Chapter 39

I put the helmet on before leaving and did another loop around the castle. I thought about how much I fumbled my words with Orion. I could not explain to myself why I cared so much. I hadn't fumbled so much since Carlo.

I made my way back to my chambers around sunrise. I tapped on the door.

"Your majesties. It's sunrise. We must check the gates." I told them.

"Just a moment!" Mavis fumbled. After a few seconds, she granted me access.

"Come in, Daniel." She said.

I entered the room. They were both in freshly put on night clothes. Their hair was as messy as the bed.

I took of the helmet and passed it to Daniel.

"Did patrolling go alright?" He asked me.

"Yes. No troubles in the castle."

"That's a relief. He said."

"I can't believe it's already sunrise! We need to get to the gates!" Mavis frantically disappeared to the other side of our chambers to change into a gown. Daniel and I swapped clothes quickly. He snuck a kiss goodbye to Mavis before leaving.

"I take it you had a good evening?" I asked her as I began to dress myself across the chambers.

"I did. Thank you." She said out of my view behind her decorated room divider that she dressed behind.

"Will you do my corset?" She peaked her head out behind her divider. I went to her and attempted to tie the back of her corset to the best of my abilities. I tied the cream ribbon back and fourth before pulling it tight.

"Patrols went alright? How's Opal?" She asked.

"She's perfect as always. Patrols were uneventful." I said with a yawn.

"Good. That's good." I finished tying her corset to the best of my abilities. She slipped on her shoes and brushed her hair as fast as she could.

"Alright. Let's go." She said, pressing her palms on her dress.

"Forget something, your majesty?" I asked her, lifting up her tiara.

She lowered her head and allowed me to set it on her.

"Thank you. Let's go."

Mavis anxiously rushed to the Belmonte palace gates in nervous anticipation of seeing her people. She requested the gates open. Outside, a field of Belmomte individuals waited.

Mavis took a deep breath in relief.

"Hello, thank you all for coming and supporting your kingdom. Please, come inside."

The sea of people entered the palace grounds in an orderly fashion. Johnny and Daniel began to take the names of the people who were joining, and asking them what their preferred positions would be.

Commoners were not the only individuals in the crowd. Several nobleman I recognized from the dinner approached her. Sir Barke was not with them.

"You did well rallying your people, your majesty. With that being said, you have our support." Sir Allis said. The rest of the noblemen nodded.

"I am so fortunate to have all of your support. I don't see Sir Barke?" She said.

"He'll come around eventually. He usually does." One of the other noblemen said.

Mavis and I were very pleased with the outcome. I always knew Mavis would be an excellent queen.

After receiving the information of the Belmonte individuals, Orion, Daniel, and Johnny planned routes to send informants out to different towns across Belmonte, asking them for their support in the war. They had many volunteers to do so.

"Send groups out to Parlton, Marbella, and Belltine. Those are three of the biggest towns in the kingdom." Mavis instructed.

Daniel split everyone into groups. Johnny and Daniel planned for the groups to set out early in the morning. They volunteered to join them.

"I can lead a group." Charles said, his hands on his hips. We turned our heads to him. Charles? Taking initiative? Volunteering to do work?

"Are you feeling alright?" Mavis asked him.

"Yes. I'm fine. I want to lead to Belltine." He said.

"You're volunteering to do something?" Daniel asked.

"You all act like I'm incapable! I know Belmonte like the back of my hand. Plus, I would like a break from this place for a few days.." He said.

Mavis looked at me in confusion. I assume he wanted to escape the thoughts of his father or the baker boy, even if that meant he had to do work.

"Alright. Fine. You can lead a small group to recruit to Belltine." Mavis said.

"Great. I'll be an excellent leader, you all will see! Plus, this way I get out of combat training with Johnny. Shes on the verge of snapping my shoulder!"

Yeah, it was all coming together.

"Tomorrow at sunrise then, you shall leave. Be careful. Vendov soldiers could be anywhere." Mavis reminded him. He nodded. She joined a group with Daniel and Orion to organize groups for the morning.

"A lot of people showed up." Charles said, examining the room.

"It's good. I'm glad Belmonte is joining." I said.

Charles jumped closer to me and leaned close to my ear.

"Now that they're gone... Is it true?" He whispered. I cocked my head at him in confusion.

"Is what true?"

"Look." He pointed to Mavis, Daniel, and Orion talking in a group together.

"What? I don't see anything?" I said, still confused.

"Apparently a servant saw Daniel go in Orion's room late at night while he was on guard duty... Didn't expect Daniel to be on our side of the things, huh? I wonder how Mavis is taking it. Are they a threesome?" Charles gossiped.

"Where did you hear this from?"

"A servant was telling the loyalists about it. Nothing wrong with that, but does Mavis know? Ooh, does she like Orion, too? He is a handsome rogue. Not really her type but I guess I can see it." Charles was rambling on, pulling gossip out of his ass.

"Rumors are just that. Rumors. I don't think Daniel and Orion are seeing each other." I told him.

"Ohh, Jealous, Zander? That you aren't the one with the dark and mysterious prince?"

"No, I'm not jealous. I just don't think you should give into rumors and believe everything you hear."

"Oh, sure. Like you don't enjoy a little gossip once and a while." Charles rolled his eyes at me.

It was me that the servant saw enter Orion's room last night, not Daniel. But no one could know that without potentially causing controversy.

"I doubt all of that. Don't continue to spread this." I said to Charles before leaving him.

I didn't think anyone had saw me. But there's eyes everywhere. I had to be more careful.

Mavis called a small meeting that night with me, Orion, Daniel, and Johnny. Daniel reviewed the groups that would be leaving in the morning. Orion discussed what he had told me the night before. He told them about how he believed Naporia would be the next target of Vendov, and how we had to act quickly.

"Thank you for your knowledge, Orion. It is appreciated. I think we should make plans to reach out to Naporia once the groups from Belmonte return." She said. I agreed with her.

"Are you sure Charles can handle a group?" Daniel asked Mavis.

"Charles does know Belmonte well. I think he can do it as long as there are no complications, which is what I fear."

"I can send some of the strongest loyalists with him." Johnny said.

"That's an excellent idea, thank you." Mavis said.

"Orion and Zander have agreed to continue training with the Belmonte soldiers and the loyalists while we are gone." Johnny said. Orion and I nodded.

"Sounds like we have a solid plan right now. Inform us of any complications that arise." Mavis said, about to dismiss everyone.

"I just wanted to briefly address a rumor going around that I heard today. It's kind of my fault." I spoke up.

"Is it about you and Charles? I don't think anyone really believes that." Mavis said.

"Wait, what? No!" I said.

Me and Charles? People thought me and Charles were together? I was almost offended.

"No. Not that. Definitely not that. Last night I.. Daniel. Visited Orion's room late last night."

"Oh?" Mavis said.

"Not like that! We were just talking about strategy. But apparently a servant saw me going in his room now everyone thinks Daniel and Orion are together."

"Gossip is just that. People will talk. I'm sure nothing will come out of it." Said Mavis.

"Well. It could be a good thing." Orion said.

"What? How?" Daniel said, crossing his arms.

"If everyone thinks you and I are together, there will be less suspicion of you with the queen. If everyone believes you are into men, there will be less suspicions surrounding Opal's father." Orion explained.

"Perhaps you have a point." Daniel said.

"Is lying to our people the right thing to do?"

"It's not lying. It's just not condemning a rumor. Plus, we're royals. All royals lie to their people in some way." Orion said.

"Fine. Alright. We can allow people to believe Daniel and Orion are seeing each other in secret. If that's alright with both of you."

"That's fine. If it protects you and Opal." Daniel said.

"Of course, my love." Orion jokingly winked at Daniel. Daniel remained in his stiff guard position. His cheeks turned a redder shade.

"I wish all of you safe travels. Zander, do not forget to find Galen. They've been looking for you."