A Princess Named Harry: Book 2

Chapter 58

Varian wasn't always so set on starting a war. There was a time when he began to think that he could live his life peacefully without seeking revenge. Unfortunately, everything changed when he was sent on that expedition.

The destination was to explore the ruins of the Dark Kingdom. Varian and a few other knights were sent out at the crack of dawn.

He didn't originally know he would be sent out. After he had stood up against Kahil for Harry over a leaf, he was called to see the king in the Grand Hall later that day.

When he walked in, the king sat on his throne. He looked bored with the tedious task that constantly called upon him. Kahil was also in the room, but he wasn't sitting on his designated throne; he was standing at the top of the small stairs straight across from his throne. There were also a few knights off to the sides of the room on their knees bowing.

Varian looked around the room as he slowly walked towards the king. He stood inches away from the stairs and got down on his hands and knees. "Your Majesty," he called in a voice filled with destain.

The king glare at him and propped his hand under his chin. "I've heard you've been disrespectful to the crown prince."

Varian twitched and grimaced. He already predicted this was why he was called down to the Grand Hall.

"Ha," he sighed loudly.

"Does something about this situation annoy you?" asked the king.

"No," Varian laughed. "It's nothing."

"Look at me when you're speaking to me."

Varian moved his head to meet the king's gaze. "No," he repeated. "It's nothing."

The king raised his brow.

"I don't find this situation annoying in any way, Your Majesty."

The king glared at Varian before he turned his head to look at his son. "Do you have anything to say about this?" he asked.

Kahil tilted his head up and crossed his arms. "What is there to say?" he asked. "Just give him the punishment like we agreed."

"Very well then," he replied, turning back to Varian. "Varian Alchester," he called. "In order to make you reflect on your actions, we're sending you away on an expedition. This was actually a briefing for the knights who will be going out."

Varian looked around again at all the knights in the room.

"You'll be back in roughly two months."

"Two months?" asked Varian. "Who's going to guard Her Highness, the second princess, during that time?" His expression appeared to indicate he believed he was better than all the rest.

"Don't worry about that," replied the king.

"Yeah," interjected Kahil. "I'll be with her the whole time you're gone."

Varian couldn't hide his smile as he said, "Oh, yeah, I'm sure she'll be very safe with you around."

Kahil gave him a dirty look. "Should we see who's the weaker link here today?"

"Fine by me."

Kahil glared at Varian; his emerald eyes seemed to be reflecting his frustration.

"You-"

"Crown Prince."

"Don't interrupt me!" Kahil began to reach for his sword. "You really have no manners or respect for the crown, do you? You seem to think of yourself as a higher power than us." Kahil smiled darkly. "Well, let's fix that, shall we?"

The two readied to fight the other. Kahil moved forward. Before Varian could stand, the prince already had his sword resting on his throat.

Varian thought he was done for sure, but surprisingly, the prince slung his sword to the side.

"I don't need a blade to deal with you, fists will do the job just fine."

Kahil grabbed Varian by the collar of his shirt, and he grabbed Kahil's wrists to make sure he wouldn't be able to punch him, at least not with all of his strength.

"Let go, you coward!" roared Kahil.

Varian grinned and scoffed, "I could say the same thing to you, coward."

Kahil laughed, gritted his teeth bitterly, then smiled. It looked friendly on the outside. "You're really something, I give you that, but let's see how long you can keep your little act up after I start punching you."

Kahil broke free of Varian's grip and drew his fist back, but Varian wasn't going to just stay still and let a hotheaded prince punch him. He twisted his leg to kick him. If the prince moved his fist even an inch, Varian would act. He'd trip him and land a punch that the prince couldn't manage to do.

Both began to act, but before their fists could connect, the king ordered sharply, "Stop."

They both listened to the king. Kahil angrily let go of Varian's shirt. "You should count yourself lucky today," he said coldly.

Varian thought the same. He shrugged Kahil's words off and fixed his ruffled shirt. After gaining the king's permission, he stood up.

"You will be going on a two-month expedition and that's final."

If it had been Kahil who had said that, then he could've argued with him, but since it was the king saying that he had no choice but to listen and obey. He was in his territory.

He wondered if they were doing this to provoke a reaction in him. Varian didn't want to give them that satisfaction, so he buried his emotions deep inside and asked, "When do I leave?"

He studied to see what the king's reaction would be, but his expression was the same: cold and unchanging.

"First thing in the morning."

Varian flinched; if he left that early, she definitely wouldn't be awake. He counted on being able to tell her about her brother's punishment for him about how he was leaving her on her own for a while, but now he was being ordered to leave so soon and so early at that. He could write her a letter, but that idea didn't please him in the slightest.

It only took him a few seconds to process this information. He exhaled and replied almost effortlessly, "I understand, Your Majesty."

"That is all." The king waved him off. Varian gave a small bow before leaving. None of the other knights were leaving with him. He had a creeping suspicion that they were plotting against him.

Varian walked down the halls back to his room. He could probably go and see Harry to tell her how he would be gone for a long time and to tell her goodbye. He was headed that way when he suddenly remembered how their last interaction went.

The cold candy she gave him, the smile she had when she handed them out to everyone proudly, and how weird he felt when he ate it, he decided not to go. The two months would be over soon enough, and if she got mad at him for keeping his punishment a secret, he would try to make it up to her, or he would try to ignore her.

Varian packed his things and got his affairs in order. The next day, as soon as light was coming in through the kingdom, Varian and the other knights from the Grand Hall were already headed towards their destination. Neither the king nor Kahil had any way of knowing that by sending Varian off, they were starting the chain reaction to the events that were soon to come.