Henry

I made my way to infirmary. Melanie was eating some soup. She looked up and her blue eyes met my green ones. She smiled.

I walked over to her and gave her a hug. When we pulled away I spoke. "It's nice to see you healthy and well again."

She nodded. "It's nice to see you all."

James, Katerina, Amber, and Alexander gave Melanie hugs. Each taking turns and saying nice things like, we missed you, and so glad you're better.

"Glad to have you back, Melanie." Charles gave her a smile.

"Thanks." She gave him a small smile.

"Mom, you would not believe what we had to do to get you better. Katerina, Alexander, and I had to journey to Northumbria to get you special flowers called Sugar Bellflowers. Then, bring them back here. We were gone for a week. But it was nice to get out the castle." James explained.

Melanie nodded. "Thank you all, for doing that."

"Anything to save you," James said sincerely.

"Did you tell her about the part where you weren't even suppose to go in the first place?" Alexander mentioned as he snickered.

"What?" Melanie asked, looking at Alexander.

"Dad originally sent Alexander and I," Katerina elaborated. "He trusted Alexander and I to lead the mission and like the idiot James is," Katerina glared at James. "He fucking snuck out. Ben had noticed a hooded person. We caught him, took the hood off, and that's how we found out James came along."

Alexander turned to Katerina. "What did he last, like two hours before getting caught?" He asked her.

"Three, he would've got away with it, if it wasn't for Ben." Katerina said.

I almost laughed at this.

Katerina and Alexander have grown so close to each other. Sometimes they don't make smart choices, but they always find a way to make me proud.

Melanie crossed her arms. "You should start listening to you father. If he tells you to say here, then you obey." She said sternly.

"But I wanted to help out with the important stuff!" James cried.

Melanie shot him a stern look and James looked down. "I won't do it again." He mumbled.

"Well Melanie, we'll let you finish your food and let you get some sleep. If you're wondering what happened, you can come to my office later and I'll explain everything." I told her.

She nodded. "Bye everyone."

I waited for everyone to leave the room and Melanie went back to eating her soup.

"I've missed you, I know I barely spend time with you, but would you like to have a drink with me later? After I explain what happened?" I offered.

"I'd like that." She said softly.

"I'll see you later." I left the room and closed the door behind me.

I didn't want to leave her in that room. But she needs her rest.

With that taken care of, now I would have to deal with Fortis again.

I had no idea what I was going to do.

Stephen

I'm betrothed to her? Did I hear that correctly? This must've just happened. I bet he's doing this for some type of military support and to make sure I don't end up with Katerina.

I shook my head, this isn't right.

"Stephen, this is crystal, and her father, Anthony. Please take a seat you two." Fortis introduced.

They joined us at the table.

"I'm assuming you're doing this for military support." I spoke as I gritted my teeth.

"Well, Anthony is the reason why we had to leave Northumbria and come to Mercia. I figured it was better to have him as an ally than an enemy." Fortis said.

"You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Anthony joked and Fortis chuckled. "So all is forgiven, then?"

"Of course." Fortis nodded.

Maya gave me a worried look.

I still think he's having me marry her for military support. His plans to take out the wolves and demolish there castle, say otherwise.

If I can just tell Anthony that, maybe he'll think twice about being allies with Fortis.

There's a chance it could work, I have to try.

"Crystal, Alexander, you two should have dinner together, to get to know each other a little better." Anthony suggested.

"That's sounds lovely." Crystal spoke.

I mumbled a yeah, whatever.

I wonder if Crystal agreed with this? I could find that out at dinner tonight.

Melanie

I knocked on the door to Henry's office and a few seconds he opened it.

I walked in as he closed the door behind me. Then we sit down.

"Fortis was the one behind your Poisoning, he had Hazel and Jayden get a job here. Then had Hazel poison you."

I nodded. "That's no surprise. He's evil. I knew something like this would happen eventually."

"Well, Jayden and Hazel helped a lot when you we're poisoned. At first I was mad and put Hazel in a cell. But then Jayden came to my office and explained everything. Then he offered to do research and that's how we found what flower to get and where to go to get it. Then I let Hazel out the cell so they could help on the mission. She felt guilty." He explained.

"I would like to have a conversation with Hazel and Jayden. To thank them, they made a mistake, but they fixed it. Fortis is the real person who needs to pay." I told Henry.

"I'll let Hazel and Jayden know you want to talk to them. Did I tell you how we almost fought a war?" Henry mentioned.

I sat up straighter in my chair, taken back. "No, what else did I miss?"

"Just that. Fortis had marched his army over into our territory with intentions to fight us. I had to march my army over to meet him. But Katerina and Alexander managed to delay the war by running between Fortis men and our men. That gives us three months to figure out how to take Fortis down. Well, three weeks and two months now." He corrected.

"They used Law three o five. Smart kids." I nodded and smiled. I felt like a proud parent.

"I'm proud of them too, but that was a dumb move. I gave them a talk about it though." Henry said sternly.

I laughed.

"That's pretty much what happened." Henry stood up and walked over to the cabinet. He grabbed a bottle of wine and wine glasses. Then walked back over to me. "How about that drink I promised you?"

I nodded.

He set down the wine glasses and opened the wine. "This is the good stuff." He poured the wine into the glasses.

I grabbed one and so did he.

He raised his glass in the air and toasted. "To you,"

I raised my glass in response and we took a sip from our glasses.

Stephen

Scarlett, Maya and I meet outside of the castle.

"Stephen, I'm sorry that this is happening, I had no idea your father was planning this." Mom said.

"I'm sorry too," Maya said.

"It's fine. I have a plan. If I can convince Anthony that Fortis is just using him for military support and maybe tell Anthony what Fortis did to the Jensen's he could back out of the alliance." I tell them.

"But you have to remember Anthony did the same thing to us. He may not care." Scarlett mentioned.

"I know, but I have to try. Make him see Fortis as a threat and not an ally. Maybe even lie if I have to."

Scarlett nodded understanding. "Do whatever it takes. I've been a little uneasy seeing Anthony around the castle. He is the reason why we had to move to Mercia in the first place."

"Hopefully your plan work, Stephen. But you still have to go to that dinner with Crystal." Maya mentioned.

"I already forgot." I chuckled.

"I have a dinner with Fortis later, which will be dreadful." Scarlett said as she rolled her eyes.

"I'm surprised he's trying to make up with you. You can't trust him anymore." I told Scarlett.

"I know, I don't."

"I mean it Mom." I said sternly.

"I've seen what he's done. He's just a bad person and not to be trusted." Scarlett said as she looked down.

"Maybe you could convince Crystal to help you stop the alliance." Maya suggested.

"That's a great idea Maya, thanks." I told her.

She nodded. "I wish you both good luck with your dinners."

"Thanks Maya." Scarlett said.

Crystal

I don't agree with this alliance and I'm definitely not ready to get married yet. I need to see what Stephen thinks about this. It didn't look like he agreed with it at lunch. If that's true, maybe we could do something to prevent this.

I made my way to the dining hall and found Stephen already sitting at the table. His blue eyes met my green ones.

"Hi," He smiled.

I sat down. "You're early."

He shrugged then explained. "I thought it would be better to get this dinner over with."

I nodded, then asked him. "So you don't agree with this then?"

"Hell no, I have my eye on someone else, though you remind me of her." He mentioned.

I smiled, then asked curious. "Really, how do I?"

"She has brown hair and green eyes just like you do."

I nodded. "You're talking about that wolf princess across the forest."

He looked shocked. "How do you know about that?"

"Your father gave me a warning that you were interested in someone else."

He nodded. "I'm guessing you don't agree with this either."

"I do not."

"Glad to see that we're on the same page." He relaxed a little.

"Do you have a plan to stop this?" I asked him.

He smiled. "Of course I have a plan. But I'm going to need your help."

"Of course." I smiled back.

Scarlett

I met Fortis for dinner.

"You look splendid darling, as always." Fortis complimented with a smile.

"Thanks. You don't look bad, yourself." I returned the compliment. "I know the only reason we're having this dinner is so that you can make it up to me."

"Well, you are mad at me."

"Glad you noticed." I said curtly.

"Scarlett, I didn't come here to fight with you. I have an idea why you're mad at me."

"You do excessive shit for no reason. Things would be better if you didn't do that shit and maybe I wouldn't have a reason to be mad at you." I explained.

"I'm just trying to protect us." He defended as he gave me an innocent look.

I shook my head. "No you're not. I'm sure the Jensen's barely had anything to worry about until we showed up. First you capture their men, make them pay for them, poison their Queen, not cool by the way, then you march into their territory with an army and almost start a war with them. So yeah, I'm sure these last twenty days have been very stressful for them. You started this and they've done nothing to show you that they are a threat. Honestly, I don't know why there still putting up with us."

"They're still putting up with us because they're daughter put an hiatus on the war." Fortis smirked.

"When are you going to stop?" I asked him.

"When they're annihilated." He growled.

I throw my hands up. "And you wonder why I'm mad."

"You don't have to be. You could forgive me." He said softly.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "No, Fortis."

He sighed. "I tried."

"You know, I miss the old you, the version of you that I fell in love with." I told him.

He stared at me. "Well, I changed."

Clearly.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't believe that. I know the old you is still there."

"You sure about that?" He asked in a low voice.

"I'd hope so."

"This is the new me, so get use to it." He said curtly. "Scarlett, dinner was nice with you," He stood up. "I hope in time, you'll forgive me. Excuse me, I have important things to do." He left the dining room leaving me in my own thoughts.

I know the old Fortis is still there. He's just putting on a tough act. But I don't know if I'll ever see the old him again.

~Dominique