Lady In Red

46

It was a matter of one night when the guards noticed a shift in the forces. Some went missing, and some called for a new position. Oliver walked through the halls quietly when he noticed one of the guards walking towards the Dowager's door with a man. He clenched his jaw knowing what was going on.

It was very obvious what the General wanted. A title and power. Something he could get by marrying the Princess.

Unfortunately, Oliver couldn't follow them. For the stairs leading up to the Dowager's wing were inaccessible to a command guard.

He stepped back walking towards Sir Andrew's study.

"If I could ask Sir, could there be any way to stall Clark's plan? Wouldn't it be better if we had, say the Viscount called him for an urgent meeting? You have the authority to send the General back to his fort."

Sir Andrew flipped through some papers before looking up at the clueless Oliver.

He blinked under his stare and noticed how not one guard or messenger stayed within the walls of his study. A highly exclusive room designed behind the King's library which could only be accessed when Sir Andrew allowed their presence.

"If he isn't here The King will have me by my throat soon"

Oliver stares at him before nodding.

"The princess-"

"Will be safe" Andrew sighs looking up at the young man," Do me a favour Oliver, keep the Queen some company and come to me the minute any external interactions take place"

Oliver nodded bowing and stepping out.

All he does is nod...Thought Andrew as he continued his work.

"Sir, We had a lead" His guard whispered before asking for permission to speak. Andrew closed his file and removed his glasses before walking towards the door.

Andrew tapped his finger over his elbow before leaning down at the fairly beaten guards under General Vincent's command.

"That is all? You locked the door and left?" he asked bending down to that man's eye level. The man in question nodded.

"How long did you serve the General?" Andrew asked circling him.

"S-Seven y-year Sir" he chokes out spitting blood.

"And how long had the General overstepped his authority to committee these crimes?"

"Crime?" he questioned and Andrew raised an eyebrow.

"Prouding counterfeit currency and supplying it to the now deposed Viscount. Bribing the church and Lord's for his personal gain. Ignoring his duty at the fort and jeopardizing many of his own guards to be subjected to volatile rouge attacks.." Andrew sighs, "Must I go on.?"

He received silence.

"Will you or will you not confess your General's crime?"

"S-Sir I am completely innocent! I did not know! I simply did as I was told-"

"Yes, we found a large sum of gold and copper coins in your personal estate which, may I add was given by the king to his servants. You instead, kept it for yourself. A trophy. Agreed upon by Vincent"

"No sir. I was simply told by him to keep it for repairs-"

"Get rid of him" Andrew was tired. Digging such deep information was a tedious task for him as well for his men.

He did not waste his time as that man begged to be released but instead got a sword to his throat. Andrew walked to the man next to him. His body flinched with bruises over his now deformed face.

"I-I don't know-"

"Him too"

"No! Wait! Sir I have children! I have a wife!"

"And that too is a lie" Andrew stated nonchalantly.

"I do! No! " The man yelled as the guard took his finger holding his hand down by a belt and clamped his nail.

"No ! No! wait! I was told to follow the Queen and her advisor. I was stationed before the door locked, and we were asked to leave by General Vincent, he wanted them to be found out by the Queen's own maid, and spread gossip of the Queen's infidelity "

He suddenly snapped his eyes at him, "What's her name?"

"I do not know, She is Her Majesty's secondary lady in waiting Sir"

Andrew, not yet satisfied looked away playing with his pocket knife when the opening of the dungeon door caught his attention. He looked back putting his hands in his pocket as the man whispered something in his ear.

"The King has entered the castle grounds"

"Very well. Continue" He comments to his guards before pausing.

"Remember not to be too harsh. That's for His Majesty to finish"

As he strides down the hallway of the common grounds his eyes flash across the men training and Clark Vincent talking to someone. He smirked knowing what's to come and walking past his eyes.

Xerxes Lycan was raised under unscrupulous tactics. He was raised to be a man holding morals for justice but ruthless if crossed. He wasn't the most callous king, he didn't need to be. Xerxes framed is duties and that of others with such efficiency. Never had his court fallen to see his warth. But their were times where people were reminded of what a King could do.

The recent treaty was tenuous, he had to protect it only because that was his wife's home. He could've raged a war any minute, turning their cities into ashes, but they were smart as well. The King had allies across the world just like him. His true intention for signing a treaty with their kind was for better the tensions between them. And now he wanted to protect it for his wife.

And as he sat in his seat, reading the letter by Andrew, he could see the fires of hell raising within. He wanted nothing more than to see Clark drenched in blood, and his sweet wife witnessing that fine moment.

As he got off his carriage Andrew greeted him before briefing him with information regarding the General's decisions.

"Get him in the grand hall with all of his minions."

Xerxes walked towards the halls taking off his coat before glancing at the stairs leading to his Queen's quarters.

"Where is she?" He asked.

"Her Majesty is in her chambers."