to begin. Go sit with your friends and don’t worry about what tomorrow may bring. Life has its ways of fixing things.” She patted his shoulder before walking towards the dining hall where things were being set up for the graduation ceremony.
Kaelen rejoined his friends and told them what Melantha had said
“Don’t worry,” Lucian said as Adrian came out of Calista’s office with Lavinia and Nana. “I’m sure everything will work out.” He walked to Calista’s door. “My parents are still meeting with Melantha and Allegra. Would you like me to send Jacobi and his parents in and you can interview me afterwards?”
“That would be very kind of you, Lucian,” she said with a smile.
Lucian found Jacobi standing with his parents and told them that they could take his spot.
“Thank you,” Jacobi’s mother said.
Before any of them could move, Kaelen had found his parents and sister and they were now marching to Calista’s office, Queen Angelique in the lead. “I demand you explain this immediately,” she cried upon reaching Calista’s door.
Calista looked taken aback. “I believe I already sent you a letter regarding the unfortunate accident in which Kaelen was transformed. At the moment, I am about to meet with another student and his parents. You will have to wait.”
Angelique started to swell up as Jacobi’s mother graciously said, “Calista, why don’t you go ahead and meet with them? We can wait.”
Calista smiled at her before turning. “Very well, please come in. Although, I believe your daughter could wait outside. There’s no reason for her to be present for this.”
Angelique nodded and then swept inside with King Roland and Kaelen. “Why has he been transformed?”
“Again, I wrote to you directly after Kaelen’s transformation. I also understand that Kaelen has written repeatedly concerning this unfortunate matter.” Calista’s voice was calm and even, though with a note of frustration.
“Frankly I thought this was another of Kaelen’s bouts for attention. His first year you claimed he was turned into a girl and last year you pestered us to no end about bringing the dog to him, no doubt because Kaelen was pushing you,” Angelique retorted. “Naturally when I received the letter that he’d been turned into a beast I dismissed it as another story.”
“King Roland, is that what you believe?” Calista asked, interrupting the queen’s rant.
Roland spluttered, looking from Angelique to Kaelen to Calista. “Well, you know, boys will be boys; they’re prone to exaggeration.”
Kaelen looked hurt. “You think I’ve been lying to you?”
“Oh please, Kaelen, you’ve always sought attention in the wrong ways,” Angelique said. “Now, is this permanent?”
“That depends on a number of things,” Calista replied. “He has seven years in which to complete his quest for the princess true at heart. It will take time for he must get her to fall in love with him.”
“Than what you’re really saying is that this is a permanent change. No woman of any decent breeding will fall in love with that animal,” Angelique sneered.
“Queen Angelique, I must remind you that you are speaking of your son.”
“That is not my son,” Angelique retorted, rising. She looked directly at Kaelen as she continued, “I have no son.”
Angry tears spilled from Kaelen’s eyes. “You’re my mother. If you won’t love me, who will?”
Ignoring him, Angelique walked to the door. “Come Roland, we’ve no business here.”
“But, dear, can’t we...”
“Don’t argue, Roland.”
“I warn you now, Queen Angelique,” Calista said, causing her to stop in her tracks, “your actions will bring dire consequences to you and your family.”
“Are you threatening me?” Angelique asked in an angry whisper.
“Consider this a warning, not a threat. Your actions will come back to haunt you.”
Angelique glared at her before continuing out the door. Kaelen followed her. “Mother, please.”
“Come, we’re going home,” she commanded, taking Anna’s hand as she got up.
“But, Mother, what about Kaelen?” she asked, pulling her hand away.
Angelique looked at Kaelen and then at Anna. “You have no brother. We’re leaving, now.”
Anna ran to Kaelen and hugged him fiercely, tears streaming down her face, “No! It’s not fair, Mother. He’s my brother. We can’t just leave him!”
Pulling Anna away from Kaelen, Angelique spat, “Stay away from him! No daughter of mine will be seen with that monster.”
“No, Mother, please,” she begged as she was pulled down the stairs, her other hand still reaching for Kaelen. “Let me say goodbye. Please!”
There was no doubt that Angelique heard every sobbed request, but she listened to none of them. Pulling Anna along with Roland following meekly behind, Kaelen’s family left the castle amongst the throngs of others watching.
A man followed the family. “Roland, Roland! Don’t pretend you can’t hear me.”
“You are never to speak to us,” Angelique replied, not bothering to look at the speaker.
“I wasn’t addressing you, Angelique. I’m speaking to my brother.” Roland turned wearily. Before he could say anything the man continued, “Roland, you can’t do this. He’s your son, your only son. Forget what that lying snake has said to you. You cannot simply abandon Kaelen to his fate. It’s bad enough you have abandoned me. Don’t cast Kaelen out as well.”
“I’m sorry, Maximillion,” Roland whispered. “I have no choice.”
“For once in your life, be a man,” he growled. “Be the strong person you were before you married. Stop letting that pretentious woman make the decisions.”
“It’s too late,” Roland replied, turning his back to his brother and getting in the carriage. Maximillion shouted after it long after it had disappeared from sight.
When he finally came to himself, he walked back into the castle and straight to Calista’s office. Lucian and his parents were about to enter as he arrived. “Lysander, I hope you’ll forgive this interruption, but I must speak with Calista.”
A silent look of understanding passed between the old friends and Lysander smiled, “Of course. Calista, I hope this won’t put you too far behind schedule.”
She sighed, “It’s already all backwards.”
After being offered a seat, Maximillion asked, “Does Kaelen have anywhere to stay?”
“King Lysander has offered him a home with his family,” she replied. “Have you a better suggestion?”
“No, I’m thinking of when he graduates. I will not see Roland’s son fail. I’ve seen enough of failure to wish it on anyone,” he admitted sadly. “I am offering my summer castle for Kaelen’s living accommodations whenever he desires them. I hardly go there anymore, but it is well-kept and in such a location that he would not draw unwanted attention.”
“I see. Would you like to make this offer?” she asked. “I believe considering the circumstances, it is best that the secrecy of your relationship be undone.”
He faltered. “It is not that I don’t wish Kaelen to know that he still has family to support him, but I think it would be best for now that nothing be said of that. Tell him that a family friend has offered it. After all, before Roland married he was the closest friend I had other than Lysander.”
She frowned. “I do not like secrecy; however, I will follow your wishes. I would recommend that at some point, this barrier needs to come down.”
“Right now, this is what he needs. He’s had enough surprises and shocks for one day. Discovering he has an uncle would only add to his stress.”
After meeting with Calista and discussing his options, Kaelen had decided to go with Lucian’s family. He sat with Lucian’s family during the graduations ceremony. He stayed quiet. His princess had abandoned him and his parents had abandoned him, taking Anna away before he could even say goodbye to her. Sad tears pricked his eyes as he went with Lucian’s famil
y to their carriage. They’d almost gotten there when a feminine voice stopped him. Lavinia was standing in front of him. She hugged him gently and whispered in his ear, “To complete the hug your sister was denied.”
Kaelen nodded, surprised at the warmth of friendship that so many had extended to him. There was Lucian’s family, Lavinia, and then an unknown friend who had offered him a place of his own whenever he might want it. Perhaps hope was not lost after all; he was not entirely abandoned.
Year 4 Chapter 1
Back to Table of Contents
It wasn’t long after arriving at Lucian’s home that they were leaving for the summer castle. Lavinia had promised to meet them there with Nana, Adrian and Moira. Lucian led Kaelen to the room with the best view. They unpacked their things and everyone went to the beach for the afternoon. Kaelen sat on the beach, away from everyone else. He could see Adrian and Lucian swimming around with Lysander giving Adrian lessons. The three women were playing in the shallows while Allegra and Moira sat near the water, though not in it. Every now and again Moira would wade out into the shallows and splash for a bit before returning to Allegra. Everyone else was having a good time. He sighed.
“Kaelen?” a gentle voice asked. He looked over to see Adrian’s grandmother smiling down at him. “You should join the rest of us in the water. Some swimming will do you good.”
“Thanks, but I’d rather stay up here,” he replied.
“I don’t think either of us believe that, dear,” she said. “Brooding won’t fix anything. Enjoy the sunshine and the