Anthony's leg bounced under his desk, his knee bumping the underside of the table every time. In the room with him, a man named Samuel Snow stood attentively to his right. Samuel was an intelligent man with a quiet demeanor, but many thought his ever-present scowl made him more frightening that than the truth. Across from the desk, a civilian sat in a lone chair. He was watching the prince anxiously, as he held his wide-brimmed hat in his hands. Anthony continued to read over the papers on his desk. Samuel cleared his throat, "Your highness," he began. The prince glanced up at his assistant and stopped his leg from moving. Samuel gestured to the nervous man in the chair, and Anthony turned to face him.
"Ah, yes," the prince set down the papers, "you may go," he said to the man. He let out a deep breath as he stood from the seat.
"Thank you, your highness," he bowed then placed his hat on his head. When the door closed behind him, the prince resumed his reading and leg bouncing. Samuel glanced at the prince again and sighed.
"It's been three days, prince," he said his monotonous voice bordering annoyance, "the ride up the mountains takes about four days for the fastest messengers."
"But she did not arm herself," Anthony replied setting his papers down on the desk again, "what if she was attacked by a night beast?"
"Your highness, you forget who we are talking about," Samuel raised an eyebrow at his superior. He walked to the front of the desk and seated himself in the chair the man had sat in earlier. He crossed his leg over the other and folded his hands in his lap. "Maria Atalanta is not a meek noble woman," Anthony looked at Samuel then to the side again, "You know this," Samuel said. Princess Maria Atalanta, first born daughter of the old king Augustus Atalanta. After the revolution against her father, the new king had captured her with the intent to marry her to his own son to legitimize the new family's rule. Although the context was unpleasant, Anthony couldn't really say he disliked this plan. Even under the old king's rule, he was close with Mari much to the dislike of his mother.
"To have our son marry that halfling would undermine the entire purpose for the revolution," the queen had argued, "He should marry a true Atlantan noble." Mari's mother was a foreign noble, gifted from the Eastern Union to create good relations.
"To have our son marry into the old royalty would legitimize our reign," the new king answered, "the people would only see us as tyrants if we were to execute the child."
Right, Anthony's parents cared little for the actual family. Forget the fact that as previous Duke, the old king was in fact a great friend to his father, and he had betrayed that friend. Anthony's expression softened, "I only pray that she is safe," he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, Samuel gave a reassuring smile to his friend.
"And she will be. The princess is not one to cower in the dark." His smile then turned into a frown, "The worry should be whether the scholar is willing to help us."
"Given the fact it's Mari to seek him out, I don't think he has a choice in the matter," Anthony laughed, "Besides, the plan relies on this." his eyes stared off in the distance. His father had no right to overthrow the old king, and his family would have remained powerful anyway. However, the greed of his father and his mother's hatred for the old queen was too great for them to simply live on without tasting the throne. He looked up at Samuel, "Have you done what I've asked?"
He nodded, "I've destroy the third key just as you have requested. Although, I'm sure that her highness will realize that something is wrong." If there was anyone in the palace that could pose a threat to Anthony's plans it was the queen. As a major advocate of the church, Queen Antea was held in high regard by the religious head. She would have Mari executed immediately if she was caught, and the church would have no choice but to obey her wishes.
"She would not come for me even if I am discovered," Anthony said, "As the sole heir to the throne, his majesty won't allow the queen to punish me." His eyes darkened, "but Mari is the one in real danger." Samuel reached for the prince's hands making them go loose. He had unconsciously been clenching his fists.
"Then we must ensure she is not caught," Samuel said.
"Your highness," the men turned to the door. A guard stood panting in front of the entrance and said, "The queen is here to see you."
Anthony and Samuel glanced at each other and nodded. The prince turned to the guard, "Let her in." The guard nodded and slipped out of the room. When the door opened again, a woman entered. Her skin was pale like her hair and her eyes a vibrant green. She a cold gaze that made the guards stand taller as she walked past. Her lips curled upward as she approached the prince. Anthony stood from his desk and the men bowed to her. "Glory to her majesty," the prince said.
She nodded in approval, "Thank you, dear," she smiled, "I do apologize for coming unexpectedly, but I thought it important to speak to you."
"What is it, mother?"
She glanced at Samuel with frown. Seeming to understand, the man bowed again and made his way out of the room. When the door shut behind him, Queen Antea took her seat in the chair across from the desk. She raised an eyebrow at her son, "I know you helped her," she said coldly.
The prince shrugged and gave his mother a confused grin, "I don't know what you mean," he said.
"Don't play this game with me, Anthony," she sighed, "You're far too old for these tricks." She locked eyes with her son and her voice dropped, "I don't know how she tricked you, but this is the last time I will stand for this. She was captured from all of her other escape attempts, so this will be no different. However," she narrowed her eyes, "she won't be coming back alive."
Anthony stood from his desk, "She's to be the crowned princess," he stated.
"I've already spoken to your father, and he has agreed with me. Her actions thus far pose a threat to the crown. She will be executed once she is captured," Anthony slammed his hands on the desk and turned away from his mother. The queen stood up and walked over to him, "Dear, this will be a good thing. I don't know why you insist on marrying her, but now, you can be with better woman, a true Atlantan," she placed her hand on his shoulder, but he didn't look at her. Instead, he closed his eyes and bit his lip. She stared at him for a moment then took her hand off his shoulder backing away. "I will be leaving now; his majesty has ordered that you come to the meeting later. Something about monsters at the border," she glanced around the room then headed towards the door. She looked over at him once more before taking her leave.
Anthony turned around to look at the door and smiled.