release

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"Some movements have been noted in the neighbouring isles, Your Grace. They are arming their borders heavily." Hawklin informed the court, having read and analysed the intelligence reports from the spies.

"Suddenly? Are there barbarian attacks again?" The King asked.

"No sign of barbarians anywhere. And some heavy ships have been seen coming from the south."

The King sighed, his hold on the hilt of his sword growing tighter. The common reasons to arm oneself were apparently not holding true and that was not good news.

"How far are those ships from our coast?" He inquired.

"About a month away, Your Grace. They have been looting and plundering wherever they've harboured. I suggest being on our guard too."

"They would be a fool to think they can even touch the lands of Elmcaster with malicious intents and not be sent to the gates of hell. Increase guard nonetheless." The King ordered.

"That is another issue, You Grace. We need more recruits and the kingdom doesn't have enough young men for the watch." The Prime Minister informed.

"Hire sellswords, train green boys, take disabled into the forgery and send able men from the forgery into the army, do whatever, but get the guard."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The Prime Minister then took the King's leave to carry out the orders and go about his business. Timothee walked into the court, the courtiers rising in respect and the prince asked them to return to their seats before taking his own near his father.

"Where were you?" The King demanded.

"At dinner." Timothee replied coldly, not wishing to be in the presence of his father especially after what he had done previously during the day.

"Weren't you supposed to be dining with Prince Ansel and Pauline? You were absent when I went to see them."

"If the court has been summoned to discuss my day, I can tell you better things to discuss father." He sassed.

"I need to be alone with him, esteemed courtiers." The King declared and the everyone but Timothee left the court.

"You will never talk to me like that again." He said through gritted teeth.

"And you can violate the safety of a woman and shove her up a wall, bruise her neck and yell profanities all you like?"

"She is the daughter of a traitor." He reasoned.

"Exactly. She is the daughter of a traitor, not a traitor. The poor girl has been nothing but loyal to our family and is this how we express our gratitude?"

"What are you implying?"

"That you release her this second." Timothee stated.

"You make me doubt in this moment whether you will make a good King. You have no idea how much these little leverages can cost a kingdom."

Timothee's heart lurched at that. All his life it was drilled into his mind that he was born to be a king, that the purpose of his life was to serve his people and be the best ruler they can ever hope for. To hear his own father openly doubt that, stirred a strange insecurity in him that he was not sure would go away for a long while.

Never before this moment had he doubted if he would make a good King at all. He had always believed that if he was vigilant, just, merciful and balanced- it would all work out for him. But even though he had been sticking to those principles now, his father had made him ponder whether his beliefs were correct or even enough?

"She saved my life father. Twice." He managed to let out, trying his hardest to not give an impression of how disturbed he had been.

His father got up and walked up to him. His face did not give away his thoughts but Timothee knew he had won the battle when the King sighed and looked away.

"She will be under constant observation." The King stated his condition.

"I promise to personally undertake that. It is my responsibility if anything happens on her account once she is released."

"She can be out tomorrow morning, but she won't serve your sister anymore."

"That is okay, Your Grace. She can be in my service instead." Timothee suggested.

"And give her the chance to kill you? Never. She will be deployed in the Holy Tower where she shall assist the priests."

"But-"

"No counter conditions or she doesn't get out. You may leave." The King ordered and Timothee complied, grateful that he was at least able to secure Saoirse her freedom.

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a/n: I know that was short and I am tremendously sorry for it. I've just been busy with some schoolwork, grade 12 is another sob story in a pandemic. I hope you're all keeping well though. Please vote and comment and help the story grow! Take care x

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