Crown of Blood

14.2.|| Border Barons

"That was interesting," Joey said the moment they were alone.

"Yeah. And a very elegant solution for me."

"No, I meant the whole thing."

"Come on, Madeline obviously likes Edmund a lot more than me. They're closer in age, too. I'm like what? Twelve years older than her?"

"Since you don't age, that makes you four years older than her," Joey was kind enough to point out.

Cage scoffed. "My body doesn't age. That doesn't mean the rest of me doesn't."

"Kat's not much older than her, you know."

He groaned. "Yeah, I know. And it always bothered me because it made me feel predatory."

Joey laughed. "The beast should have made you feel predatory, not your age."

"Yeah, that too." And yet, he and Kat had just clicked. She hadn't cared about his age. In the end, she hadn't cared about his bad history either. She took him for who he was, darkness and curses included.

He remembered that. Why couldn't he feel it?

"Madeline is interested in you, though."

"Yeah, right," he mumbled, pulling on a purple vest and then searching for one of those fancy coats that made sure to show he had three layers of clothing on. "Didn't you see her staring at Edmund?"

"It's a different kind of interest," Joey said. "Edmund is a sweet little puppy."

"Edmund was blushing like a moron."

"Isn't young love sweet?"

"I wish it would be and that they'd all leave me alone." Next he had to put his crown on and that weird sash he had to wear for state meetings. Except he'd completely forgotten where he'd left them.

"The thing is, you're a lot more valuable than Edmund at the moment."

"He's the heir to the throne, not going to war to have his head sliced off by icicles."

"You're a warrior. You're not bad on the eyes at all. And you're the current king. No one thinks you're going to die."

Cage stared at him blankly. "And you gathered that from your portrait."

Joey shrugged. "I know how people viewed you when you were Admiral. Now's no different. You don't see yourself like others do. And even if Madeline may like Edmund's bashful youth, she's definitely attracted by the protection you offer."

Cage fought not to cringe. "So, I'm in danger."

"My friend, you've never not been in danger."

And wasn't that the saddest truth?

⚜

The Port Barons were a bunch of bumbling morons. Unlike their border counter-parts, they'd never had to even entertain the thought of protecting the kingdom. And yet here they were, chests puffed up, mumbling to themselves.

Cage watched them from his throne, keeping his back straight and dignified. How he wanted to slouch just to show them that this entire meeting bored him, even if they hadn't addressed more than a formal greeting to him. Next to his throne, Rip and Malcom stood, his only guards in the room. Not that Cage expected any trouble, but having guards posted next to him was unfortunately part of his job now.

Among the portly barons, one stood out, taller and meatier than most. Cage knew who he was and he fought the disgust his presence brought. The Baron of Royce, the supposed ruler of Darkwood. The man who Cage personally supplied with everything his town needed, and he just kept it for himself.