23. Broken Promises

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The echo of boots walking over the hard stone floors was unusual to hear in the dark dungeon. A velvet bag with gold coins was thrown at Henry who slept on the humid and hard floor, instantly he opened his eyes and looked up.

"Take this, leave and never come back." Philip said against his better judgment.

Henry laughed sarcastically standing up.

"The king's infinite mercy have reached me, how is that possible?"

"The king's mercy isn't infinite, don't tempt it. I would suggest you leave before I change my mind."

"Where? I don't have a place to go."

"That's not my problem Henry, if you were bold enough to do what you did, now you have to be bold enough to deal with the consequences. I assume you understand that staying here is not an option, I'm doing more that I should by sparing your life."

"Is always about you isn't it?" Henry said in a bitter tone.

"I think your'e not aware of your actions and what they mean, you conspired against the king, I am the king, so yes it is about me. Be a man and own it."

"And when are you going to be a man and own your own mess."

"Henry, this is the last time I tell you to leave. If you value your life do just that."

Henry knew his brother well enough to know how serious he was in that moment, he decided to walk away. Before leaving the cold cell he turned around.

"I'll leave now but be sure that it won't be forever. One day I shall return and claim what's mine." He said to Philip's back as his brother never faced him.

"There's nothing for you here, dare to step a foot in my kingdom and consider yourself a dead man." Philip replied still refusing to turn to face his brother.

"Will see about that." Henry murmured loud enough for Philip to hear and walked away.

Outside his mother waited in tears of relief and sadness at the same time, knowing that after that moment Henry will be gone from her life forever.

"As sad as it is to see you go, I'm grateful to know that you are live."

"Mother be at ease, I promise this is not the end."

"Henry your brother was very clear, please don't do anything foolish."

"Good bye mother."

Henry garbed a horse and galloped away leaving a heavy feeling of unsettling fret in his mother. She just had a very bad feeling about Henry's last words.

************

Philip felt the urge to see Samira, he found himself missing her smile and the way her eyes shone while locked with his. Involuntarily a smile made its way to his lips while he walked back into the castle and somehow ended right in front of Samira's door. The guards in each side bowed immediately, not daring to look him in the eyes.

"Announce to her highness that I'm here, asking if she wants to join me for breakfast."

"Immediately your grace." One of the guards replied and turned around to knock on the door and entering seconds later on Esma's command.

"Her highness's maid will come out in a minute my lord." The guard announced while incorporating to his original post at one side of the door.

Her maid? he wanted to see her, not her maid. Philip started to grow impatient, at the sound of whispers coming from inside the chambers, only if he could hear what was being said.

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