The King’s Prisoner

Chapter 14

~Tori~

I couldn’t believe that he was so cold. After I made it back to my room, I let the tears fall. I couldn’t understand for the life of me, why I was crying over a man. Something I vowed I’d never do again. So much has happened with me, with him and Jasper expected a decision by tomorrow. The coronation was to take place tomorrow evening as well. I didn’t have much time to make a choice. It was either be queen or be gone. Save Adrian or leave him for good. I thought long and hard and outweighed the good of this situation versus the bad. It was definitely more bad than good, but the good is what made me stay as long as I did. I’ve made new friends and Adrian and I, I mean, we had something. I don’t know what it was and although we’re husband and wife, I was willing to figure out it was between us. Finally, I’ve made my decision. I just pray it’s the right one.

I woke up the following morning, feeling exhausted as I was barely able to sleep. Emily and Sophia greeted me with breakfast in bed and helped me dressed for the day. I needed to speak with Catherine first and then Jasper. The honorable thing to do was to inform them of my decision. I was on edge, worried about how they would take the news. After I dressed for the day, I met Catherine in her garden. I dismissed the guard that walked me to her. She was so spaced out that she didn’t even look at me when I sat next to her. She seemed to be in a different world. I observed her and features of both Adrian and Jasper. Adrian had her eyes and lips as Jasper had her brows, smile, and nose. I also know the Jasper and I are the same age.

“Good morning,” I spoke first, breaking her out of whatever trance she was in. She looked at me as she giving me a small smile.

“Good morning, Victoria. I believe you wanted to see me, correct?” I nodded my head.

“Yes, that is correct. I wanted to speak with you about the coronation. I have some concerns about Adrian’s situation and don’t know if having a coronation ceremony would be what’s best.” Her undecipherable expression made me fumble with my hands. She cleared her throat.

“You are so brave, my darling.” I frowned confused about where she was going with this. “I don’t think you understand the choice you have in this. You’re already queen my dear, you became that when you married my son. This coronation is just a way to celebrate.”

“I-“

“You don’t neglect your duties, my dear,” she cut in. “We do them. If you have a problem with that,” she shrugged a shoulder. “Well, let’s just say that I know how to get you to stay. We all have our secrets don’t we, Victoria?” I squinted my eyes. She smiled and it looked pleasant, but I knew it just was the devil in disguise. That’s what I get for trusting her. I was frustrated at how it seems like everything comes at a price for them. “It would be such a shame to expose you.”

“Expose me for what? Protecting my daughter?” I didn’t even pretend to be dumbfounded about the incident. She was y going to have that much of an advantage.

She chuckled. “I know exactly what happened to you and your daughter.” I became angry. She doesn’t know what I’ve been through. How could she? Well, she was the queen for so many years. The city I lived in was ruled by the Kingdom of Adenville. I took several deep breaths. She’s trying to make me weak. She thinks she going to blackmail me by using my daughter. Stay calm, Tori. Don’t let her break you. I smiled just in case someone was watching.

“I never knew you had such a thing for killing husbands,” I swallowed the hard lump in my throat. My mouth sudden became dry as I tried to shake away that traumatizing night. “You killed your husband, my husband. Hmmmm I wonder who could be next. Adrian?” She was trying to really hitting it where it hurts.

“I would never do that to Adrian. With all due respect, former queen.” Yeah, I was being shady. “I am the queen now as you have acknowledged in your twisted way and seeing as I don’t have a choice, I will rule this kingdom.” I flashed a duck you smile. I was done being nice. Something snapped in me as I leaned in closer to her. My voice was low whisper.

“And since I am the queen, I can have you removed from this Kingdom. How would the people of Adenville feel if I exposed the devil inside of you? We can either play this game or we put aside the animosity and work together to bring Adrian back.”

Again, I can only trust them as far as I throw them and that’s not very far, but I know that in order to help Adrian, I would need her at least until I figure out who I can really trust. “You sit here and think about that while I on the other hand, has to speak with Prince Jasper about an important matter.” I stood and walked back inside of the castle like queen, like she suggested. Head up, chin high, shoulders back.

I knocked on the door and Jasper’s voice answered from the other side. I slowly turned the knob and walked into his study. He immediately stood. “My queen.”

“Please stop with the formalities. I’m here because I’ve made my decision.” He sat down and gestured his hand for me to take a seat. I sat down and stared into his eyes. I can see that he’s clouded by jealousy, by revenge that it started to overlap the good that left in him. I inhaled deeply, composing my thoughts and trying to push back the awkwardness with Catherine. “I will help you with prince David.”

His face lit up with surprise. He was impressed. “But,” I chimed in, making him squint his eyes. “I’m not leaving after that. Prince David doesn’t have any rights to Adenville. But Adrian does and so do you.”

“Well, I definitely didn’t expect that answer.” He stood and walked around to sit on the front of his desk. So close to me. “You really surprise me, Tori.” He traced his fingers down my covered arm, causing me to shiver. He smiled and quickly moved his hand away.

“Do I?” I asked.

“Oh yes! You’re confident, but also genuine. Everyone here is either blackmailing or conniving to get what they want. But you,” he paused. “You’re different, I can see why Adrian is falling for you.” He looked at me with a softer expression, just like when we first met. It was weird. Was he flirting with me? No, I’m reading too much into this. Don’t get me wrong, Jasper is just as attractive as Adrian. They are equally matched in looks, but this, this couldn’t happen. I would not allow it. My thoughts were only about Adrian. I still couldn’t get rid of the thought of his kiss.

“I do appreciate your compliments, my prince. However, I just wanted to let you know that I’ll help you.” I stood up and straighten my back. “If you must excuse me, I have a coronation ceremony to get ready for.” I walked out of his study relieved and confused at the same time. What the hell was that back there?

*****

~Jasper~

I smiled as I watched her walk out of my study. She really piqued my interest. It was weird. I’ve never went after a woman that brother had, but with Victoria, it was different. She was alluring, hypnotic, like a dream come true. She made me want to just forget about the jealousy and become a better man. The only problem is that she’s married to my brother. Once the ceremony happens then their marriage is null in avoid. Unless, they have consummated their marriage. I asked David to come by so that we can talk about how he is able to rule both kingdoms. It’s sad because he actually believes that I will give him the crown. The guard knocked on the door, announcing that Prince David was here.

“Let him in,” I said. The guard opened the door and David came in.

“Prince David, thank you for coming.”

“Not a problem, after all you did betray your brother to help me,” he reminded me. I poured us a drink adding something a little special for David. I sat back down and we took a sip of our golden liquid. “I wanted you to come by because I believe we have a lot to discuss, regarding you becoming King,” I informed him.

“Yes, I’ll be the ruler of two Kingdoms. Don’t worry though, you will definitely be rewarded for your kind gesture. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you.” He took another sip. Then another until it was all gone.

“Well, I thought it was for the best,” I smiled. He began to shift in his seat, his hand immediately going to his throat. I frowned, pretending to be concerned. “Prince David, is everything okay?”

He started coughing uncontrollably a d gasped for air. Suddenly, he fell out of the chair and I stood and watched as he pants trying to catch his breath. “H-help,” he called out and I went to his side. I leaned closely as he began to turn pale and breathed out his last breath. “You would never have my family’s crown.”

He stood still, not breathing, not moving. I stood on both feet and asked Sir Henry to come clean up the mess. I needed to see the Emperor. I traveled an hour to see him. He didn’t like that I arrived unexpectedly. “Prince Jasper, how can I help you?”

“Ahhh, yes, it seems as though I’ve made a mistake.” He squinted at me.

“What kind of mistake?”

“I’ve recently found out by Prince David that everything about my brother were lies. He mislead me into believing that Adrian would distribute this substance into the public.” I ran my hand through my hair as I paced back and forth.

“How did this come about?” He asked. With the Emperor, the ruler of all rulers, he was the only one that everyone had to obey, no matter the title. He was the one that everyone feared.

“Well, a ceremony is held tonight for the new queen of Adenville, Victoria Adwell-Young. By her being married to Adrian, a former king, her title would be in jeopardy. But, if you allow me to take her as my wife, the crown would be in this hands of the right family.”

“And what about your brother?” He asked.

“My brother can have his status back as prince since I’ll be the official king. His benefits, his title, and his reputation will be rekindled. The Emperor didn’t say anything. I was hoping that this would work.

“The order of the crown is important, Jasper and your asking for my permission to break it. Why?”

When I was younger, I saw my father and his advisors preparing Adrian to become king. I knew that if he was to ever marry and have children, I would never be king. They never even prepared me for it. There was no just in case, they only way I was able to be king was of my brother died and had no heirs. I watched and learned everything in a distance and despite my twisted way of getting this crown, I still cared about Adrian’s well being.

“Because, my Emperor, how would the people of Adenville and it surrounding cities trust Adrian again after this big scandal. At least as a prince, he can focus on redeeming himself. While, I rule as King with Queen Victoria as my wife and my queen.”

He stayed silent, thinking hard about this decision. When I heard him release a breath, I looked up at him.

“My prince, although it is my decision, I would speak with my committee regarding this matter. Go and prepare for the coronation and I’ll see you later.” I nodded my head and bowed to him.

“Yes, my Emperor.” I left shortly after and arrived back just in time for the ceremony. I walked to my bedroom and decided to smoke a cigar before I showered. After I showered and dressed, I went to see my mother.

“Mother?” I called. She glanced up at me.

“Jasper, my son. Shouldn’t you be heading down stairs?”

“Yes, I’m actually on my way. I just wanted to make sure you keep your end of the deal because if not, then I wouldn’t have a problem revealing your dark little secret.”

She smirked at me through slit eyes. “You are more like your father everyday. Just greedy for success. Greedy for the crown.”

“Yeah? And what about you? The things you did, you should be killed for. But I’m the reason that you are free and alive.” She laughed, the corner of wrinkled eyes forming into a smile.

“Oh my child, you even sound like him. Jasper, you have nothing to worry about, a deal is a deal remember? Now go on, the ceremony is about to start.” I walked out of her room and headed down to where the ceremony was being held. I could t wait to see Tori and if the Emperor agrees, I could wait to make her my wife and my queen.