The Lost Princess

XXI

Peter

King Edward and I walked through the castle hallways and down dark stairs. The dungeon was pitch black, with small lamps created the only source of light. We walk to the end of the path and see Sedrick in stocks. There was no light in the room, so the guard lights the lamps and kick Sedrick in the back.

He yelps and looks at me. His right eye was swollen with blood on his lower lip. He cackles and grins, "Look, its the little prince acting tough.."

My hand slaps across his face and he gasps. He growls at me and I glare at him.

King Edward glares at him, "We are going to ask you a few questions and you are going to answer them. Or else."

A guard takes a whip and run its across the floor. Sedrick gulps. King Edward stands up, "It would be in your best interest to tell the truth."

King Edward nudges to me. I nod and look at Sedrick, "Who helped you in the murder of King Tyson?"

"I'm not saying anything." I look at the guard who strikes the whip against Sedrick's back. He screams in agony.

"Answer me. Who helped you assassinate King Tyson?" I say, smoothly.

"You know, never in a million years did I think you would become this grown. I remember when you used to play with that beat you're mother gave you, before she died.." Sedrick responds. The guard lashed the whip twice. Sedrick cries and screams.

I grab his head, "You know, you are sitting here, being whipped. And guess what? The person who helped you is sitting somewhere, untouched. So, if you want even a sliver of a chance of that, answer me. Who helped you kill my father!"

"King Derek!" he responds.

King Edward gasps and calls a guard to him. They whisper amongst each other and the guard runs out of the dungeon.

"Did the same person also help you in the murder of Queen Ana? And the attempted murder of the royal family of the Virgin Isles?" I ask.

"Yes yes yes. He planned it all. From Ashlyn's kidnapping to what happened today! I was just the innocent middleman.." he explains.

"Innocent!" I gawk, "Ha! You tried to poison the royal family of the Virgin Isles and kidnapped a princess. Was this all because of jealousy to the royal families or your relationship with Princess Emerald?"

"You have a relationship with Emerald?" King Edwards asks.

"We care about each other! More than you will ever know.." Sedrick admits.

"That's illegal. I could hang for that alone," King Edward says.

"As can her father." I add. Sedrick gasps and his eyes move wildly. He tries to wriggle out of the stocks. The guard whips him so he can stay in place. He cries out in pain. His blood runs down is back, leaving bright red blood marks all over him.

"Why did you agree to help them?" King Edward asks, "In full detail."

He sighed, "Wealth. He promised to make me his right hand man and marry whomever I pleased. Emerald said that included her. That little b*tch. She played me. She ruined me! They both did. They don't care about anyone. And they are willing to kill anyone who gets in their way. And all King Derek wants is to rule all the kingdoms by eliminating royals. One at a time.."

My eyes go wide and I turn towards the king.

"Other than you, do they have any other help to assist them?" King Edward asks.

"A housemaid." he chuckles. Another whip is brought down on his back. The guard returns with a sealed envelope with the crest of the UPRK. King Edward nods at the guard who blows out each lamp.

We walk away from Sedrick, whose sobs I can hear. He always said he was afraid of being in the dungeon in stocks, in darkness.

I turn to the king, "What is that?"

"A letter sent to me from King Derek about a day after Ashlyn was taken. I have never read it, I was to upset to read it so I shoved it in my desk," King Edward sighs, "I should have read it."

I place my hand on his shoulder, "You had no idea. But, let's read it now." He nods and opens the envelope.

Dear Kings and Queens of far of lands,

I, King Derek of Pearl River, am calling a war on the rest of you officers. I have come to realize that all you kings and queens want rich and lavish things, while you leave the important matters. So, I have made a truce agreement. I will back off on the war if each kingdom presents $30 million or signs the agreement I have made to conquest eight small islands off the coast of the Pearl River. Deny and I shall create a war like none have seen before.

I am not threatening, I am suggesting.  You will have three months time to decide. You know the consequences if you ignore my warning. Hopefully you are smart enough to realize that I have the upper hand.

Think wisely,
King Derek

King Edward fumes behind me, stomping hard on the ground. My mouth was open and my eyes were wide in shock.

"Guards!" King Edward calls. Three men in uniform arrive. "Tell the Navy to ready and the troops to prepare. I call a war on the United Pearl River Kingdom and all its areas!"

The king turns to me, "Will Amster support the Virgin Isles?"

"Yes, we will. I will have my Navy follow suit of yours," I explain. We run out of the cells and into the long corridors of the castle. I run to my men and tell them to prepare the Navy to meet in the Virgin Isles in eight days. I rub my forehead and sigh. This was a war that we all dreaded fighting.

******
Ashlyn

"We're in a war?" I ask.

Peter sighs and runs his hands through his blonde hair, "I am afraid so, my love. King Derek has caused to much suffering for this to go unnoticed."

I sigh. My brown hair fell down to my shoulders. Peter was going to meet his Navy at the gates. The captain of the Amster Navy, Peter, Aaron, my father, and our captains were then going to discuss the plans to attack the UPRK. I was scared that my father or brother were going to be involved in a bloody war. Peter was going no matter what.

"Peter.." I say. He turns and I hug him. His rubs my hair and kisses me softly on the lips.

"Ashlyn, I must. I will return. I promise," he reassured me.

"I know. But, the thought haunts me. Try to stay safe, alright?" I beg.

"Of course, love. I will see you soon Ashlyn. Goodbye," he kisses my cheeks and let's go of my hand.

"Goodbye Peter.."

Okay. I just wanted to clarify, Aaron is the king of the Virgin Isles. But, King Edward will still me referred to as king out of respect. Also, I don't know what to call him. So, anyways...Aaron is king.

What did you think? You guys have been asking me to update for like ever, so.. Leave comments in the comment section. Like and share this story with others. And, I might do a Q&A session with me answering questions about the book and stuff. So, if you would like to make that happen. Message me and after you write your question put (Q&A) so I know what it's for.

Thanks for reading. Love you all. Bye!