CHAPTER THIRTEEN
1157 Words
The ravian palace was filled various sounds of music as princesses practiced their dance routines in different places withimg the castle. Queen Freja accompanied Queen Elona to watch the different teams as they pracriced, giving tips where necessary while the kings sat with their noble men sat in the great hall discussing and drafting the terms of their new found alliance, including terms of trade, financial as well as military aid.
Once a document has been drafted to the satisfaction of both kings, they are both given to sign it and the discussion s move to a different topic.
It was an agonisingly slow process which irritated prince Arin who was also in attendance.
'Why won't they conclude on the damn thing already?' he thought to himself as he watched his father and King Ceryes sign yet another scroll document.
'Will that be all?' asked King Ceryes who was also clearly tired.
'Apologies my lord but we have one final matter to discuss, which is the agreement on the alliance by marriage', said the minister of external affairs for the Ravian nation responds.
'What are your drafted terms', King Ceryes asked
The minister read out the terms to the hearing of all in attendance but the king of Cudan was not satisfied and asked for modifications on a few clauses which King Dyrai also agreed to. The scroll was modified and signed by both kings.
The senate dispersed and both kings went together to King Dyrai's personal study to discuss personal matters.
'I did not see the Cudanian prince in attendance today, do you not find that to be odd?' Jaun said to Arin.
'He's currently at lord Biron's house by invitation for the new moon festival', Arin replied.
'And that doesn't bother you?'
'Should l be bothered?'
'What if Biron chooses to marry her to the prince?'
'He will not leave Ravia alive', Arin responded looking at Jaun
Juan smiled at him shaking his head and said, 'still as shortsighted as ever.'
'What does that mean?'
Juan said nothing rising from his seat
'Juan..'
'I am sorry to disturb you my princes, but his majesty the king has requested your presence in his library.
Both princes arrived at the library and were announced. Upon entry, they found their father reading a scroll while their mother sat in front of him with a sad expression on her face.
'Sit down both of you' , the king said with a flat tone without looking up at them.
Both princes sat facing their father who kept reading the scroll and asked all the guards and servants to leave the room. Once the servants were out and the doors were closed, the king dropped the scroll and looked at his sons.
'Do you know why I have called you here? ' the king asks
'No father' they both respond
'I am disappointed in you', the king said his tone slowing rising with his anger.
'You, Arin had the audacity to try to force a noble woman against her will, in front of the court, in front of my guests, IN FRONT OF ME!'
Both princes bowed to the ground upon hearing their fathers voice, 'My love...' the queen said trying to intercede
'BE SILENT! YOU HAVE PERMITTED HIS EXCESSES FOR FAR TOO LONG AND THIS IS THE RESULT. I HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EMBARRASSMENT HE CAUSED US!', the king said to her.
'WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF PRINCE RAZAN HADN'T STEPPED IN? DID YOU THINK HER FATHER OR HER BROTHERS WOULD SIMPLY HAVE STOOD THERE AND LET TO TAKE HER? YOU ALMOST CAUSED A DIVISION WITHIN MY OWN KINGDOM. WITH ONE SINGLE ACT YOU ALMOST DESTROYED DECADES OF HARDWORK TO BROKER PRACE BETWEEN OUR PEOPLE AND THE KINGDOM OF CUDAN BEFORE MY VERY EYES, YOU USELESS, WORTHLESS, EXCUSE OF A SON!', the king said pushing the objects on his table to the ground
'Your majesty, please be merciful' the queen pled, kneeling before her husband, who was closed his eyes calm himself.
'You have embarrassed yourself, you have embarrassed me and you have embarrassed the crown.'
'Forgive me your majesty.' Prince Razan said to his father.
'
'Forgive you, for what exactly?' King Dyrai asked
'For trying to force that poor girl against her will? For insulting a Cudanian crown prince? For the numerous women you have brought in my home through marriage? Do you even know what you are called? Should I tell you? You are called the conqueror of beds, that is what the people have given you you and you, shamelessly live up to it by taking more and more women like a s*x starved stallion.You have sired more children than me and my father combined. yet you insist on marrying a girl who has clearly shown no interest in you, and makes the matter even worse is the both of you support him.' said the king pointing to his wife and Juan
'Are you all mad or what?' the king asked
'Father please listen, I can explain. I was only...' Arin said but was cut short by the king
'I AM THE KING, YOU LISTEN TO ME!' Dyrai yelled back at him and rang a gong. Two scribes came in followed by servants carrying scrolls and bowls of ink. Without waiting for them to settled down, the king started talking.
'I, King Dyrai, son of Ardis the great and fourteenth ruler of the kingdom of Ravia, hereby decree that the crown-prince of Ravia may only marry a bride that is accepted by the king. Any woman woman found to be with child to a crown prince without marriage to the crown, will be executed upon discovery and the title of the crown-prince will be taken from the offender and given to anyone found worthy of the it. I swear on the nobility of my fathers that any who try to alter my words will be cursed with calamities for all eternity.' King Dyrai declared, looking at his sons
'Father please don't do this, whatever my mistakes are, I will make amends.' Arin said looking up at his father.
'You are never to speak to that girl again, you are forbidden from going anywhere near her. Today, the King of Cudan has expressed his intention to marry her for to his son. if Biron agrees, it will be finalized and granted by the senate.'
'Father please,' Arin pleaded
'IT IS DONE! it is done' the king responded.
The scribe brought the scroll to the king, who sat on his chair and signed the scroll handing it back to the scribe with instructions to have it spread across the entire kingdom.
'Begone all of you', said the king touching his temple and the queen with her sons walked out dejected, closing the door behind them
'How much more of this can I take? Please give me strength, my ancestors', the king said to himself.
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