Duran rode happily on his horse,he was on his way to the royal court beside him riding a horse, was his son Donarton.
The soon to be husband of the princess.
Duran smiled widely at the thought.
Duran was so happy when he had received the letter,which the queen had sent to him. Now everything was going as planned and soon he would be king.
Duran grinned.
"Father....since the princess doesn't want to get married, then why force her?" Donarton asked,his eyes filled with concern.
"She's a woman son,it's not her choice to get married when she wants...that's the custom and it can't be changed"
"What about me?...I am not ready to get married either atleast not yet" Donarton said.
" 'course You're" Duran replied.
He felt annoyed at what his son had said
'You have no choice son' He said inwardly then nudged his horse to go faster.
"Buckle up son and do not embarrass me when we get to the palace" he said
"Okay father"
Duran was annoyed with his son, he knew how soft hearted his son was and knew he wasn't really the right person to use for his great plan but he knew he had no choice as Donarton was his only child.
He knew he needed his son as he was the link between him and the throne.
' I hope you do the right thing son' he said inwardly
* * * *
As they rode on,Duran could see the palace's big gate from far and two guards who were standing afront the gate each holding an armour.
As they got closer Duran had expected them to move and open the gate for them but instead the opposite happened,they both stood at the afront the gate unmoving staring at them.
Duran could feel his rage rising but he had to control it as he knew that fighting wouldn't allow the guards open the gate.
"Duran....a far cousin to the queen" he said pointing at himself.
The guards still stood unmoving Duran had almost thought they were statue but he was sure he had seen one of them blink.
"Uhm...Queen Mira had sent for us" he said searching his clothes for something.
"Here" he said
"A letter" he handed a folded paper over to the guards.
One of them stretched his hands out to collect the paper,he went through it then handed it to the guard.
Duran was already getting impatient when the guards still not saying anything moved to open the gate for them.
'You know nothing of who you kept waiting ' he thought grinning as he rode inside, Donarton beside him.
As they rode inside the palace,other guards had come to collect their horses taking it to a stable. So Duran and Donarton had to walk to.
Duran looked around in awe at the beauty of the palace and couldn't believe that soon all of this would be his.
The compound was a vast one with people scurrying around the place doing their work, he could hear faint sound of metal hitting metal and guessed it was the sparring session.
'Soon all of this would be mine ' Duran thought as he walked through towards the main building where the royal court is located.
" My Lord" Duran heard a voice and turned to see who it was.
"The Queen sent us to you" A guard said avoiding eye contact with Duran.
"Follow me" he continued.
Duran smiled and thought he had a liking for this guard unlike the ones stationed at the gate, these one seemed nicer and Duran had decided to promote him once he's ruling but as for now he had to think of better things.
Which was to see the Queen.
They followed the guards into the magnificent building standing afront them, Duran looked around observing everything that was happening and choosing who he would want to work for him personally when he becomes king.
"I am to take you to the royal chamber where the His Majesty and Her Royal Highness are waiting for you" The guard said.
"Thank you" Donarton replied.
Duran gave no response as he saw no reason to,he just walked on head raised high .