The Lost Throne

Liam

After our conversation, we both stood from the floor and dusted ourselves off. We straightened out our suits and I sent a look at Alex as I stood in front of the door. I watched as he took in a breath and nodded, and as he nodded, I grabbed the handle and opened the door. Together, we walked through the door and made a straight shot in the king's direction. I told Alex before we entered not to look at anyone else because it would distract him from the goal, other's reactions would impact his emotions, so he stared straight ahead as we marched toward his father. As we approached him, he stood. I sensed hesitation from Alex and nudged him forward. This bit of encouragement was enough to urge him forward and his father sent a glare at us, me specifically.

"So, princess, now that you've had time to think-" the king started. I interrupted him.

"It's Prince," I corrected. Alex tensed, but only slightly. Only for a moment and only enough for me to notice. King Kytson's blue eyes turned almost red with rage. The King looked at Alex.

"I thought you were smarter than this. I taught you to be smarter than this. You have one more chance to deny everything that you have said today," King Kytson stated. Alex shook his head and I stood taller next to him. With the snap of his fingers, guards surrounded me and Alex. I didn't let this get to me and I tried again.

"Sir, if you don't mind, your son and I would like to talk to yo-"

"Don't disrespect me in my kingdom, Prince Liam. Do you know what happens when people disrespect kings in their kingdom? I made peace with your people, but don't think I won't imprison their prince if he is out of line." One of the guards stepped closer to me. The whole dining room was silent for the fourth time that night and the tension was high. I glanced briefly at my father and noticed him trying to hold back tears. I gave him a soft smile to apologize for Alex and me because I wasn't about to back out, and I knew what was going to happen. I hoped, for my sake as well as my mother's, that he was going to handle it well.

The only sounds were of people shuffling in their seats and a soft, muffled sniffling coming from my father who was trying to hold in every disrespectful thing he wanted to say to King Kytson in that moment. The air we were breathing was dense and the look from the king was sharp enough to cut through a diamond. It almost pierced my soul as I looked him dead in the eyes.

"He is not speaking out of place, father. As the other ruler of this kingdom, he is inclined to listen to me as well, and I asked him to help me," Alex stated. The king chuckled and shook his head, his expression tense with anger.

"Help you? My dear daughter, you can't genuinely think you're a boy, can you? I mean, look at you," he said as he made a gesture at his chest to symbolize breasts. A shiver was sent down my spine due to the uncomfortable scene I was witnessing. Alex took a step closer to his father, and I took a step back to allow the both of them some space, but not far enough that I couldn't step in front of Alex if I thought things were about to get out of hand.

"If you are unwilling to try and understand me, that's fine, but I would rather spend my time in a place I know I will belong. If you want to kick me out of the kingdom like you did the other 'cross-dressers,' like you did Marco, then so be it. I would be happier on my own than in the same kingdom as someone like you." There was no longer shuffling in the room. It was nearly impossible to move with how thick the tension was. It weighed on all of us physically and held us all where we were. Many minutes had passed before the king made a decision. The very decision I was hoping he wouldn't make, but I knew he would.

"Arrest both of them. I refuse to be disrespected and humiliated in my kingdom, especially by my own family." Alex's eyes widened with fear, as though he didn't expect his father to arrest him.