Flames of the Past #7: Seeds of Deceit (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Prologue

"Chester Sleete!"

Chester heaved a sigh as Alec stormed into his bedroom. He slumped on his desk chair, spinning to face the king. "What is it, Grandfather?" he asked.

Alec was fuming. He gripped his staff tightly, gritting his teeth together. "Are the rumors true?" he barked.

Chester smiled, straightening the cuffs of his sleeves. "What rumors?" he wondered.

"The rumors about you hitting Princess Skylor," Alec growled. "She had a bruise yesterday, and one of the maids said she saw you do it."

Chester sighed again, pushing himself to his feet. He seemed amused with his dancing eyes and playful grin, and he walked lightly on his feet. "Oh, what good are rumors?" he said. "You can never trust them, you know. Although they are fun to plant around and mess with people's heads."

Alec's eyes sharpened, but he chose to ignore the prince's last comment. "Deny it then," he told his grandson, "so I can put an end to these Godforsaken rumors."

"Oh..." Chester tapped his chin. "But you told me it isn't good to lie, didn't you?"

Shock lit Alec's gaze, and Chester let out a giggle. "Why does it matter how I treat my love?" he purred. "It's none of your business, anyway."

"Princess Skylor is your betrothed," Alec answered, horror lighting his face. "And she is to be your queen! You are to show her proper respect, as any prince should!"

"I already tried that," Chester puffed as he walked over to his mirror. He admired himself in the reflection, fixing the curls around his ears. "But she's a stubborn little thing. It's annoying. She rambles on and on about the kingdoms and what's good for everyone, about how her father rules and how she admires him so, about her stupid books and research or whatnot—she doesn't give me any attention. I'm only teaching her that she needs to respect me, too. She may be my future queen, but I am her future king. Don't I deserve a little more respect?"

"Of course you do," Alec huffed. "But this is not the way to do it. In fact, treating Princess Skylor like this is the most disrespectful thing you could do, and rather dishonorable at that! I will not tolerate this kind of behavior, Chester. Not in my kingdom."

Stiffening, Chester turned to look at the king. "What are you talking about, Grandfather?" he inquired, shocked. What was Alec so upset about? It wasn't such a big deal. Being rough with his people was how Chester's father had gained so much respect, after all.

"I don't know where you came from, Chester, but you're not there anymore," Alec went on. "Now, you're a prince. And you must learn to act like one!"

"Or what?" Chester challenged, moving closer to the king. "You'll throw me out? You'll disown me? How would Trynia feel about that?"

Alec straightened, taken aback. He stared at his grandson, struggling to find his voice.

Chester smirked, halting in front of the king. "You need me," he reminded him. "You can't afford having another heir run away, can you? I can practically taste the humiliation."

Alec clenched his fists. He hadn't known Chester had picked up on those little things around Trynia—and he much less expected the prince to use it against him.

"I like it here," Chester continued wistfully. "And the title of future king sounds quite appealing. I'd hate to leave... but I can find another home elsewhere if that's what you wish."

"No!" Alec blurted before he could stop himself.

Chester's eyes sparked and a triumphant grin stretched across his face. "I'm sorry, I thought it was you threatening my title?" he chortled.

"I..." Alec fumbled for words, utterly confused. "I wasn't threatening to throw you out. I... I just mean to teach you some manners."

Chester scowled. "That's boring," he grumbled. "I like having my fun with Skylor. It's relieving, in a way. Why would you take that away from me?"

"Because it isn't right," Alec grunted out.

"Well then we're at a dilemma, aren't we?" Chester thought for a few minutes. "How about we make a deal?"

"A deal?" Alec echoed suspiciously.

"It goes like this. I'll stay in your little kingdom, I'll act like a prince in public, I'll keep up Sleete's mighty name, and I'll become the king when the time comes. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"Yes..." Alec murmured. "But what do you want?"

Chester's eyes darkened and he straightened to his full height. "I want you to stay out of my personal business," he hissed. "Let me do what I want to my betrothed, and you keep quiet about anything that might put suspicion on me. That's simple, isn't it?"

Alec gripped his staff tighter. "I can't allow this sort of scandal to go on behind my palace walls."

Suddenly, Chester locked his hand around the king's neck. Alec choked in surprise and Chester tightened his grip, preventing the king from fighting back. "You are going to agree to my deal, or I'll walk out this door right now and you'll never see me again," the prince snarled. "Is that what you want, Grandfather? To lose your only heir?"

Alec gagged for breath as he struggled out, "N... No..."

A giggle escaped Chester as he observed the king's suffering. "Not so stubborn anymore, are you, love?" he taunted. "You didn't think I had this sort of strength, did you? I get it from my father. You remember my father, don't you? The man who convinced your daughter to run away? Who destined your kingdom for ruin? You can't risk me leaving too, can you?"

Alec continued to struggle for breath, and with a sigh, Chester released him. He crashed to the floor, gasping and wheezing to catch his breath. Chester stood over him and glared down at his grandfather. "I'll take that as an agreement," he growled. "You aren't to speak a word about this to anyone. And you're going to tell all those people spreading rumors that none of them are true. Tell them what a lovable person I am, won't you?"

Struggling to his hands and knees, Alec looked up at him. He trembled in fear and in shock. What was wrong with his grandson? He'd thought Chester was optimistic and easygoing, cocky at times but sweet nonetheless. But he'd been wrong. Chester was violent and manipulative. He giggled at others' sufferings as if it was entertainment. He was no short of insane.

Yet Alec knew he was trapped. Chester was right. He did need the prince, whether he liked it or not. "What—what about the witnesses?" he croaked out.

Chester shrugged, then answered as if the solution was as simple as day, "Execute them."