Prince Stephan walked down the long passage that led to a secret room at the north wing of the castle. He constantly looked behind him, checking to see if he was being followed. He couldn't let the guards discover him. Not even the Queens. He had an image to maintain. In the castle and the whole kingdom, he was seen as the quiet one. He didn't even bother fighting with his step brothers over the crown to the Kingdom. He had his own plans. He just didn't show his obsession with the crown the way his step brothers did. Stephan was charming, as charming as any Prince could be. He had his mother's hair, a riot of auburn curls that framed his gentle face. Lush lashes framed his light brown eyes, giving him an innocent look. But Prince Stephan was anything but innocent. He was the deadliest of the Princes. He laid low so no one would have the slightest inkling of what he had in mind and then he would strike when people least expected it. He had his eyes on the crown and he was already planning his way to the throne. His step brothers could keep fighting themselves. He would make sure the crown got to him. And then he would wipe out everyone of them and rule with his sweet mother by his side. He smiled just thinking of it. His plans were already in motion. He got to the door and knocked twice on it, then he waited. Someone opened the door from within and Stephan slipped into the room.
"Tell me everything",a hard voice demanded.
"The boy is alive",Stephan said to the person inside the room. "I received news from the spies today. The midwives lied about his death. He didn't die at birth".
"Go on",the voice said again.
"He lives with his mother in the woodlands",Stephan continued. "The boy has no idea he's the King's son".
"And how do you know this?",the voice asked.
"He was present at the Kingdom square today",Stephan reported. "He stopped the King from hurting an old woman. From the way His Majesty stared at him, I think he noticed the resemblance of the boy to that of his former mistress".
"And what did the King do?",the voice asked.
"He did nothing",Stephan said. "The boy lied about his mother though. It could be he felt he should protect his mother from the King".
The person in the room went quiet for a while. Stephan remained where he stood, waiting for the next order.
"The plan is going accordingly to how we want it",the voice said. "Lying about his mother makes it all the better. But we must make sure the King never finds out about the woman. It would ruin everything".
"Should we kill the mother?",Stephan asked.
"No",the voice said. "Not yet. The boy isn't ordinary. He is half demon and half angel, making him the most powerful creature in the land of Duville. Though he doesn't know about his powers yet, we can't strike now. Keep an eye on him and his mother. And the friend that follows his about. I want news of everything that he does. Soon the time will come when we will end him and his mother. He is a threat to the crown and we can't let anyone find out about him. Especially the King".
"Of course",Stephan said.
"Also",the voice added. "Watch him for any signs of his powers. We must suppress it in order for us to strike. He has two strong bloodlines in him. We can't afford to lose".
"I will do as you say",Stephan said and turned to go.
"One more thing",the voice said. "Bring me the maids that lied about his death. We must silence them immediately".
"Consider it done master",Stephan said and walked out of the room. He looked around him to make sure there was no one nearby and he took a different path and walked away.
The person inside the room walked towards the wall and pushed a loose brick. The wall shifted and opened, revealing a dark path within. The person entered the dark passage and the wall returned to its position.
______________________________________________
King Cyrus just returned to the castle and was heading towards his chambers when a guard stopped before him and bowed.
"Your Majesty",the guard said.
"Speak!",King Cyrus ordered.
"The Queens and the Princes are waiting for you in the throne room. Her Majesty, Queen Annabelle is emotional and refuses to be consoled".
"What could be the problem now?",King Cyrus asked as he changed directions and walked towards the throne room. Halfway there he could hear soft sobbing and he concluded that it was indeed Queen Annabelle.
"What in the gods name is going on here?",he asked as he entered the throne room. Queen Catherine was standing beside the throne, hands folded and looking annoyed. Ferdinand stood beside her with head bowed. Queen Diana stood on the other side beside Queen Annabelle and she was trying to console her. Stephan and Apollo were beside them with their heads bowed.
"Greetings Your Majesty",they all mumbled and the Queens curtsied while the Princes bowed. Only Queen Annabelle remained on the ground, sobbing softly. Queen Diana stood up and stepped aside as the King approached her.
"What is wrong my love?",King Cyrus asked. Queen Annabelle was his favorite and he didn't hide his obvious affection for her. As for Queen Catherine, it had been an arranged marriage therefore he felt nothing for her. He only gave her respect as his first Queen. Queen Diana had been chosen for him by the three wise men and he only cared about her wellbeing, since she was so young. The only woman he had affections for was Queen Annabelle because he had chosen her himself to be his Queen.
"Your Majesty",Queen Catherine interrupted quickly. "It was just a minor issue..."
"Hold your tongue Catherine",King Cyrus snapped at her. "I haven't permitted you to speak".
Catherine was deeply hurt by the way he treated her but there was nothing she could do. She shot a hard look towards her son. This was all his fault.
"Your Majesty",Queen Annabelle whispered. Her eyes were dried but she wiped them so Cyrus wouldn't notice her tears were fake. "I walked in on Ferdinand today. He had my Apollo pinned to the wall, strangling and punching him. He almost killed my son". Her voice turned to a whisper at the end and she began crying again.
"Apollo",King Cyrus called.
"Yes father",Apollo answered and looked up. His nose was swollen and crooked. The punch he received had hit its mark. It would have to heal before it could be straightened.
"Who did this to you?",King Cyrus asked.
"It was my step brother, Ferdinand", Apollo said meekly. He had to play his part well so his father's pity would fall on him.
"Is this true Ferdinand?",King Cyrus asked.
Ferdinand sighed. There was no way he could deny it. He was trapped. "Yes father. But I was only..."
"Enough",King Cyrus ordered. Then he turned towards Apollo.
"What occured between the both of you?",he asked. "I leave the castle for a few hours and this is what I come back to meet? Have you no regard for me?".
"Forgive me father",Apollo said. "I never had any intention of disregarding you. Earlier today, I walked in on Ferdinand with his hands all over a common maid. He was ready to lay with her if I hadn't appeared in time. In his anger of being caught red handed in something you've warned us against, he attacked me. I couldn't defend myself and that was when my mother arrived".
Ferdinand wanted to defend himself but there was no way. Everything Apollo said was true and there was no way out.
"Am I to believe that this is true Catherine?",King Cyrus asked his Queen this time.
Catherine couldn't cover up for her son this time. She closed her eyes briefly and then opened it.
"It is the truth Your Majesty",she said.
"Guards",King Cyrus called out.
Two armed guards rushed into the throne room and bowed.
"Your Majesty",the said.
"Escort Prince Ferdinand to the dungeons",King Cyrus said.
"The dungeons?",the guards asked in surprise.
"Your Majesty please you can't do this", Catherine pleaded.
"Silence Catherine!",King Cyrus ordered. "I will not have a son who disobeys me and has no regards for my instructions. I have been too soft on them. From now on, they shall be punished severely for the slightest error".
"Please Your Majesty",Queen Diana went on her knees and pleaded. "Give him one more chance, I beg you".
King Cyrus looked over to Diana and was quiet for a while. Diana was always the shy quiet type and had never requested for anything. To plead on Ferdinand's behalf was a first and he didn't have the heart to refuse her. It was her first request after all.
"Very well",King Cyrus said finally. "But he shall be punished as an example to the others never to disobey me. Take him to the courtyard and give him fifteen lashes. That should do it".
King Cyrus turned and walked out of the throne room leaving everyone staring after him. The guards walked towards Ferdinand and led him away.
Queen Annabelle stopped her false sobbing and got on her feet with a satisfied smile on her face.
"You!",Queen Catherine said viciously and walked towards Queen Annabelle.
"You think you're so smart",she said while she struggled to hold her anger back. "I know you caused this. You made my son lose control and now he is to be whipped like a servant!".
"I have no idea what you mean Lady Catherine",Queen Annabelle said innocently but her eyes were malicious. "You would have done the same if it were you, wouldn't you? My son is going to be the next King of Duville, so I must protect him at all cost".
"You snake",Queen Catherine hissed in anger.
"Mind your tongue Lady Catherine", Queen Annabelle said as her smile disappeared. Her green eyes burned with animosity and she glared at Catherine.
"You might be the first Queen but I'm obviously the King's favorite. One word from me and you might be the one locked up behind the bars".
Queen Catherine stared at her in anger but she couldn't do anything. If she attacked her, she would be the one to be punished. She couldn't tell the King because he would probably never listen to her. She could only control her anger and wait for a perfect time to retaliate.
Noticing that Catherine didn't try to act again, Queen Annabelle smiled smugly.
"I'm glad we're clear on that",she said and pushed passed Catherine. "Come on Apollo. We have more important things to do". Her eyes moved over to Diana and she walked passed her like Diana didn't exist. Apollo followed behind his mother and they walked out of the throne room. Queen Diana didn't want to face the anger of Catherine so she quietly took her son with her and they left the throne room.
Queen Catherine was left alone. She couldn't bear to watch her son being whipped. She marched off to her chambers and her mind buzzed with different plans. She wouldn't let Annabelle and her son get away with what they did.