His Majesty's Devious Sins

Weston headed back to the castle first, after receiving an urgent phone call from Easton. He grumbled the entire way back, even when he escorted Lydia to her apartment, for he knew he could've lingered behind a bit. But now, he was speeding to the castle, on the pretense that something important had happened.

Weston didn't even bother parking the car properly. He handed the keys to one of the butlers who hopped in and drove it to the parking lot underground. 

"You better have a good reason for all of this tomfoolery!" Weston growled, stepping into his brother's study. 

Weston was surprised to see Minerva and Easton whispering about something.

When Weston stormed into the room, all conversation came to a rolling halt. Their eyes snapped to him, and Minerva threw Easton a pointed look. When Easton mutely looked at her to explain, Minerva let out a loud sigh, muttering under her breath.

"Why are great men so quiet when they have to be great?" Minerva said to herself, earning a cry from Easton and a chuckle from Weston.

"I found this book after cleaning out Dorothy's tower," Minerva explained, snatching the book from Easton's hands. "It was tucked behind a stack on her bookshelf, hidden from plain sight."

"So you've finally gained the courage to go up three after her death," Weston slowly said, taking the book from her hand. "What led to the change?"

Minerva's brows tugged together and her confident demeanor suddenly cracked. She touched her elbow and looked away, unable to say anything. 

Ever since Dorothy's death, Minerva had never been the same. It was as if she lost the most important piece in her life. Her one and only mentor sacrificed her life for a human.

Minerva had been devastated when she heard the news that Dorothy didn't survive the blood draining in order to transform the Queen into a Pure-Blood. She had collapsed from heartbreak and lost the meaning of her life, that is, until she found The One.

"My girlfriend helped me to the final stage of grief—acceptance," Minerva vaguely explained, touching her chest and raising her eyes. 

Minerva felt an ache in her chest, even though she had finally accepted Dorothy's death. 

"Take a look at it," Minerva said, gesturing to the book. "It's the only detailed book about the Golden Rose that I can find."

Weston's brows shot upwards. He had combed through every book in the castle's library. There had rarely been mentions of the Golden Rose, much less an entire book dedicated to her. 

Now, Weston had the very thing he was searching for in his hands. He looked down at the worn pages and flipped through it, realizing it was all handwritten instead of typed out.

"I think it's a book passed down by oracles like Dorothy," Minerva explained. "The handwriting from the beginning of the book is very different to the middle of it, but the latest entries are by Dorothy."

"Why would she hide this away?" Easton asked no one in particular, looking from his brother to Minerva. 

Hearing Minerva talk about her girlfriend and what she had done for her gave Easton mixed feelings. 

Easton knew she was heartbroken and didn't leave her house for weeks on end when Dorothy's death was announced. Even more so, she strayed far from the tower and castle. He heard she refused her dinner and was on the brink of death when she found love.

"It's a sworn secret by oracles to never mention the existence of this book, shall it fall into the wrong hands…" Minerva trailed off, knowing the twins were smart enough to figure it out. Well, at least one of the twins would be intelligent enough to understand her.

Weston's grip tightened on the book. "No one else will know."

"Except the next oracle," Minerva stated. 

Minerva crossed her arms and leaned against Easton's desk, ignoring the way he averted his eyes from her. What? Was she that good looking that it felt like a sin to peek at her?

"You better gather your information from that book quickly, but don't try to duplicate the information on there. Only Wraith has such a detailed piece about the Golden Rose," Minerva stated. "I need to pass this book to the next oracle."

Weston stiffened, his eyes snapping to Minerva. "The next oracle has been born?"

Minerva slowly shook her head. "No, she was alive long before Dorothy died, but her powers only fully awakened after Dorothy's death."

Weston's brows tugged together. Who the hell could that be? It certainly wasn't any of the women he knew. 

"Is it the Queen?" Easton asked, his attention drifting to Minerva. 

With Dorothy's death, it seemed Minerva knew the most. Easton wasn't surprised. Minerva was by Dorothy's side like a dutiful granddaughter, even though she shared none of House Luxton's blood.

"I'd expect it to be the Queen, given that she has received Dorothy's blood, but the power of an oracle runs more than just blood. The Oracle is a Woman chosen by the High Heavens," Minerva stated. "And the High Heavens would never choose a woman who went against destiny."

Weston narrowed his eyes. Destiny. What a dubious belief. Was it Lydia's destiny to marry the King, just because she was the Golden Rose? Was it Lydia's destiny to be forced into a loveless marriage where she'd be used like a tool? His gaze hardened.

"And I don't mean that as an insult to anyone," Minerva added on. "Just look at the contents of the book—especially what Dorothy said. Now, I finally understand why Dorothy accepted the Queen. Not just because the Queen gave birth, but because if the King was forced chose the Golden Rose, the Golden Rose will die." 

Weston carefully opened the book, not wanting to damage or ruin this relic. His brows shot up with everything he read.

"I have finally translated the ancient language forgotten by mankind on the previous page," Weston read out loud what Dorothy wrote, flipping to the previous page to see it was written in a language he couldn't understand.

"It has come to my conclusion," Weston added on. "The Golden Rose is not meant to be a fruit consumed by her picker. She is not a sacrifice. She is a being to be loved thoroughly, for the more love she receives, the longer she lives to please her lover. The Golden Rose will always be a human girl, but she will live longer than a vampire if given the proper care."

Weston's heart began to race with anticipation. His hands trembled with the truth, his head snapping up in disbelief. Wouldn't this mean—

"Yes, it's exactly as you predicted," Minerva said, her lips curling into a smile. "It's no wonder why Dorothy was so obsessed with having the Golden Rose by the King's side."

Minerva let out a sigh. "The Golden Rose is the only one destined to live the rest of eternity by the King's side, even if she's human. But the King chose the Noble Rose over his destined lover. If Lydia had stayed with the King, she would've died, instead of living for an eternity, because he did not love her."

"Fuck destiny and it's doubtful predictions," Weston said, his blunt words surprising Minerva.

"You—"

"The Golden Rose is meant to stay by the side that loves her unconditionally. Her side is not by the King who'd view her as a tool. Which man or woman would show a tool affection when they're a mere object to them?" Weston spat out.

"If Lydia had stayed with the King, she would not receive love. You said it yourself Lydia would die before living out the life she was promised," Weston slammed the book shut, shooting her a warning look.

Now, Weston understood why Dorothy realized it was pointless to pair the Golden Rose with the King. With no other options left, Dorothy finally set aside her stubbornness and had decided to support the Queen, because she was the only one that the King loved.

"I'd suggest you fix that mentality of yours. It's outdated and outlandish." Weston held the book closer to him, knowing he would make a copy of it and stash it somewhere no one would ever find out. 

The next Oracle would gatekeep this information, as would Minerva and her manipulative nature.

"But thank you for this information. It is appreciated," Weston said. He was a blunt man, but not an ungrateful one. 

Weston flashed her a pressed smile and made no moves of returning the book to her.

"But one thing," Minerva slowly said. "There is no mention about what'd happen during childbirth, for the Golden Rose is still a human girl that'd breed with a Pure-Blood. Choose your actions carefully."

Weston's grip tightened on the book, a dark glower on his face. 

"Anything else you found in Dorothy's shelves that could be of use?" Weston asked.

Minerva narrowed her eyes. "After your blatant insult, you're shameless enough to ask me for more information?"

"I never said I wasn't shameless," Weston mused. 

Minerva scoffed. Of course, he'd say that. She straightened up and shook her head. "The rest of the books are about brewing tonics, medicine, and herbal tea. I doubt any of these will interest you, though there are photo albums I've returned to the King."

Weston nodded, his smile softening a bit. "I truly appreciate your help, Minerva. You've done a great deed by showing this to me."

Minerva straightened up. "As a woman, I like helping other women out. Women should uplift women, not bring them down."