The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

The Engagement Present

“Fine, if we are skipping the pretences, I demand war”, exclaimed Rog to Valentina. “I am here to finish for once and for all what I started but I don’t mind keeping you on the side for pleasure. I might even make you my queen after I kill your kin and fiancé.”

Valentina could feel Lucius tense up beside her. “Or she could just kill you instead”, Lucius offered.

Laughing, Rog continued, “King Lucius, let me tell you how I outsmarted the great Dragomir house, causing them to hide for all these years. I personally killed Lucian when I came to ‘visit’. Really, it was a simple stab to the back, knock and stake; easy”, then he sneered. “Elanora was suspicious of me from the beginning, so she took Valentina away from the nurse, who I paid to smother her but when she came back with the pillow, the princess was gone”.

Turning to Valentina, he continued, “Elanora was so smart that she quickly notified Vladius and hid you before my guards found her. Of course they did and I gave them permission to …well enjoy themselves before the kill. But she threw herself off the balcony to the waterfall. She was stake by one of the sharp rocks. I couldn’t find you but I unwisely did not care because you were mortal…so I burnt down your castle just to be sure.

“But my brilliant plan didn’t stop there. I had to take care of Radius and his family before their retribution.  I started with Paris, who I thought was too good of a warrior and when he came back from his night ride; I hanged him and then staked him myself. I had my guards stake all your cousins in their sleep and like Lucian’s castle, I burnt down theirs.

"You see I was told that I looked quite similar to Paris’ father, Roger and we had similar names, so I imposed as him. I made myself king of the south because the Dragomir elders did not accept me. But…”

Rog turned to sneer at Lucius, “Valeriu was apprehensive and rode to the southern lands to investigate. On my coronation, I saw him in the crowd and knew that he knew who I was really. So I had my men feast and rape some mortal women near Vladonov Castle and persuaded the villagers that it was Valeriu’s idea. I had already paid off some Vladonov guards to leave their post and my men killed the rest. So eventually, it only left the royal family in the castle. We dressed up as some villagers and stormed it.

“But just as Valeriu tried to reason with the villagers, I staked him and his wife who came running pathetically to save her husband. It was that easy to take over the Dragomirs and I did it. Now I’m going to rid the last remaining weak Dragomirs”.

 “My dear cousin…he just called us weak”, said Derrick comically and together the cousins smirked. Valentina turned to Rog and said calmly, “You will have your war Rog and I’ll have your head”.

Valentina turned to the crowd and to her guards. “TO WAR”, she shouted and they cheered and roared for blood. She glared at Rog who smirked back.

“You offend me Rog by challenging my lady”, said Lucius coolly. “My future wife and queen”. Turning menacingly to Rog, Lucius said, “For that, I’ll kill you, your kin, and all those who assist you in the war. In fact…”

Lucius turned to Valentina and lifted her hand where he planted a slow kiss. All the while, she eyed him, imploring him to not fight alongside her. She couldn’t bare the idea of Lucius getting even a scratch. “My love”, he addressed her. “I haven’t gotten you an engagement present, have I? Well then…I will give you my army for this war, Rog’s head and all of his land. Will that please you?”

The crowd gasped at Lucius’ enormous gift. Valentina would have to speak to him later about it. No king in his right mind would give her his whole army and all the spoils from the war. But the idea made her blush scarlet. She nodded when he eyed her to respond.

Rog laughed evilly, “King Lucius, you are known for your wisdom but today, I fear the rumours are false. It is wise for you to abandon your claim over the princess if you wish to see your reign continue”.

“And ignore such a challenge? Never”, Lucius replied humorously. “No Rog, I accept your pathetic challenge”. Turning towards the crowd, he continued, “Let this be a warning to all those who feel that they could outsmart me or my fiancée. Remember that my wrath is great but it will know no bounds if you concern my Valentina”.   

“You will regret your decision”, said Rog as made his way back to the south.

“I think you will regret the moment you killed my father, Rog”, said Lucius menacingly. Valentina held onto his arm, the one with the stake, to stop him from doing anything regrettable.