"King Solemn, we need to make connections right now. We could propose the engagement of Prince Ceaser to Princess Eve. It will be a convenient alliance seeing as Queen Terra and Queen Rakka are aquitances; relatives."
The king sat silently while his councilors discussed what had been said by Lord Bartimus. He didn't like the idea of Ceaser been engaged to Princess Eve; he was no good for the sweet girl. To top it all, he had no manners whatsoever. He was almost certain the boy would make their situation worse.
The kingdom's welfare depended on this alliance. The kingdom of Zeth had strong military command and wealth. In comparison, the kingdom of Dreg was one of of the weakest and poorest after Solemn's acsension to the throne. He knew that every man present in the meeting favoured his younger brother more. If he refused their suggestion he was certain it wouldn't work in his favour.
"That is good, Bartimus. I will have a notice written to Zeth by the marrow. In a fortnight, I will travel there myself if they agree." he said finally.
Lord Bartimus grinned at the complement.
"I am aware of the situation of the kingdom, Sire," said an old man abruptly," It is high time you started going about your duties as a king."
The King's younger brother smiled coyly after the old man's words were uttered. He was a man who could see the future and it was obvious that the council members would agree with him. They all agreed but they didn't want to speak against the king openly.
"They times ahead are dire and the engagement... won't go through."
There were collective gasps about the engagement. Solemn couldn't believe what he was hearing. This man had dared to speak against him in the presence of everyone.
"What are you implying, Philip?" he said ignoring all honorifics.
"Step down Solemn," he answered just as rudely,"Let your brother rule."
Solemn said nothing. The throne was his birth right; he couldn't just hand it over to Julius. If he could prove this man wrong...if the engagement went through then he could stay king a little longer.
"Let me try my luck with the engagement. If I fail...," his voice cracked so he let out a suffocated cough," I..... will step down."
No one spoke then but Solemn could tell that everyone was content with his decision. No one would wallow over this injustice; not even his wife, he was sure. His son....no. And the happiest in all this would be his brother, Julius. Where did he lose track? It was when he married that woman. Terra had been bad luck for him since the time he had married her fifteen years ago. For ten years she had a series of miscarriages and still-bornes. Their son Ceaser was also a bundle of bad luck for on the day he was born, the sky darkened and the guards positioned around the delivery room died mysteriously. Everyone knew it as the 'Night of the Devil's Visit'.
Solemn remained seated even as the men started to leave. His face had shriveled up as one who hadn't eaten for days. His usually expressive pale blue eyes now looked grey and lifeless. The wine glass from which he had been drinking fell when he tried to get up. He felt helplessness engulf him. He knew that the engagement would never take place and it made him tremble. The Great Hall fell silent and a cold wind swept through the room. Solemn shivered and then the door was pushed open.
Terra walked in and bowed slightly before she made her way to where he sat. He beheld her beauty once more. He should have waited a little longer to get to know her before he married her. She was a woman any man would want and she was his; but that fact unnerved him. Maybe he should have let Julius marry her when his brother had begged him for her hand?
" I need you to tell your son that we will be leaving in three days for Zeth."
"Why are we going there all of the sudden?" she inquired.
"For the boy's engagement. Talk to Rakka nicely this time around."
"Engagement? You think I would.."
Solemn slapped her before she could finish speaking.
"You will do as I command woman."
Terra had fallen from the impact and she held her burning cheek. Solemn left the room and Terra begun to sob bitterly. She didn't want her son to be used as a political tool.