The Princess and The Bandit

THIRTEEN

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Lord Brad slumped in the imperial throne as if he owns it. To any observant with relatively good eyesight, it really doesn't suit him no matter how he positions himself in it. Made of pure gold, adorned with crystal blue gems that emanates subtle blue light, the throne itself was quite a large chair to put Brad's short stature in.

"How's the search going on?!" He demanded.

Alejandro, along with several of his menacing companions, stood out like a sore thumb in front of the Arcadian throne. Tall with an impassive expression on his face, ragged clothing and dirty boots, arms crossed over his chest, the man was expected to report some progress to the Bunloaf lord. To anyone looking, Alejandro appears to be just another scary looking thug about to commit some heinous crime.

But to anyone who knows the Alejandro, he is most definitely more than just a trigger-happy brawn.

And there's only one person who knows very well the true extent of his character, of his wits.

Alejandro doesn't particularly like the Bunloaf boy. But somehow, in some pure dumb luck, he managed to worm his way in to his group of criminals. The boy, despite his overflowing sense of self entitlement, has proved himself useful. The taxes he collects from the wheat farmers in his county are quite sufficient enough to fully arm a fraction of Alejandro's followers.

Besides, now that the boy has seated himself in the imperial throne, proclaimed himself a steward to the great empire, Alejandro saw himself a great opportunity as well.

"My serpents has tracked the princess somewhere near Zaragoza, we're getting close," he replied curtly.

"What about Commander Austin Mahone?"

"He's on the same trail. I got one of my serpents keeping an eye on him,"

"I want him dead,"

"You want a lot of things, boy . . . And you know that everything always has a price,"

"You do not call me boy! I am the lord steward of the great empire of Arcadia!" Brad screamed from the throne, "Show me respect old man! And everything I've asked of you, I've paid you more than enough!!"

Nothing is ever enough . . .

Alejandro thought to himself as he remained unaffected by the Bunloaf boy's outburst. "I'll bring the commander's severed head to your feet in no time, my lord,"

He curtsied in quite a condescending manner that almost brought a psychotic break out of Lord Brad of  the Bunloaf County.

However, before he went on a rampage that would have easily ended his own life instead of Alejandro's because he's just no match for the older man when it comes to fighting, Brad's right hand lackey named Pita suddenly interrupted the exchange between him and Alejandro, "M'lord! The prisoner has escaped!!"

The self proclaimed steward smirked. He seemed unbothered, as if he already knows such incident will occur. He simply grinned at Alejandro, a dark gleam in his eyes, he spoke.

"I have a new proposition for you. There's another trail for you to follow. Shawn Mendes is the guard closest to the princess, he'll definitely look for her. Follow him as well and it should be easier now that there are plenty of us looking for her. When either Mendes or Mahone finds my princess Lauren, kill them both. Then bring back home my princess alive and unspoiled,"

"As far as I'm concerned there's enough trail for my people to follow. I don't like wasting manpower for nothing. What's in it for me?"

"Lordship over Bunloaf County. Bring me my princess, and once we are married and I become emperor of Arcadia, I will give you lordship and make you a noble,"