Crown of Thorns ||BVB a.u.|| (DISCONTINUED)

XXV: Disturbance

One year later...

{Andrew}
"But sir, the Karamogians are stirring. This could become a problem, or worse: a war."

I roll my eyes at Ulus, my advisor, and look at the document before me. "I truly don't think we'll have much of an issue."

"Andrew, they may be small in number, but the average Karamogian man is almost double your size and definitely double your weight. These men were born ready to fight. They train up their boys to kill. They are savages to say the least."

"Will you just let it be?"

"But your highness, I strongly advise you to take precautions."

"I know what I'm doing, Ulus. Advise, don't control." I sigh and sit down at my table, glossing over numerous battle plans and letters. In the corner of my eye, a petite figure stands by the door, peering in. It's none other than my beautiful Bella. "Be on your way, good man. My wife requests my presence."

Ulus rolls his eye and begins to aggressively collect his things. "Heed my warning. Heed their warning, Andrew. Don't be a negligent, ignorant King, my lord." He bows and walks out of the room, steaming.

In turn, Bella rushes in, smothering me with kisses. "Eager, are we?"

"I just want to try again," she whines. "This could be it, love. I feel it..."

I smile and hold her chin in my hand. She's persistent, I'll give her that. For so long we've been trying for a son. So far, we've turned up short; and of course we keep trying, since it's important to keep our family name going, but Bella's faith is much stronger than mine. She very much desires to bare a child. "Right now?"

"Only if it's convenient, dear. You seem quite busy."

"Nonsense. I always have time for you."

"In that case, my dear," she backs herself onto the bed, "let's get to it; no reason to wait any longer."

//

I watch as she sleeps, running my knuckles along her soft, rosy cheek. So beautiful, so angelic. Her breasts rise and fall rhythmically in time with her breath. She's a lovely creature, my pearl, my goddess divine. So calm, so at peace... Carefully, I place a kiss upon her temple and stealthily exit the bed. My body slightly recoils from the brisk air that meets my fully exposed skin.

I pick my clothes up from off the floor and quickly make myself decent. I take one last look at my sleeping beauty before leaving her to rest.

"Do either of you know where Jacob is?" I ask two nearby guards. They bow.

"Last I heard, he's sparring with an apprentice in the courtyard, your majesty."

I give them a simple nod and go on my way in search of my friend. I find him exactly where the guards said he was, doing exactly what they said he was doing. The young man looks almost defeated. In fact, he looks like a dead man walking. I clear my throat as I advance towards them.

"Oh, Andrew! Fancy seeing you here," Jake smiles.

"I just thought I'd drop by and pay you a visit."

"How very kind of you," he mocks. "Where's the queen?"

"Asleep in our quarters."

"Asleep? At this hour? It's practically mid day."

"Well, I tired her out. If you know what I'm getting at."

"Ah, I see," he replies smugly.

"So I see that you have a new apprentice?"

"Yes, yes. This is Isaac. He has a lot of potential. I've been pushing him past his limits since day one."

"Well, luck to you in this endeavor. Actually, I came to have a word with you in private, if you don't mind."

He frowns in concern. "What is it?"

"Just take a walk with me." He muttered something to Isaac and follows me as I cut through the courtyard to the gardens.

"Andrew, what is it? Should I be concerned?"

"I don't know yet."

"Andrew, please—"

"Karamog. Their people are becoming restless. A war could even erupt from this. In case of that event, and we happen to get involved somehow, I need you to start gathering and training our soldiers. Recruit new men. You're my second."

"Is this a serious issue?"

"I'm not sure. Ulus is making it seem so, but you know how he blows things out of proportion. But he could be right. I just want to take the risk, for my country's sake."

"When do you need me to begin?"

"Today. I'll have my scribes start writing to our former men. You start getting new recruits. Report back to me with what you have. I'll begin training with you in a week's time or so."

"Do you think they could be entering war soon? The Coma's are ruthless."

"I'm aware. That's why we need to start now. Hopefully they're on our side."

"Do you know what exactly is happening?"

"Discourse with the Purdy's."

"Our allies," he says grimly.

"Precisely. That is why we're at risk." I stop and clasp my hand on his shoulder. "I know you can do this. You're the strongest man in this country."

"You know I'm on this. I'll visit later to discuss a starting point battle plan if something is to happen."

"I'll be waiting."

He begins to chuckle. "You've been King for a year and there's already a potential threat."

"And I don't even have an heir."

"You will, brother." He sighs, "I'll be seeing you."