Royal Entanglement

The Ultimate Sacrifice

"Prince Alexander Einar is approaching the royal court!"

The entire court stood up to pay their respects, and once he emerged by the door, they all bowed their heads. He did not acknowledge any, and made his way up, to his seat on the right hand side of his father's throne.

"Welcome," King Owen said, turning to him slightly.

"Thank you, father."

"Has the mishap with your chamber been fixed?"

Prince Xander nodded. "I have everything under control."

King Owen said nothing more, and turned to the members of the council as they all slowly went back to their seats.

"We were discussing the petition by the Barbarians on the southern plains, Your highness, before your arrival. We believe it would be beneficial to stop the cold war and join..."

"I do not agree." Prince Xander said, his eyes thin as he skimmed over the scroll that held the petition.

The prime mister swallowed. "But Your Highness. They are very rich in..."

"Is it something we do not have here in Fermich? Is it something we absolutely need?"

"Well, no, Your Highness. But for the sake of..."

"What? Fear? So your oldest son does not lose his life in war like my own elder brother did? Is that what you are saying, Lord Jillian?"

He immediately cowered, his head lowering.

"I do not see the reason to form an alliance with people who are the reason we still mourn, with no provocation from us. Do you know what they will perceive this alliance as? Fear. And no. I am not afraid to go to war." Prince Xander said, then suddenly flung the scroll in to the nearby torch, and it burst into flames before his very eyes.

The Prime minister bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

King Owen gave a small smile. "I was thinking the same. But I am old now. And the ministers think it is pretty easy to refute my orders."

Prince Xander nodded, and a small noise erupted from within the ministers.

King Owen laughed again, then straightened. "Since there are no more petitions, I have one more announcement, regarding the Prince's wedding."

Lord Jillian turned, his eyes wide with expectation.

"Would you like to tell them, Prince?"

Prince Xander nodded, more out of respect than the fact that he loved the idea. "I will not be marrying Lady Lisette any longer."

Lord Jillian's eyes widened. "But Your Highness...the nuptials are only a month away and..."

"And yet, she went missing. How graceful of a queen, do you not agree?"

"It was a foolish mistake. An error caused by the stunted thinking of the young. Please do forgive her."

"I want a crown princess, Lord Jillian. Not a young girl who runs away every other day, changes hair colour with the trends and speaks of convention and the weather."

Lord Jillian swallowed, and Prince Xander turned away, his frustration worsening. Ron was still not back from last night's mission, and he was sure the marriage would not take a month now. He had been the one delaying getting wedded to Lady Lisette, but now that he had openly expressed his affection for Lady Sophia, he was sure his father would want to do it as soon as possible.

"You heard the Prince, Lord Jillian. And we have already found a suitable wife for him. One who he actually fancies. She will be introduced in three days, when the official ceremonies for the marriage will start."

Prince Xander's eyes widened as he turned to his father. "Did you say in three days, Your Majesty?"

"Definitely. The chambers of the Princess had been empty far too long as I let you gain knowledge in foreign lands and fight battles. Also, you deserve to be crown prince by now. As you have said yourself, the crown prince is dead. His seat should not be left empty for too long."

Prince Xander swallowed, then turned a way with a small, curt nod. Three days before the ceremony started? That was not a lot of time.

"My lady, are you really going to the palace?"

Lady Sophia nodded, her expression grim. She turned to the small window and the flower palanquin was still waiting, with two handmaidens in front of it.

She gave a small sigh. "I did not think it would be this fast."

"Will you be fine? You do not need to see this to the end, My Lady."

She shook her head. "I do. And I will." She straightened, her things packed in a few boxes. Paul said nothing, and picked up two of the boxes. They were piled up in a different palanquin, and he went back to bring the rest.

She took in a deep breath, and walked outside. The handmaidens bowed.

"We are here to escort you, my lady. Please come."

She swallowed, her eyes squinting. It was going so fast. Faster than she had planned. But to an extent, she hoped she would get it finished too. Everything she had to do here.

She gave a curt nod, and walked to the door of the palanquin where a handmaiden was holding it up.

She slowly got inside, arranging her dress around her.

"Take care, my lady." Paul said, crouching a little to catch a glimpse of her.

She leaned forward, and he held up the door for her.

"Come closer."

He nodded, and she leaned to his ear. "Do not forget what I told you, Paul. Leave Fermich and go back home. Prince Xander might get you for spying on him, and it will not be pretty to see."

Paul nodded. "Of course, my lady. I will leave once I see the palanquin disappear from sight."

She nodded and leaned away, and he helped her put down the door.

"Proceed!" A guard gave the order, and slowly, four guards picked up the palanquin and hoisted it on their shoulders. The journey started slowly, and soon enough, they were on their way to the palace.

Paul stood watching, till they were out of sight, his heart feeling a little sad. He was watching the ultimate sacrifice, and he swallowed. He did hope Lady Sophia's heart would find rest too.

Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned, his eyes squinted at the man. He was clothed in black, and Paul could not see a thing.

"You are Paul, is this correct?"

Paul did not get a chance to finish nodding when the man thrust the bottom of his sword on the sensitive part of the back of his head, causing Paul to immediately pass out.

His limp body fell on Ron, who immediately dragged him away.