After slaughtering everyone in his path and witnessing the head of the assassin he had mercifully spared, Astrophel finally calmed down.
"What about the girl?" Fray, a silver-haired man with a mischievous smile, inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Astrophel sighed, his demeanor turning somber. "I have no use for her anymore. Leave her there for a month or two; she'll starve. I assume they had a second child, but he poses no threat to me."
Fray nodded, his long hair slipping from its ponytail to frame his face. Astrophel cast him a sidelong glance as Fray raised a hand to smooth back his loose strands.
"Are you going to cut it?" Astrophel asked, gesturing to Fray's flowing locks.
Fray twirled a strand between his fingers, shaking his head. "It's a symbol of strength in my hometown."
"You've never told me where you're from."
"Your Majesty, it's somewhere beyond your reach."
Astrophel chuckled lightly. "You make it sound as if I'd want to conquer your town."
"My apologies. One can never be too safe," Fray replied, bowing slightly before quickly changing the subject. "Are you giving up on your search for the princess?"
Astrophel exhaled slowly, his regret palpable. "It seems I must turn to my last resort."
"May I ask what that entails?" Fray leaned in, intrigued.
"I'll have to approach the king of Zlork. It's his territory, so he should be able to help. But asking for a favor means I'll owe him something in return." Fray nodded in understanding.
"Shall I send a telegram to request a meeting with his Majesty?"
"Please do." Astrophel leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he murmured, "You're the only one I trust to handle this properly." Fray exited the throne room with a satisfied grin.
___________________
The king of Zlork stared at the telegram before him, his personal knight, Rugal, watching closely. The two had been friends since childhood, yet the king remained an enigma.
"I'll accept it," Alexander declared after a moment of silence.
"Yes, sir." Rugal waved his hand over the magical parchment, selecting the option to accept. Within moments, Astrophel received confirmation, and the meeting was scheduled for the following afternoon.
Few knew Alexander's real name; most referred to him as the "Blood King" or "Warlord." He despised both titles but allowed them to linger, as they served to instill fear.
The council room was empty save for the two friends; Alexander had deliberately kept it that way. Rising from his chair, he gestured for Rugal to follow him.
"Are you going to share my bed tonight? I usually only allow women, but I'll make an exception for you." Alexander's teasing tone caught Rugal off guard. He nearly choked, nearly spilling his drink onto the luxurious red carpet.
"My king, you shouldn't jest like that; what if someone overhears?"
"They won't."
_______________
The day flew by, and Alexander sat in the head chair of the council room, Rugal standing vigil by his side. The previous day's events were distant memories. Fray accompanied Astrophel, flanked by two well-trained guards.
Astrophel took a seat at the far end of the table, usually reserved for the queen, asserting an air of equality that irritated Alexander, though he refrained from voicing his displeasure. "You seem to trust me. You've only brought one guard," Astrophel remarked, glancing at Rugal.
Alexander laughed coldly. "Trust you? Hardly." Astrophel raised an eyebrow, venom flaring in his eyes as Alexander continued. "I'm confident that my knight here could defeat thirty of your men."
Astrophel smirked, redirecting his gaze to Rugal. "And what if I convinced him to return with me?" His intent to provoke Alexander was clear, though he fell short.
"You could certainly try."
"Let's get to the reason I'm here." Alexander's dead, cold eyes locked onto Astrophel's. "I need a favor," Astrophel said after a moment, gauging Alexander's reaction. "My sister has gone missing, and she was last seen in your territory. I ask for your help in finding her."
Alexander's smile lacked warmth. "What's in it for me?"
Astrophel had little to offer, so he posed a direct question. "What would you like?"
"I want a wife." Rugal choked again, but a swift glance from Alexander restored his composure as he bowed in apology.
"What do you mean—" Astrophel began, but Alexander interrupted.
"I hear your sister is a stunning beauty."
Astrophel's glare intensified as realization dawned, but he maintained his composure. "My parents are ill; I can't decide that for her. If Astraea agrees when we find her, then we'll talk."
"Do we have a deal?" Astrophel asked, rising from his chair.
A slight nod from Alexander was all the confirmation Astrophel needed.
He left the palace hurriedly, unable to endure another moment in Alexander's presence. The tension between their countries felt palpable, and he feared that lingering any longer might ignite a war.
"What do you think of him?" Rugal and Fray asked simultaneously.
Alexander squinted, a sinister smile creeping across his lips. Astrophel's face twisted in disgust, his fists clenching at his sides. Both men replied in unison, "I don't like him."