"Ahh, Prince Micheal, come and sit with us." Micheal looked at the source of the voice. He was a big man with long black hair and a crown full of jewels. The other men at the table looked at Micheal with eyes full of arrogance.
"Greeting King Snowid." Micheal gave a deep bow before taking a seat at the table. A satisfied smile spread on Snowid's face as he looked at his display. Servants came in, bringing an array of dishes for the guests. Micheal looked at the food in front of him with a suspicious eye. Ever since being here, he had felt trapped, knowing that his life could be ended at any moment. He had been waiting for Alfred to send spies to poison his food or have Snowid kill him after his claim became unimportant.
Paranoia was eating away at Micheal as it showed in his body. He had become notably skinnier; his eyes had bags underneath them, and his appearance was dishevelled. The nobles of the Commonwealth looked at him with smug appearances. Micheal could only grit his teeth as he chose to ignore all the looks he got and focus on the food in front of him. Despite his appearance, he didn't lose the manners one would expect of a noble.
The feast was quick, with the table being quickly cleared. Snowid clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. "As we all know, war between us and the Kingdom is imminent to push Prince Micheal's claim." Everyone smiled in satisfaction as they all began to murmur about the future. Snowid quickly quieted them, "Despite this, it would be a shame if, after this war, we return to being enemies. Isn't that right, Micheal?"
Micheal looked at the sly glint in his eyes and forced out a polite smile, "Of course. Why be enemies when we follow the same God." Everyone nodded in agreement with his words.
"That's why I propose an alliance... through marriage." Micheal looked at the man in front of him with a stern face as he wondered what he was trying to do. Snowid got up and began to walk around the table slowly, "You see, my eldest daughter recently found herself widowed. A truly tragic accident, but one I'm sure the lord created for us." Snowid stood next to Micheal, taking a document from his cloak and unrolling it before him. "And so why don't you marry her?"
Micheal gave it a read, but his face noticeably darkened as he finished. "You can't be serious. Me marrying into your family. I'm not a woman." Micheal got up in annoyance as he looked up at Snowid's eyes. His towering figure loomed over him as Micheal let in a little gulp.
Snowid smiled, showing his teeth. He placed his hand on Micheal's shoulder. "You don't have a choice. If I want, I can send you back to your land as a favour to your nephew." Micheal felt the weight of the man's hand on his shoulder as his grip got tighter. Micheal didn't show weakness as he shook him off.
"Even if you push the marriage, the church won't agree." Micheal pleaded his case. He glanced at the contract and gritted his teeth again as he tried to find a way out of it. Snowid audible sighed as he pushed Micheal into the chair.
"Don't push my patience, Micheal. Do you think your claim is my only way to invade the Kingdom? Using you is the best way, so I don't owe favours to the church. A kid is in charge. No one would care if I take over under the guise of establishing proper leadership."
Micheal looked up at Snowid with smug eyes. "But what makes you so sure you would win without me? You never won before." Micheal gave a small chuckle whilst Snowid's face darkened. He slammed his fist on the table, staring at Micheal with bloodthirsty eyes.
"You think I would lose to a mere child?" His voice came out almost as a growl as he radiated a dangerous aura. The nobles sitting around the table began to sweat, trying to hide themselves. Micheal, however, remained unafraid, laughing in Snowid's face.
"You think that demon is a mere child. I saw it, those eyes that hold nothing behind them. People seem to think this only happened after he became king, but I'm sure, since birth, he was the devil." His eyes showed a primal fear as thoughts about Alfred flooded his mind, "He killed his mother at birth. He would stab himself with pens and knives as a baby. No animal was allowed near him." The colour drained from his face as his tone became hysterical, "I thought I finally killed him. I felt his heart stop, but he came back. He must be the evil described in the scriptures."
Snowid looked at Micheal's appearance, stepping back from the man. The fear coming off him was something that he had never seen. The display started to convince him there could be some truth to his words. Before, Snowid had thought of Alfred as a child with potential. It was simply due to his nation not falling into civil war yet. However, seeing Micheal's display now made him have another thought. He had reports of what happened in the Open Hall. He didn't doubt Alfred had done it, having killed at his age as well.
But the story of resurrecting felt like propaganda to him. Still, it made him think more about what he knew about Alfred. As a kid, his father had hidden him away from the majority of the public view, fearing his assassination. After being crowned, reports of his competence came through, as well as his private affairs. It made Snowid think about the report, which told of Alfred walking through the palace halls as if he had bathed in blood. Things didn't add up. He was too competent as a child ruler for someone who has sheltered his whole life. But, it also made sense for his low attachment to human life if he was kept away from it. Snowid squinted tightly as he made an image of a sadistic ruler in mind.
"You two, take him to his room. He's not in the condition to talk anymore." Snowid spoke to two guards who escorted Micheal away. Looking at his vassals, he saw glimpses of fear and knew he had to ease their nerves. "My people. Don't be afraid of that man's words. What is a child to our great nation? So what if he is a demon? We have the Lord's purifying power on our side." His hands slammed on the table, "This war is already won. Their eastern border is in ruins, and we have the perfect guide in another room. Victory is all but assured."
The nobles looked at each other, the fire relighting once again. They all hyped one another up with simple looks. "Long Live Snowid! Glory to the Commonwealth!" One shouted, getting everyone to look at him.
"Long Live Snowid! Glory to the Commonwealth!"
"Long Live Snowid! Glory to the Commonwealth!"
The crises bounced off the walls all over the room as all the nobles joined in. The previous fears and nerves washed away instantly as they all rallied behind the cheer. Snowid looked at the people before him with pride, basking in their shouts.