To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 8

Joseph couldn't believe his eyes. The dark haired man who was keeping the girl up in the tower was the prince.

Joseph forced a smile to his lips as the prince walked towards him.

"Joseph." He said extending his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you."

Joseph bowed then shook his hand. "Your highness." He replied and the prince smirked at him.

"Please call me Caleb." He answered and Joseph nodded.

Joseph wasn't sure what to do. Prince Caleb was the man who had the mystery girl locked up in the tower. He was the one who would go to visit her at night. Joseph wondered why he locked her up there. It didn't make any sense at all.

"Where have you been?" Saphrine asked as she clung to his arm. With that Caleb started with a tale of the adventures he had been on while he was away. Joseph didn't listen to the story his mind was racing to much to pay attention.

"And you just returned?" Saphrine asked.

"A few minutes ago." He said. "I had to drop my things off in my room." He lied.

Joseph had seen him last night and the night before. Why would he lie to his younger sister? Joseph wondered. Then he remembered Saphrine's words from earlier "I'm trying to save you" maybe they were connected.

§

Joseph went up to the room again that night. He unbolted the door and saw the girl still chained in the corner.

"What's your name?" He asked.

She looked at him for a few minutes before she finally replied. "Liddy."

"What are you doing here Liddy?"

"I was roped into an arranged marriage to save my kingdom from debt." She replied. Josephs eyes widened.

"Then why are you here?"

"It was a trick." She sighed. "King Theo told my parents that I died but he is forcing them to keep up their side of the bargain. He gains their kingdom while he supplies them with a way to save it." She shook her head. "It was a stupid thing to do."

Joseph couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You agreed to marry Caleb?" He asked and she flinched when he mentioned his name.

"How do you know prince Caleb?" She asked.

"I just met him today but I've seen him a few times coming up here to visit you at night."

"He's been telling me about all the other people that have fallen for their tricks. There have been so many people." She said rubbing the shackle on her wrist.

"Why would they do that?" Joseph asked. "What's the point of declaring an engagement to end it by declaring your death?"

"That way they can get as many as possible. There's not much gain if your son only marries one woman. If he can be betrothed to a couple different ones then never actually marry there can be more land gained."

"Why are you here?" She asked.

Joseph looked down at his feet before he continued but he didn't get the chance.

"You too?" She gasped looking at him with wide eyes. "They got you too didn't they?"

Joseph nodded his reply.

"You need to get out of here." She said. "Get out of here before you end up like me."

"They would hunt me down and chain me to the wall like you if I left."

Liddy looked at him while shaking her head. "At least you would have a chance to get away."

"I have a younger sister."Joseph said.
"If they don't have me then they would go and get her and she would end up just like you. I have to stay."

"I'm sorry." Liddy said. "Your sister is lucky to have you. The moment an arranged marriage was suggested my four brothers took a step back and I was the one forced. Now they think I'm dead."

The sound of the doorknob twisting had Joseph diving under Liddy's bed. She sat down on top of the thin mattress then lowered the blanket to conceal Joseph underneath.

Caleb came in the room with a confused look on his face. No doubt trying to remember if he locked the door last time he came to visit. It was a good thing she was chained to the wall.

"Good morning princess." He crooned with a plate of food. He set the plate down and sat next to Liddy on the bed. He reached over to stroke her hair and she leaned away from him. Getting up would reveal Joseph's position. "How are you doing this fine morning?"
The prince asked twirling his fingers into her long hair. He leaned in even closer to her but she refused to move. As he leaned closer Liddy stopped leaning away until he was an inch from her. "Not that you would know if it was morning anyway." He chuckled at his own joke.

Liddy was seething but she refused to give into his childish taunting. If she stayed then Joseph would be safe. If she moved the blanked would fall and give up Joseph's hiding spot.

"I am well, thank you." She replied with an innocent smile. Caleb frowned at her and finally leaned away.

"I'm sure." He said with a smirk as he stood up. The princess was no fun to harass if he didn't get a reaction from her. Caleb walked towards the door. "Have a good day." He said on his way out. "You too Joseph." He said slamming the door and sliding the bolt into its place.