TRAPPED

THE AFTERMATH

"Why didnt you tell me all this sooner?" I asked Liam,
We were cuddled up half naked on his couch.
"I just.. I did not even know how to begin" he said as his fingers ran through my hair
“And if you're his son why didn't you just confront him instead of all this war and secrecy?"
I really couldn't understand why he hadn't just claimed his right to the throne and avoid the bloodshed, or maybe he was afraid of being rejected as a bastard child.
" You don't get it, he forced himself on her and my mother wanted nothing to do with him, she just wanted to forget and move on. And if the truth was to come out I would lose the crown, war would break out because my father never had any male children, his brother's sons would fight for the throne and murder my sister's sons to get rid of anyone eligible to rule" he tried to explain to me and I guess I understood him to some extent.
He didn't want his step father's family to start fighting amongst themselves and murdering each other, plus his mother did not want to face her rapist.
“So, what are you going to do?" I asked him curiously, he had told me that Hakeem was in the dungeon and the king would soon be brought too.
“I am going to unite the two kingdoms under one rule with you as my queen" he spoke and kissed my forehead.

A conquered king had no powers so Liam could easily grant me the much needed divorce.

"your brother and father?" I asked.

Yes, Hakeem had been awful to me but that did not mean he deserved to die, after all he had come for me and waged war, that should count for something.
“A conquered king is either imprisoned for life or killed. As for my brother, his fate is in your hands" he said and my palms became sweaty.
I get to decide what happens to my husband???
In the evening we went to have dinner and found a not so happy queen mother
“You cannot keep that wicked man here, just kill him" she said heatedly and I swallowed hard, of course I understood her, the man had forced himself on her and she wanted him punished.
"calm down mother, we can not just kill him without thinking about the situation critically, please just take it easy" Liam pleaded with her and she took a deep breath
“Fine, think about it then kill him" she said and started eating.

After dinner Liam took me down to the dungeon to see a defeated Hakeem. He looked so small and awful I could not help feeling sorry and a little guilty.
Liam cleared his throat to get Hakeem's attention and he slowly looked up, his eyes widening at my sight. He slowly got up and walked towards the metal bars.
"Kira, you're okay" he stated wearily

"of course she's okay, and happier too Liam" gloated and Hakeem frowned at him, I couldn't help feeling unease.

Had Liam wanted this? Was I a pawn or some trophy to shove into his brothers face? He knew that his brother's ego, pride and conflicting feelings for me wouldn't allow him to just let me go. He wanted Hakeem to declare war and come after him so that he could attack from both sides, he was counting on Hakeem to attack and bring his army to the castle like lambs being led to the slaughter house.
Was that why he had come pretending to strike a deal? So that he could spy on them and find a weakness? Was I that weakness? But he seemed to genuinely care for me, this was so confusing.
"Kira, am so sorry. I know I drove you into his arms. I was a fool and I hurt you really bad but you should know that I love you"
“Oh just shut up! You failed to protect her and now that your fate is in her hands you want to play humble?"

Liam interrupted him and a tear made its way down my cheek, if he really loved me he wouldn't have hurt me so bad, he wouldn't have let Amina get away with what she tried to do to me. I turned my back on him and buried my head on Liams chest.
“Its okay, he wont hurt you ever again Liam" spoke in a soothing voice and rubbed my back in comfort.
"I want to get out of here” I said to him and he led me out then we went for a walk.

The following day the king was finally brought to the palace and he looked so tired and defeated.
He was made to kneel before Liam with his eyes cast down. I felt really awful and hoped Liam would spare his life but before Liam could even utter a word the queen mother who had been sitting on my right sprung up and rushed to him, before I could register what was happening the king was down on the floor, bleeding with a knife jammed into his chest through his heart, the queen was covered in blood and crying hysterically.

Liam gestured for some maidens and guards to take her away as other guards took the kings body away. I was really shocked and just stood there staring at the blood.
Liam came to me and wrapped his arms around me, hiding my head from all the blood.
“Come on, lets go for a walk" he said and led me out to the orchard.
We kept on walking in silence, the fresh air making me feel a little better but I still couldn't believe the king had been stabbed to death right in front of my eyes, was that what would have happened if Liam had lost? And then Hakeem would have taken me back to live like a prisoner.
Slowly I reached for Liam's hand and he gently squeezed mine as I looked up at him.
“Promise me you won't kill him" I spoke softly
Liam took a deep breath and looked into my eyes
“What do you want me to do?" he asked me
“Just let him go. he can go abroad and you'll never hear from him again" I said and Liam seemed to be considering my suggestion.
"Alright...if that is your decision concerning his fate then fine, I'll let him go" he agreed and I was relieved , he promised he would make Hakeem take Amina so that they could go back wherever they had been before coming and I was relieved, I didn't want his blood to be on my hands.
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Liam met the army commander in a secret chamber.
" gather all the royal sons, either from second and third wives or from mistresses, gather them all and kill them because we all know if we let them live they'll be a pain in our back and will conspire to reclaim the throne" he instructed and the commander nodded
"And prince Hakeem?" he asked
"Him too but make sure this is done quietly said Liam."

The commander bowed and nodded.

All the princes were murdered and Hakeem was the last one to be killed, but Amina managed to escape with her unborn child thanks to Hakeem's mother who knew that eventually all princes would be killed, she had helped Amina escape instead of going to meet Hakeem so that they could leave. The rumor which reached the army commander was that Amina had miscarried, he had no idea what she looked like so he was presented with her maid dressed in fine linen, after searching and finding no pregnant woman in the palace he sent word to Liam that all the royal males were dead .
Three months later Liam married Kira who was already carrying his child.