The Blood Prince

015

"Open ports here. This can be for the fur trade. Spices, gold, and silver are on the docks. I want archery in the mountains covering the shipment, these are very precious materials."

I listen to Xavier talk as I stand, walking over to him with a pitcher of wine.

"What of the south and east ports?"one of his Capitan's ask.

"Steer clear of there. There's a man eating creature in those waters that I intend to deal with myself."he says as I pour wine into his glass.

"And what of the natives? Have the a plan?"

"The same as mine.

"Of course your highness."

The doors open, and Nadia enters the room with two children.

She stops as she sees Xavier.

"Xavier, you're still wearing the crown?"she says.

He looks up at her.

"I'm managing it."he says before glancing at me and then back to his map.

"Brother, you know what could happen if you wear it for too long."she says, folding her arms.

"Do I look mad to you?"he asks, looking up at her and then down to the children.

"What have you brought these children here for?"he asks, looking at them.

"Well, apparently they have a complaint. They're being forced to work fields and they're barely being paid."she says.

"Well, give them some gold and send them off."he says, using a stick of graphite to trace a course for his ships.

"How much gold?"Nadia asks, causing me to look over at her.

He looks back towards the children and leans down.

"As much as they can carry.'

The young boy smiles and the girl begins bouncing with excitement. Then suddenly she jumps to Xavier and hugs him.

Everyone in the room tenses, and instinctively Xavier raises his hands so as not to touch her.

The girl hugs him tightly with a big smile, and it seems Xavier was unsure what to do.

"Well? She's being appreciative, your highness."Nadia says with a small smile.

Xavier huffs before slightly hugging her back, patting her back twice.

"Alright, enough."he says.

The girl steps away, and her brother grips her hand.

"Thank you your majesty!"he says.

Xavier only nods, looking back at his map.

"Come along children."Nadia smiles, walking towards the door.

I giggle slightly, causing all men in the room to look over at me.

"Get your eyes off my wife."

It was like a roar, causing everyone in the room including me to jump.

"It's not proper."One of the Captain's say.

Now, all eyes were on him, including Xavier's.

".... proper?"Xavier says.

I instantly walk over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Xavier, perhaps we could use emotions other than anger to handle this."I whisper to him.

Xavier's eye twitches once, but he takes a deep breath.

"For an invaluable ship owner, who can be easily replaced, I think you should apologize to my wife. She's above you."Xavier says.

The man glances up at me.

"My apologies, your highness."he says.

"Xavier, I'm going to be with Nadia. Is this okay?"I ask.

He only nods, glaring at the man who apologized to me.

I do a polite curtsy and then turn towards the door, walking towards it.

....

"You're majesty, it wasn't my intention to make you cross."the captain says.

"I am your king."Xavier says looking down at his palms.

"My wife is your queen. And you will respect her. Or I will melt you, into a steaming pile of shit, which would be an update from your current position as a skin covers pile of shit."Xavier says, looking up.

The captain could see an angry glint of purple in the king's eyes.

"...yes your majesty. I understand."the captain says softly.

Xavier then stands, picking up his wine.

"Start the expedition."