Love & Duty

Chapter 12

WARNING: This chapter contains Slurs. You have been warned!

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"Prince Eric! We have caught all the remaining men. We have gathered them at the center of town." a soldier informs the Crown Prince of Whitestone about their progress.

"Thank you, Mark. Please take a couple of men with you and let the villagers know it's safe to come out." the soldier salutes and follows the order.

Eric was again sent to another village to resolve another problem some gang members had caused. He looks around the town, seeing its peacefulness, wondering why these people keep attacking such villages.

He heads to the center of the town to confront the bounded men. Around ten of them are sitting on their knees, with their hands behind their backs, tied up. He sighs; "Another interrogation with no answers, I bet." he walks up to their apparent leader.

"This is the fifth time we have stopped your kind from destroying a village. Don't try to deny your knowledge of the other groups. Who do you work with?" he asks.

The man looks up at him with disgust and spits at his shoes. "How about you go back to that castle where you will be safe, you brat!" he and his crew snicker at his reply.

Eric looks at his spoiled boots and looks back at the gang member. Not fazed at all. "Is that all you have to say?" he simply says.

The man, unhappy with how unfazed the Prince is, adds more. "No, actually! Shouldn't the Boar be sent to these attacks? I'm sure he's more capable than a child like you."

"The Boar? Am I supposed to know who that is?" Eric replies with no expression on his face.

"Well, you like to call him Daddy!" he mocks him and the King with baby talk.

"Did you just call my father a Boar?" Eric glares at him with a dark expression.

The soldiers take a step back, leaving the Prince his space with them. Knowing what he is about to do, preparing for the next part.

"He sure doesn't seem human. What else could he be?" he laughs again.

Eric lets out a small breath and grabs his sword. In one swift movement, he pierces the man in his stomach. Instantly killing him.

"He who insults their King will be punished severely. You want to steal, kill, and attack in our Kingdom? We will stop you and arrest you." he wipes his sword from the blood with his handkerchief and puts it back in its sheath.

He looks at the remaining prisoners while the soldiers drag away the dead body. "However, there will be no excuse for disrespecting the Royal family. Do I make myself clear?" he looks down on them, asserting he will apply the threat.

The prisoners had no choice but to gulp down their fear and nod to their Prince. "Now, if you won't cause any more trouble, we will be going back. Each and every one of you will be questioned. I suggest you answer truthfully or spend the rest of your lives in confinement." he ends his speech and heads back to the group of soldiers.

"Let's go back home. We can do the rest there." Prince Eric gets on his horse, ready to leave; before he sets on his way, he looks at his aide. "And John, tonight's feast is on me. Get everyone from today and go pamper yourselves with whatever food or drinks you want." he doesn't wait for his answer and gets on his way.

"T-The Prince will pay for our dinner?" a new soldier asks, flustered by the treatment.

"Yes. Prince Eric always offers us our dinner and drinks to celebrate the victory after a battle or hard day's work." John, who has worked with the Prince the longest, replies.