The throne room was bustling with activity as courtiers and nobles went about their daily tasks. The air was thick with the scent of rich fabrics and polished wood, the sound of whispers and footsteps echoing off the high ceiling. Despite the commotion, Kiyoshi remained stoically seated on his throne, his gaze fixed on the far-off horizon, lost in thought.
Then the throne room doors swung open and in rushed in the royal advisor, his face pale and his expression worried. He hurried over to where Kiyoshi sat, bowing deeply before speaking. "Your Majesty," he finally began, "there is a...grave matter at hand" Kiyoshi's eyebrow raised slightly as he regarded the advisor, a faint flicker of annoyance flaring in his eyes. "Speak." The advisor took a shaky breath before continuing.
"There have been… disappearances. Vampire children from our realm and human children from Niameda have been vanishing without a trace. At first, we thought it was the work of bandits or some other small-time threat. But after further investigation, it has become clear that this is the doing of someone, or something, much more sinister." The advisor paused, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to convey the gravity of the situation. "We fear that this may be the work of a traitor within our ranks, or perhaps even an outside force seeking to disrupt the peace that has been so carefully maintained between our kingdoms."
"Missing? Since when?" Kiyoshi's voice was cold and distant, his gaze fixed on the floor between them.
"A week, Your Majesty," the advisor stammered. "It began a week ago with the disappearance of a human child from one of the villages near the border. We thought it was an isolated incident, but then more children started vanishing. And then..." His voice trailed off as he struggled to find the words. "And then, just yesterday, the body of one of our own was discovered in the forest, drained of blood. It was clear that this was no mere banditry."
"A week?!" Kiyoshi slammed his fist on the throne's armrest, sending a ripple of sound through the throne room. "And no one thought to inform me of this until now?" His gaze swept over the courtiers, their faces pale and fearful under his scrutiny. "As my advisor, it is your duty to bring such matters to my attention immediately!"
The advisor bowed his head in submission. "I understand, Your Majesty. Prince Daemon did assure us he would inform you – later…"
"Later!" Kiyoshi snapped, his anger simmering. "This demands immediate action. Summon the council. We have initiated a full-scale investigation. Inform the citizens of Ivamis to be vigilant and keep their children close. And most importantly," he added, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "draft a message to King Madoc of Niameda. We require an urgent meeting to address this...transgression."
The advisor, though shaken, nodded vigorously. "It shall be done, Your Majesty. I will see to the preparations immediately." With a final bow, he spun on his heel and hurried away, the sound of his retreating footsteps fading into the background noise of the bustling throne room.
As Kiyoshi settled back into his throne. How dare Prince Daemon keep this information from him? He would have words with his brother later. For now, he needed to focus on the matter at hand. The throne room doors opened once more, and a messenger hurried in, his face pale and his breath coming in quick gasps. He bowed deeply before speaking.
"Your Majesty, I have news from King Madoc of Niameda. He has received your message and has agreed to an urgent meeting. He has proposed that we convene at the neutral ground of the abandoned temple in the forest, as it is a place of significance to both our kingdoms. He assures us that this location will ensure the safety of all involved." Kiyoshi's eyebrows rose as he listened intently to the messenger's words.
He leaned forward slightly in his throne, his elbows resting on his knees. "Very well," he said at last. "Tell King Madoc that we accept his proposal. We will meet him at the temple in two days' time. In the meantime, I want our best diplomats and spies to scour Ivamis and Niameda for any signs of this so-called transgressor. Bring them to justice and bring peace back to our kingdoms."
The tension in the dining hall was palpable as Nia entered and took her seat beside Kiyoshi. Prince Daemon sat beside his wife, Lady Elspeth, and Princess Serena sat beside Nia. Nia and Princess Serena exchanged a brief smile, both of them feeling uneasy about the reason they were there. Kiyoshi surveyed the room, his eyes lingering on each person before finally addressing them.
"Why did you conceal the disappearance of my subjects' children from me, brother?" Kiyoshi demanded; his tone cold.
"People are disappearing?" asked Princess Serena, her voice trembling with disbelief. "I had no idea."
Daemon merely smiled coldly at Kiyoshi's accusation. "Come now, I needn't trouble you with every minor peasant complaint, Your Majesty." He leaned forward, his gaze steady. "Besides, we had reason to believe that it was not our doing. We were focused on more pressing matters, such as the impending war with the goblins – here." he gestured to Nia, as if to remind everyone of the role her kingdom played in the conflict - "and the unrest in the eastern provinces."
"That was not your decision to make! I am the king, and those children are my responsibility, not yours!" Kiyoshi's face flushed with anger as he spoke. "And even if it wasn't our doing, it is affecting my people. I will not allow any harm to come to them."
Daemon's nonchalant facade finally cracked, his own anger rising to match his brother's. "Need I remind you that I am also a Prince of the royal blood? I bow to no one, not even you...dear brother." He spat the last words mockingly. "And as for those children, perhaps they merely wandered off. Or perhaps they were taken by someone unrelated to us. We cannot waste our time chasing every rumor and hearsay."
Kiyoshi was on his feet in an instant, his chair crashing to the floor behind him. "You rule nothing, Daemon! Our parents left me the crown because you were unfit to wear it!" The two brothers glared at each other; fists clenched at their sides. "You will not dismiss this matter so easily, not while children are in danger!"
Lady Elspeth, her face pale, put a hand on Daemon's arm. "Kiyoshi, please, my husband has just as much power as you. We cannot allow this to escalate further. We must find a way to work together." Her voice trembled, but there was disdain in her eyes as she looked at Kiyoshi.
"He has no power here!" Kiyoshi shouted; his face flushed with anger. He pointed a trembling finger at Daemon, who had risen from his seat as well. "You will address me as king! I am the one who sits upon the throne of Ivamis, and I will not be ignored!"
"I am the biological son of our parents, Kiyoshi," Daemon hissed through gritted teeth, "and as such, I have as much claim to the throne as you do. You cannot simply ignore that fact." He stepped closer, their faces mere inches apart. "And as for addressing you as king, I'll do it when you have earned the respect of your people. Until then, you are nothing more than a usurper, holding a seat that isn't rightfully yours."
"If it were truly a seat that is not rightfully mine, why am I the one sat on it now?" Kiyoshi asked, his voice cold and calm, "Do not deceive yourself, you have no claim to the throne, and you know it. The people chose me to lead them, not you. You are nothing more than a spoiled brat, used to getting everything you want simply because of your bloodline." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "But I will not let you endanger my people any further. I will find those children, and I will bring them home safe. If it means going against you, then so be it."
"How dare you!" shouted Lady Elspeth, her cheeks flushing with anger as she stepped between the two brothers.
"Do not overstep your place again, or I will see you are stripped of title and land!" Kiyoshi thundered. "You and this worthless wife of yours both!" His words hung in the air, thick with malice. "As for you, Lady Elspeth," he continued, his gaze flickering briefly to her, "Do not speak in matters that do not concern you, you are a wife of Daemon, a man who holds no rank or power here."
With that, the king swept from the hall, angrily. Leaving the room in silence, his guards trailing behind. Lady Elspeth, still trembling, turned to her husband. "How dare he speak to you so!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking with rage. "You are the rightful heir to the throne, and he knows it! He is just jealous of your position, and afraid that you will take what is rightfully his!"
"Do not lie to yourself!" said Nia, calmly but firmly. "Kiyoshi may not have been born with the same bloodline as you, but he has earned the love and respect of our people. He has proven himself to be a just and capable ruler, while you..." She trailed off, "You have done nothing but cause strife and division. You have brought danger upon our doorstep, and now you want to play the hero? No, Daemon. You must accept the truth. You are not fit to lead this kingdom." With that Nia excused herself, leaving Lady Elspeth, Prince Daemon and Princess Serena alone in the dining room.