War of the Roses

25. Going back to the start

"Gentleman, thank you coming, I understand you were summoned on a very short notice."  Philip's tone was confident and authoritative, this king thing was starting to fit in him perfectly.

"Is everything alright my lord, we are worried."

"The queen and I will be leaving for Kalon very early tomorrow, we received news from her father, king Odo. We understand that his health is deteriorating as we speak and the queen wishes to say her last goodbye to her beloved father, as his physicians advised to be prepared for the worst . I decided to go with her to offer support in this difficult time, as you know my wife has no siblings or close family members to rely on for support. The queen mother will be named as regent in my absence, my secretary is preparing the documents right now and I will make sure to sign them as soon as possible. My mother has clear instructions to maintain constant communication with me as to what's going on in the kingdom during my absence. Gentleman, please do not hesitate to submit correspondence if you need to, I will be away from the kingdom but not away from my duty as king. Any questions?"

"My lord, are we taking over Kalon's government once king Odo passes away? We have a clear understanding that their laws allow no woman to rule and queen Samira seems to be the only living descendant of king Odo." A member of the counsel asked, bringing up the elephant in the room.

"The queen and myself are focused entirely in king Odo's health, at the moment our only wish is to be able to make it on time to see him alive, the rest will take care when the time comes. I'm sure king Odo has a will in place by now and I have all the intention to respect that will as I know that's what my wife wants."

Members of the counsel seem disappointed, for centuries Esparcia had one goal: Take over Kalon, their riches and their fertile lands. It was evident that king Philip was developing a soft spot for queen Samira.

The next morning Philip and Samira departed. They had a coach for themselves, their servants trailed behind in a separate coach and about then soldiers in horses right behind. Philip's eyes fixed on Samira, while all she did was stare to the outside through the small window, silently praying to god for some extra time to be able to see her father alive.

"You didn't have to come." She finally broke the silence, her sight still lost in the window.

"I know." Philip replied. " But I wanted to..."

"Why? You think I will not return ? Not long ago I tried to escape."

"No, I do fear that you want to leave me not just now, bur every day. Every morning I wakeup wondering if you're still around or if a guard will come to inform me that you're no where to be found. I want you to be my queen, not my prisoner and when the time to leave again comes it will be up to you if you stay in Kalon or come back home with me. I came because I know you need support, I just want to be there for you and I know that leaving with out will most likely happen."

Now Samira's full attention was on Philip, she wondered if he was really meaning what he said, her eyes studied his face looking for any sign that will show the opposite, but she found none.

"Why this sudden change? Are you finally making arrangements to live a happy life with lady Alice? If I stay here you have the perfect excuse to annul our marriage, not only that you will then have a clear path to marry her but a very good reason to invade Kalon. Whatever I do I'll be loosing."

"I don't blame you for thinking so poorly of me Samira. I did two things before coming in this trip. The first one, I announced to my council that it was my intention to respect, obey and honor king Odo's will, I can sign legal documents as soon as we arrive if that makes you feel better. And the second, I instructed my mother to find a home for Alice, away from the palace and our lives."