Arcanum

Chapter 11: Lucas

I laid on my bed, thinking of today.
The princess was about to be executed, and I was about to rush forward and stop it.
I gripped my hair. The king must've noticed. He see's everything. I wouldn't be surprised if I was banished by the end of the day.
I knew the princess noticed though. She stared right at me.
I sighed and sat up and looked up at the stars on the ceiling.
I heard a knock on my door, and I perked up at it.
The door slowly opened, and the king's right hand man stood there.
"The king wishes to see you." He simply said and I slowly nodded.
As I walked down the hallway, I began to think. Will I even make it out of this palace? Or will I be immediately executed? That's what happens to some people. I've seen it too often lately.
I reached the throne room, but paused outside, saying my wills, and walked in.
The king sat on his throne with the queen and princess. It was a surprise to see the entire royal family here.
I walked until I was right in front of them, and I bowed.
"Lucas. You were having some conflict during the execution." The king stated, and I nodded.
"Why?"
I quickly raced through thoughts, and I answered as strongly as I could.
"I thought that we could've used her to do so much. End this war, make the catori our slaves, make them all give all of the resources they've stolen." I hated speaking like this, but I must say things that will connect with the king.
The royal slowly nodded his head, staring at me.
"Good ideas Lucas. Unfortunately we don't have her captured anymore." The king said, and I nodded in understanding.
"I want you to go retrieve her."
I thought I didn't hear him right. I stared at him, but his expression stayed the same.
"I'm sorry?" I asked.
"Go retrieve the princess."
I shook my head madly.
"I'm sorry your highness but that'd be a horrible idea. They know who I am, no matter what disguise I use." I said quickly.
I also wasn't a fan of princess-knapping.
The king towered over me, and slapped me hard on the cheek.
"You will listen to what I say Lucas. Or are you siding with the catori now?" He spat at me, and I shrunk a little under him.
"Dad.." The princess started but the king turned on her, about to hit her too.
"I'll do it!" I quickly said, moving in between the princess and the king.
He glared at me, but nodded.
"I expect you to come back with the princess's head." He growled, amd sat down on his throne.
I quickly walked out of the room, and leaned against a wall, panting heavily.
I brushed my hand against my cheek, and sighed.
I hadn't been hit by the king since I first started training.
"Lucas!" I heard Trisha exclaim, and I looked to see her rushing to me.
She glared daggers at the throne room, before she led me down to the knight's dormatory.
When we walked into my room, I slumped down.
"I gotta go kidnap the princess..." I grumbled.
"Are you serious?! He's really overworking you to the brink of passing out!" She exclaimed and I shrugged.
"I might ask for some time off after this mission. I don't plan to complete it either. I don't need this stress in my life.." I sighed and brushed my fingers through my messy hair.
"Well don't make it obvious that you're throwing this mission away." Trisha said worriedly.
I nodded to her, and stood up, grabbing my weapons.
"I should be back by sundown. Hopefully I'd have already failed the mission by then." I hated saying the word "fail."
This would be my second mission failed. I hated thinking about it, because my pride would be poked at. But I'll make sure to train the soldiers extra hard later.
I grabbed my horse on the way out, and glanced around, before I rode off into the night. Thinking of a plan the entire way.