At the kingdom of Tario, Princess Gwen welcomed an unexpected guest. One she dreaded meeting again.
"Duke?" she greeted questioningly with an expressionless face.
The prince sighed, knowing too well why he was receiving such a cold welcome.
"Gwen," he greeted with a soft tone. He had not seen her in over three years but their parting was still very fresh in his mind.
"To what do we owe this visit?"the princess asked with the same expression.
"Still mad at me I see," he responded, trying to make eye contact with her but she would not even look at him.
"What are you doing here?" Princess Gwen asked coldly while the maids exchanged looks. Prince Duke was a royal who should be welcomed as such, but their princess was shooting daggers at him instead.
Prince Duke was not the least surprised by her expression. He expected it and deserved worse. He sighed, hoping that one day he would get a chance to explain himself to her.
"I need to speak to King Vincent. It's urgent," he said, his voice emphasising the urgency of his visit.
The princess looked suspiciously at him. Her cousin never did any business with the manipulative, greedy kingdom of Ranic. She could not think of any reason why it's prince would be having urgent matters to discuss with him.
"Is this one of your kingdom's ploys?"she asked. "You must know that if you try what you did with Olympia here, we will burn that kingdom of yours into ashes," she warned. She was very protective of her very powerful cousin and her beloved kingdom.
"I assure you that I come in good faith," Prince Duke responded, hoping that she would believe him. This was a matter of life and death for him. His whole future depended on it.
"Ranic never does anything in good faith. You don't know the meaning of that word," she spat out, disgust evident in her voice.
The Prince's most trusted guards exchanged worried looks. They were ashamed of what their once mighty kingdom had become known for. Not only that, they were terrified of being in Tario and meeting its powerful monarch who recently defeated them on Olympia's behalf. The welcome by its princess was really worrying.
"True, but I give you my word that…" Prince Duke tried to explain.
"Your word means nothing!"she interjected angrily. Prince Duke was taking her for a fool when she knew all too well how despicable and cruel his kingdom and family was.
"What happened was beyond my control, Gwen. Please, I need…" Prince Duke tried to explain right before King Vincent walked in.
"Duke of Ranic. To what do we owe this pleasure," King Vincent asked sarcastically while Prince Duke bowed respectfully before him.
"I sincerely apologise for showing up unannounced, Your Highness. I am aware of the royal protocols but I had to be discreet. I bring an urgent matter that could not wait," Prince Duke explained, piquing both the king and princess' curiosity.
"If this is some ploy by your kingdom I suggest you head out before you open your mouth. I do not tolerate conniving and will not spare your life. This warning is the only kindness I bestow upon you," King Vincent warned.
Prince Duke bowed again, not surprised by his reception. His family did have a reputation he was very ashamed of.
"I lay my title and citizenship in your hands. His Highness may execute me without any trial should he find me deceitful in any way," he vowed.
"That is a risky move. Follow me," King Vincent said, leading the prince to his study.
"I come in good faith," the prince insisted and followed behind the king.
"You too Gwen," King Vincent called to his cousin without looking back.
The princess sighed. She appreciated that her cousin involving her in all royal business and decisions but this was a meeting she would rather miss. Not ready to explain herself, which she would have to if wanting to be excused, she followed the two men to the study and closed the door.
"Let's hear it,"King Vincent commanded his visitor.
"Father wants Olympia's coal and gold. He was close to winning it until you got involved," Prince Duke got to the point while the cousins exchanged looks.
"Your union to Zaria will be the end to that dream. Destroying that union had become my family's priority," he continued.
"I see,"King Vincent responded with a voice devoid of any emotions.
"You will be drugged at the royal ball tomorrow. I don't know who will succeed between my sister and Sarika. Whoever wins will according to the plan conceive your heir," the prince said while Princess Gwen's jaw dropped, shocked.
"And automatically become my queen," King Vincent completed his statement.
"You will be obliged to according to our laws,"the prince proceeded.
"Except I would not be caught dead with Sarika of your sister. No offence."
"None taken. It is common knowledge that you have never seen Zaria in person. It will be hard to make her out with everyone on the same gown and mask. You have asked for specifications of her gown, except her designer is making the exact gown for Sarika and my sister too,"the prince explained.
"Dear Lord!" Princess Gwen exclaimed, appalled. She did get all the specifications of Princess Zaria's gown for her cousin.
"Why are you telling me all of this?" King Vincent asked, suspiciously.
"Self preservation and duty to my people," he prince confessed.
"You do realise what this means for your family?"
"Hence the self preservation, Your Highness."
"How do I know that you don't just want your father's throne and hoping that I do the dirty work for you?" King Vincent asked, pulling his leg.
"His Highest may carefully watch everything that happens at the ball. I don't want Father's throne, I just want peace and prosperity for my people. They are tired of always being at odds with our neighbours, I am too,"the prince explained with s melancholic voice. There really was no need for his kingdom to be fighting with its neighbours. They had mines of their own but his parents wanted more.
King Vincent studied the prince for a minute. He knew that the people of Ranic liked him more than his father. He also knew all about the greedy King Marius and did not doubt a word his son was telling him.
"Thank you for warning me, I really appreciate it," he said sincerely. He would definitely lose Zaria if he ended up in bed and impregnated any of the princesses or any woman for that matter.
"I am afraid that is not all, Your Highness."
King Vincent raised his right eyebrow at the prince.
"Over half a million from my kingdom has been paid to Sarika who paid a man paid to sweep your betrothed off her feet."
"What?" Princess Gwen was flabbergasted. This was the most absurd thing she had ever had but Ranic had done worse things before.
"He is making good progress according to Sarika,"the prince said softly.
Prince Gwen massaged her already painful temples. Her cousin was tense as is about Zaria not wanting to wed him. Hearing that another man was paid and actually succeeding was due to make matters worse.
"Interesting," King Vincent said, his reaction shocking both the prince and princess. They both knew how possessive he was over Princess Zaria, but did not seem concerned at all about another man sweeping her off her feet.
"Zaria is my queen and the only one I will ever have. Our union was stamped twenty-one years ago. The wedding is just a formality. That is regardless of what Sarika, your sister or the hired man does," he said carelessly before dismissing Prince Duke.
"Vince, still, this could destroy both of you," Princess Gwen finally broke her silence.
King Vincent opened one of the drawers and took out twenty-one year old treaty documents and placed them in front of his worried cousin.
The Princess scanned through the documents before paging back, narrowing her eyes while reading it again.
"This is not just a treaty, Vince," she concluded.
He chuckled, taking out an envelope and passing it to her.
She pulled out the certificate and looked at him for explanation, too shocked to even utter her question.
He raised his arms innocently. "I didn't know either until a few days ago when I was looking through the treaty documents," he explained.
"Your parents must have known something for them to go to this length. Even if Father succeeded in killing you, Zaria would be the rightful heir. Even if this hired man or any other man won her over, her union would be null and void," she summarised her chaotic thoughts.
"It seems like it. It's the only explanation for their actions," King Vincent responded in agreeing with her assessment of the situation.