Larza, Captial city of Sinatra.
-King's palace-
"I can't stand traitors. You should have known that Marcus," King Solomon smirked at the badly beaten tousled man who served him as one of the counselors until he was captured today before giving the crucial information about upcoming combat with the Nemesis's messenger.
"Please, my lord. I have lost my mind to do such a thing. Forgive me, I will serve you like a dog for the rest of my life," Marcus begged, crying hard.
"It's too late for that. You should have thought about this before betraying me," King Solomon got no mercy for those crocodile tears. He ordered the guards to hang him in the middle of the city so that it would intimate anyone who has a thought to betray this Kingdom and this throne.
The hall went silent after they dragged Marcus who yelled, cried for his life.
"Damn, he's too loud," the King remarked to his brother Oliver, who's also his close associate.
"Yes. Glad that we found him before the battle," Oliver said.
"Do you think there is anyone other than him?"
"No, I believe he's the one and we can't doubt all the loyal people around us," Oliver said.
"Yes, you are right," Solomon nodded in frustration.
He asked the counselors and ministers to leave the manor so that he could talk about some private issues.
"Do you have any idea about where is my son?"
"The crown prince has headed west. That's what I heard two days back,"
"For what?" Solomon frowned.
"I have no idea,"
"Why did he go to that forest?"
"You know he's a keen hunter. Perhaps that could be the reason," Oliver supposed.
King Solomon huffed knowing that he isn't a virtuous father to his great son.
"I couldn't understand him anymore. Lately, he isn't staying in the palace and it worries me,"
"Can I give you a piece of advice, brother," Oliver asks.
"Yes, tell me, Oliver,"
"He's the crown prince and going to be the next King. He's already twenty-five,"
"I know where you are getting at,"
"Then order him to get married,"
"Do you think he will listen to me?"
"Of course, he will listen to you. He's not that notorious,"
"You don't know about him. Ever since he found out about my affair with that maiden, he assassinating me with his eyes,"
"Are you ashamed? So that's why you ended the affair?"
"That's not the reason. I realized my responsibility which is to be a good father to Theodore. His mother's last wish was that,"
"You took the right decision," Oliver smiled.
"Theodore came back to the palace this morning,"
"Why you didn't tell me this before?"
"I was about to, but you distracted me," Oliver complained.
"Have you asked him to meet me?"
"Yes, I did. He will be here at any moment and Theo looked not well, so talk kindly,"
"Don't scare me. I got a lot of things in my head already," Solomon sighed. "I should better be prepared to talk with him,"
"I never know you would become so terrified of your son,"
"What can I do? He got my respect so I am afraid of him," The King said.
"What Maximus is up to?"
"I sent him to the east. Sargon's soldiers were rioting again," Oliver replied.
"Such a headache this is. Even if we won the last battle, these god damn soldiers were failing to notice their reality that they were mere prisoners. They were thinking they will be saved by Sargon when we are winning this war," King Solomon mocked. "Better execute them all. We don't need these men in our Kingdom,"
"Sure, I will pass on the message," Oliver agreed.
That time, the guards at the grand door announced the arrival of the Crown prince of Sinatra, Knight of the east, Theodore Hendrix.
A striking young man, dressed up in the Royal apron came in briskly. King Solomon's eyes carried a proud excitement to meet his son.
"Greetings, my lord," his raspy well-modulated voice suits his well-built frame. He bowed in front of his father and looked at him, coldly.
"Finally, you are here. Where have been in the past week? I was worried sick," Solomon talked like a father after many days. "You should have told me that you are heading west,"
Theodore looked at his father, that slight glimpse is enough to silence him.
"I went for Hunting. I needed some time away from the palace and everything," Theodore answered.
"Why you didn't tell me before leaving? You know what kind of situation we are in right now,"
"That's why I didn't tell anyone where I am going but it looks like someone has already tracked me down," Theodore glared at his Uncle Oliver before shifting his eyes to his father.
"Besides, I know how to protect myself,"
Theodore's answers were sharp, meticulous, and strong enough to not let anyone talk back. Even the King staggered to question his further.
This is one of the reasons why Theodore is highly respected by everyone. He's a great warrior and his honesty put him on top of the pedestal. But no one knows that he has some big muscular secrets within himself.
"I am thinking about heading to the north tomorrow,"
"To the battlefield?" The King got surprised.
"Yes, that's what I said,"
"But you just returned,"
"I don't have anything to do here. I can't waste any more of my time," Theodore answered.
"Stay at home with me,"
"What are you talking about, father? We got a battle to fight and we don't know when Sargon will strike again. We need to be prepared so I have to go,"
"It's a request," Solomon smiled.
Theodore grimaced, seeing his father's careless attitude. He realized that his father is planning something.
"What is this about?"
"I just want you to relax a bit. You shouldn't keep running like this,"
"But…" Theodore isn't in the mood to give up this argument.
"Sorry to interpret, as per the recent message we got, Sargon isn't going to strike for the next few months," Oliver stated.
"Is this reliable information? We have been hearing a lot of false news lately," Theodore asked.
"Yes, it is," Solomon accepted. It couldn't be wrong if that comes from his father.
"Then we should use this chance to weaken his forces,"
"Oh, dear heavens. Why can't you stop being a warrior for just a minute," his father frowned.
Theodore seemed confused and there's this underlying anxiousness made him sweat.
"Fine, I will stay inside these four walls, with you," he agreed. "If you let me, I will go,"
"Wait, I have a few things to talk to you,"
"What are those," Theodore scratched his head, conveying that he's so bored already.
"I want you to get married,"