The Knight's Rose

Chapter Forty ~ The Calmness of a Rose

Chapter Forty ~ The Calmness of a Rose

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⤝O⤞

Nikolai's POV

"If this is a trap, you won't live to regret it," I tell the King of Ceasian. He still held the knight by his collar, but he turned to look at me with cold eyes that would make any normal man tremble.

I held his gaze with my own, unwavering. If this was no trick, then Rose was in the hands of the filthiest of vermins I'd ever come across.

I somewhat hoped it was a trap but I knew in my heart that it wasn't.

But why would he take her? Was he that taken with her?

I mean I could understand why. Rose was ethereal. But a small part of me fought that as the reasoning as to why he would take her. No, there must have been a deeper scheme behind him taking her.

"I can assure you that even if I were to think of a trap, it certainly wouldn't involve my daughter," King Zaros spoke, his voice hard. "I told you I have no ill-will toward you. No, this was done because of a promise I couldn't keep."

He released the knight, who bowed his head in shame.

"Forgive me for my negligence, Sire! We are currently thoroughly searching the castle for any clues as to where he might have taken her, we've also arranged for some knights to search the lower fields," the knight said, his voice full with the utmost regret. He bowed before walking to the door, his dark green cape billowing behind him.

Once the door had closed, I turned to Zaros with a raised eyebrow, waiting for him to continue the discussion of the broken promise.

"When I was first planning my attack on Chuvaria to save Rose, I promised Levon that I would grant him any wish if he managed to bring me back my daughter. When he brought up the topic of marriage, I thought nothing of it. Surely, Rose wouldn't mind marrying her savior?" King Zaros began, and with each passing word, my anger began to crash over me once again.

Levon wanted to marry Rose? After everything, he had put her through?

Scum.

I couldn't help but begin to wonder about the deeper plan that was set into motion by Levon. Did he take Rose to marry her? If so, then when did he become so enamored with her? Did he begin to like her before or after he figured out her status?

She was the King's daughter.

The sudden realization dawned upon me and the fire in my heart began to burn sharply. He didn't love her as I had previously thought. I doubt a man like Levon had any space in his heart for anyone except himself. He practically bleeds arrogance.

No, this was a scheme he has set into place in order to gain a status he could have only dreamed about.

He wanted to use her to become King.

"When he brought her to me, I had no choice but to honor his promise. Of course, I asked Rose if she was willing, but when she gave me a fierce no and professed that she would only love you till her dying days, I couldn't go through with it."

My heart warmed after hearing how Rose confessed her love and almost smiled. It sounded like she had grown stronger, being able to say no to the King of Ceasian.

"I should have realized Levon would grow bitter but I was blinded by his long-lasting loyalty. Apparently, it seems to have completely vanished along with any common sense he was riddled with."