A Dash of Demise

Ch 72: A Little Digging.

Got a very special POV for u all!!
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Julius POV

I sighed leaning back in my chair, rubbing my temples.

Red had seemed to enjoy her day, gushing over her wedding and all the little things shes planned for it.

It was endearing, to see her so happy after so many years.

Yet guilt ate at me as Vladimir, my mothers head guard, sat across from me. "My prince?"

"Were you able to learn anything about this Zander man?"

Vlad frowned a bit, "not much, he seems to be a mystery, most people don't even know what he looks like."

That... is not what I wanted to hear, "I just need to make sure he's good for her."

"If I may, my prince, suggest that you perhaps be a bit less open in your pursuit?"

"Why?" I asked, confused.

"To be perfectly clear, I have known you and Red your entire lives and unlike your parents, I noticed when you snuck from the palace as a child. And into the guard house."

I sighed softly, "I never once attempted to hide my friendship with Red, I have spent time with her nearly every day since she was but a small child no more than five."

"She grew up chasing you my prince." Vlad pointed out, "always wanting to stand in your guard, I cannot help but wonder if perhaps you are less worried about this Zander man, and more worried about the changes occurring in your relationship with Red."

I felt heat rush up my neck, "Red is a grown woman, I am simply checking for security reasons."

He arched a brow, "Not because you dote on her and always have? My prince, I don't mean to over step but I know that your sisters death had a large effect on your childhood."

I ground my teeth a bit, "and."

His voice was softer than I was used to hearing from him, "after Princess Althea passed you were such a different boy from the one you had been, you were angry, had no interest in anything. It broke your mothers heart."

I nearly scoffed, remembering how heartbroken my mother truly had been. Both over my baby sister and I.

"And then you saw Red." He murmured, "I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was walking with her in my arms, letting the child get some sun as I preformed my duties as a guard. The moment you spotted the tiny bundle in my arms you tore away from your nursemaid and ran so fast down the hill you nearly tripped several times. You stood in front of me panting, demanding I let you hold her."

I remembered, I would never forget seeing her for the first time.

It was as if the world was right again.

"You two were inseparable from that very moment. You spent all of your free time visiting. Helped teach her to read, gifted her her first pair of daggers."

"Is there a point to be made here?" I asked, not entirely comfortable with my relationship with Red being dissected by the man who raised her and also holds mothers ear.

"You have insisted Red be in your guard one day since she was six."

"And?"

"And now this Zander is the first person to alter the familial relationship between the two of you. Red is much of a sister to you."

"And?"

"And its the palaces worst kept secret, the way you favor her. Some people, those less familiar with you both think it's romantic."

I tried not to look repulsed at the idea of Red in any romantic sense.

By the amused look in Vlads eyes I knew I failed.

So I cleared my throat, "Red is a lovely girl, no one can be faulted for thinking she may be an object of adoration... of that sort. Just not mine. Ever."

"No, I never thought so." He replied cooly, "To you she is the little sister you never got."

I didn't bother trying to deny that.. but... "she isn't a replacement."

"No. But to you, shes family."

"She is."

"Only to you." He sighed, "all of this snooping will put your adoration of her under a microscope. And Red will be the one facing those consequences my Prince. Not you. No one would dare question you, but she could loose the respect she's earned. Her effort to be head of your guard will be undermined the moment the truth of your relationship is revealed to everyone."

"She worked harder than anyone in her class, shes more than earned her place."

"I know that my prince, as I know there is truly no fault in your relationship. But as you may consider her a sister, Red is my daughter. My little girl, what happens to her is my concern and I got the paperwork to prove it."

"I know Vlad but-"

"My prince there is no but in this, you need to trust her choice in husband."

I grit my teeth, "you are not even slightly curious as to why no one has heard of him or seen him? This fur trader."

"Of course I am." He lifted his chin, "but that is for me to discover in my free time your highness, not for you to issue formal orders on."

"I must know-"

"You will know what I think you should when I discover it. Just do not, if you care for her, continue these orders."

I sighed, but nodded, "very well, no more orders."

"Thank you."

I nodded once more as he stood, bowed, and left.

Leaning back in my chair, I ran a hand through my hair, no more formal investigations.

But that doesn't mean I cant do a little digging of my own.

I couldn't stand it if this man hurt Red one day and I could have prevented it by simply asking more questions.