Noble Blood

Chapter XII - Purpose

"Your plan has one big flaw, sister." Dietrich declared, storming into the meeting room where Lilianna sat waiting. "The numbers of the Danish army aren't large enough to go up against father's army. It would also be hard to ensure father remains in the Grand Hall as we meet with the Danes."

"I see." The princess said patiently, of course the Irish army would be there but she wanted her brother to know as little as possible. "Any suggestions perhaps?"

"Well I am the rightful heir after all. I thought of saying father was murdered by his own soldiers, who were rebelling against me too. I know the city inhabitants are loyal to our family, and we could get them to help us fight." The prince explained, going over the details in his mind once more.

"So while I go fetch the Danish army, you would go ask the people of the city for their help, pretending to now be King?" Lilianna asked, repeating what she had just heard.

"Yes, that's correct." He replied, "I think that will work. Father can be imprisoned and I can get the throne."

This plan would be rather convenient for her for two reasons; she could get the Danes without her brother so they wouldn't suspect anything and she was more than happy to add numbers to the troops to fight her father's men.

All that was left to figure out was how she would imprison her brother. She thought perhaps the Danish and Irish armies, being loyal to her and William instead of Dietrich, could maybe offer a solution.

"Very well, so what will be the exact timing of this?" The Crown prince questioned, acknowledging that Lilianna was the brains behind this entire plot.

"Once we have welcomed father back home, he will be at the banquet. You will have to send all the lords on errands around the kingdom before hand to ensure they aren't anywhere near." The princess began, being careful only to tell Dietrich the parts he had found out about already.

"Once father is getting merry at the banquet, you will slip out and head to the city. I will go to meet with Flinn and his army, and bring them right outside the castle to wait for you. Once both of our groups are combined, we will imprison him and fight all his soldiers, hopefully drunk from the banquet." She continued in a very neutral tone, deep in concentration to choose her words carefully.

"Make sure to convince the Danes of some excuse for me to be there, or he may decide not to fight." Dietrich added, a glint of worry quickly passing through his eyes as he spoke.

"Why?" Lilianna's brows furrowed, she didn't want Flinn to doubt her might but why would that ever concern her brother?

"You signed the contract. Now that you're powerless, any paper you signed before is void." The prince replied with a smirk, noting his sister hadn't thought of this. He retrieved the parchment from his pocket before crumpling it up and throwing it in front of Lilianna's place at the table.

Though the princess's blood was boiling as she processed this new information, she kept a calm face. "Very well, brother," she painfully let out before getting up and leaving as politely as possible without punching the wall.

She truly felt devastated by this turn of events. Taking a deep breath, Lilianna made her way up the stairwell and into the corridor leading to William's chambers.

She knocked on the door twice, and hearing him invite her in she entered the room quickly. Her emotions were still very heightened from the upsetting conversation she had just had with her brother.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," William calmly greeted with a bow, turning around from where he stood at his desk.

"Hello, William." Her voice cracked as she spoke, and tears were welling up in her eyes uncontrollably. She was more upset than she would even let herself believe.