When the King collected his calm, he rounded the desk. Glancing at the crack in the wood, he no longer planned to sit down and picked up his son instead. The child noticed the cold and stiff. Tsk. He handed the boy to the old eunuch before speaking to the two Generals. "We plan on sending Lady Vallerie back to Sommersgate."
As if the scene before had not affected them in the slightest, the Generals reacted. "Your Majesty! This won't do. If Lady Vallerie were to return to the south, the Ducal territory will only be strengthened!" General Khanzi refuted.
"This minister agrees. The Duke will not let the Lady go-"
"Quiet!" The King roared. The Generals shut up.
"Lady Vallerie must return home regardless. Contrary to your belief, she is not a prisoner to the Palace but an important guest. We will send her home because now, this King will have a request that the House cannot refuse. The Lady will give us enough provisions for the coming months. Your duties are to form a team to escort the grain and grass to the North. For only this, I will give you temporary control of the Ministry of Household affairs. No mistakes will be made."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The two said in unison.
~~~
When the men were dismissed, the King took back the stiff child. Raising his son up to eye level, he studied his small face. Fear was evident, tears were evident, the tense muscles, pursed lips and furrowed brows were all evident.
What the King could not understand was why the child did not cry. "Such a weak thing. You are scared of just that little bit of bloodshed?" The King's eyes weren't that of a kind father's anymore, but neither were they the impervious sovereign's. Ulfstead slowly let out his breath and blinked his eyes. Despite feeling calmer, a single tear still fell. The King did not wipe it off. "You will inherit this King's throne one day. You cannot fear violence. You cannot fear death. Everything that we have was given through the lives of many. For all those who forget, should die. Do you understand this King?"
Ulfstead understood, yet he did not. He was not from this world. His thoughts and beliefs were formed in a civilization far more advanced than here. The world he lived in was peaceful. Even though there was war, it had nothing to do with him. Even though there were people who were starving… it had nothing to do with him. He was an orphan. He was sick. The most noble thing he had ever done was pick up a stray cat and sometimes make visits to an elderly woman. Other than that, he had nothing to his name, therefore he had nothing to give.
In this world, he was adored, loved, and envied. His toys were crafted with gold and silver. His clothes were made from the finest cloth. He had only understood a glimpse of the outside world through his fathers stories, but he hadn't truly registered that these atrocities were real. For now, it had nothing to do with him. But in the future...
The Prince was now living in a world filled with more honor and wealth than he could ever dream of. At the same time, this was a world with more pain and suffering than he could ever comprehend. Yet, this didn't matter. Even if he could never comprehend, the Prince could never forget.
For all those who forget, should die.