetia said.

Odelina was wearing a red dress. Her breast was pushed higher than usual. If Venetia has only seen her earlier, she could have told her to change her clothes. It was too revealing for a princess. She is dressed more like a cocotte.

"Oh, God! Shall she not be like her birth mother!" Venetia muttered in the air with following a heavy sigh.

"Venetia! Have you not taught Eleanor princess etiquette? Why is she dressed like a harlot? For heaven's sake!"

"Forgive me, your grace. I must take her back to her chamber."

Odelina sprinted towards Ezra. She wrapped her arms around his body and said, "looking for me, my love?"

Odelina was about to kiss Ezra on his lips, but he pushed her away.

“Odelina, how there thee kiss me? We are siblings!”

“I am not your sister, Ezra,” she said, sounding careless.

King Tremaine was shocked at how Odelina acted towards Ezra. They grew up together, for Pete's sake! Odelina has been crowned Princess Eleanor Montfort of the Kingdom of Thorgunna.

“Eleanor, you are forbidden to be intimate with your brother!” King Tremaine's thundering voice up roared the palace.

“But he is not my brother, father.”

“I have given you a family. You are my adopted daughter, and that makes you Ezra’s sister.

“No! It is all because you sent him back to Raleigh. I have told you, father, don’t send Ezra to that academy.”

“Yes, you have told me. But you haven’t told me why I should not send my son to Raleigh.”

“Ugh! Elysendria! Why do you have to fall in love with my sister, Ezra?”

“You don’t want me to go to Raleigh because of Elyse?”

 “Yes! You belong to me, Ezra.”

“I don’t belong to you, Odelina. You are not born to be my mate. Elyse, and I, are already destined to be together even before we were born. We imprinted nine years ago. You are aware Elyse and I have been together for three years now. We are only waiting for her to come at an age for us to be married and consummate.”

Ezra told Odelina. The truth is they have been married a week before the hunting season.

 “She can’t conceive your son! I’ll make your precious Elysendria go through the mill.”

 “Don’t you dare hurt Princess Elysendria, Odelina!”

 “Too late, Ezra. The spell has been cast. Her agony will start soon enough.”

 “You are evil!”

 Ezra hasn’t seen Odelinas monstrous side. She was grinning like a possessed demon.

"Odelina! From this day onward, I dethrone you as Princess Eleanor of the Kingdom of Thorgunna. You shall not use Montfort in any way. You will be taken to Turstin locked in the cage to repent your sin!"

"When does love becomes a sin, father?"

"You shall not call me father. I disown you!"

"Huh? Now that you don't need me, and you're fascinated with Elysendria. Father, you dare disown me?" Odelina laughs like an evil and stands close to King Tremaine, looking at him eye to eye, "is it because the union of Ezra and Elyse will bear you an heir to the utmost power? To your advantage?"

King Tremaine was in tongued tied shut mouth in silence. It is true. Ezra and Elyse will be the fulfillment of King Gideon's prophecy. The last kin of the Gideons shall inherit the utmost ability a Lycan has ever had. De Lorris and Montfort's are descendants of Gideons.

"Father is that true?" asked Ezra.

"Ezra, Simone, to your chambers!"

"But father!"

"Ezra, shall you want me to cancel your ball?"

"No, father."

King Tremaine disowned Odelina. She was locked up in Turstin. An ice cave with silver bars where witches can’t unleash their power inside Brickendens forest.

A few days after, King Tremaine released Odelina. Queen Venetia pleaded to release her. The king loved Venetia dearly, and she can't see her mate in great sadness.

"You shall not speak about the prophecy, Odelina. I forbid you to speak to him. Thou shall not set foot in the palace."

 King Tremaine's words did not stop Odelina from seeing Ezra. She wanted him for herself.

No one expected before the union of the kingdoms of Thorgunna, Egilson, and Issenberg set forth by the royal wedding will end up in a gruesome tragedy.

A catastrophe, misery, and agony brought by Odelina, the crowned Princess Eleanor of Thorgunna.

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