Tug and Ward

PROLOGUE

The glowing medallion in the sky was rising up and its golden beams began to splash the balcony of His Majesty. He was standing against the balustrade having his right hand slightly covering his eyes from the sun's dazzling rays. He removed his hand and shut his eyes instead. He breathed, inhaling the sweet smell of flowers cutting through the soft scent of the morning's dew grass. As he opened his eyes again, a smile formed on his lips. It was a subtle one, but enough to shrink the corner of his eyes. At last, he thought.

The King's sight fell down to the palace's garden. The rectilinear meadow was demarcated by water channels forming squares of flowering shrubs. What were only jade and myrtle green a week before had become a garland of the most vibrant blooms. It was as if they call them for trees to accompany them. Fruits began to peak through its thick leaves, making the garden even brighter. In the middle, white water cascaded down a series of flattened stones, giving the effect of many waterfalls rather than just one.

His Majesty's smile turned into a grimace as he saw a figure standing beside the shrubs. The figure was of a man having broad shoulders and a burly body. He was wearing a deep blue doublet paired with white breeches.

The man's stares were locked in the cascades. His eyeballs slowly traveled upwards as he felt a gaze stabbing him with daggers. He saw the King on his octagonal balcony. As their eyes met, he glared at the sovereign with the same intensity.

The King turned his back from the man.

Whereas, the man kept his stares. He sighed and returned his gaze to the flowing water. Moments later, he noticed a shadow beside him. He did not even bother to turn his head nor lay his eyes.

His Majesty stood beside the nobleman, neither too far nor too near but enough to hear his response.

A minute had passed yet the man remained standing still, refusing to acknowledge his presence.

"I believe thou ought to pay thy respect," the King spoke. His eyes watched his movements. "Once could be forgiven... but twice shall cost thou thy life," he threatened.

"Thou deserve no respect," the man responded, void of any emotion. His eyes remained on the cascades, watching the waterfall.

The King smirked and raised his brows for the man had not only renounced his allegiance but insulted him as inferior. "Death, then," he said. He walked one step toward the shrub in his front and gripped the stem of a red flower, calla lily. "Shall I take thy head? Or shall I force poison in thy mouth, staging it as suicide?" He plucked the flower the same time he uttered the last word.

"Thy own demise shall be thy concern more than mine," the man turned his head to the sovereign at last. "For he who sits on the throne shall not remain alive long," he said, flashing a smile to the King.

His Majesty clenched his jaw for the phrase he had uttered was the same phrase he mentioned to the King before him. "Is that a threat?" he said, shifting his position to face the man.

"Thou art threatened, then perchance it is," the man responded.

The King glared at him. He felt as if his blood rushed to his head as he kept hearing the man speak to him with utter inferiority. "My demise is not mine alone but Her Majesty's as well," he said.

The man's sight fell on the flower in the sovereign's hand.

His Majesty continued, "Kill me and it shall fall upon her reign too. Thou do not want that, art thou?"

The man spoke no more.

His Majesty smirked and spoke once more, "Thou art not dressed for the wedding. Above all else, thou - the Governor of her province - must witness her being crowned."