The Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 4: A King's Game

"Father, this discussion does not seem fit for the company present." The Prince sternly looked at his father, who had just lazily lifted his head in response.

"My boy, if the Princess wishes for our help, we ought to hear her out." The King smiled at the frowning Prince, "My Lord, discuss it with her Father, then if you truly inquire—" He was cut off by the Princess's sniffles filling the air.

The Commander looked at the Prince who was growing increasingly frustrated with his Father. Prince Valor has seen his Father's cunningness firsthand. For years, he disagreed with his father over unethical political tactics, and he could see this beautiful girl unknowingly walk right into his trap.

"Is he okay?" The Princess interrupted the men despite the humility of her voice. The King leaned back in his chair, now clearly smiling, "He will be. What are you willing to trade for his survival?"

Brielle's tears were now falling down her cheeks, "Please do not hurt him!" She cried but was unable to stand from shaking. Upon seeing this, the commander turned to the King, "My Lord, she is not in a position to make these types of agreements without-"

"Silence! I will speak with whom I wish to speak!" The King yelled at the men, who both stiffened in response. Brielle still sniffled on the floor, praying that her Father was safe wherever He was. The King's booming voice continued, "How can I be sure of your truthfulness, your Highness?" The last part made Brielle uneasy for some reason.

She promptly responded, "We are a small country; we do not harm your people. I swear we intend for only peace-" She was cut off by the King, "No Darling. How can I be sure of your truthfulness?"

She sat on the floor with the men's attention fully on her. She looked at him questioningly, "My Lord, I swear I am speaking only truth." Brielle commented this with unsureness in her voice.

"Is your chastity still intact, my Lady?" The King asked comfortably from his risen throne. Brielle felt like the air left the room while her cheeks grew feverishly red. She could not bear to meet the eyes of her surrounders, "My Lord, I do not understand why-"

She was once again cut off by the King, "I am asking if your virginity has been taken from you." He said this as if he were asking her opinion of the weather. Like the topic of her sexuality was not at the forefront of everyone's minds.

She breathed quickly, trying to gather her thoughts, "It is intact, My Lord." She whispered towards the on looking King. He smiled in response towards his son. He seemed to grow increasingly angry with his father, 'How dare he disgrace a guest with such a grotesque interrogation?' Valor thought.

The Prince suddenly yelled out, "Take her back to her chambers, now!" Two soldiers quickly came in and helped the Princess to stand. They escorted her out of the throne room with tears still streaming down her face. Denco looked on as she left with pity in his heart. He knew she was in a vulnerable position, He felt she deserved to have her decency at the very least.

He looked to his friend who was now pacing, and fuming. Denco was surprised to see the Prince like this, as he was usually the one to keep his composure no matter the case, "You have no right dangle her like a pawn. She has no knowledge of the situation with her Father and you are dragging her into something completely foreign to her!" The Prince declared while the King just laughed to himself.

"You out of all people should be thanking me, Son. We may be able to form an alliance with them and use it as a gateway to taking of both Borschi and Corsinian in one swoop." The Prince just huffed at his Father's response.

"But you have no right to make that deal through the Princess. She has no idea how that works. And King Claudius will see right through your plan if his daughter is at risk." The Prince now stood in the middle of the throne, anger on his face becoming clearly apparent to the King.

"Exactly why we will strike a deal with her. We will let her Father go unharmed if she pledges alliance between our Kingdoms. They will mistake an increase presence of our men in their country as support. Then, once Yusen surrenders, we will take Corsinian right from under Claudius' bosom!" The King felt pleased with himself despite his son's protests.

"Father, they will back out from the alliance as soon as they discover the truth." The Prince desperately pleaded with his Father while Denco paced behind them, growing more and more anxious. "They won't if the alliance is sealed by marriage." The King still spoke as if talking about flippant, everyday things.

Both Denco and the Prince began profusely disagreeing with the King, stating the terribleness of the idea. Yes, Valor found the Princess to be beautiful. When he first laid eyes on her, she captivated Him with her beauty. Her bravery for running from a fleet of soldiers was impressive. But the Prince wanted to protect her. He knew the King was preying on her vulnerability, "I would not be quick to protest my boy." The King rose from his throne sternly, walking down towards his son.

As He approached the Prince who could smell traces of alcohol in his breathe, making the air feel quite uneasy, "You are replaceable, if you truly do not want to proceed with the Princess."

Valor knew what his Father meant, and it sent a chill down his spine. Denco was his half brother, the King's bastard son. The boys were raised together nonetheless. The King grew fonder of Denco in their adult years, this was seemingly because Denco bent to his will more often than Valor did.

The Prince looked at his friend who peered at him with a pityful look. They were forced into the King's stupid games, with eithics and power contantly in questionable balance. They had no choice but to enter head on, and fight fire with fire.